Book Review: Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

Title: Snapdragon

Author: Kat Leyh

Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Number of Pages: 236

Rating: B+

Recommended?: Yes

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Wow, this book was way better than I expected it to be! The characters were wonderfully unique and endearing and it was a pitch-perfect combination of sweetness with some darker undertones. Snapdragon, the titular protagonist, is a tomboyish outsider who ends up befriending a ‘witch’ who lives in her community and cleans dead animals off the roadways.

As it turns out, the old woman does have some unexplained powers and Snapdragon eventually becomes her apprentice. The book ties together magic, a GLBT love story, and Snapdragon’s friendship with a trans girl. We get to watch Snapdragon become a stronger person and become closer to her loving but overworked mother as well as to her found family of fellow misfits.

I quickly became attached to the characters, and I thought Snapdragon was an awesome protagonist. I could relate to her not being interested in typical ‘girly girl’ things and at Halloween, I also find myself complaining about how anatomically unrealistic skeleton decorations are.

The artwork was distinctive and vibrant and I loved the inclusion of Snapdragon’s bizarre-but-cute albino three-legged pug, Good Boy. This book was written with middle graders in mind but I think it’s also a good pick for teens and even adults who want a quick, feel-good read.