Marshmallow & Jordan
By Alina Chau
Jordan's days as star player for her school's basketball team ended when an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Now, she's still the team captain, but her competition days seem to be behind her...until an encounter with a mysterious elephant, who she names Marshmallow, helps Jordan discover a brand new sport.
Will water polo be the way for Jordan to continue her athletic dreams--or will it just come between Jordan and her best friends on the basketball team? And with the big tournament right around the corner, what secret is Marshmallow hiding?
Age Range: 8 - 12
Grade Level: 4 - 6
Publisher: First Second. Release Date: Oct 26, 2021
“⭐️ Junior Library Guild Gold Standard ⭐️
⭐️ National Education Association 2022 Books Recommendation ⭐️
⭐️2023 Best of Middle-Grade Graphic Novel Sakura Award, Japan⭐️”
“⭐️ 2023 Starred Maverick Graphic Novel Title ⭐️
Texas Library Association 2023 Maverick Reading List
& Little Maverick Reading List”
“From the first page, author-illustrator Chau’s background in animation is clear: her soft and saturated watercolors immediately situate readers in the story’s setting and close-knit community, with little text. Clever compositions and notable lack of motion lines give readers what only the pause button can: perfect suspensions of climactic sports action. ”
“A sweet story greatly enhanced by whimsical, heartfelt art.”
“ Indonesian terms and customs abound amid the cast of varying cultures, religions, and skin tones, and a tropical palette balances energetic action sequences and quiet wordless imagery in this feel-good graphic novel with sequel potential.”
“An enchanting graphic novel about a girl and her elephant with truly
lovely artwork. Highly recommended.”
“Marshmallow & Jordan is a beautiful book rendered in rich watercolors with a lot of heart. A wholly charming sports journey, this story will transport you to Indonesia and leave you hungry for snacks and folklore.”
