Inkling

Summary:

“The Rylance family is stuck. Dad’s got writer’s block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school–even though he can’t draw. Sarah’s still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom.

Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance’s sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together–and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything.

Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book–not good–and the story he’s supposed to be illustrating for school–also not good. But Inkling’s also started drawing the pictures to go with the story–which is amazing! It’s just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too–for Sarah he’s a puppy. And for Dad he’s a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It’s exactly what they all want. 

It’s not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they–and Inkling–truly need.

Kenneth Oppel has given us a small masterpiece of middle-grade fiction. Inkling is funny and fizzy and exciting, and brimming with the kind of interesting ideas and dilemmas that kids will love to wrestle with. And Sydney Smith is creating wonderfully inky illustrations to bring the story to vivid life. Get ready. A little ink blot is about to become your new favorite character! (Taken from the publisher’s website)

Review:

I was honestly expecting something a little more light-hearted when I picked up Inkling this week, but what I got was a much deeper story that was equal parts creative and touching. The idea of an ink blot being born out of your sub-conscious and creative mind is fascinating and how this Inkling learned by absorbing words and illustrations around it was such an interesting concept!

With a main character trying to live his life with a very important person missing from it was heart breaking. Ethan’s mom has passed away, his dad is struggling not only with his grief but also with writer’s block, and Ethan’s sister Sarah with Down Syndrome always needs a little extra help and looking after. Not to mention, school projects, friends and arch enemies – Ethan’s got his hands full.

Inkling begins helping Ethan with a school project, but soon other people find out Inkling’s abilities and all want him to work with them/for them also. Ethan sees Inkling as a friend, while others just see him as a tool to use for their own benefit. I would love to see a book discussion based on this story because there’s so much to unpack! I’d really love to hear how kids would react to finding Inkling and maybe eve what they’d give him to eat.

Final Thoughts:

Inkling is the story of finding your own creative voice with the help of an anthropomorphic inkblot who’s filled with comic books and Anne of Green Gables sayings!

Important Info:

Title: Inkling
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: November 6, 2018
Page Number: 272 pgs.