Amulet: The Stonekeeper

Title: Amulet: The Stonekeeper

Author: Kazu Kibiushi

Illustrator: Amy Kibiushi

Publisher: Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Publication Year: 2008

Professional Source: Kent County Library

Genre (and subcategory, if appropriate): Graphic Novel

Audience: Children and young adults

Awards: None, though later books in the series received some

Critical Response:

This first book in the Amulet series is about the journey of two children as they struggle to save their kidnapped mother while solving the mystery of a magical amulet that falls into their possession. The main characters, Emily and Navin, are young, ages twelve and ten. But within the first ten pages of the book their father is lost in a car accident. The tale following the dreadful accident is spotted with the difficulties that come with losing a parent, and this theme is highlighted further when the kids’ mother is kidnapped. Readers’ hearts will go out to the characters as they learn to handle the pain of loss again and again. Readers of all ages will understand that even in the darkest times, they are never alone. Sometimes it is necessary to let go of something in order to progress, even if it hurts. The strong female protagonist would likely appeal primarily to female readers, but any audience can relate to the themes of personal strength, friendship, and the importance of family that is prevalent through the narrative.

Both of these characters are empowered with special skills that help them on their journey. For Navin, it’s his skill at videogames that helps him save his friends from danger and fly them to safety. For Emily, it’s an all-powerful amulet that is hers to control. Power is also a major theme in this story. On one hand, it shows readers that no matter what age they are, they can accomplish great things. But on the other hand, it also drives home the danger of letting power corrupt one’s spirit.

This story contains tons of imagination and creativity that is perfectly captured in the vibrant images moving the story along. The creativity can have anyone feeling the same wonder and excitement as the characters in the story itself. The images provide the kind of one-after-the-other sequences that keep the story flowing and action packed. The book handles lots of dark and mysterious themes, and as a result many of the pictures are dark to match those themes. However, Emily, Navin, and the friends they make during their journey are meant to be slivers light within all the darkness, and often they are the brightest characters or the ones with the most color in a picture.