Lumberjanes: The Moon is Up is a middle grade novel written by Mariko Tamaki, and illustrated by Brooklyn Allen. It’s based on the comic book series, Lumberjanes, which is a delight of a series. I was slightly worried that the novel would not be able to hold true to the comic, or would be ‘dumbed down’ for a lower readership. Luckily, that is not the case.

This book is honestly wonderful. I want to give it to every girl I know, and cry ‘Read this! There are so many girls! There are so many eldritch horrors! Read, for the love of God!’. If I’d had this book when I was little, it would have made my life, and probably would have made me want to go to camp.

I love all the random puns and references the girls make. At one point, someone exclaimed ‘Roxanne Gay!’ and I couldn’t help laughing. This book is written with so much love for women, with so many funny and clever references that it’s a delight to read. It’s a snuggle under the covers with a torch when you’re meant to be asleep kind of book.

Jo is my favourite character in anything, ever. I loved her from the first moment I read her in the first Lumberjane comic, and I love her in this book too. She’s wonderfully written, awkward, shy, likes to be on her alone, but still the kind of person that you want to hang out with and cuddle a lot. Also, she’s a trans girl whose story doesn’t revolve around being trans! She also has two dads! What more could a reader ask for!

Ripley, my baby! Someone please tell her that there is edible glitter that she can buy and consume, I need this girl to have her glitter fix. Also, her instant reaction into finding a mouse as tall as a loaf of bread that wears clothes and can talk is to hug it. She’s the best blue haired girl in the world.

The drawings are also adorable. I realise they’re not completely finished yet, but even the sketches are still fun and dynamic with a whole lot of energy. My Adobe Digital Edition skipped over a few of them, so I’m not sure I was meant to see them, but they’re still really cute. I honestly can’t wait for the finished edition.

Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this ARC.

I love the Lumberjanes comic and was thrilled when I heard about their middle grade novel series. Even more thrilled when I got to read a proof of the second book. The reality didn't live up to my expectations (having Lumberjanes things explained in prose wasn't as fun as seeing it in the comics), but I'd still recommend it to 3rd-4th graders who are interested in getting into or reading more about Lumberjanes.

YES! Feminism and scouting and diverse, badass women! I am 100% here for this. Conveys all the magic of friendship and scouting (I am slightly in love with the badges) as well as a nice whimsical tale of adventure. All of the girls are really interesting in their own right and the group dynamic is just perfection. Also nice seeing a prominent female lead who's passionate about science in the shape of Jo. I need to read all the Lumberjanes comics now.

First of all, thank you Netgalley for always keeping me appraised of these books. I love them, but I unfortunately never hear about them except when they go up on the site. I don't follow middle grade as closely as YA so that's my fault because I really love these books and I wanted to read both of them as soon as I knew they existed.

ANYWAY. Like its predecessor, this was a lot of fun. I think these books really capture the spirit of the comics and for someone who is incredibly behind on the comics, I still feel like I know these characters. This one closely follows Jo, who's a favorite of mine, and I really enjoyed her journey and the tough decisions she has to make in this installment. This was fun, funny, and many shenanigans were had - just what you would expect from the Lumberjanes. I'll definitely keep reading these as long as they're being written.

I thought this was the next in the Lumberjanes comic series and while I'm sure it was a good take it just wasn't what I expected.