The book is Etta Invincible, by Reese Eschmann; it came out last year, and I'm happy to report it's doing well at my library!

It's a middle-grade book, and it's the sort of earnest honest-speaking kind that breaks down my walls the fastest (aka like Young Wizards, though despite counting as urban fantasy it doesn't give off as many of those vibes, mostly because the supernatural elements are very limited in that there is only One Feelings-Powered Train.)

(not a whole wider-world of Things Going On under peoples' notice.)

If you want more books staring Black and Hispanic characters (and also hearing-disability representation), written by a writer-of-color, this is also great for that!

Plus, it's about comic books and the creative process (there are even actual comic book pages, for immersion!)

... It also managed to slip in an interesting/awkward implication about parentifying AI, but I'll save that explanation for if people want spoilers.

/bump

Oooh, this sounds really interesting!

aikonamika: TY! :3

I do not know if it's also available as an ebook, but requesting it at a nearby library should work.

(Haven't been in a location that had it available to buy in-person, sadly.)

Like with the WWW trilogy, there isn't much of a fandom around it, which makes me sad.

There’s no audiobook version yet either, but I’ll be on the lookout for a physical copy.

/thumbs up!
The author also has a youtube, and has written a few chapter books for younger readers about cat cafes and the like; she might appreciate a heads up!

Also: book has dog.

There is SO much foreshadowing that gives this book reread value, I love it.

Cry, "Wolf!"I have found a song from one of my favorite artists, which means of course I associate it with what I'm currently reading.

(though the only way it makes sense is because of Spoilers.)

/bump/ I have finished my reread, but still have the book until December 1st if anyone happens to get it before then and want to chat about it.

linkily /pinging you because Louisa May is a goldendoodle, though artist depictions vary on how curly her fur is.

(so I imagined her looking more like Honey based on her book description, despite the illustrations.)

Update: nothing beats the feeling of enabling your friend into being the next person to check out the book after you.

She was interested once she got a look at it, though I tried to make a Krypto the Superdog reference due to [spoilers] and she didn't know the cartoon I meant! XD

(... raise your hand if you did watch that cartoon, btw. My understanding of how popular it is is probably skewed.)