Tommy wants to fit in, but middle school is tough for a lizard person.Tommy Tomkins is really Booger Lizk't of Elberon, a community of lizard people living deep beneath the surface of the Earth. Humans' overuse of natural resources took a toll on the Lizk't, and Tommy's family was forced to leave Elberon or perish. They disguise themselves and go to live among the humans. Unfortunately, moving somewhere new isn't easy. Disgusted by human food, Tommy gets caught eating a bug at school, and the bullying begins. When Dung Tran, a new student from Vietnam, gets bullied for his name and way of speaking English, the two bond over their experiences as outsiders. Wanting to be accepted for who he is-a refugee, not an alien trying to take over the world like the lizard people demonized on a popular TV show-Tommy reveals his true identity to Dung. But friendship can be fragile; Tommy is filled with insecurities after Dung finds another friend, new student Scarlett who is socially excluded because her father is the school custodian. This funny, entertaining graphic novel centers friendship and self-discovery as it skillfully balances comedy with serious topics like identity and belonging. Informed by his Vietnamese relatives' immigrant experiences and his own childhood, Hill writes with thoughtful insight. His dramatic, full-color illustrations use gradient backgrounds of purple, blue, and green, giving them a retro feel.Engaging and thought-provoking. (author's note) (Graphic science fiction. 8-12)

Gr 5–8 —Tommy is a member of a family of lizard people who had to flee their subterranean homeland due to a crumbling society and dwindling resources. Now attending school as a seventh grader, Tommy misses his birthplace and is frustrated by having to wear a disguise and fit in among surface-dwellers. In the depths of misery, however, Tommy meets Dung and Scarlett, new students at his school who are outsiders facing challenges of their own. The three become fast friends, but it's not long before conflict interrupts their relationship. Though it's a true all ages book, students in grades five through eight will find the most to love here, with relatable characters and conflict. Quirky but grounded illustrations that feature colors by Nyssa Oru complete the storytelling package. Back matter includes an author's note connecting elements of the story to Hill's own experiences growing up Vietnamese American. VERDICT A touching story for anyone who has ever been an outsider, this book is an empowering tale of being comfortable in your own skin, seeking out those with whom you can bond, and learning how to navigate this bizarre and confusing society in which we live.—M. Brandon Robbins