One for the Dogs (The Startup Squad #1)

Entrepreneur Weisfeld and Bader (You’re the Boss) reteam in this smart graphic novel series launch about an enterprising tween on the hunt for success. Resa and her besties Harriet, Didi, and Amelia love to start businesses. But with her assigned reading done and no ideas for a new venture, Resa grows tired of summer vacation until her abuela invites the youth and her friends to visit Brooklyn. Upon arrival, Resa becomes jealous of the other girls’ budding relationship with Abuela. Her feelings worsen when the adult, injured from a fall, asks Resa to cover her shifts at her Abuela’s store, leaving Resa’s friends to care for her grandmother at home. An opportunity to help local kids establish their own business momentarily boosts Resa’s spirits, but a series of risky decisions—which she keeps secret from her friends and Abuela—jeopardizes her relationships. Rapid-fire dialogue interspersed with Resa’s insightful internal monologue deftly portrays the protagonist’s yearning to be seen and appreciated. Sketch-like line art and expressive figure designs by Hsieh (Picnic Planet) heighten the emotional and material stakes of this sweet tale of strong bonds surviving unexpected tests. “Business secrets from the startup squad” conclude. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 8–12. (Feb.)