"Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song" by Austin Paramore is a delightful and heartwarming middle grades book that follows the adventures of Malcolm, a young boy with a passion for music, as he embarks on a quest to find the perfect song. Through whimsical storytelling and vibrant illustrations, Paramore creates a charming tale that celebrates the joy of creativity, friendship, and self-discovery. With its engaging story, endearing characters, and vibrant illustrations, Paramore's book is sure to strike a chord with anyone who has ever dared to dream and dance to the beat of their own perfect song.

This book combines friendship, family, creative expression, and even a touch of romance in one excellent package. The art is so unique and fun. It is also a nuanced depiction of grief and growing up.

An interesting approach here. While the book really only introduces the conflict (the hunt for the perfect song) we are able to dig deep into character history and influences. It could be a fascinating series, though this one doesn't have a complex plot of it's own.

Malcolm Kid loves music but unfortunately no one in his house feels the same way. His keyboard breaks and he is in search of a new on, he has no money and a strange man in a music shop offers him a new one…
There is real life situations that a black teen would face which makes the story more accessible to readers.
The characters are great and the story has themes of family, music, friendship and history.
A fun graphic novel about following your dreams.
There is a perfect set up for a sequel which I eagerly await!

This was a really delightful story about friendship, music, family, and the history and experience of Black musicians in America. I really loved how it was so tender and charming but also felt very honest about the experience of being a Black teen. I would love to put this in my library, although I will note that there were several instances of mild cursing; while it felt pretty harmless and realistic, it could be something that would give middle school librarians pause, unfortunately. Still, a really fantastic book! It seemed like it might be setting up for a sequel, which I would love to see!

A fun graphic novel about being true to yourself and your own dreams! I think the idea of the storyline was great, but I needed a bit more. I would however, read a sequel if there was one.

From start to finish, this book is full of energy and enthusiasm. There is no dull moment; it’s all action, catchy phrases and sarcasm, which make it a good graphic novel. Huge credit to the author and creative team for bringing together a fun and vigorous story.

The plot involves a typical teenager going thru adventures with a sidekick and a mission to fulfill. But the way it is narrated, especially for a graphic novel, is very uncustomary. Other graphic novelists could learn a thing or two in terms of the story’s style and flow. And I love the graphics! Very expressive; attention to detail is excellent. It is a perfect combination of weirdness and beauty. I love the artist’s courage to explore uncanny techniques.

The only downside was the ending. I know I’ve been all praises on its plot, but I expected something more impactful here, a better finale. Something seems lacking, and the music theme tapers out even though it’s supposed to be all about music.

But overall, I enjoyed it and am pretty sure everyone will fall in love with the characters and message the book aims to convey.

This was a great graphic novel. First of all, my ten-year-old devoured it in one sitting and is looking forward to a continuation of the story. I also really enjoyed it. Sometimes a graphic novel can make your feel like you are skipping over parts of the story but this one is super well done. Between the compelling story and the expressive images, lots of nuance and detail are covered in a quick read.

I totally recommend this book and am also looking forward to whatever comes next - it definitely feels like it's being set up for a second book.

I really enjoyed the concept of this story, I think it was really well done! The illustrations were absolutely beautiful and I think that having this dtory be told theough a graphic novel format really made the story more special.

Malcolm Kid loves music in a household where that love is not nurtured. One day his keyboard breaks and he needs a new one. He has no money but a creepy guy in a music shop offers him a new one - for a bit price. This story was whimsical with wonderful characters and a lovely ending. I look forward to more books from this author!

I really enjoyed this book and think it would be valuable for many of my students. The characters were well thought out and the story was well developed.

I loved this book! To be honest, I used to love graphic novels, but I’ve fallen out of them recently. This book definitely reignited my love for the genre. I love all the little details, like the chapters being marked with piano keys and the ‘Malcolm Os’, I could go on. It feels realistic but magical at the same time, a perfect mix of reality and fantasy.

This is a cute, heartfelt story that went in directions I didn’t expect! While the cover might look like it’s a middle-grade graphic novel, this is pretty firmly YA with some more mature content and language.

