CONTENT NOTE: gentrification, family estrangement, death of a loved one

Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song is a delightful story about pursuing your dreams, friendship, challenging family dynamics, and, of course, breaking magic curses with music and love.

What Worked for Me:
✦ Okay, first of all-- opening up with being so broke a robber makes fun of you and asks if everything's all right at home AND doesn't believe you when you say you have good stuff to steal?? Amazing opener! 😂 This is a great example of the delightful humor this book has from beginning to end.
✦ This team works remarkably well together-- it's evident that everyone brought their own strengths to the comic with an excellent understanding of how to pair it well with the others' strengths. The story, art, and lettering flowed together as if from a single source, and that's a truly beautiful thing to behold in a comic.
✦ I didn't want to put this book down at any point, the pacing and story were both so well done. There were a few scenes where we see the characters catching up, which is normally where the story can get a bit bogged down in exposition, but Austin Paramore wrote it so that it paired perfectly with the visual nature of the comic by giving us bits and pieces that were just enough to keep us informed and intrigued without slowing down the pacing. This truly felt like a dream team of comic creators!
✦ Sarah Bollinger's art is just fantastic! I love how expressive the characters and body language are in this comic. She gives every scene and every character a sense of life and movement that looks so smooth and cohesive.
✦ Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou's lettering is something I always enjoy, but it felt especially dynamic in this comic! I absolutely loved the expressive nature of it, and it really brought to life the conversations and the characters' voices. I feel like his style of lettering with the combinations of font sizes and shapes paired with the lively balloons was perfect for a book all about "hearing" a story because I swear I could hear these voices and sound effects. His work remains undefeated in my book!
✦ I have to admit that I'm not a big music fan. I enjoy it, but I don't typically enjoy conversations or stories about it, so I was thrilled that this book wasn't like that. I had worried it would be an exposition about exploring notes and technical details that would bore me, but it couldn't be further from that.
✦ I loved the portrayal of the family dynamics here. I was able to predict a little of what was coming toward the end, but I enjoyed that because it felt like I was picking up on little clues here and there left by the author.
✦ The final ending surprised me a bit, though, too! I'm very curious to see if this means we'll get a second book!
✦ The relationships between the characters were fully developed and gave a sense of dropping me into a world that's fully formed. I enjoyed the slow revelations that came throughout the story and led us to the big reveal.
✦ I also loved the attention to detail in the art, too-- Sarah Bollinger didn't miss a chance to tell a visual story in any of these panels. We were given so much detail about the lives of the characters' lives and feelings, as well as the settings we see them in. Excellent world-building all around.
✦ I loved the way Sarah Bollinger played with the shapes of the panels throughout the comic, too. There was a particular scene showing Malcolm's routine as he transitioned from outside to inside the home that I particularly enjoyed. I also really loved the dynamic between Miles and Malcolm in that scene-- so sweet!
✦ I also love the overall message of the book, too! I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that the themes of this book really struck a chord with me.
✦ While it was a compelling read the entire time, I felt like this could be classified as a low tension story in the best possible way. I was invested in what was happening, but I also didn't feel overwhelmed by stress thinking about what would happen next. My blood pressure appreciates that 🥲

What Didn't Work for Me:
✦ I do wish we had gotten a little bit more of a resolution with the mysterious figure at the heart of this story! I'm hoping that will be addressed in a book two because the ending left it as a bit of a wait and see. But even if we don't, it's not so open-ended that I'll lose sleep over it lol.
✦ I wish we had been able to see or hear about Malcolm's other grandparent; I get why it wasn't really talked about in the story, but it would have been interesting to see that dynamic, too.

Overall
I give Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song 5 out of 5 speech bubbles: this book was a heartwarming story with charming, funny characters who will have you rooting for them right away!

How to Read It
Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song comes out August 1st, and you can request that your local library order a copy, check out your local comic book store, or pre-order a copy through Bookshop or Barnes & Noble.

Read This Next
If you liked this, check out The Hazards of Love: Book One: Bright World by Stan Stanely; Needle & Thread by Ennun Ana Iurov, Micah Myers, and David Pinckney; and Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas

If you enjoyed this review, I have a monthly comic review series called More Comics Please! on my website with interior page excerpts and additional information not shared here on NetGalley. You can sign up to receive them in your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter Into the Bramble at jbeoin.com/newsletter.

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The characters are cute and charming, written pretty well. It's a wholesome, feel-good story, aimed towards younger readers. I think the idea of the storyline is top notch and I would definitely read a sequel if there was one. The ending kind of made me think there was possible potential for a sequel. So here's to hoping.

#Netgalley #MalcolmKidandthePerfectSong

<blockquote>But when Jubilee's opened up... Man, We finally had something of our own, we could dance, we could drink... We could be happy and black without nobody messing with us, that was special back then, still is...</blockquote>
I received a copy of this Graphic Novel ARC, in exchange for an honest review, Thank Austin, Sarah, Hassan, Marika, NetGalley for the opportunity.

