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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Oddly Normal' by Otis Frampton is a pretty adorable graphic novel about a girl from two worlds who doesn't really fit into either. And she has a name that is odd, but not normal.
Oddly Normal is a soon to be 10-year old. She has green hair and pointed ears because her father is human and he mother is a witch. This makes her stand out among the kids at school. When her parents (and house) disappear, she is left in the care of her loopy aunt (on her mother's side) who whisks her off to a place called Fignation. Oddly has always been told she can't survive there, but she soon finds it a wondrous place. When her aunt makes her go to school, she finds that she doesn't really fit in here either. Will she and her aunt be able to figure out what happened to her parents (and her house)? We don't find out in this volume, but it's still a fun journey.
This collects the first 5 volumes of the ongoing series, and all the original cover art is collected at the end. The story doesn't finish in this volume, but it's still a good ride. Otis Frampton's storytelling and art are in good form here. It looks like this was a Kickstarter project, so a lot of other folks think this as good as I did.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Oddly Normal is a soon to be 10-year old. She has green hair and pointed ears because her father is human and he mother is a witch. This makes her stand out among the kids at school. When her parents (and house) disappear, she is left in the care of her loopy aunt (on her mother's side) who whisks her off to a place called Fignation. Oddly has always been told she can't survive there, but she soon finds it a wondrous place. When her aunt makes her go to school, she finds that she doesn't really fit in here either. Will she and her aunt be able to figure out what happened to her parents (and her house)? We don't find out in this volume, but it's still a fun journey.
This collects the first 5 volumes of the ongoing series, and all the original cover art is collected at the end. The story doesn't finish in this volume, but it's still a good ride. Otis Frampton's storytelling and art are in good form here. It looks like this was a Kickstarter project, so a lot of other folks think this as good as I did.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
lanica's review against another edition
3.0
Oddley Normal is a 10 year old girl who wishes her parents away and, because she's half-witch, they go. She then has to go live with her aunt in a different plane of reality where she learns about her mothers history. She makes some unusual friends and has some fairly normal adventure.
Perfect for a middle school library! Perhaps a starting point for a graphic novel book club or book exchange.
Perfect for a middle school library! Perhaps a starting point for a graphic novel book club or book exchange.
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
4.0
SUMMARY: Oddly Normal endures many of the same trials that other 10-year-olds do, such as unpleasant school bus rides and torments from her peers. Perhaps her green hair and pointed ears contribute to why her classmates treat her the way they do, but that can't be helped when your mother is a witch and your father is a human. Oddly feels that she does not belong, neither where she lives now, or in the mysterious land of Fignation, where her mother came from. During her 10th "birthday party", she wishes her parents would disappear...and they do! Oddly is quickly whisked by her aunt to the previously forbidden Fignation, and soon becomes embroiled in running from new enemies, and confronting a great evil.
EVALUATION: While Oddly does feel out of place, she is able to find some comfort and distraction in her new group of friends: Ragnar, a hunchback; Misty, a ghost; and Reggie, a junior Frankenstein's monster. I liked that even monster-based middle schools have the standard stereotypes, including the reject group, and the school bully and his cronies. The story feels a little like an early Harry Potter novel, in that Oddly, like Harry, is struggling to deal with her powers, and goes on adventures trying to determine what exactly is going on with her strange teacher and the troublemakers at her school.
WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: Oddly is a wonderful depiction of a young tween who learns to stand up for herself, without stepping on anyone else in the process. This book should be equally enjoyed by both boys and girls. The story flows quickly and easily, with some humor sprinkled into the mix. I'm a fan of this style of drawing, and I think tweens will appreciate it and the color work.
EVALUATION: While Oddly does feel out of place, she is able to find some comfort and distraction in her new group of friends: Ragnar, a hunchback; Misty, a ghost; and Reggie, a junior Frankenstein's monster. I liked that even monster-based middle schools have the standard stereotypes, including the reject group, and the school bully and his cronies. The story feels a little like an early Harry Potter novel, in that Oddly, like Harry, is struggling to deal with her powers, and goes on adventures trying to determine what exactly is going on with her strange teacher and the troublemakers at her school.
WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: Oddly is a wonderful depiction of a young tween who learns to stand up for herself, without stepping on anyone else in the process. This book should be equally enjoyed by both boys and girls. The story flows quickly and easily, with some humor sprinkled into the mix. I'm a fan of this style of drawing, and I think tweens will appreciate it and the color work.
cimorene1558's review against another edition
3.0
I think I liked this, but I'm a little confused about what exactly happened during the course of the book. A little more clarity and I would have given this four, or perhaps even five, stars.
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
2.0
This was a bit surreal reading it. I really enjoy the more recent editions and can see why and how it was developed. This version has potential, but nowhere near the spark and joy that the new one does. Also, I appreciate the development in art style for the updated books.
ocie's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good graphic novel for kids. I'd say for grades 3-6.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
4.0
A nice simple comic. Interesting story with cute (yet awesome) artwork that is appropriate for all ages.
I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to continue the series. It is a fun short graphic novel that keeps you wondering what will happen next. Oddly Normal's character is likable and relatable.
Due to the short length of the book, some of the dialog felt rushed, but the point still got across without feeling dragged out.
A great graphic novel, especially for a young audience.
I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to continue the series. It is a fun short graphic novel that keeps you wondering what will happen next. Oddly Normal's character is likable and relatable.
Due to the short length of the book, some of the dialog felt rushed, but the point still got across without feeling dragged out.
A great graphic novel, especially for a young audience.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
5.0
Another item I borrowed from my local branch of the public library.
Here is what I wrote back in my blog as part of a post about various graphic novels I read:
"This is the first volume of a series, and I highly recommend it. Though mostly for young readers, I think any reader of graphic novels will enjoy it. Oddly Normal is a young girl of mixed heritage: her mother is a witch, and her father is a human. When on her birthday, she makes a wish common to many kids in a brief disgruntled moment, her parents actually disappear. Her great aunt comes to care for her, taking her to Fignation to live. While there, it seems the challenges of school never change as there are friends to be made and enemies to avoid. In the meantime, Oddly has to find her parents. And why is that teacher giving extra credit to everyone else? Find that out and more in this series. A light and entertaining read."
Find the complete post here:
[http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/06/short-booknotes-on-graphic-novels-14.html]
Here is what I wrote back in my blog as part of a post about various graphic novels I read:
"This is the first volume of a series, and I highly recommend it. Though mostly for young readers, I think any reader of graphic novels will enjoy it. Oddly Normal is a young girl of mixed heritage: her mother is a witch, and her father is a human. When on her birthday, she makes a wish common to many kids in a brief disgruntled moment, her parents actually disappear. Her great aunt comes to care for her, taking her to Fignation to live. While there, it seems the challenges of school never change as there are friends to be made and enemies to avoid. In the meantime, Oddly has to find her parents. And why is that teacher giving extra credit to everyone else? Find that out and more in this series. A light and entertaining read."
Find the complete post here:
[http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/06/short-booknotes-on-graphic-novels-14.html]
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
Color comic about a girl, Oddly Normal, who is the daughter of a witch and so she's got green skin and pointy ears. Not exactly the image you want when trying to fit in at school. She wishes on her birthday that her odd family would just disappear--and they do! Leaving her with her witchy grandma, who takes her through the mists to Fignation, the magical world of her mom's heritage. She has to go to school there, and she finally fits in! Everyone is weirder than she is! She makes friends with an Igor-like guy and a big Frankenstein's monster-looking dude, and a Ghost. Lots of fun; the teachers are odd, and one of them is definitely more interested in her than should be normal....in a sinister kind of way.
lauralynnwalsh's review against another edition
3.0
Nice artwork. I had a little trouble following the flow of the words. Manga is still not a favorite for me, but I can see this would be appealing.