Colored by Pop. Nola befriends newcomers Damiano and Inis. She then discovers their true identities: a cat and a flower from the "world of stories." The two have escaped to her town, jeopardizing its safety (according to the secret ruling class of ferrets that run the place), until Nola manages to right things. These teen-girl-centered graphic novels feature attractive anime-style illustrations but are utterly convoluted.

MARIOLLE, Mathieu . Even for a Dreamer Like Me . 128p. Bk. 3. CIP. ISBN 978-0-7613-6505-1 ; ISBN 978-0-7613-6540-2 . LC 2010015215. MARIOLLE, Mathieu . Ferrets and Ferreting Out . Bk. 2. 136p. CIP. ISBN 978-0-7613-6504-4 ; ISBN 978-0-7613-6543-3 . LC 2010012412. ea vol: tr. from French. illus. by Minikim. (Nola's Worlds Series). Lerner / Graphic Universe . 2010. PLB $30.60; ebook $17.21. Gr 5-8 This trilogy exudes shelf appeal. Unfortunately, the storytelling doesn't quite live up to the level of visual success. Living in picturesque Alta Donna, pink-haired Nola York-Stein is distracted in school and ignored by her divorced mother at home. Mystery surrounds the arrival of new students In&3;s and Damiano, who are being pursued by creatures tasked with taking them back to the fantastical Land of Stories. When Nola digs deeper, she finds that Alta Donna is not what it seemsthe town is actually a buffer zone between the Land of Stories and the Real World and In&3;s and Damiano's escape is putting all three worlds in peril. Nola must find a way to restore balance while keeping her new friends from being taken away. Some readers may find the mystical aspects of story line frustratingly ambiguous. These are not stand-alone titles, but rather one large tale broken into three parts, so key plot elements and character motivations can be slow to develop. The anime-inspired art will grab attention. Alta Donna and its fashion-forward citizens are crisply rendered in pastel hues. Inventive panels and layouts may prove challenging for novice graphic-novel readers but add interest for those more experienced with the format. These titles are visual standouts but the narrative may leave readers wanting more. Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI