An intriguing and well-executed concept. I'm interested to see how the story will develop in future issues.

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley. ( )

Another item I borrowed from my local branch of the public library.

Here is what I wrote back in my blog as part of a post about various graphic novels I read:

"This is the first volume of a series, and I highly recommend it. Though mostly for young readers, I think any reader of graphic novels will enjoy it. Oddly Normal is a young girl of mixed heritage: her mother is a witch, and her father is a human. When on her birthday, she makes a wish common to many kids in a brief disgruntled moment, her parents actually disappear. Her great aunt comes to care for her, taking her to Fignation to live. While there, it seems the challenges of school never change as there are friends to be made and enemies to avoid. In the meantime, Oddly has to find her parents. And why is that teacher giving extra credit to everyone else? Find that out and more in this series. A light and entertaining read."

Find the complete post here:
[http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/06/short-booknotes-on-graphic-novels-14.html] ( )

This was a bit surreal reading it. I really enjoy the more recent editions and can see why and how it was developed. This version has potential, but nowhere near the spark and joy that the new one does. Also, I appreciate the development in art style for the updated books. ( )

“It’s the eyes. It’s the staring. Stick and stones and all that… I’m numb to it all. But I’ll never get used to the staring.”

STORY:
Oddly Normal by Otis Frampton (128 pages), the main character’s name, by the way, is about a girl who isn’t normal. Shocker. She’s half-witch from her mom’s side, which somehow appears in the form of green hair and elf ears. Oddly doesn’t fit in at school because kids can be cruel. When her magical auntie offers to take her Fignation, the magical world her mom is from, she jumps at the chance to be with other like-minded weird kids. Well, if you didn’t know she doesn’t fit in at Fignation’s supernatural school either. In a very cliché way, she does find solace with the school’s band of misfits, a hunchback, Frankenstein, and ghost.

ART:
I think the cartoon style works well, though Oddly’s head is huge compared to her body. I wish Oddly’s face was a bit more expressive. I love the color direction, as each page has a different color scheme. The backgrounds are nice and imaginative with fluffy cotton trees and other fantasy elements.

CHARACTERS:
I’ve seen characters like Oddly before, who are misunderstood and come from a magical lineage. Nothing about Oddly stands out to me, but I’m sympathetic to her plight. She’s basically been bullied her entire life, and it realistically wears on her. Her parents are too dense for their own good and don’t understand their baby’s problems. Pretty relatable! Her catchphrase “figures” is funny too.

For the first volume, there isn’t much character exploration besides Oddly, which makes sense. Readers should connect with the first character before others are introduced. Still, the green guy of the bully crew with the black cat (I think his supernatural lore is plant-based) is interesting. He’s a jerk of course because all the kids at Oddly’s schools lack common decency, but something about him captured my eye. Maybe it’s his design? Every other character looks basic, but the green guy looks stylish! And, he has a magical animal buddy, which I always love.

Also, Misty McCloud is just adorable. Sweetest ghost ever!

OVERALL:
Would I have read this as an actual novel? Nah. For me, without the graphics, I would have passed on this title. I want the characters to be fleshed out more as well. The bullies of the school seem to be mean just for the sake of meanness. I know kids don’t need a reason to pick on someone, but Oddly’s supernatural bullies are just vicious. Sadly the nice misfits are nice for the sake of niceness too. Still, I think this is a good read for reluctant readers because it’s not too plot-heavy and most children can relate to Oddly feeling like an outsider. ( )

A girl who is half witch and is ostracized at school loses her temper at her birthday party and disaster results. Until life can return to normal, she has to live with her aunt in Fignation.