“In the near future, people are totally dependent on technology.”

From Mat Heagerty’s Unplugged and Unpopular.

Erin lives just outside the popular bubble that most everyone shoots for, but she is constantly trying to figure out how to be more popular. Even without being popular, Erin’s life is pretty good most of the time with loving parents, her solid friend Cody, and a grandmother that lives at a local retirement home. Though in all honesty, Erin doesn’t love visiting her grandmother because she often goes on and on about aliens that are trying to take over the world. When Wendy, the most popular girl at school asks Erin to help her cheat on a test, she agrees in an attempt to get on Wendy’s good side, but when they are caught, Erin’s parents ground her from all technology for a month. With her technology ban, Erin has nowhere to conduct research for an upcoming school project, she has to go to the library, but on the way she sees a furry alien walking around. Even though Erin–and the alien–are terrified of each other, no one else seems to even notice because they’re focused on their phones and devices. Seeking shelter in the library, Erin is relieved and freaked to discover that the old twin librarians also see the alien. Erin soon finds herself sucked into a dangerous attempt to save the people of earth with only her grandma and the librarians.

This graphic novel is a quick read that offers a captivating story from start to finish. The bright animation helps to keep the characters interesting and unique, even though it is a bit on the rough side. Many readers will find Unplugged and Unpopular to be an unexpected, but hilarious fantasy story.