By: Jamie Steinberg
Serendipity is one of the luckiest girls. She’s beloved as the Class President, a star player on her school’s basketball team and the lead in the school play. But a chance encounter at a local carnival may have ended that lucky streak. Author Gabbie Benda is a talented graphic novelist and a cute storyteller. For those looking for a quick and fun read, pick up the graphic novel Serendipity.
Serendipity has quite the lucky streak. She wins everything – including tickets to the local carnival. Tagging along for the fun is her best pal Basil who sees that Serendipity is actually overwhelmed by all of the activities she takes part in. She is worried that life as Class President, a basketball team player and star of the class play might be too much at one time. However, Serendipity is convinced she can manage it all.
Unfortunately, Serendipity’s luck changes when she visits an animated fortune teller at the carnival and knocks it over – only for it to give her a disaster fortune. From there, things start to go wrong for our leading lady. She has a bad hair day, she can’t dunk a basket, isn’t off book yet for the play and even gets into an argument with Basil! Ugh! Serendipity will do anything to get her luck back and that’s what eventually unlocks the key to getting back into the world’s good graces.
As mentioned, Benda is a talented graphic artist and has written an investable tale for middle-grade readers struggling to balance all their after school activities. It’s also a great reminder that no one is perfect and that your friends are there to lift you up and lighten your load when you feel the world is overwhelming. For those looking for a meaningful paneled tale of “no one can do it all” then pick up a copy of Serendipity.