Mercury by Hope Larson

Title: Mercury
Author: Hope Larson
Illustrator: Hope Larson
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2010
Price: $19.99
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3585-8
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Summary: In late 1800s Nova Scotia, Josey Fraser’s family has a visitor by the name of Asa Curry. He has found gold on the land and wishes to join forces with Mr. Fraser in order to mine the gold, to which Mr. Fraser agrees and they begin. Fast forward to present day where the Frasers’ house has burned down and Tara Fraser is trying to convince her mother to stay at the family farm. When Tara is allowed to pick a piece of jewelry belonging to her mother as a “going back to school surprise,” she unknowingly chooses a piece that connects her to her Josey, the family farm, and missing gold. Together, with her new friends, Tara goes back to find the gold that was once lost.
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Thoughts: The concept and telling of Mercury is different as it switches between past and present, but I really felt it switched a little too quickly with, for example, two pages dedicated to the present and then 5 or more to the past. While I loved the historical story involving Josey, I think the plot of Tara falls a little flat compared to the love, intrigue and danger linked to her family ancestor. I wanted to know as much information about Tara as I knew about Josey, yet I can’t tell what it was I wanted to know (just that I wanted more there). I also felt that the ending wasn’t really resolved for Tara while it was for Josey (what about Tara and her mom?). If you want a safe graphic novel, this is a good choice and Nova Scotia is certainly a different locale, otherwise, I fail to see what makes this such a great read.
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Will Teens Like It? Honestly can’t tell, but leaning toward “probably not” as it feels kind of weak.
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Things to be aware of: “The Sight” – the sense of the future is a character trait for both of our characters…sort of.
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Bonus: This was a Junior Library Guild selection.

Hope Larson is also an Eisner Award Winner.

ALA Great Graphic Novel 2011
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Source: Library.