This was FANTASTIC. I absolutely loved it! A lot of girl power and it’s a digestible introduction to power dynamics and corruption for younger readers. I loved the friendship and the adventure and the bravery. Absolutely fantastic. And the illustrations were gorgeous!

I really enjoyed the story portrayed in this book. We need more stories that express how people can come together and how to set aside our prejudices and biases to actually learn about other people. We all have the ability to fight back against corrupt government.

This graphic novel takes storytelling to a whole new level with its stunning artwork and captivating narrative. The characters leap off the page. Whether you're a graphic novel enthusiast or just looking for an unforgettable read, this book is a must-have for your collection. 5 stars without a doubt!

A story about telling the truth and backing up claims with evidence seems especially important these days. Journalism is a dangerous profession wherever you are. I loved to see a group of girls take on someone of power who was abusing their position. More importantly, as they run through their city, they find people who are suffering and vow to help them. It's and important message: we can't just tear down the institutions that are harming our communities, we need to have a plan for how to replace them with something better. I would definitely recommend this for classrooms and school libraries.

The first in a middle grade historical graphic novel duology telling the story about the power and fearlessness of a group of little girls who fight for truth, justice, and freedom of press. The panels were absolutely stunning and vivid and the themes very inspiring. This graphic novel very easily translates collective activism into an easily digestible format for young readers. which is think is even more important in today’s political climate. I do wish the story itself was just a little more engaging but nonetheless I truly enjoyed this work of art. (+) disabled MC, casual POC rep, author (Nijkamp) is queer, non-binary, and disabled; illustrator (Bi) is Chinese-American

First off, the artwork in this is absolutely beautiful. I look forward to reading more stories that are illustrated by Sylvia Bi. The story showcased the power of media, the power of friendship, and the importance of not giving up. I really enjoyed the characters and relationships this book showcased. There were a few times that I was a little confused about what was happening in the story, but I enjoyed it overall. Ink Girls was cute and fun; everything I was looking for in a middle grade graphic novel. I have already recommended this book to some of my students and I can’t wait to see what they think of it.

This story was a little slow, but overall very solid. The art is gorgeous and the characters are all relatable and rounded out.

I adored this book! I really enjoyed the fact that there was such a diverse population of characters, both in ethnicity and ability. A protagonist with a cane is such an important step! I loved the world building and the art style, it was beautiful to read. I also really appreciated the resistance element.

This is a book that doesn't shy away from big ideas while remaining accessible for a middle grade audience. Nijkamp explores power, public perception, social stratification, and freedom of the press. It's a narrative that encourages the reader to think critically about government and what we're allowed to say. As a graphic novel it's a bit text heavy but has an excellent sense of movement and setting. It's the sort of book you'll want to give to fans of the Princeless series and budding dystopian fiction readers.

The art in this book was beautiful and colorful. I loved that the story was written in a light and easy to read way while still covering a powerful and deep topic. I enjoyed the adventure of looking for proof to back up the hard truth of the story. And I loved the constant reminder that the truth is powerful and while sometimes it might hurt or be tough to say, it’s important to always share the truth with people.

The art in this graphic novel is beautiful. I really liked the story line and having character perspectives that are both young and old. Well done.

This was a fun graphic novel, and while I enjoyed the plot overall, to me it was the art that was really the star. The illustrations are stunning, and I'm definitely going to look up everything that Sylvia Bi has ever drawn now. The story fell a bit flat to me at times and seemed a bit slow for a middle grade, but I did enjoy it overall. I also really appreciated the central message of the book, and I hope that it gets into the hands of young readers so they can be inspired to seek out their own power in the world!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

A middle school graphic novel about the power of the press. It's set in the Italian Renaissance. It's about a girl who is learning to be a printer. Her Mestro is arrested for printing papers that implicate the city's magistrate for extortion. Her apprentice, Cincia, escapes meeting the Principesca along the way. The two sneak out of the palace in order to gather evidence to save Cincia's Mestro. From there it's all about tracking down sources and getting them to vet things while hiding from the palace guard in order to save the day. It's a great story of people rising up to take back the power from those exploiting them. The art is detailed and bright, propelling the story. This is an all out terrific read for kids.

