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“Animated magical girl–inspired comics pages by Utomaru (A Kid’s Guide to Anime & Manga) skillfully complement the authors’ bouncy narration and cheeky humor. It’s a charming confection of a tale that grapples with weighty themes relating to political corruption, immigrant parent expectations, and duplicitous influencer culture.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Co-authors Chi—star of RuPaul’s Drag Race—and Lee sensitively explore themes of identity while celebrating a loving community as it speaks truth to power. Filled with sparkle and creativity, a tale of youngsters rallying to do what’s right.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Jae Han’s story of saving his [library] and learning to believe in himself is loads of fun and packed with references to real drag icons. The best lesson Jae Han learns is that confidence is, as RuPaul herself would say, fundamental!”

—Booklist

Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers

Written by Stephan Lee and Kim Chi
Illustrated by Utomaru
Published by Walker Books US

For twelve-year-old Korean immigrant Jae Han, the library is more than a place to check out books. It’s a safe space to work on his comic book featuring drag superhero Donutella Hamachi, play video games to improve his English, and befriend other outcast kids sheltering among the stacks. When the mayor announces plans to demolish the building and pave a mall parking lot, Jae Han pleads with his friend the librarian to intervene. But even if the mayor doesn’t shutter the library, Ms. Henny reveals, a funding deficit will.

Called to action, Jae Han rallies his ragtag group of friends to halt the destruction of their haven. Can they—with help from the sparkling Donutella Hamachi—unite long enough to defeat the slime-shooting blobfish enveloping screaming citizens in goo (i.e., ace a fundraising campaign)? Filled with diabolical plots and empowerment aplenty, this lively foray into the heart of a town’s darkness, sprinkled through with hilarious graphic panels, will delight superhero fans, comic book creators, and anyone who has felt outside the mainstream—and perfectly at home in a library.

Primary ISBN: 9781536236705
Publication Date: September 2025
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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