Is this my favorite graphic novel of the year? YES, YES IT IS.

I really liked both Stargazing and The Prince & the Dressmaker, but Jen Wang honestly knocked it out of the park with this one. 10/10.

ASH'S CABIN comes out in a few weeks and I'd highly recommend it for any teen who loves outdoor survival stories, especially if they're looking for queer rep as well.

(Seriously, I'm OBSESSED.)

This book, is about the things a child goes through in life……wanting to be independent and trying to find yourself. I live in Wisconsin, and last summer a boy went missing. This book reminds me of that boy in the woods, camping on his own and finding himself. The boy in Wisconsin is still missing, whereas the child in this story ended up back home and happy with their self. I feel this book would also be good for adults to read, so they can understand children’s. Sometimes we adults forget what it’s like. Also times have changed and thugs are not always the same. A lot was also learned on the journey they took. I am going to suggest students to read this book, and also suggest to some of the staff I work with. I think the Sources of Strength group will also enjoy this book.

A story of a young person trying to find their place in the world. I really enjoyed this book. I could feel Ash’s hurt and heart in this wonderfully written graphic novel. I loved the illustration! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

This is a story of discovering oneself and the trials of growing up.

We meet Ash. For quite a while Ash has felt like no one understands them. Alone. After the passing of their Grandfather, Ash decides to go on a journey to find one of the very places he could be happy. Away from the harsh reality of life in a cabin hidden deep in the woods. After careful planning and preparation to leave their harsh world behind to chase after their own happiness in this cabin… is it everything Ash hoped for?

This story was lovely.

Stunning artwork and a beautiful storyline, Jen Wang created the perfect Graphic Novel for both growing youths and adults alike. I’m giving this a 4/5-star rating. I’m sure many will take Ash’s story and relate to the struggle they battle with their mental health as well as how they come to a solution to keep moving forward. This was truly inspirational and a joy to read.

My thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s copy. This book is expected to be published August 13th, 2024.

Feeling alone, loneliness, climate change concerns, running away, DIY wilderness skills and survival. YA graphic novel, though it could also be for middle school.
Ash is struggling with mental health challenges and makes a plan to get away to the woods where they have always felt happiest. Plans are very well thought out and they are skilled at overcoming challenges.
This book will stay with me for a long time. Ash felt very real.

4.5 stars

Ash has always felt alone. They love being outside, and the feeling of the wind in their hair when riding their bike. But it doesn't seem like anyone at school or anyone in their family cares about the environment as much as they do. No matter how much they try to get them to care.

When Ash remembers a story about their Grandpa Edwin building a secret cabin in the woods, they decide to make it their goal to find it. It seems like a good place to start a new life, and escape society for a little while. But surviving out in the woods all by yourself isn't as easy as it might look. Can Ash make it on their own?

Thanks to First Second and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Ash's Cabin by Jen Wang! At its core, this is a graphic novel about survival and figuring out how you fit into the world. Wang nails the voice of a teenager, and the art works so well for the subject matter. This is a sort of quiet story, but one that teens who like survival stories will definitely enjoy. Fair warning, there is a bear attack and Ash's dog gets injured.

Because Ash is alone for a good portion of this book, you really get to know them as a character. They have such drive; determined to live off the land on their own, believing they don't need anyone else to be happy. There's a lot of great stuff packed into this graphic novel that would make excellent discussions, especially paired with a book like My Side of the Mountain or even Hatchet.

Wang includes extra reading at the back of the book, adding even more depth to the overall story. There's so much to like about this book, and I hope it reaches the right hands when it comes out in August!

Desperate for connection, but finding it nowhere, Ash decides the only way they will find peace in this world is if they discover their grandfather's lost hideout in the woods. The goal: to turn that hideout into a home where they can live in harmony with nature (and their trusty companion, Chase). Told primarily through journal entries, the reader follows alongside Ash on their journey for the space to be themselves.

I thoroughly enjoyed this survival story told in graphic format. Ash, a non-binary teen angry with their family, school, and society, decides to venture into the wilderness without telling anyone. What follows is a captivating tale of survival with little more than a survival guidebook, some food and water, and their pet.

The full-color illustrations are exceptional. The text includes dialogue, diagrams, Ash's journal entries, lists, and more. Ash's earlier name is blacked out, adding a layer of mystery.

The story is non-linear, jumping back to memories and skipping days at a time, which can be confusing. Younger or less accomplished readers might get lost in these transitions.

