By Carolyn Coman, Arthur A. Levine Books, $16.99, 288 pages
After laughing one too many times on a family road trip, Honey’s father banishes her from the car. Hope, Honey’s older sister, is told to “forget her.” Once home, every trace of Honey is removed by her parents, but Hope refuses to forget her sister. Filled with sadness, Hope takes to her bed, wanting only to be with Honey in her dreams. Hope is contacted by the WWMB (World Wide Memory Bank). They’ve noticed an unbalance in Hope’s account: too many dreams, not enough memories. She’s summoned to the bank and is in awe of its grandeur. Hope discovers that through dreams and memory, everyone is connected. There might even be a way to find Honey using her dreams! But she must beware of the CSG (Clean Slate Gang) whose goal is to get rid of memories altogether!
The Memory Bank, by Carolyn Coman, is a unique adventure about a girl who refuses to forget or give up on someone she loves. Part written text, part graphic novel, the story flows seamlessly from words to pictures. Rob Shepperson’s drawings create the fantastical worlds of dreams and memories. This heartwarming tale celebrates the power of dreams and the determination of children.
Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin