Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Inc. (Graphix) [First Edition]
Pages
167
Description
Comic and Graphic Books. Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: A funny, action-packed graphic novel featuring a young Cleopatra who's transported to the future and learns it's up to her to save the galaxy. Now an animated TV series streaming on Hulu and Peacock!When Cleo finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, really far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo's style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, while trying to figure out how she's going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!.… (more)
Description
A funny, action-packed graphic novel featuring a young Cleopatra -- yes, THAT Cleopatra -- who's transported to the future and learns it's up to her to save the galaxy!
When a young Cleopatra (yes, THAT Cleopatra) finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, REALLY far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo's style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, all while trying to figure out how she's going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!
When a young Cleopatra (yes, THAT Cleopatra) finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, REALLY far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo's style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, all while trying to figure out how she's going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014-04-29
Physical description
167 p.; 9 inches
ISBN
0545741122 / 9780545741125
Similar in this library
Lexile
L
User reviews
LibraryThing member loveofreading
Cleopatra in Space is a graphic novel published by Graphix (an imprint of Scholastic) in May 2014. Aimed at readers ages 8-12, Cleopatra in Space is an absolutely fantastic graphic novel. Kids will love Cleo for how cool and relatable she is. Parents and educators can appreciate that this is a
Parents and educators should be aware that a lot of the humour comes from Cleo's less admirable traits. She's fifteen-years-old; she's certainly not the Queen of Egypt we all know that she grows up to be. Cleo thinks school is boring, she skips classes and generally causes [harmless] trouble. But rebelliousness aside, she's also brave, friendly, confident, smart, and heroic. And while she dislikes school, her opinion changes when she starts taking classes that she really likes and excels at. This is a great lesson in life from Maihack! Math class may be painful, but one day soon, you'll get to take cool electives that will make learning a lot of fun!
Aside from the fact that this is a book starring Cleopatra, what I like best is the story's humour. Cleo is funny, but sometimes the humour is at her expense. I actually laughed aloud at how impressively, weirdly, and hilariously good at combat she is. No violence is shown, but the implication at the ease at which this little girl can take out bad guys is downright hilarious. Cleopatra is a little sassy and she kicks serious ass.
Cleopatra in Space is Egyptian history meets Star Wars. The ridiculousness of having a historical figure starring in a futuristic setting doesn't take away from the quality of the story. You don't even have to know who she is to understand the plot. Mike Maihack is a storytelling genius who has constructed an intelligent and unique action-packed adventure, introducing young readers to an important historical figure.
I recommend Cleopatra in Space to readers who enjoy fantasy/adventure graphic novels without a lot of heavy content. It's light-hearted, accessible, and fun. This is a fast-paced read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. I'm eagerly awaiting the future books in this series!
4 Stars
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well-written and enjoyable graphic novel that kids will love coming back to again and again.Parents and educators should be aware that a lot of the humour comes from Cleo's less admirable traits. She's fifteen-years-old; she's certainly not the Queen of Egypt we all know that she grows up to be. Cleo thinks school is boring, she skips classes and generally causes [harmless] trouble. But rebelliousness aside, she's also brave, friendly, confident, smart, and heroic. And while she dislikes school, her opinion changes when she starts taking classes that she really likes and excels at. This is a great lesson in life from Maihack! Math class may be painful, but one day soon, you'll get to take cool electives that will make learning a lot of fun!
Aside from the fact that this is a book starring Cleopatra, what I like best is the story's humour. Cleo is funny, but sometimes the humour is at her expense. I actually laughed aloud at how impressively, weirdly, and hilariously good at combat she is. No violence is shown, but the implication at the ease at which this little girl can take out bad guys is downright hilarious. Cleopatra is a little sassy and she kicks serious ass.
Cleopatra in Space is Egyptian history meets Star Wars. The ridiculousness of having a historical figure starring in a futuristic setting doesn't take away from the quality of the story. You don't even have to know who she is to understand the plot. Mike Maihack is a storytelling genius who has constructed an intelligent and unique action-packed adventure, introducing young readers to an important historical figure.
I recommend Cleopatra in Space to readers who enjoy fantasy/adventure graphic novels without a lot of heavy content. It's light-hearted, accessible, and fun. This is a fast-paced read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. I'm eagerly awaiting the future books in this series!
4 Stars
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LibraryThing member MaowangVater
Cutting school, because she finds algebra lessons with her tutor boring, fifteen-year-old Cleopatra and a friend take target practice with their slingshots in the desert. When they unexpectedly uncover a hidden temple, they investigate, and Cleo is transported to the future and another planet
Smooth lines, bright colors, and a fast moving plot make this an excellent science fiction adventure for young readers.
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inhabited by talking cats, humans and other strange beings, where she is hailed as “Cleopatra VII, ancient queen of first century BC Earth and Savior of the Nile Galaxy.” That is after she defeats the evil emperor Xaius Octavian, who’s blasted out of existence everyone’s eBooks and all historical records. (Hiss-Boo). Fortunately for the inhabitants of Ailuros, the planet where she’s landed, they still have paper scrolls and libraries. (Yea!) Unfortunately for Cleo, she still has to go to school, where the only classes she excels in are combat training and target practice. All those shots with the sling have made her a natural with a ray gun. Smooth lines, bright colors, and a fast moving plot make this an excellent science fiction adventure for young readers.
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LibraryThing member zzshupinga
One of my favorite things to do when I go to comic conventions is to discover new artists and writers. And that is how I first discovered Cleopatra in Space. The very first con I attended, Heroescon 2011, Mike Maihack and Cleopatra were there. At the time Mike was doing Cleopatra as a webcomic and
In the far distant future, there is ancient prophecy that says that someone from the distant past is destined to save the galaxy from the evil Xaius Octavian, a tyrannical despot. That someone...is Cleopatra, the once and future queen of Egypt. For now though, she is a young princess in ancient Egypt who prefers to skip her lessons and have fun and play with slingshots. Until the day she finds a mysterious tablet that takes her into the far distant future so that she can save the galaxy. Although Cleopatra has much to learn about the past, and the future, with the help of her mentor Khensu, a talking cat, she may just have what it takes to save the galaxy. Until that time though, Cleopatra is just your average student at Yasiro Academy, doing homework, making friends, avoiding detention, and just being your normal average teenage girl who is handy with a laser gun. The part about saving the galaxy though...may come a bit earlier than either Cleopatra, Khensu, or anyone else ever expected and we can only hope that she’s ready.
Although Mike’s writing and storytelling keep me coming back for more of Cleopatra, it his artwork that caused me to fall in love with her the first time. Mike’s style of art is to not depend upon color to bring his characters to life, but instead use varying line widths to build and create the character. And what this means is that even looking at a black and white drawing of the characters, they have a grace and fluidity to them that makes them come alive. They remind me of some of the pencil tests of early Disney films and cartoons, where the characters dance upon the page with just a few lines. It is not something that I see often these days and that is what makes Cleopatra stand out to me. The color of course only enhances the characters, giving Cleopatra soft brown eyes that sparkle and show her vibrant and intelligent personality. I also enjoy that fact that Mike varies his page layout, often overlapping panels on top of one another or ignoring the panel lines all together to create a more cohesive layout of the story. It is something that really enhances the quality of the story and just gives the reader something different to look for.
One of the best parts about this comic though is that Cleopatra is not a dainty sit on her hands and let others do the work for her type of queen. Instead she is a kick butt, laser wielding, energetic kinda girl that likes to do things for herself. Even more than that though, what she tries does not always work. She fails and Mike is not afraid to show those failures, because Cleopatra is a teenager which is an important factor in the story. It makes it easy to relate to her and understand why she does what she does. We’ve all been in similar situations, well…at least being the teenage part…so we understand the flux of emotions and hormones and trying to prove to others that we can do anything we put our minds to. And that is something that comics, and books in general, need more of these days. A character that can make mistakes, grow from them, and learn. It is this type of writing that keeps me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more.
The one downside to coming to the end of this volume is that I need that second volume already. I need to know what happens next! Where do Cleopatra and her friends go from here? I for one, look forward to the next volume in Cleopatra’s adventures and I can not wait to see where their journey takes them. Fans of Zita the Spacegirl will thoroughly enjoy Cleopatra and her friends. And might make them wonder...could Cleopatra and Zita be related?
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had a couple of minicomics out that collected the webcomics. And I fell in love with Cleopatra at first sight. The story and the artwork are absolutely fantastic, so it is no surprise that Graphix offered Mike a chance to do a Cleopatra series. If like me you’ve read the webcomics be assured that while this is still the Cleopatra that we know and love, it is an entirely new story and we get to see her from the very beginning and fall in love with her all over again.In the far distant future, there is ancient prophecy that says that someone from the distant past is destined to save the galaxy from the evil Xaius Octavian, a tyrannical despot. That someone...is Cleopatra, the once and future queen of Egypt. For now though, she is a young princess in ancient Egypt who prefers to skip her lessons and have fun and play with slingshots. Until the day she finds a mysterious tablet that takes her into the far distant future so that she can save the galaxy. Although Cleopatra has much to learn about the past, and the future, with the help of her mentor Khensu, a talking cat, she may just have what it takes to save the galaxy. Until that time though, Cleopatra is just your average student at Yasiro Academy, doing homework, making friends, avoiding detention, and just being your normal average teenage girl who is handy with a laser gun. The part about saving the galaxy though...may come a bit earlier than either Cleopatra, Khensu, or anyone else ever expected and we can only hope that she’s ready.
