Bibliographic Information:
Title: The Harrowing
Author: Kristen Kiesling
Illustrator: Rye Hickman
ISBN: 9781419760846
Publisher: Amulet Books
Copyright Date: 2024
Format/Genre: Hardcover; Comics and graphic novels; Horror comics; Dystopian comics (The Harrowing: NoveList Plus - Powered by EBSCOhost, n.d.).
Awards and Honors: None
Reading Level/Interest Level: 9th grade and up (The Harrowing: NoveList Plus - Powered by EBSCOhost, n.d.).
Plot Summary: Rowan is a girl living and working on her family’s worm farm. She fondly recalls memories of her mother, who is now passed away, but she also recalls how her mother would constantly wear gloves. Her father hasn’t been the same since her mother’s passing either. Rowan has a crush on her schoolmate Lucas, and when they share a kiss she sees images of his grisly death! When she confides this in her father, she is whisked away to a “school” called Rosewood, where she learns that she is a Harrow – someone who can see someone’s upcoming death, or actions causing a death, simply by touching them. Rosewood says they want to use Rowan’s powers for good – but do they really?
Author Background: Kristen Kiesling writes graphic novels, young adult fiction, and picture books. Her YA contemporary manuscript, If I Tell, won the 2020 SCBWI Sue Alexander Award. The Harrowing is her debut YA graphic novel (About Kristen Kiesling, Author, n.d.).
Critical Evaluation: I’ve mentioned before that I was not previously a reader of graphic novels, but I am quickly becoming a big fan! The Harrowing is one I picked out simply because of the cover and it turns out I loved it – it had horror, and violence, and love interests – it was perfect. The illustrations reminded me a little bit of manga characters, except that they were in color. I can easily see Kristin Kiesling becoming a much bigger name in the YA graphic novel world.
Creative Use for a Library Program: This is another book I would use for my “Spooky Season” library program, and I would encourage the teens to read it, especially if they are reluctant readers who might find graphic novels more interesting. I would also pull a number of nonfiction books from the shelves about psychic abilities for the teens to read if they were inspired by what the Harrows were able to do!
Speed-Round Book Talk: Rowan is a teenage girl living with her father and working on their worm farm. Yeah, I know that sounds gross. Rowan’s mother passed away and her father hasn’t been the same. Having a crush on Lucas helps Rowan pass the time. But when Rowan and Lucas kiss for the first time she sees visions of his death! And when she tells her father about it she’s whisked away to this weird place called Rosewood. Rosewood tells her she’s a Harrow, and they need her help – what’s this all about?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: This book has supernatural powers, or some people might call them psychic powers, and violence with death going along with said violence. So, people who don’t like psychics or the occult are going to complain, as well as the people who don’t like violence. As a librarian, I would point out to any challengers that many comic books including superheroes also include violence, so this is the next evolutionary step forward. I would also have my collection development policy in hand.
Reason for Inclusion: I was looking for a graphic novel to include that looked supernatural in nature, or maybe horror based, and the cover for this one grabbed my attention. I’m glad I picked it as the story really drew me in and the illustrations were colorful and lively!
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