I feel like this book is best approached with as little knowledge of the story as possible. In hindsight, I’m surprised I didn’t figure out the twist sooner, but I’m kinda glad I didn’t. The ending, as in the very last page, still has me ruminating. I think this one would be good for a book discussion so folks could debate their interpretations of that ending.

The artwork, style, and coloring created an immediately immersive experience. I was sucked right into Malcolm’s story. I read it during two sessions, and I thought about it in between! I feel like the illustrator created a such a sense of intimacy, both between the characters AND between the reader and Malcolm’s inner world. I liked the “malcolmOS updates.” 😊

I really enjoyed this one and will keep an eye out for future work from the author, Austin Paramore, and the illustrator, Sarah Bollinger.

Review posted to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5460624376

Is there such thing as a perfect song and what kind of "deal" do you need to make in order to create/discover it? That's what Malcolm finds out in this heart-felt graphic novel. Throughout his journey to help the old man trapped in his keyboard, Malcolm learns "we live life to leave something behind." It comes down to legacy: your family and the impact you have made on them, not what the world thinks of you. Along for the ride is Malcolm's childhood friend, January aka "Ary". Together they try to find the "perfect song", while also helping to find their way back to each other. I loved the graphics, especially the tech icons used to reflect the characters thoughts/feelings. Definitely left me wondering if there will be another story...Thanks to Oni Press & Net Galley for the physical & digital arcs.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Oni Press, for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review and comments
.
Malcolm Kid has a talent for music, but his own self-deprecation keeps him from dreaming too big. When circumstances mean that he misses an audition for a part-time job performing, he is reunited with January, his childhood friend, who takes him to a strange instrument shop for a new keyboard. This takes Malcolm on a journey to discover "The Perfect Song" to free the cursed soul of a jazz musician currently trapped inside his new keyboard.
.
Filled with genuinely heart-warming moments, funny lines, and great art, this graphic novel was a really pleasant surprise. I always like to have a graphic novel on the go, and this was a great light-hearted read (albeit with some heavier moments) to dip in and out of. I loved the character of January and was really intrigued by the guy who runs the music shop, and I hope there will be a second book to continue the story, as the ending definitely left things open for more adventures with Malcolm. And I have to mention the art, beautifully drawn, and it felt almost animated and in motion.
.
Overall, it was a great read. I'm happy I requested this one!

IT WAS TOO SHORT!!
omg as a young, black, musician I loved this story a little bit too much. Okay, it was amazing. I loved Malcolm and his group of friends (Cam mainly lol) and I loved his friendship with Ary. You don't see black rep like this in YA graphic novels so ofc i was eating it up 😚 if black joy were a book, this would be it.

AND THE ART STYLE BRO!! Somehow the monochrome worked for this story and I loved the little ending illustrations and Yung Trav's soundcloud ig 😭😭

Ary and Malcolm's friendship is so well-written and it feels genuine. I do like the themes portrayed throughout the book, and the lesser broad but subtle one about umm contracts :P

but I digress. I loved this story and I'd reccomend it to anyone. side note, this book feels kind of nostalgic, like a 2000's cartoon :)

Music has a special place in my heart and I appreciated the love for music that comes through this graphic novel. I will definitely be purchasing this for others to enjoy!

An awesome graphic novel with beautiful illustrations. I loved this story and while reading it could definitely imagine the characters in an animation, so much of this popped off the pages.

This was so dang enjoyable! I went in knowing not too much about the plot and I recommend you do, too.

A summary that doesn’t give too much away— Malcolm Kid is down on his luck. He’s a high schooler who just wants to be a musician. His dreams are temporarily dashed when his keyboard gets smashed and his parents grow angry with him. Then, Malcolm and his friend January acquire a new keyboard under ~shady~ circumstances. The two don’t know what they’re in for, and their new possession leads them on a quest around town.

The combination of energetic artwork + silly dialogue was *chef’s kiss.* This comic was just so fun! This story touches on the love of music, complex family dynamics, loss, and gentrification— all with a lot of humor and heart. There are also some cool video game and social media elements. I’ll definitely be on the watch for a sequel!

Recommended if you’re interested in a humorous comic about a young musician that perfectly balances being lighthearted and touching. Out on August 1!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC!

CONTENT NOTE: gentrification, family estrangement, death of a loved one

Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song is a delightful story about pursuing your dreams, friendship, challenging family dynamics, and, of course, breaking magic curses with music and love.

