I really, really enjoyed this - I love the Lumberjanes graphic novels and this is a great addition to that world. The story is fun - and I'm going to have to go and find myself a "proper" copy to check out the finished artwork. So much fun and so true to the characters that we already know from the graphic novels. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I love the way that the Lumberjanes and their different families and backgrounds are presented - without comment, without an explanatory comma and without assuming that it's something other or different or unusual - which is, of course, totally how it should be. Really good on all fronts.

Lumberjanes: The Moon is Up is a middle grade novel written by Mariko Tamaki, and illustrated by Brooklyn Allen. It’s based on the comic book series, Lumberjanes, which is a delight of a series. I was slightly worried that the novel would not be able to hold true to the comic, or would be ‘dumbed down’ for a lower readership. Luckily, that is not the case.

This book is honestly wonderful. I want to give it to every girl I know, and cry ‘Read this! There are so many girls! There are so many eldritch horrors! Read, for the love of God!’. If I’d had this book when I was little, it would have made my life, and probably would have made me want to go to camp.

I love all the random puns and references the girls make. At one point, someone exclaimed ‘Roxanne Gay!’ and I couldn’t help laughing. This book is written with so much love for women, with so many funny and clever references that it’s a delight to read. It’s a snuggle under the covers with a torch when you’re meant to be asleep kind of book.

Jo is my favourite character in anything, ever. I loved her from the first moment I read her in the first Lumberjane comic, and I love her in this book too. She’s wonderfully written, awkward, shy, likes to be on her alone, but still the kind of person that you want to hang out with and cuddle a lot. Also, she’s a trans girl whose story doesn’t revolve around being trans! She also has two dads! What more could a reader ask for!

Ripley, my baby! Someone please tell her that there is edible glitter that she can buy and consume, I need this girl to have her glitter fix. Also, her instant reaction into finding a mouse as tall as a loaf of bread that wears clothes and can talk is to hug it. She’s the best blue haired girl in the world.

The drawings are also adorable. I realise they’re not completely finished yet, but even the sketches are still fun and dynamic with a whole lot of energy. My Adobe Digital Edition skipped over a few of them, so I’m not sure I was meant to see them, but they’re still really cute. I honestly can’t wait for the finished edition.

Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this ARC.

I love the Lumberjanes comic and was thrilled when I heard about their middle grade novel series. Even more thrilled when I got to read a proof of the second book. The reality didn't live up to my expectations (having Lumberjanes things explained in prose wasn't as fun as seeing it in the comics), but I'd still recommend it to 3rd-4th graders who are interested in getting into or reading more about Lumberjanes.

YES! Feminism and scouting and diverse, badass women! I am 100% here for this. Conveys all the magic of friendship and scouting (I am slightly in love with the badges) as well as a nice whimsical tale of adventure. All of the girls are really interesting in their own right and the group dynamic is just perfection. Also nice seeing a prominent female lead who's passionate about science in the shape of Jo. I need to read all the Lumberjanes comics now.

I remember when I first came across the Lumberjanes as a comic in a comic book store and I immediately picked it up and bought it. A bunch of different and dynamic females going on adventures? sign me up. It is incredible to see that the positive influence and fantastical adventures of the Lumberjanes have been made into a longer narrative. The characters are all very different, all coming with their own strengths and self doubts, which is a great way to connect to a variety of young readers who are still growing into their unique traits and weaknesses. This book is definitely a fun and accessible read, likely being best for girls aged 8-14. Not only is the book an exciting read, with friendship and self discovery, it is also interspersed with elements of learning, from the outdoors to outer-space! The setting is at a summer camp, which is a great place for the characters to run amuck, take responsibility, and its something many readers will have done at some point and can relate to, and even if they haven't gone to camp, this book makes it feel like you are on the journey with them. I think these books are extremely important and would recommend for any young reader.

First of all, thank you Netgalley for always keeping me appraised of these books. I love them, but I unfortunately never hear about them except when they go up on the site. I don't follow middle grade as closely as YA so that's my fault because I really love these books and I wanted to read both of them as soon as I knew they existed.

ANYWAY. Like its predecessor, this was a lot of fun. I think these books really capture the spirit of the comics and for someone who is incredibly behind on the comics, I still feel like I know these characters. This one closely follows Jo, who's a favorite of mine, and I really enjoyed her journey and the tough decisions she has to make in this installment. This was fun, funny, and many shenanigans were had - just what you would expect from the Lumberjanes. I'll definitely keep reading these as long as they're being written.

I think this sequel to Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power! does a better job of introducing the five scouts of Roanoke cabin to new Lumberjane readers. I thought the character development left something to be desired, and I think the overuse of feminist icon names (e.g. "Oh my AMY POEHLER," "Holy Ruth Bader Ginsburg," etc.) may be alienating to younger readers. I understand the intent, and maybe kids who read it will be inspired to find out more about the people mentioned, but I found it tedious.

I think Tamaki also missed an opportunity with the new character Barney, who was introduced in the first novel. Barney identifies with "they/them" pronouns, and that was not mentioned in this book and no time was spent getting to know them.

This book was super cute! I thought that it was an excellent children's book, and I particularly liked that the author used slightly more sophisticated diction, which I think is great to introduce to readers of a younger age. The book also contained several educational points, such as the naming of the different planets in the beginning of the novel, which always makes for a nice read.
The only reason that the book did not get the full 5 / 5 from me is because I didn't get that "wow," factor from it. It was a really good read, but it did not blow my mind away.

I thought this was the next in the Lumberjanes comic series and while I'm sure it was a good take it just wasn't what I expected.