Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
‘Jukebox’ is the kind of kids’ book that is too much for a child reader and too little for an adult. But let me start with the best bit about this graphic novel: it’s got super cute, glossy artwork by Nidhi Chanani, making it an easy, entertaining read one can finish in a sitting.
The plot follows 12-year-old Shaheen, who is drifting apart from her father, a music critic obsessed with vinyl records and often too lost in his own world to notice her interests. But when he suddenly goes missing, a worried Shaheen teams up with her older cousin Naz and heads to his favorite record store in search of clues. There, they stumble upon a magical jukebox that lets them time-travel. The only way to find her father is to play the right record and hope they time-travel to the same place he might be trapped in.
The story execution in ‘Jukebox‘ feels rushed, more like a teaser or a pitch for a larger series where two young girls get to time-travel and meet iconic music artists. But here’s the letdown: if readers know little or nothing about the featured music, the book doesn’t really help them learn much either. It had the potential to be something like Brazen by Pénélope Bagieu, a stunning graphic novel where each chapter dives into the life of a trailblazing woman. Shaheen and Naz could’ve interacted more deeply with the artists they encounter, learning about their struggles, impact, or creative journeys. But because they’re on a time-sensitive mission to find Shaheen’s missing dad, the book barely lingers on anything else.
Even toward the end of ‘Jukebox‘, when the girls complete their mission and are given another shot at time-travel, it feels like a missed opportunity. That second half could’ve been a space to slow down, explore the music and icons in more depth, and give young readers a reason to be curious. But nope, that part gets skipped too. The close sibling bond between Shaheen and Naz however is endearing, and their personalities quite fun.
In the end, ‘Jukebox’ feels too complex for its target audience – middle school readers between 8–12 – who are in no way going to understand all the classic music greats and hits featured in the story. On the other hand, it’s far too simple for older readers (like me). But again, the glossy artwork makes it a fun one-time read, which is why I am going with an extra star for the colorful, expressive illustrations.
Rating: 3 stars on 5.
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