The Ojja-Wojja (2023)

Synopsis

Welcome to Bolingbroke. It’s a small town just like any other . . . or so eighth graders Val and Lanie think. They’re the best of best friends—they love the same comics, they watch the same shows, and they’re always there for each other. Which is important when you’re queer, like Lanie, or on the spectrum, like Val, and just don’t seem to fit in anywhere.

When a school project about their hometown’s supernatural history leads to a for-real ghost sighting, Val and Lanie realize Bolingbroke might not be as boring as they’d always thought. But after a run-in with the resident middle school queen bee (who also happens to be Lanie’s former friend), they decide to take things to the next level . . . and accidentally summon the Ojja-Wojja, a demonic presence connected to a slew of mysterious tragedies throughout Bolingbroke’s sordid history.

Now all heck has broken loose. With the whole town acting weird and nowhere left to turn, it’s going to be up to Val, Lanie, and their small group of friends to return things to normal—if “normal” is even something they want to return to.

From: HarperCollins Publishers

Notes on This Title

The main characters of this title are two girls who are in 8th grade, one of whom is autistic, and the other of whom is trans, gay, and Asian-cued.

This title contains depictions of bullying, including transphobic and ableist language.

Awards

Kirkus Reviews - Best Books of 2023 // Middle Grade
ALA Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table - 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children

Reviews

“Two middle schoolers accidentally unleash an ancient evil upon their town in this otherworldly series-launching graphic novel exploit.” (Source: Publishers Weekly)

Interviews

None.