Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Hijinks ensue when a clandestine "carnivorous bioengineering experiment" escapes on a space station.This effervescent tale begins as Sanity Jones, a budding scientist, gets a tongue-lashing from her best friend's mom—and Wilnick Station's senior scientist—Dr. Vega, after the discovery of her completely unauthorized experiment, which involved a modified stasis chamber and other illicitly procured materials. Best friends Sanity and Tallulah have tried to keep the experiment, Sanity's brainchild, under wraps: a white, three-headed kitten they've named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds. Although she's been grounded for aiding and abetting, after this bioengineered kitty escapes, Tallulah helps Sanity search the space station for Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds. (The repetition of the cat's three names—one for each head—is just one of the many funny jokes that run through this graphic novel.) Meanwhile, the space station is experiencing technical problems that seem to point to the escaped kitty—but Sanity and Tallulah discover a much bigger vermin problem that has the potential to destroy the entire station. Sanity Jones, who is black, and Tallulah Vega-Davisson, who is biracial (Latinx/white), headline a thoroughly diverse supporting cast (Sanity's dad, who's also black, is station director; Tallulah's has a leg prosthesis), creating a fresh, realistic representation of future space exploration. Interlaced with spot-on dialogue that is full of humor, this page-turner delivers. (Graphic science fiction. 8-12)

ALA Booklist (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Sanity and Tallulah are two girls growing up on a racially integrated but very out-of-the-way space station. Sanity, a girl of color, is the brainy, science-minded friend who engineers a three-headed cat as a pet. Tallulah, half-white and half-latina, is the more impulsive but highly supportive friend. When the experimental cat escapes, things start to go wrong on the station. Facing trouble from the station director, who happens to be Sanity's dad, the girls investigate and learn that there's something much more serious d space station threatening ing on. Relying on the methodical but suspenseful investigation of the mystery, this is dense with dialogue and limited in furious action, and is consequently a recommendation that readers, thankfully, won't toss off in one quick sitting. This more thoughtful pace proves a welcome homage to intelligent problem-solving, perseverance, and loyalty. It's all invitingly envisioned with button-eyed characters in distinctive hairstyles and fashions inhabiting a convincingly down-to-earth space station and colored in a limited, muted palette that grounds this future and makes even more accessible.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Besties Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega live on boring, isolated Wilnick SS. When Sanity's lab-grown three-headed kitten gets loose and functions on the space station stop working, the friends must find the kitten, the culprit, and a way to save their home. This graphic novel has sharp, limited-palette art, and its simple plot is elevated by charismatic protagonists and a creative sci-fi world.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Hijinks ensue when a clandestine "carnivorous bioengineering experiment" escapes on a space station.This effervescent tale begins as Sanity Jones, a budding scientist, gets a tongue-lashing from her best friend's mom—and Wilnick Station's senior scientist—Dr. Vega, after the discovery of her completely unauthorized experiment, which involved a modified stasis chamber and other illicitly procured materials. Best friends Sanity and Tallulah have tried to keep the experiment, Sanity's brainchild, under wraps: a white, three-headed kitten they've named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds. Although she's been grounded for aiding and abetting, after this bioengineered kitty escapes, Tallulah helps Sanity search the space station for Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds. (The repetition of the cat's three names—one for each head—is just one of the many funny jokes that run through this graphic novel.) Meanwhile, the space station is experiencing technical problems that seem to point to the escaped kitty—but Sanity and Tallulah discover a much bigger vermin problem that has the potential to destroy the entire station. Sanity Jones, who is black, and Tallulah Vega-Davisson, who is biracial (Latinx/white), headline a thoroughly diverse supporting cast (Sanity's dad, who's also black, is station director; Tallulah's has a leg prosthesis), creating a fresh, realistic representation of future space exploration. Interlaced with spot-on dialogue that is full of humor, this page-turner delivers. (Graphic science fiction. 8-12)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Two brilliant girls, a whole lot of a science, and a failing space station feature in a series opener with a good balance of wit and action. Sanity and Tallulah-s inquisitiveness may be the literal ruin of their families and their entire space station: Sanity uses unstable, obsolete technology to engineer and feed a white three-headed cat, Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds (a name dedicated to each of her heads), and Tallulah has aided and abetted. The feline escapes soon after, just as people report strange occurrences-a murdered animal, power outages, and chewed wires-throughout the station. Racing to find their cat while avoiding parents and crew members, they stumble upon a much bigger problem that could jeopardize everyone on the ship. But who will believe that it-s not their missing pet? Within a trichromatic color scheme in shades of purple and pink with white, line work renders characters and situations close up against the massive station, offering the adventure an intimate feel. Debut author Brooks-s inclusive vision of strong and diverse women engaged in science, variously abled bodies navigating the challenges of space, and positive family relationships is both enjoyable and commendable. Ages 8-12. Agent: Heather Alexander, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 3-6 Tweens Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega are best friends who live on the space station Wilnik and spend their time causing mischief. When Sanity, a gifted scientist, creates a three-headed kitten named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds without permission and Tallulah helps cover it up, their parents are none too happy. Even worse, the kitten escapes and their space station begins to break down, possibly as a result of their furry friend wreaking havoc on the ship's already run-down interior. Sanity and Tallulah are relatable and well rounded, with an equally strong supporting cast filled with diverse characters. The plot moves quickly, and the high jinks will grab readers' attention. The muted palette of blues and reds works well for the outer space setting, and the artwork is clean, engaging, and easy to follow. Happily, the ending promises more shenanigans with the duo. VERDICT Fans of fast-paced sci-fi graphic novels such as Zita the Spacegirl , as well as readers interested in humor, will be drawn to the plucky pair. Ellen Conlin, Naperville Public Library, IL