Masks: A Graphic Novel

by Margaret Rae, Beck Kubrick (artist), Thomas Philipson (artist)

Poe, Rice, and Shelley are three monster kids who hide from the outside world. But when they learn about “Halloween,” they realize it’s their one night of the year where they can be their true selves—scales and all. This quirky, heartwarming (or should we say, heart-worm-ing?) graphic novel is perfect for fans of Nimona and Sheets.

Poe was only a little monster when the hunters came for her parents. If it weren’t for one of the hunters taking pity on her, she knows she’d have met the same fate, too.  
 
Ten years later, Poe lives with her two “siblings”—more monster kids in hiding—Rice and Shelley. Under her protective eye, Poe makes sure that the siblings have everything they need, but Rice and Shelley want more out of life than running away. So when their most recent home is slated to be demolished by a real estate group, the monster kids venture out to find their place, and end up getting whisked away to a Halloween party that changes their lives.
 
Debut creator Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson (author of The Many Deaths of Barnaby James) are experts in the spooky, haunting craft. They’ve woven a story full of heart, humor, and hope—one that examines the masks in which we all live. With quirky, stunning illustrations by Beck Kubrick ("Sylvia Plath meets Peanuts") and colorist Tom Philipson, Masks is the quintessential graphic novel about accepting who you are, masks and all.
 
Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson’s Nimona, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, with kid-friendly elements of The Witcher and a little bit of Peter Pan.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Comics, Monsters, Fiction, Young Adult

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2025

Reviews

[DianaRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

the perfect graphic novel for spooky season about embracing differences and being kind to others; the art style was super cute!

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
What a cute novel! If you love spooky vibes (and an Over the Garden Wall cameo), this book is the perfect light-hearted read!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a debut author/California physician and a second time graphic novel author, MASKS is about monsters, but not the scary kind. These monsters are just trying to find friends, family and a safe place to call home but a group called the Knights of the Night are bent on eradicating them in the name of safety for humans. Poe was spared as a child when this vigilante group stormed the building where she was hiding and has spent the last 10 years looking for a fellow monster friend who taught her how to stay hidden and find what is needed to survive but disappeared when she was much younger. In the years she has been searching, two other young monsters have joined her and formed a kind of family, but soon the abandoned they call home will be destroyed and Halloween night seems the safest time to go in search of a place called Haven, a supposed sanctuary for monsters. Along the way, the trio finds a human boy in search of friends who accept and appreciate him and all he is and Poe reunites with the former Knight who let her live 10 years ago.

Most 4th-7th grade readers will read this as simply a monster story where the bad guys are the humans and that is true. But along with the fun (and irony) of that simplistic view are the deeper messages of finding your people and loving the family you are in, even if you aren’t really related by blood.

Text is free of profanity and sexual content. Violence is alluded to and almost happens at times and several kids take Halloween pranks too far and vandalize personal property. Libraries of the target age range should consider this one if their book budget is healthy and they can’t keep graphic novels on their shelves.

Thanks for the print arc, Andrews McMeel.

[Bexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a world where monsters exist and humans believe they're evil, a group of humans has been systematically wiping out any and all monsters they find. Poe's family was killed, but one of the humans saw her and left her alone. She has learned to take care of herself, and how to take care of other younger monsters.

They realize that their home is going to be destroyed so they set out on Halloween night to have an adventure, find Poe's former guardian Stoker, and find a new place to live.

Along the way they meet up with a human boy who is bullied because of his geekiness, and he wants to help. When one of Poe's friends is captured by the police, they realize that it's time to fight back and stop hiding.

A fun middle-grade graphic novel about accepting who you are and finding those that will support it. Also, maybe be nicer to the geeky kid at school so he doesn't take your parents down.

Copy provided by Edelweiss and the publisher.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine book for younger readers. It's about some monster kids who are being hunted by basically a version of the klan but for monsters. These three monster kids live in an abandoned building on the outskirts of society. On Halloween, they venture out to find Haven, a mythical safe place for monster kind. For some reason, these kids know nothing about Halloween even though it's the one day they could walk around without hiding themselves. The other thing I thought was odd is that the main character has horns but never tries to hide them with a beanie even though the boy in the group wears a beanie nonstop. It would be a lot easier to walk around undetected without those horns sticking up.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really fantastic. The pacing was really nice and I liked all of the characters. The artwork was an interesting style. I thought it fit the story and the setting. I liked that the kids got to go out and find themselves on Halloween. That's one of my favorite holidays so I enjoyed all the costumes and decorations. Overall, a great debut! I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

There may come a time when I tire of the queerness as monstrosity allegory but that time is not now!

This has such great art and a sweet, accepting message. I also really appreciated that it showed an adult admitting that they made a mistake and changing their ways. That's SO important!!

[Eliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masks
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.57/10 overall

Characters - 7

Atmosphere - 8

Writing - 8

Plot - 7

Intrigue - 7

Logic - 8

Enjoyment - 8

Overall Thoughts:
A sweet graphic novel about being an outsider, perfect for the halloween season. :)

[Sloane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masks was a great book full of friendship, family, and overcoming fears. Incredibly well written debut graphic novel. Will make a great gift for birthdays!

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid graphic novel with lots of good themes in it. Full of heart and wit.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect read-a-like for Misfit Mansion!

[ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute!!!! man i wish i had cool spooky queer books like this when i was growing up :,)