I highly recommend this book to students in grades 7-10. It's very accessible for readers of varying skill levels.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc

I’m still recovering from this story. It’s sad and beautiful and it hit me in the guts.
I was so sad for Ash. And the dog. Oh my. I cried my eyes out.
This is a beautiful story about belonging and not fitting in. I was so happy it has some kind of happy ending because otherwise I would not have recovered.

"Surviving is the easy part. Feeling at peace in your heart is the hard part."

From the author of the Prince and the Dressmaker comes a new story about a non-binary teen's adventure in the wilderness. Although I don't know if this was the author's intention, it almost felt like Hatchet for a new generation of kids & teens, and I immensely enjoyed it. I loved Ash's determination and could relate to their feelings of isolation and loneliness. Looking forward to this book's release in August!

What would you do if it felt like you were losing everything? Even yourself?

Absolutely a must-read! I adore Ash! Dealing with the loss of a grandparent, trying to make your voice heard to your family, and becoming yourself is difficult. And Ash is trying. Really. But nobody seems to be listening. Except their dog, Chase.

And to Ash, that means finding Grandpa's cabin in the woods and making a life.

"You're sure? You won't be lonely out here?"
"I already know what it's like to be lonely. I don't mind it."

Gorgeously drawn, and excellently crafted story, with the underlying hopeful reminder that writing about it helps. And reminds me of the My Side of the Mountain novel from years ago.

"Speak your fear into the fire, and the fire will consume it."

Everyone needs to be seen for who they are. If I had 10 stars to give, this book would deserve every one.

"Surviving is the easy part. Feeling at peace in your heart is the hard part."

Ash doesn't feel like they fit in anywhere. Not with their family or at school. The only place that they felt at peace was at their grandfather's ranch. The family lore is that their grandfather built a secret cabin in the woods. Ash sets out to find this cabin after studying up on how to survive in the wild. Along with their dog, Chase, Ash learns how to find food, start a fire, and build a shelter. All along, their family is looking for them. Eventually a forest fire forces them to return home. Ash learns a lot more than just survival skills including being okay with who they are and how they connect to the world. A good graphic novel for fans of survival tales like Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain.

Reminding of My Side of the Mountain, this graphic novel takes a peek at a teen's struggles to deal with the relationships around her and an attempt to find solace by heading to nature to live on her own.

Ash feels alone in life. No one seems to understand her, nor are they trying. The recent death of her grandfather makes matters worse, but she's found a goal—to find his secret cabin in the forest and live there alone. She's not stupid, though, and uses several months to research survival techniques and gather the money she needs for supplies. When she finally finds herself at a relative's house for vacation near the forest, she sneaks out with her supplies and heads into the great outdoors. But soon she learns that surviving alone takes more than book knowledge and a few practiced skills.

This is a very well done, graphic novel with tons of heart. It's easy to understand and sympathize with Ash as she (at the end of the book she chooses they/them pronouns but I'm just going with what held 99% of the story on that front) just doesn't seem to fit in anywhere. It fits a problem many teens face and her desire to head out on her own is also understandable. This actually had me smiling, since it reflected a dream one of my own siblings had when they were younger. The problems she faces are realistic and the tale does not sweet-talk the truth behind survival skills. I was surprised that only a few facts were dropped, leaving this to concentrate more our her character development. Her determination is inspirational and her twist toward positive hope when things didn't work out as planned, is also uplifting and makes a smooth lead to the message at the end.

The graphics are well done and balance nicely with the text. This isn't always a graphic novel in the traditional scene form but, at times, also builds in usual paragraphs with illustrations in between. It's a nice touch. The entire thing is quick and easy to read, is smoothly paced to keep the interest the entire way through, and offers enough tension and heart to make the messages hit home.

Pros:
-Beautiful artwork.
-Great message
-Nice mix of journaling with illustrations and comic panels

Cons:
-(SPOILER) That scene with Chase and the bear and what Ash does after. The worst. I get it, Ash needed to be truly alone to realize their mistake, but if they really loved Chase, that would have been the sign to leave.

Meh:
-Ash could have been using they/them pronouns the whole time and nothing would have changed in the story.
-I needed some kind of internal dialogue about why Ash lied to Suzanne about their age. Otherwise, it just looked like a continuity error.

Ash's Cabin is a contemporary My Side of the Mountain. Sick of everyone's crap, Ash runs off to live in the woods with their dog. They find an old cabin their grandpa used to stay in out in the middle of nowhere and begin living off the land. But it's harder than Ash thought it would be. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story for a nonbinary character accompanied by beautiful illustrations straight from a survival journal. I would recommend it to older middle school and high school level students. The format is a nice in between a full graphic novel and a prose novel.

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher through a Publisher's Weekly giveaway.)

