Coming August 13th, 2024 from First Second; 320 pages
Content Warning: Violence, severe injury, deadnaming
About the Author: “Jen Wang is the award-winning NYT Bestselling author and illustrator of several graphic novels for young readers including Stargazing, The Prince and The Dressmaker, In Real Life (co-written with Cory Doctorow), and Koko Be Good. She is also a co-founder and organizer for Comic Arts LA. She lives in Los Angeles” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Jen Wang on the following platforms:
This wilderness-focused graphic novel for teens and tweens revolves around a protagonist named Ash. Ash grew up spending summer vacation at their family’s ranch in northern California, near Shasta-Trinity National Forest. They look forward to the trip every year, mainly because the ranch is where they first bonded with their grandpa Edwin and discovered their love for the environment. To Ash’s horror, the family has decided to sell the ranch following Edwin’s passing, and their visits will cease. However, Ash comes up with a crafty plan to sneak off during one final trip, tracking down their grandfather’s rumored cabin in the woods and living out their dreams of spending their days with only their dog, Chase, for company. Does Ash have the survival skills and nature knowledge they need to make it on their own?
I read Ash’s Cabin in one sitting because Jen Wang does such an excellent job keeping readers engaged and connected to the story. While Ash’s parents sometimes struggle to understand them, they are ultimately open-minded and incredibly loving. The real standout pairing of the book, however, is Chase and Ash. Their bond is incredibly evident throughout the book in the gorgeous illustrations. Chase is the definition of a loyal companion, supporting Ash unconditionally. Unfortunately, there was one heartbreaking situation where Ash handled Chase in an uncharacteristically selfish way. However, that was just one small flaw of this book in a sea of positive attributes. One of the aspects of the book that I appreciated was how the author blacked out the name whenever Ash was deadnamed by other characters, acknowledging Ash’s past and the ill treatment they receive while also finding a way to honor and respect them. Ash’s entire gender identity arc was handled very empathetically. I also valued the recognition for Native American cultures and knowledge, which made the book feel more educational without detracting from the narrative. Another standout was the heavy-hitting messages about how important it is to find the right people who are willing to organize and fight for the environment. Though Ash seems like a classic misunderstood teen at times, their passion for nature and sustainability really shines through in a unique and realistic way.
Ash’s Cabin releases on August 13th, 2024.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and First Second for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Ashley Amacher, Pine Reads Review Assistant Director & Lead Editor