<blockquote>You have to move on, you can't do nothing but be there for him now, that kinda pain don't just go away, he needs you.</blockquote>
This will come out August 1, 2023, It's a story of the love of music, young people aspirations, friendship, family, passion, and how to keep them everything that is really important to us in focus, to not stray from what really matters...

Austin my man, I know it's your first Graphic novel, But you fit right in, this is your place, keep at it, and it will become your kingdom, The Market is starved for more Graphic novels about African Americans lives, that can be a role model for young people, something they can relate too, something that can inspire them, something that give a great representation, you did all that, and then a little more.

Sarah, Great art, while Austin wrote with a great sense of humor, your art and the people's expressions, was actually more hilarious for me, i was laughing in pages i shouldn't even laugh, Great art, you make Funny become hilarious, the choice of coloring was amazing, it felt modern, it felt that it was suitable for the story, everything was on point, no complaints at all, Unique, which i am always on the lookout for, i didn't read as many Graphic novels as i should, but i don't remember someone i read for had the same style.

<blockquote>It's music, it makes people happy!</blockquote>
The story was about Music, My connection with music is crazy, i never know what song will pop into my mind, things i don't even listen to anymore, i could wake up with a song that haunts me for the rest of the day, playing over and over in my head.
I could whistle a piece of a famous symphony even though i don't even know it's name, i could be reading like on one of the pages here, and a piano intro of a song plays in my mind, as if it's what's being played in the scene, not even sure which song had that intro!
My mind is probably haunted by an old juke box...

I enjoyed this immensely sorry for delaying it, been a little busy lately.
<blockquote>Girl, i was drunk off my ass when i wrote that song, but i know it was damn good, just can't remember the notes.</blockquote>
<img src="https://imgur.com/owvWNZu.jpg" width="400" height="400"
This is what midnight would look like if he was white, and played the perfect song (Best song in the world) And his name was midday. (Sorry i couldn't insert this song in here, i love it, and it's pretty much what happened with the imprisoned soul of the musician 😆)

Malcolm Kid and the Perfect song is a great book for high school aged kids who enjoy graphic novels, fantasy, and music! I enjoyed how the book emphasizes getting to know your family history, following your passion, and standing by your friends and your dreams. I’d love to read more and see where life goes next for Malcolm!

Ugh this was so good! Reminded me a lot of Miles Morales & the animation in Spider Verse, but the best way. So cute and funny, with a lot of heart. My only complaint is I wanted more! But it does seem like this graphic novel was set up for a sequel. Super lovable characters and a fun journey- could have had just a few more twists and turns to really get the reader invested in the mystery, but overall a quick fun read with some amazing representation and the cutest characters. I especially loved Yung Trav’s set list on his demo CD. #laughs

Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song was a fun young adult graphic novel. I wish that some more of the characters were explored a little more deeply but overall really enjoyed it.

Malcolm Kid is a well-crafted and visually appealing story. A wonderful and beautiful example of what a graphic novel can do, and well worth sharing with readers.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Austin Paramore and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

All Malcolm wants to do is play the piano. His dad doesn't approve though and wants him to focus on school and other aspects that will actually get him a job. Things change though when he is given a cursed keyboard and needs the help from a cursed musician to play the "perfect" song. Malcolm sets out to find the perfect song and maybe even himself.
A fun graphic novel about being true to yourself and your own dreams!

Shout out to #OniPress and #NetGalley for early access to this debut graphic novel. Music plays a magical role in many lives, and this book by Austin Paramore and Sarah Bollinger offers much of the same. When Malcolm Kid finds a keyboard that sings the sounds of a jazz musician, he learns he must perform the perfect song. This proves to be difficult for a B-average, mediocre kid. One of my favorite parts of the story is the shift from the sepia tones to full color by the end, bringing to life the themes of love and family. There is a release date of August 1, 2023.

Malcom Kid and the Perfect Song follows the titular main character as he navigates relationships with family and friends all while dealing with a haunted keyboard. I enjoyed the characters of this book and found their relationships with each other to be interesting and well developed. That said, this book also seems to be clearly leading into a sequel and thus there are many aspects of the characters and their relationships which are mentioned, but never fully explored within the story. Thus, as I didn’t know this was the potential start of a series when I read it, there were things that felt as though they were just sort of mentioned and dropped. If a sequel is published which more fully explores these things and deals with the cliffhanger of the ending than these potential drawbacks won’t be a concern. I liked the art. The character felt expressive and the artist was able to create a variety of backgrounds that really set the mood for the story. Overall, I would recommend picking this book up and enjoying it with the knowledge that it does leave you hanging a bit at the end.

I really enjoyed this! The art, the relationships, the historical and paranormal elements -- it all works. It moves fast (sometimes too fast) and did wrap up very quickly, but the ending seems to leave the possibility of a sequel, so I'll hope for that. It feels like a 6th-grade-and-up book to me, so I probably won't acquire it for my school library, but I'll certainly be recommending it to individual kids (and adults!).