Sixteen-year-old Ash has always felt like an outsider, misunderstood by their parents, their siblings, even other teenagers. The world is burning, and Ash's dad can't wait for them to abandon their trusty bike in favor of an emissions-laden car; and, when Ash puts up signage instructing their classmates on how to recycle, the student council is more concerned with enforcing the rules than saving the planet. Oh, and there's also the not-so-little matter of Ash's family continually deadnaming them.

Only two souls have ever really gotten them: Ash's grandfather Edwin, who passed away a few years ago; and Chase, the pup Edwin gave to Ash before he died. Every year, Ash's family vacations at Edwin's old ranch near the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, now owned by Ash's Uncle Jerry, Aunt Susan, and cousin Reese. It's only April, but Ash is already looking forward to the annual August trip. When Ash's mom announces that Jerry and Susan plan to sell the ranch, Ash convinces their family to let them visit the ranch one last time. Only Ash doesn't plan on coming back.

Supposedly Edwin built a secret cabin on the outskirts of the national forest - and Ash is determined to find it, and make it their own. (Tbh Ash is continually giving aspiring Bill from THE LAST OF US vibes: "I used to hate the world and I was happy when everyone died.")

I enjoy Jen Wang's work, and I love the idea behind ASH'S CABIN: a young trans (or nonbinary?) teen connecting with humanity by living apart from it for a while. The artwork is lovely (especially the scenes of nature) and I loved the journal entry format. I really identified with Ash at the beginning - namely, their frustration with the apathy they seem to encounter at every turn - but my patience really wore thin after a while.

I got SUPER PISSED (unreasonably or otherwise, like yelling-at-my-iPad pissed) at most of the stuff involving Chase, from Ash's decision to take the dog with them, when they couldn't guarantee Chase would have veterinary care or even enough food, to simply dumping him by the road after he's injured while protecting Ash from a bear. Okay, "dumping" is maybe a little harsh: Ash sews up his wounds and splints his leg before carrying him to the road and instructing him to walk home - which, again, BROKEN LEG (!) - rather than surrendering themselves to the nearby search party looking for them. Your dog is in a bad way, Ash, and it's kind of your fault. Do the right thing.

Yet another great novel by Jen Wang. I always enjoy this author's stories. Ash's Cabin is full of such sorrow and hurt and longing, but also so much love. Because even if family doesn't always understand, sometimes it's clear that the love is there.

Ash's decisions may have been rash and a bit stupid, but necessary. I would have loved to know more about their grandfather and the story behind the cabin. I liked how the art captured the story and I felt Ash's feelings through it.

Highly recommended!

/ Denise

Ash's Cabin by Jen Wang is a beautifully crafted graphic novel that speaks to the hearts of those who desperately want to be their true selves and also feel a profound connection to nature and a deep-seated frustration with modern society's environmental neglect. Wang masterfully captures the angst and alienation of adolescence through Ash, a character whose love for the natural world is both inspiring and heart-wrenching.

Wang's exploration of solitude versus community is particularly poignant, challenging readers to reflect on their own relationships with nature and society. The story of Ash's quest for Grandpa Edwin's cabin is both an adventure and a journey of self-discovery. It raises important questions about our capacity for independence and the inherent need for human connection. Ash's Cabin is a compelling and thought-provoking read with gorgeous artwork that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in a world seemingly indifferent to the natural beauty around us.

This story was surprisingly more heart wrenching than I originally expected. Mixed with bouts of prose and illustrations, this comic was engrossing and I easily read it in one sitting. Teenager Ash is misunderstood by everyone around them, including their own family. During a vacation away from their family, they decide to find their late grandfather's cabin that is hidden in the woods and live there with their dog Chase. Thankfully, the dog survives the book but not without scaring me a ton! I really enjoyed this but I had to give it a star off for making me worry so much about the dog. Beautiful illustrations and journey.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel! The story was moving and the illustrations were beautiful. I think this book has such an important message for young people! It deals with family dynamics and the feelings of a young adult, which can be crippling at times. I think this book would be a wonderful addition to any classroom library but, my school district would not allow it because if the LBGTQ+ theme, which is a shame because the story is amazing! I also loved the relationship between Ash and Chase. I have a similar relationship with my dog too. I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC and I will recommend this title even though it won’t be allowed in the classroom at my school. Books like this are so needed!!!

A Stunningly Emotional Take on a Classic Survival Story

Ash's Cabin gripped my heart from the first page. Ash's tender character and love towards nature (and Chase, their adorable dog) made me want to wrap them both up in a blanket and squeeze them tight! Importantly, Ash never loses that sensitivity throughout all their classic survival story ups and downs. Would highly recommend to readers of all ages!