Target Practice: A Graphic Novel (Cleopatra in Space #1) (1)

A review by my 12-year-old daughter, Ginny: Cleopatra in Space Book One: Target Practice by Mike Maihack was completely awesome! This book is a great start for what I can tell is going to be an epic series. Action-packed from the very beginning, it has no shortage of fun surprises. Cleopatra in Space is about — you guessed it — the Cleopatra of ancient Egypt, in space. The idea is brilliant! Mike Maihack mixes a historical figure up with futuristic sci-fi awesomeness — two of my favorite genres (Pharaohs are even better with lazer guns!). In the story, 15-year-old Cleo gets zapped forward in time, where she meets a council of... wait for it... talking cats!!! She learns that she is the foretold savior, destined to deliver them from the Xerx, an evil alien force that wages war against the Nile Galaxy. But is a teenage girl up to that task? I love that Cleo is just a normal teenager, freaking out over mismatched socks and hating algebra. She's easily relatable to a teen of today, yet she's still the Cleopatra of history; A royal princess that will someday be the ruler of Egypt. She has a really cute design, with just enough Egyptian-ness and just enough Sci-fi. Her fancy golden cobra hair band is the perfect contrast with her fururistic lazer gun. From the cute (but deadly) primitive aliens on a jungle planet, to her history teacher Khensu, the talking cat, and her cool Sphinx-mobile, Cleopatra in Space is a must-read for everyone. *** A few words from Dad: I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Cleopatra in Space — and not just because I'm a cartoonist and a long time follower of Mike's Cleopatra in Space webcomic, but because I'm a dad and I struggle to find graphic novels that are great stories with compelling characters that don't seem like they've been watered down for kids. Kids know when a story is talking down to them; they want to read a graphic novel that is the equivalent of a Harry Potter novel or a Pixar film. I think Mike Maihack achieves this. From the cold opening (à la Raiders of The Lost Ark) to action packed climax and touching epilogue, Cleo is a well paced page turning work of storytelling art. Here's hoping for many years of Cleo stories (and movies, tv shows, toys, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera)!

My daughter has had trouble with her reading skills. She's 10 and reads at about a second grade level. This comic has been great because the subject matter appeals to her age group without being too hard for her to read. There are not many words on each page, so she gets to turn pages quickly and feel like she's making lots of progress. There are also some challenging words, but they aren't so hard that they are discouraging. My son (8, and with a much higher reading level than my daughter) has also taken an interest in this book. He likes comic books anyway and has been reading Dogman avidly. I really like that the protagonist is female, but her character and the setting can appeal to both boys and girls.

Cleopatra in Space is a great comic with a terrific lead character, story line, and supporting group of characters. My only gripe is that with every passing page I knew that the end of the book was closer and closer. This is the kind of book that I wish were an online comic: I would read it all the time. Heck, I'd even pay to subscribe! (Hint, hint, Mike Maihack.) Another thing I like about CIS is that Cleopatra herself is interesting and well-written enough to appeal to most young (8-12) readers. That's a bonus for me because I am always looking to put books in students hands in order to encourage reading. That said, I look forward to the first Cleopatra in Space movie.

Excellent book for children aged 7-12 Review from a 10 YEAR OLD avid reader of graphic novels: I like this book because it was really good and interesting and i think it was an amazing book to read.There was lots of action and fighting and time travel. I didn't pick 5 stars because there were some parts in the book were i couldn't understand parts and some parts were weird which could be kinda interesting. So i really really LIKE the book. You should read it one day and find out how amazing this book really is. CLEOPATRA in space is one of my favorite books in the world. I want to be helpful to whoever is thinking about buying this book.And here is one option YES.If you read this book already please be sure to share your thoughts and ideas with other people so you can share how wonderful of a book this is. So take your time and think right now if you are interested in getting this book. Hope you like it or even love it. Bye.

I love the art style of this book, and the writing is fun and humorous. Cleopatra (yes, THE Cleopatra!) is a snarky, wisecracking hotshot from ancient Egypt that was somehow teleported to a different planet in the future, but she still needs to go to school and cope with everyone looking up to her. If I wanted to nitpick, I'd say it feels vaguely like it's ripping off the concept of Zita the Space Girl, but really the characters are so different that it's forgivable. Plus she has a flying motorcycle shaped like the Sphinx. Also, you can tell the author really loves cats; he shoehorns them in everywhere. All in all, the artwork is cute and beautiful to look at, and the writing is fun and funny. It's a good read and I can recommend it to pretty much anyone.

My daughter loved it!!

My 9 year old son loves these books!

Cleopatra in Space #1 is a thrilling adventure in new and wondrous tale. From start to finish you will find the color vibrant and full of life. Cleo’s development during the story shows a unique change as she is presented with challenges that she could have never dreamed of. Characters expressions during the story are done with such great detail and timing that it keeps me chuckling on every page turn. A graphic novel for all ages, looks like Cleopatra in Space is set to launch into one Crazy and Epic series. Chris Morton Indeed Podcast

Cool

The book cover looks soo good.I couldn't help myself.I just bought it on impulse. I wasn't disappointed in any way ! It re imagines Cleo in the modern age and does an absolutely marvellous job. The Scholastic brand is pretty good and supports some of the best graphic novels out there. Cleo is a butt kicker who simply rules ! She's a bit of a rebel but only because she's bursting with ideas and energy. The hairdo is a brilliant touch too.The start of the novel is so fast paced that it 'draws' you in and just keeps you there,turning the pages eager to follow her amazing story.The humour is terrific with just the right amount of understatement to give it a double edge. Such as 'when you are Queen,you will need to know all this stuff' (school education) Cleo replies 'if I'm Queen,I'll just order you to do it for me' ! That's my kind of Gal ! Get out there and reorder the Universe,I'll be right behind you.(just a few pages away) I was looking for a new graphic novel after finishing the Zita,the Spacegirl trilogy from Ben Hatke - this'll do very nicely,thanks.

My 8 year old loves comics and Egypt - this comic combines both. It is also perfectly suitable for a younger comic reading audience. I recommend this for girls and boys who are interested in an Egyptian tinged space adventure!

the quality in which it came was very nice . plus this book is very interesting. but the chapter one is a bit difficult to understand.

My 8 year old daughter won't stop reading it...