A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill
Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager
Genre: Graphic novel fantasy
Suggested Age: Kids (9-13)
What is This Book About? Novice Rowan anxiously waits for their final post to prove that they’re ready to do the Name Carving ceremony and become a ranger. With bad weather on the horizon, Rowan rides out to help lazy sheep herder Leone, but ends up hurting their winged horse. With their Name Carving ceremony in jeopardy, Rowan has to help Leone make wool deliveries. Along the way they’ll rebuild trust with their winged horse, learn there’s more to Leone than ignoring his sheep to play the violin, and answer questions they have about what name they intend to carve.
My Review: This gentle, cozy fantasy is another great graphic novel by K. O’Neill. Rolling hills set a beautiful backdrop to Rowan and Leone’s journey. Both characters have a lot of depth. Sparse dialogue at certain points encourages readers to spend their time studying the illustrations and characters, coming to learn more about them before they tell us more about themselves. I loved that Leone’s shyness over playing violin in front of people is treated with the same amount of respect as Rowan’s questions about their gender identity. O’Neill continues their messages of environmental stewardship in this book, always in a subtle way that encourages kindness and awe. All in all, this is a book worth savoring.
Three Words that Describe this Book: gentle, joyful, affirming
Give This A Try if You Like… The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill, The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag, The Sprite and the Gardener by Rii Abrego, Tidesong by Wendy Xu, The Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse
Rating: 5/5
