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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Student Ambassador #1: The Missing Dragon' by Ryan Estrada with illustrations by Axur Eneas is a graphic novel for young readers about an unlikely friendship.
Joseph Bazan becomes a student ambassador and that takes him on some amazing adventures, like calming a pool of crocodiles or hiding under the president's desk. He gets sent to solve a diplomatic crisis with a child leader in another land. Joseph and the young king find themselves on the run and becoming friends along the way.
This was a pretty fun story and I think young readers would have a blast reading it. The art is fun too!
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Iron Circus Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Joseph Bazan becomes a student ambassador and that takes him on some amazing adventures, like calming a pool of crocodiles or hiding under the president's desk. He gets sent to solve a diplomatic crisis with a child leader in another land. Joseph and the young king find themselves on the run and becoming friends along the way.
This was a pretty fun story and I think young readers would have a blast reading it. The art is fun too!
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Iron Circus Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
afro8921's review against another edition
5.0
The Missing Dragon Student Ambassador#1 is kind of like a goofus and gallant tale from the past. Two tweens have to learn to work together to figure out who's behind a theft at the palace in this funny tale. I really enjoyed the way the author included elements of Korean language in the story line and also the humorous friendship between the two tweens.
vaiomo's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review
I really liked this comic. I thought it was very funny but yet still serious. I remember applying to be a student ambassador myself at my Uni a year ago. As much as I am happy I didn't get in, this comic made me somehow want to apply again hahaha.
I really liked the main character in this. I thought I would end up finding him annoying but that wasn't the case at all! I actually really liked him and thought it was fun to follow his stories.
I also really enjoyed that there were so many cultures int his comic I think it added something nice to the whole thing.
I really liked this comic. I thought it was very funny but yet still serious. I remember applying to be a student ambassador myself at my Uni a year ago. As much as I am happy I didn't get in, this comic made me somehow want to apply again hahaha.
I really liked the main character in this. I thought I would end up finding him annoying but that wasn't the case at all! I actually really liked him and thought it was fun to follow his stories.
I also really enjoyed that there were so many cultures int his comic I think it added something nice to the whole thing.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
A funny, weird story of a student ambassador who ends up working like a real ambassador, when the US government finds that they can't negotiate with the nine year old king of a small country.
Nang and Joe start off just having a sleeping party, but when assassins come, they have to flee the palace, and wide up in South Korea, where assassins are still following them.
It is a crazy adventure story, made crazier because Nang doesn't know how to be a kid, and expects to be treated like the royalty that he is.
Fun, fast pace, and a good story.
Thanks to Netgalley form making this book available for an honest review.
Nang and Joe start off just having a sleeping party, but when assassins come, they have to flee the palace, and wide up in South Korea, where assassins are still following them.
It is a crazy adventure story, made crazier because Nang doesn't know how to be a kid, and expects to be treated like the royalty that he is.
Fun, fast pace, and a good story.
Thanks to Netgalley form making this book available for an honest review.
phyrre's review against another edition
4.0
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Iron Circus Comics for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Student Ambassador: The Missing Dragon is a humor graphic novel filled with adventure and a mini mystery. Best of all, in-between all the action and laughs, the reader will even learn some Korean!
There were a lot of random conveniences, and the book really stretches believability, but if you just set that aside, this book is just simply fun.
My Thoughts:
- This book is absolutely filled with adorable kid logic. It’s just so freaking cuuuuute. This occasionally led to scenes where I felt a bit like it was too easy how he solved the problems, and it was hard to believe that no one had thought to do something similar before. Still, true to kid logic, there are definitely moments where I was like, yeah, I can see no one trying the very simple, obvious thing in front of them. For kids, I think this will strike a chord with them about looking at life a little differently and finding the simple solutions. They’re still entrenched in their own kid logic, obviously. For older readers, this is a reminder to always think outside the box and have a curiosity about the world.
- There’s a lot of subtle or tongue-in-cheek humor in this book, and I absolutely loved it! There were definitely times where I had to laugh out loud, but I just couldn’t help it. Some of the comedic timing in the panels was just so perfect and so honest. The book is a nice blend of adventure, humor, and learning, where none of them felt too overdone, but they nicely complemented each other.
- Nang is a super fun character, because he’s the epitome of spoiled privilege, but also sort of a victim in his own right. After all, he’s just a kid, and he’s expected to rule a country after his parents’ untimely demise. It’s a lot of pressure to put on someone. Due to his status, he’s been doted on his entire life and always taught that he was the most important thing. He’s used to taking what he wants, as kids do, because there’s never any real consequences for him. This really comes back to the great life lessons the book sneakily packs in, because Nang has to learn to think of someone other than himself and how to not be … well … spoiled? It’s a work in progress, that’s for sure, but there’s lessons to be learned along the way, which led to some surprisingly touching scenes!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Iron Circus Comics for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Student Ambassador: The Missing Dragon is a humor graphic novel filled with adventure and a mini mystery. Best of all, in-between all the action and laughs, the reader will even learn some Korean!
There were a lot of random conveniences, and the book really stretches believability, but if you just set that aside, this book is just simply fun.
My Thoughts:
- This book is absolutely filled with adorable kid logic. It’s just so freaking cuuuuute. This occasionally led to scenes where I felt a bit like it was too easy how he solved the problems, and it was hard to believe that no one had thought to do something similar before. Still, true to kid logic, there are definitely moments where I was like, yeah, I can see no one trying the very simple, obvious thing in front of them. For kids, I think this will strike a chord with them about looking at life a little differently and finding the simple solutions. They’re still entrenched in their own kid logic, obviously. For older readers, this is a reminder to always think outside the box and have a curiosity about the world.
- There’s a lot of subtle or tongue-in-cheek humor in this book, and I absolutely loved it! There were definitely times where I had to laugh out loud, but I just couldn’t help it. Some of the comedic timing in the panels was just so perfect and so honest. The book is a nice blend of adventure, humor, and learning, where none of them felt too overdone, but they nicely complemented each other.
- Nang is a super fun character, because he’s the epitome of spoiled privilege, but also sort of a victim in his own right. After all, he’s just a kid, and he’s expected to rule a country after his parents’ untimely demise. It’s a lot of pressure to put on someone. Due to his status, he’s been doted on his entire life and always taught that he was the most important thing. He’s used to taking what he wants, as kids do, because there’s never any real consequences for him. This really comes back to the great life lessons the book sneakily packs in, because Nang has to learn to think of someone other than himself and how to not be … well … spoiled? It’s a work in progress, that’s for sure, but there’s lessons to be learned along the way, which led to some surprisingly touching scenes!
abigailbat's review against another edition
In this adventure-packed graphic novel, Joseph Bazan, student ambassador, turns out to be just the person to get through to a boy king whose country is headed towards war with its neighbor. From solving mysteries to surviving a kidnapping to uncovering a secret plot, the action is nonstop in this madcap graphic novel. It oozes kid appeal and humor and will provide much-needed armchair travel to young readers.
tcbueti's review against another edition
5.0
Love the message of this: don’t be greedy, appreciate the little things, think of others, friends matter. Also, being king may not be all its cracked ip to be.
Joseph (mom US, Dad Mex) always want to rep both countries well. Sent by US pres to deal with baby king of “West Rhutar”. Spoiled brat who learns better through Joseph’s friendship and example. After being kidnapped etc etc
Very funny TALL TALE—and you learn Korean (the value of comics!) and superstitions. (What are some of ours?) madcap!
Joseph (mom US, Dad Mex) always want to rep both countries well. Sent by US pres to deal with baby king of “West Rhutar”. Spoiled brat who learns better through Joseph’s friendship and example. After being kidnapped etc etc
Very funny TALL TALE—and you learn Korean (the value of comics!) and superstitions. (What are some of ours?) madcap!
afro75's review against another edition
5.0
The Missing Dragon Student Ambassador#1 is kind of like a goofus and gallant tale from the past. Two tweens have to learn to work together to figure out who's behind a theft at the palace in this funny tale. I really enjoyed the way the author included elements of Korean language in the story line and also the humorous friendship between the two tweens.
destdest's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Adorable and so much fun! I love stories that don’t treat kids as if they’re stupid. A big chunk of the book takes place in Asia, from Nang’s country to Korea and Japan. There’s even a quick section on how to pronounce Korean consonants and vowels. I thought the story was cute, and the humor was funny. Major Saturday-morning cartoon vibes. The ending feels too easy, but it’s fitting.
readingrainbill's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the target audience for this middle grade graphic novel. That being said, I enjoyed this quite a bit and it's something I would want my future children to read.
Ryan Estrada came up with a great idea and a fun main character. Joseph Bazan is smart but he's still very child like without talking down to the young audience. The plot is far fetched but hey, this is a graphic novel for kids, so its to be expected.
This is about 8-year-old Joseph Bazan who becomes a student ambassador and gets to meet the President. The President likes Joseph and sends him to help negotiate with a boy king in a country on the brink of war.
This was cute, fun, and utterly enjoyable. If Estrada does a second, I know I'll want to read it. It's a very culturally diverse story that is a very positive read for a young kid.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the target audience for this middle grade graphic novel. That being said, I enjoyed this quite a bit and it's something I would want my future children to read.
Ryan Estrada came up with a great idea and a fun main character. Joseph Bazan is smart but he's still very child like without talking down to the young audience. The plot is far fetched but hey, this is a graphic novel for kids, so its to be expected.
This is about 8-year-old Joseph Bazan who becomes a student ambassador and gets to meet the President. The President likes Joseph and sends him to help negotiate with a boy king in a country on the brink of war.
This was cute, fun, and utterly enjoyable. If Estrada does a second, I know I'll want to read it. It's a very culturally diverse story that is a very positive read for a young kid.