Many thanks to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Malcom Kid and The Perfect Song was such a wonderful and inspiring graphic novel.

The novel follows our main character Malcom who is gifted a cursed keyboard and discovers he is being haunted by an old jazz musician. He finds out the only way to free himself and the ghost is to find and play the perfect song. He is joined by a childhood friend, January, and together they adventure around the city, discovering not only the ghost’s history but themselves in the process.

I really enjoyed the story of this one and the focus on Malcom following his dreams of pursing music despite even though he feels like the world is working against him. The artwork was simple and beautiful, and helped the story flow easily from past to present without any confusion.

Overall, this was a quick but heartwarming read and I’m really hoping another volume is in the works, as the final scene seemed to suggest that. I highly recommend this to young teens as well as adult looking for a light read with a touch of magical realism.

Thank you to OniPress and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this graphic novel due for release on the 1st of August 2023.

Rep: BIPOC Characters

Content Warnings: bullying, death/murder of a sibling (in the past - mentioned throughout), alcohol/alcoholism (past - mentioned), unsupportive parent

Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for this ARC.

This has got to be one of my favorite Graphic novels!
I am impressed with the book's amazing illustration and overall content. The characters are well-developed and the story is both funny and heartwarming, leaving a feel-good effect.
I really enjoyed the pace of the book and am excited to read more about Malcom's adventures in the next installment (fingers crossed).

I was incredibly impressed by this graphic novel and its delightful combination of heartwarming friendship, family dynamics, and self-discovery. I requested it because of the cover and the musical theme, in addition to the fact that I’m trying to read diverse books, but I really loved it way more than I expected
.
When Malcolm's keyboard is destroyed, he ends up purchasing an enchanted keyboard haunted by the ghost of an old jazz musician. The musician is seeking the perfect song that will allow him to finally escape. Malcolm's journey to uncover the perfect song beautifully delves into the importance of family relationships, emphasizing the valuable lessons that can be learned from our loved ones and our family histories.

The art in this book is fantastic, and Sarah Bollinger has done a remarkable job of bringing the characters and the city of New Bronzeville to life. The illustrations are vibrant, and the attention to detail is impeccable. "Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song" is an outstanding read that I wholeheartedly recommend to all readers in the middle-grade category and up.

4.5/5

I'm so happy to have the possibity to read titles I would probably never discover myself.
This one is another hidden gem I'm so glad I was able to find.

The lenght of the book was perfect, there's time to enjoy both the art and the beautiful story.
There is a kinda predictable situation but even guessing it pretty early on during the read, I was able to enjoy anyway seeing how it was drawn throughout the book.

I found the story super cute and it has a big big heart, the read is very smooth but it's very easy to bring to life in your head the drawings.

I only have a more general note: I wasn't a fan of the whole sepia toned colors, the cover is so bright, so when I found inside a whole muted world I was a little disoriented, but that's about it.

This is a story of dreams, family and love.

A fun, light but not lightweight story about the families we’re born into and the families we choose. The art style matched the tone of the narrative perfectly and conveyed the musical and magical elements in ways prose couldn’t on its own. This is a must-read.

Oh my gosh, this was just perfect.

Not only is the story incredibly heartfelt - it also feels so TIGHT and detailed, developed to the T, it never misses a beat, and it's impossible to put down. I can't even remember the last time I read something in one go and took this much joy from the experience. The characters are great as well - main AND side. They have their backstories, inner conflicts, and complicated histories.

The writing is stellar as well. Anybody who knows me will tell you I don't like funny books and avoid them almost at all cost, but this graphic novel's humor is SO effortless and the art compliments it SO perfectly that I found myself smiling, laughing, you name it. However, this book also touches on SO many issues from gentrification to segregation and it, again, does so effortlessly.

And the art style itself - again, simply perfect. The color palette fits the writing and story and characters, the facial expressions are priceless, the designs are just wonderful.

Overall, this just immediately became a book I know I'll want to reread and I wish I could read it for the first time again. Charming, multi-layered, sad but funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

This is a fun adventure for younger readers -- the characters are charming (including the minor characters, who are all fully fleshed out), and the story is funny and wholesome and feel-good. The little details of Malcom's stats and quest updates pretty accurately capture how it feels to be that age. I think the end sets Malcom up for a sequel, and if so, I'll be interested to see what else could happen in the universe!

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Read this from Netgalley - I really enjoyed the muted hues and the story! Thought it was lush how it was all interweaved. The freaky eyed man scared me a bit! I wonder if there’s gonna be another… cause I’m most curious!

Notes:
● it feels so cute and so many little parts are heart-warming
● the ending! It's one of those endings where you KNOW the story isn't over.

Positives:
● funny
● likeable characters
● the art is so good, the artist is NAILING expressions
● heart-warming

Negatives:
● it could have been a tad longer, I feel like it just went so quickly and the ending felt slightly abrupt