The Inkberg Enigma

Gr 5-8–Sleuths Miro and Zia are excellent foils for each other in this graphic mystery that includes elements of adventure and fantasy. The two kids live on an island, in the fishing town of Aurora. Miro, in true Bilbo Baggins style, is a homebody; he sells objects from his dad’s attic to fund his book habit and retreats to the world of stories for his summer vacation. Zia, however, observes everything through her camera as she rides the ferry. When they bump into each other one day and witness one of the local fishermen being carted off in an ambulance, a suspicious Zia convinces the reluctant Miro to figure out what’s really happening in their seemingly sleepy little town. Vivid artwork reminiscent of the Tintin comics makes for a detailed setting, shifting to a sepia tone for a glimpse of the past. This plot-driven tale draws upon historical events, such as Ernest Shackleton’s expedition.