Mamo, vol. 1 by Sas Milledge
Boom! Box / Boom! Studios
Publication Date: April 19, 2022
ISBN-13: 9781684158171
Mamo is a magical story in which Jo seeks out the help of a witch named Orla to help her seaside village of Haresden. Magic has gone out of control, Jo’s mom is cursed, and the whole town is suffering. Orla has returned to Haresden because of the death of her grandmother, Mamo. Mamo was the witch of Haresden, and now Jo and Orla must bury her bones correctly in order to save the town.
Mamo is a lovely LGBTQ+ coming of age story that tackles the struggle of pursuing your dreams. The art is beautiful and whimsical with cottagecore vibes. Sas Milledge effectively evokes the magic of this world in each panel with natural imagery. The relationship between Orla and Jo as they work together grows in a slow and beautiful way that teens will love. Orla’s internal struggle over her own future is something that teens will definitely relate to.
Fans of Studio Ghibli movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service or Howl’s Moving Castle will enjoy this story’s magical qualities and art. Mamo is perfect for readers who love witchy graphic novels such as Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker, Crumbs by Danie Stirling, and Witchy by Ariel Ries. Librarians can also hand this to readers who enjoyed the seaside setting of The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag and Tidesong by Wendy Xu.
—Kaileigh Oldham
Other Nominated Titles:
- The Last Session, vol. 1: Roll for Initiative by Jasmine Walls and Dozerdraws (June 22, 2022)
- Nights with a Cat, vol. 1 by Kyuryu Z (July 12, 2022)
- Saigami, vol. 1: (Re)birth by Flame by Seny (June 7, 2022)
- Little Monarchs by Jonathan Case (April 5, 2022)
- We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Story by Frank W. Baker and Tim E. Ogline (September 1, 2022)
- Run on Your New Legs, vol. 2 by Wataru Midori (July 26, 2022)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
