Friendship Upgrade! (Pet Simulator Original Graphic Novel)

FRIENDSHIP UPGRADE is an engaging graphic novel about friendship, adventure, and responsibility. Ruffles, Whiskers, and Penny are chosen for a special task to keep something safe. Inside they find an egg, but when they are busy, someone else thinks the egg is alone and takes it to hatch. After they hunt it down, the egg hatches! Next, they participate in a special scavenger hunt with lots of adventure and surprises along the way.

What I loved: This is an engaging and fast-paced story. The graphic novel is divided into chapters, which help for young readers to break up the story. Likewise, the book is told well through the images with select dialogue to help move it along. While there are some challenging words, there are also simple sentences and repeating phrases that help with readers gaining confidence in reading independently.

The illustrations are really fantastic throughout with tons of color and details. The artwork really brings the story to life and helps to convey the plot through the images. The characters are great with plenty of silly moments in addition to the more heartfelt ones that young readers will enjoy. They make mistakes - but they also make them right.

Final verdict: FRIENDSHIP UPGRADE is an engaging graphic novel that will work well for independent readers and young middle grade readers. Recommend for fans of the games or even action/adventure starring animals!