After winning an essay contest, Mexican American student ambassador Joseph gets to visit the U.S. president. Hilariously, the two hit it off, and Joseph is soon dispatched as ambassador to the Southeast Asia inspired nation of West Rhutar, where a bratty tween dictator, King Nang Nukatau III, threatens war. A diplomatic savant, Joseph befriends Nang and wins an invitation to the king's slumber party ere an assault by kidnappers forces them to flee. What ensues is a true adventure-comedy, as the two boys traverse east Asia, attempting to unravel the mystery behind the plot to kidnap Nang. Estrada favors a silly tone, grounded in the generally absurd premise, wonderfully dry banter, and Eneas' character design, which sets Joseph's wide-eyed naivete against high-stakes international politics. A strong case is also made here for the educational value of comics, as the boys must learn Korean script and culture in order to solve the puzzle d those lessons are passed on to the reader. An expertly paced, legitimately funny adventure with a side of learning.

Joseph is an unreliable narrator with a flair for the dramatic and plenty of humor in this middle-grade graphic novel.After winning an improbable essay contest, Joseph Bazan has the honor of meeting the U.S. president. After his quick wit and smooth talking prove he is a natural diplomat, Joseph is thrust onto the international stage to connect with the young monarch of the fictional country of West Rhutar, which seems to be somewhere in Asia. There, young King Nang has his sights set on revenge against East Rhutar, which he blames for leaving him orphaned, and Joseph must help broker peace. All is going well until a late-night heist sets off a globe-trotting quest for the truth behind the tensions between East and West Rhutar, as Nang and Joseph traipse across East Asia. Though Joseph is identified as Mexican American, the real cultural highlight is on Korea, where Joseph and Nang end up by accident and where Joseph's fondness for Korean comics comes in handy. Some astute readers may note the similarities between the fictional East and West Rhutar and the tensions between North and South Korea. Meanwhile, Korean language and lore yield clues to help Nang and Joseph track down the bad guys and solve the mystery. Illustrations and storyboard are inspired by Korean manhwa comics, with a dash of Japanese manga and American graphic traditions. This creates a fast-paced adventure sure to appeal to reluctant readers.A Korean travelogue with madcap antics and adventures. (Graphic adventure. 8-12)

Gr 4-6 A conscientious eight-year-old student ambassador named Joseph Bazan wins a photo op with the president. After impressing the president with his ability to solve grown-up problems with his straightforward morality, can-do attitude, and extensive book knowledge, the boy is sent to West Ruhar to change its young king's mind about going to war with East Ruhar. Ornery, opinionated, and quick to dole out punishment, King Nang Nukatau III is a great foil to Joseph's evenhanded diplomat. The friendship between the student ambassador and the child king allows each of the boys to grow: Nang discovers how to have fun, while Joseph learns more about the world. When Nang and Joseph stow away in a crate after a kidnapping attempt, they must work together to stop the impending war, solve the mystery of a missing dragon statue, and get themselves safely home. Eneas's art anchors readers in each locale, and the big-headed, exaggerated characters and the settings are joyfully drawn, making the tale even more excitingthough some may find the plot slow at times and Joseph a bit verbose. VERDICT A fun adventure tale with a lot of personality, this is a strong addition to middle grade graphic novel adventure collections. Jennie Law, Georgia State Univ., Atlanta