This vivid historical fiction graphic novel contains strong female characters who fight against the corruption in their city to make it a better place. The exquisite illustrations add a magical quality to the setting - a fictional Italian coastal city during the Renaissance. Altogether, the story and the imagery in this novel remind readers that they can make a difference if they tell the truth.

This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that is good for middle graders. At times, I found it difficult to follow but overall I think this is a pleasant and informative read.

"Ink Girls" by Marieke Nijkamp captivates readers with the enthralling tale of Cinzia, a printer's apprentice, and her mentor Mestra Aronne. As Aronne's attempt to expose government corruption leads to her capture, Cinzia navigates a web of deceit to find those behind the proof. The narrative takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of Elena, a nobleman's daughter, adding depth to the story.

The illustrations in "Ink Girls" by Sylvia Bi are a visual feast. Bi's art complements Nijkamp's words with perfection. The captivating blend of storytelling and stunning visuals makes "Ink Girls" a must-read graphic novel, showcasing the power of collaboration between author and illustrator. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this visually enchanting and narratively compelling work.

Ink Girls is a beautiful middle grade graphic novel. The illustrations are perfect and the story shares so many important messages. Ink Girls reminds readers to stand up for truth and justice and to use your voice. Recommended for all middle grade collections.

“It isn't telling the truth that's harmful. It's not listening.”

Eleven-year-old Cinzia is a printer’s apprentice. Her and Mestra Aronne are arrested for printing an unflattering truth about the corrupt Lord Magistrate. Cin soon finds allies in young Contessina Elena, pirate Carlotta, and hijabi Aneeqah; together they fight to free Mestra while also investigating the Magistrate’s corruption to restore trust throughout Siannerra.

I’m a sucker for strong female friendships and found family, so I really enjoyed this one. The girls were diverse and each had a very distinctive personality, and they were relatable in many ways.

It’s disappointing to find out that the city you love isn’t what you think it is, but no voice is too small to speak out for what is right. The text felt very relevant to the ongoing problems in the world. Vulnerable people are exploited for others to gain wealth and power, women are underestimated, and many people fear spreading the truth because it makes them uncomfortable.

The artwork was colorful and vibrant, and really brought the Italian Renaissance-inspired setting to life! I really appreciated the author’s note and how it provided historical context of journalism during the time period.

I am going to need a sequel to see what adventure these girls go on next.

Rep: Cinzia walks with a cane, Elena is neurodivergent, Aneeqah wears hijab, Carlotta is queer, all the girls are Brown but there are no labels used

Also, there is the cutest cat named Dante!

Hello Again,

I am still working towards my goal of getting all of my completed reads or DNF’d reads reviewed by the end of the year (while still reading new books, but those may be counted in 2024). Today we are going to talk about an E-ARC for an upcoming graphic novel I am very excited about (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). I have read and reviewed novels by this author before but never a graphic novel so I am very excited to chat about this author’s newest work!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Cinzia is living in a big city working as an apprentice for a printer. This printer makes a newsletter or newspaper about the city and what is happening. This time when they are preparing to print the newsletter, Cinzia learns that they are going to be printing some not-so-favorable things about the ruling family but they are all true and verified by sources. She decides to discuss this with the person she is apprenticing for and they both know that this story will lead to trouble but decide telling the truth is worth the risk. This risk of truth leads them both to being escorted by guards to the palace, Cinzia is able to escape into the palace and then the city but the guards are looking for her and she only has a short amount of time to try to prove what they wrote was true and save the person she apprentices for from death.

I really enjoyed this story. I am not sure if the author has written other graphic novels but I know they have written several other novels and I enjoyed them as well. (I think I still maybe have one or two to read from their back catalog). This graphic novel tells a story of censorship, friendship, and how coming together can truly make a difference not just to one person but to multiple people in a community. I am definitely planning to pick up a copy to add to my shelves!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I'm often looking for graphic novels that are appropriate for middle grade readers, while also providing rich vocabulary, character development, and clear thematic elements, and Nijkamp's Ink Girls does just that. The illustrations are stunning (and what initially made me request the book), but the story of a young printer's apprentice and her quest for truth in a corrupt city is also quite compelling. I think there are definitely potential curricular opportunities here, and this is a graphic novel I would happily recommend to my students, particularly those looking for strong female protagonists.

Thank you to NetGalley for my e-ARC of this book!