Artie and the Wolf Moon

A girl discovers she comes from a family of werewolves, starting her on a path to discovering her own abilities and history.

Black eighth grader Artemis 'Artie' Irvin doesn't really fit in with the kids at her mostly White school, where she is mocked and bullied. She devotes her time to developing photos she takes on her deceased father's old film camera, which helps her feel closer to him. All that changes after she sneaks out for a nighttime photo shoot during a full moon and runs into a wolf. Calling her mom for help, she instead sees her mother transform from wolf to human before her eyes. Soon after, her powers show themselves, and her own wolf training begins. Artie's mother reaches out to a community of Black werewolves who are old friends for help. As Artie trains with them, she develops ties to those like her--and something more with her friend and crush, Maya. She also learns about the origins and culture of werewolves and the history of her parents' relationship. But danger lurks nearby, and Artie must stay alert. Stephens' art leaps off the page, from the beautiful scenery to the celebration of characters' Black features. Throughout, the [P]anels are expertly used to create tension in dramatic moments and excitement that showcases the joyous ones. Readers looking for a story of discovery and healing wrapped in the paranormal will hit the jackpot.

A stirring, eye-catching portrayal of growth.--Kirkus Reviews

In this coming-of-age story, Black girl Artemis Irvin deals with troubles that a lot of other eighth graders might be able to identify with--racist bullies at school, an overprotective mom, and a father who died before she was born. But one night Artie discovers a more unique challenge: she's descended from werewolves. While the story handles the traditional clash of werewolves and vampires with a few fascinating twists, the relationships are the heart of this graphic novel. Secrets from the past still haunt Artie's mom, and meeting other werewolves brings up old wounds. In the end, all the characters discover that they are stronger together. Natural landscapes provide a gorgeous backdrop for the story, and nighttime scenes, when not full of threatening vampires, are cozy with moments between Artie and her new friend and crush, Maya. Stephens' use of color is particularly striking, using red to highlight the werewolves' supernatural abilities and to emphasize their passion and power. A wonderful tale of friendship, family, and forgiveness.--Booklist