Coco Banjo has been Unfriended

These graphic novels style books are filled with heart and Coco is a fabulous character who is slightly left of centre, resilient and a creative problem solver.

childrensbooksdaily.com

If you haven’t already fallen in love with Coco, you will after this story! Your middle and upper level girls are sure to enjoy this and resonate with everything Coco feels.

Sam, lamontbooks.com.au

Resilience and positivity are also the qualities I like most in Coco Banjo. The series has been likened to Wimpy Kid or Tom Gates, but I find both of those series slightly depressing in that the lead character is so often the butt of the jokes. While Coco is faced with many similar challenges to those other guys (around friendships, teachers, families and rules) she always comes out on top. Add to that the very Australian dialogue and nods to local flora, fauna and cultural issues and you have a winning combination for your little Aussie bookworms.

thischarmingmum.com

This gorgeous graphic novel comes alive with the images working in harmony with the relatable characters that every kid experiences in primary school . . . The pages come alive with punchy dialogue and comical illustrations in the same way that the My Life, Treehouse and Wimpy Kid book series’ have embraced the modern graphic novel. At the root of all the chaos of Banksia Bay Public is Coco Banjo’s commitment to positivity and kindness with enough mischief (or as I like to all it creative thinking) to get her out of trouble. She is an empathetic character and the friend we all need through the monkey bars of life. The very Aussie backdrop is a tribute to our lucky way of life and Gemmell has shared her love of Australian culture in the scenes she has created.

Jaquelyn Muller, Buzz Words

Girls 8+ will relate to Coco and take delight in all the bookish bling – decorative fonts, quirky comic-style sketches, fashion notes and wry humour dance from the pages. Gemmell knows how kids talk and what will interest them, and Coco is an impulsive but invincible heroine – fabu-licious!

Susan Stephenson, thebookchook.com

The latest offering from author/illustrator Nikki Gemmell’s Coco Banjo series is a gem. From start to finish, this book was entertaining. As the mother of three teenage daughters, I appreciated how accurately Gemmell tapped into the ups and downs of ‘girl world’, especially the fickle world of friendships . . . This book is recommended reading.

Jane Carstens, Reading Time