Lucy in the Sky, by Kiara Brinkman & Sean Chiki

     After reading and reviewing the graphic novel Rhiannon (January, '26), I asked my human to purchase the first book by this husband and wife team. Lucy in the Sky was published in 2021 and the story takes place over the course of one year, 2012. That year doesn't seem to have any relevance to the story, but maybe you'll find some as you read, so I mention it here. 

    Main character, Lucy, is just turning 12 in the story. She lives with her dad, who is separated from her mom, who travels the world for her job and does not have much time to spend with Lucy. She has friends, but her friendships change as the story progresses, just like they do in real life. Part of being 12 is discovering herself and who she is, which leads her into music - specifically, old albums of her mom's and dad's. She happens upon the Beatles, where the title of the book comes from, and decides she wants to make her own music. She finds that forming and keeping a band is not easy, nor is the rest of her life, it seems.

    I don't know if my writing is doing this book justice, or really sharing my thoughts about it...I really liked this book! It isn't perfect - I wish Brinkman and Chiki would have put more obvious breaks between scenes - but I really found myself wanting to be reading it when I wasn't. I've said it before but to me, that is the sign of a good book! I love the musical references, but I don't know how many of them you will know (because the music referenced was popular in the 1950s and 1960s, mostly). I love the clever Beatles and musical references throughout, like the front cover, for example, and the explanations along the way of the music and its details. Do you know what a 45 record is? LOL!

    I like this duo's work so far, and look forward to future projects! As graphic novels go, they are now on my list of must-read artists. I give Lucy in the Sky 4 paws and a wag - a wag more than I gave Rhiannon, but only because now I understand their style of writing and illustrating...and I like it! I love it! I want some more of it!