First, I found much to enjoy in the unique visual style in Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz Story. While the book features many of the grammatical elements of a comic book/graphic novel, the art has a slightly different effect. The lines blur and boundaries cross, even in this element of the book.
Beyond this, the story itself was engaging and well done. From a popular character in the Green Lantern mythology, the reader is given a story with resonance and truth for today's world, with particular appeal for young readers facing or wrestling with very human and important ideas (in this case, immigration is a primary part of the work). The use of language is a beautiful aspect of the book, as well.
There's so much possibility here for young readers to take home, and even for reading teachers and social studies teachers to bring into classrooms for a fresh take on relevant topics. Gratitude to DC Comics and Netgalley for the advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review.