What Worked for Me:
✦ Okay, first of all-- opening up with being so broke a robber makes fun of you and asks if everything's all right at home AND doesn't believe you when you say you have good stuff to steal?? Amazing opener! 😂 This is a great example of the delightful humor this book has from beginning to end.
✦ This team works remarkably well together-- it's evident that everyone brought their own strengths to the comic with an excellent understanding of how to pair it well with the others' strengths. The story, art, and lettering flowed together as if from a single source, and that's a truly beautiful thing to behold in a comic.
✦ I didn't want to put this book down at any point, the pacing and story were both so well done. There were a few scenes where we see the characters catching up, which is normally where the story can get a bit bogged down in exposition, but Austin Paramore wrote it so that it paired perfectly with the visual nature of the comic by giving us bits and pieces that were just enough to keep us informed and intrigued without slowing down the pacing. This truly felt like a dream team of comic creators!
✦ Sarah Bollinger's art is just fantastic! I love how expressive the characters and body language are in this comic. She gives every scene and every character a sense of life and movement that looks so smooth and cohesive.
✦ Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou's lettering is something I always enjoy, but it felt especially dynamic in this comic! I absolutely loved the expressive nature of it, and it really brought to life the conversations and the characters' voices. I feel like his style of lettering with the combinations of font sizes and shapes paired with the lively balloons was perfect for a book all about "hearing" a story because I swear I could hear these voices and sound effects. His work remains undefeated in my book!
✦ I have to admit that I'm not a big music fan. I enjoy it, but I don't typically enjoy conversations or stories about it, so I was thrilled that this book wasn't like that. I had worried it would be an exposition about exploring notes and technical details that would bore me, but it couldn't be further from that.
✦ I loved the portrayal of the family dynamics here. I was able to predict a little of what was coming toward the end, but I enjoyed that because it felt like I was picking up on little clues here and there left by the author.
✦ The final ending surprised me a bit, though, too! I'm very curious to see if this means we'll get a second book!
✦ The relationships between the characters were fully developed and gave a sense of dropping me into a world that's fully formed. I enjoyed the slow revelations that came throughout the story and led us to the big reveal.
✦ I also loved the attention to detail in the art, too-- Sarah Bollinger didn't miss a chance to tell a visual story in any of these panels. We were given so much detail about the lives of the characters' lives and feelings, as well as the settings we see them in. Excellent world-building all around.
✦ I loved the way Sarah Bollinger played with the shapes of the panels throughout the comic, too. There was a particular scene showing Malcolm's routine as he transitioned from outside to inside the home that I particularly enjoyed. I also really loved the dynamic between Miles and Malcolm in that scene-- so sweet!
✦ I also love the overall message of the book, too! I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that the themes of this book really struck a chord with me.
✦ While it was a compelling read the entire time, I felt like this could be classified as a low tension story in the best possible way. I was invested in what was happening, but I also didn't feel overwhelmed by stress thinking about what would happen next. My blood pressure appreciates that 🥲

What Didn't Work for Me:
✦ I do wish we had gotten a little bit more of a resolution with the mysterious figure at the heart of this story! I'm hoping that will be addressed in a book two because the ending left it as a bit of a wait and see. But even if we don't, it's not so open-ended that I'll lose sleep over it lol.
✦ I wish we had been able to see or hear about Malcolm's other grandparent; I get why it wasn't really talked about in the story, but it would have been interesting to see that dynamic, too.

Overall
I give Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song 5 out of 5 speech bubbles: this book was a heartwarming story with charming, funny characters who will have you rooting for them right away!

How to Read It
Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song comes out August 1st, and you can request that your local library order a copy, check out your local comic book store, or pre-order a copy through Bookshop or Barnes & Noble.

Read This Next
If you liked this, check out The Hazards of Love: Book One: Bright World by Stan Stanely; Needle & Thread by Ennun Ana Iurov, Micah Myers, and David Pinckney; and Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas

If you enjoyed this review, I have a monthly comic review series called More Comics Please! on my website with interior page excerpts and additional information not shared here on NetGalley. You can sign up to receive them in your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter Into the Bramble at jbeoin.com/newsletter.