Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter

Gr 4–7—Sedgwick displays his mastery of the macabre—though with a humorous flourish—in his first middle grade graphic novel. Scarlett Hart, the orphan daughter of a pair of famous monster hunters, certainly has the bravery and gumption to follow in her parents' footsteps. Trouble is, she's still a few years shy of legal monster-hunting age—not to mention that her rival Count Stankovic is trying to tip off the Watch (the local police) so they'll catch Scarlett in the act and arrest her. The good news: Scarlett and her butler, Napoleon, have set up an expert system in which he reports her monster kills to the Royal Academy for the Pursuit and Eradication of Zoological Eccentricities (T.R.A.P.E.Z.E.) on her behalf. The bad news: Count Stankovic is definitely up to something behind the scenes, and when Scarlett and Napoleon begin to pry, more than just Scarlett's monster-hunting future is at stake. From ghosts to gargoyles to mummies, there's no shortage of cryptids in this rapid-fire romp. In fact, so much happens that the characters consequently fall a bit flat. The action sequences can be difficult to follow at times, but Taylor's muted full-color art is deliciously dark and eerie. The weapons, gadgets, catchphrases, and nondescript Victorian setting will appeal to fans of the steampunk genre.