Daniel the Draw-er: Amazing MG Debut

"This is no ordinary pencil,” says the cat sitting on the end of nine-year-old Daniel’s bed. "It's magic."

Everything Daniel draws with his pencil--flying dragons, Octobears, and pizza-loving aliens from the planet Beezo--comes to life. It’s pretty awesome until the pencil draws a line between Daniel and his best (and only) friend Annie.

Come along with Daniel and his fantastic creatures on this fun-for-the-whole-family journey as he discovers that friendship is the greatest magic of all.

Daniel the Drawer is S.J. Henderson‘s debut MG. There are so many things to love about this novella. Let me sum it up in list format:

1. It’s a quick read. Not just because it’s a novella, but because of the non-stop action. At no point does the pace lag or the plot slow down. Daniel is on one adventure after another.
2. The voice is amazing. Really, truly stellar. S.J. has nailed the nine-year-old male voice. I absolutely love the way Daniel describes his world, his drawings, and the people in it.
3. It’s hilarious and adorable. In other words, it’s the best of both worlds. Daniel is a funny kid and gets himself into some pretty sticky situations. Not surprisingly, can you imagine what you would have done if you were nine and discovered a magical pencil that brings everything you draw to life?  
4. There’s a very subtle, but good message, underneath the story. I hate it when stories are so blatant about the message. It happens a lot with kids stories. Parents are trying to teach the audience a lesson, and when they are they go a little overboard. But with this story, the message is there, but it’s important to the plot so it’s not blatant.
5. The voice!! I know, I already said it, but seriously. I am a sucker for a vibrant voice, and there’s a very real, very awesome voice to this story.
6. The drawings. They’re so crazy inventive. I could totally imagine a nine-year-old boy drawing Octobear — a half octopus, half teddy bear creation. Or Pi-zzabot, a robot that makes pizza and solves your math homework. Loved it.

I could go on and on, but really the bottom line is this: buy the book. Read the book. Especially if you have kids around Daniel’s age.