For the child who loves action-packed adventures and laugh-out-loud humor, this graphic novel unleashes a tech-savvy team against an unexpected threat.
A parent might reach for this book when their video-game-loving child claims reading is boring. It's a perfect bridge between screen time and page time, validating their interest in technology while encouraging literacy. The story follows Glitch Force, a team of tech-savvy kids who must use their coding skills to stop a virtual pet game from unleashing an army of cute but destructive bunnies on their town. This fast-paced graphic novel is packed with humor and action, highlighting themes of teamwork, creative problem-solving, and bravery. For ages 8-12, its highly visual format and gamer-centric plot make it an irresistible choice for reluctant readers, showing them that heroism can come from having skills in STEM.
The 'killer bunnies' are depicted as cute but menacing, which may be mildly startling for some.
Sensitive Topics
This book contains no sensitive topics. The conflict is fantastical and external. The approach is entirely secular, focusing on science and technology as the problem-solving tools. The resolution is hopeful and clearly sets up future installments in the series.
Ideal Reader
This is for the 9-year-old who lives and breathes games like Minecraft and Roblox, and whose favorite books are from the Dog Man or Lunch Lady series. This child is a highly visual learner who may be a reluctant reader of traditional prose. They are drawn to slapstick humor, high-energy plots, and stories that feature kids being competent and powerful in a world of their own making.
Parent Prep
No preparation is needed. The book can be read cold and is self-explanatory. Parents should be prepared for potential follow-up questions about coding or robotics, as the book does an excellent job of making these fields seem exciting and accessible. A parent has just heard their child say, "I'd rather play video games than read." They are actively searching for a book that can compete with the instant gratification of a screen and connect with their child's existing interests in a positive way.
Age Experience
An 8-year-old will primarily enjoy the visual gags, the cool gadgets, and the silly concept of killer bunnies. A 12-year-old will have a deeper appreciation for the team dynamics, the specific STEM skills each character brings, and the clever ways the story incorporates video game logic and terminology into a real-world problem.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many kid superhero books that rely on magic or unexplained powers, Glitch Force's abilities are explicitly rooted in STEM skills like coding, engineering, and robotics. This makes the heroes' accomplishments feel aspirational and achievable, providing a strong model for kids interested in technology. The direct 'video-game-comes-to-life' premise is a powerful and well-executed hook for its target audience.
Read plot summary
Izzy, a middle school coder, discovers her custom-built virtual pet game, "Fuzzy Frantic," has a major bug. The main character, a cute bunny, glitches into the real world and begins multiplying uncontrollably. The bunnies, while adorable, are destructive, consuming and pixelating everything in sight. Izzy, her brother Ben, and her friends Zara and Eric form "Glitch Force." They use their distinct tech skills (coding, hardware, strategy) and a robot sidekick to fight the bunny horde and find a way to patch the glitch before their city is completely destroyed.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Izzy, Zara, Eric, and Ben all have different skills. How did each team member's unique talent help solve the bunny problem? Could they have succeeded if one of them was missing?
2
The team's first plan to trap the bunnies didn't work. What did they learn from that failure, and how did it help them come up with the final, successful solution?
3
When Ben's robot M.A.X. gets overwhelmed by bunnies, Izzy has to make a tough choice to reset him. Was this the right call? What makes a good leader in a crisis?
4
If you could design your own member of Glitch Force, what would their special tech skill or gadget be, and how would it help the team?