Although Mike’s writing and storytelling keep me coming back for more of Cleopatra, it his artwork that caused me to fall in love with her the first time. Mike’s style of art is to not depend upon color to bring his characters to life, but instead use varying line widths to build and create the character. And what this means is that even looking at a black and white drawing of the characters, they have a grace and fluidity to them that makes them come alive. They remind me of some of the pencil tests of early Disney films and cartoons, where the characters dance upon the page with just a few lines. It is not something that I see often these days and that is what makes Cleopatra stand out to me. The color of course only enhances the characters, giving Cleopatra soft brown eyes that sparkle and show her vibrant and intelligent personality. I also enjoy that fact that Mike varies his page layout, often overlapping panels on top of one another or ignoring the panel lines all together to create a more cohesive layout of the story. It is something that really enhances the quality of the story and just gives the reader something different to look for.
One of the best parts about this comic though is that Cleopatra is not a dainty sit on her hands and let others do the work for her type of queen. Instead she is a kick butt, laser wielding, energetic kinda girl that likes to do things for herself. Even more than that though, what she tries does not always work. She fails and Mike is not afraid to show those failures, because Cleopatra is a teenager which is an important factor in the story. It makes it easy to relate to her and understand why she does what she does. We’ve all been in similar situations, well…at least being the teenage part…so we understand the flux of emotions and hormones and trying to prove to others that we can do anything we put our minds to. And that is something that comics, and books in general, need more of these days. A character that can make mistakes, grow from them, and learn. It is this type of writing that keeps me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more.
The one downside to coming to the end of this volume is that I need that second volume already. I need to know what happens next! Where do Cleopatra and her friends go from here? I for one, look forward to the next volume in Cleopatra’s adventures and I can not wait to see where their journey takes them. Fans of Zita the Spacegirl will thoroughly enjoy Cleopatra and her friends. And might make them wonder...could Cleopatra and Zita be related?
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LibraryThing member krau0098
This book was recommended to me by one of my Goodreads friends as a cute graphic novel. This was a very fun and cute graphic novel that is appropriate for all ages.
Cleopatra finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her into the far future. There she finds she is supposedly a hero for a world run by
Unfortunately for Cleo she still has to go to school to learn everything she needs to know to save the galaxy (including algebra...which she hated back in her home Egypt). Cleo excels at her combat training and eventually gets to go on a mission of her own.
This was a super fun read, there is a lot of action and humor in here that will appeal to all ages. The illustration is very colorful and very well done.
There is some Egyptian mythology but the story has more of a science fiction galactic battle type of overtone to it.
Cleo also has to deal with some school issues. She comes into the school as a hero which makes things a bit awkward for her with her classmates.
Overall I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It has a lot of humor and is fun to read. Cleo is strong role model for girls of all ages and I loved watching her learn, not only about the future, but also about friendship and responsibility. Highly recommended, this is graphic novel that is a lot of fun for all ages. You can’t help but compare to Zita the Spacegirl and I actually like this even better than the Zita the Spacegirl series.
Cleopatra finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her into the far future. There she finds she is supposedly a hero for a world run by
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cats. The cats write everything down in classic Egyptian style which is the only reason they have been taken over by an evil entity, Xaius Octavian, that steals all digital information. Unfortunately for Cleo she still has to go to school to learn everything she needs to know to save the galaxy (including algebra...which she hated back in her home Egypt). Cleo excels at her combat training and eventually gets to go on a mission of her own.
This was a super fun read, there is a lot of action and humor in here that will appeal to all ages. The illustration is very colorful and very well done.
There is some Egyptian mythology but the story has more of a science fiction galactic battle type of overtone to it.
Cleo also has to deal with some school issues. She comes into the school as a hero which makes things a bit awkward for her with her classmates.
Overall I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It has a lot of humor and is fun to read. Cleo is strong role model for girls of all ages and I loved watching her learn, not only about the future, but also about friendship and responsibility. Highly recommended, this is graphic novel that is a lot of fun for all ages. You can’t help but compare to Zita the Spacegirl and I actually like this even better than the Zita the Spacegirl series.
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LibraryThing member kayceel
A fun, exciting adventure story about teenaged Cleopatra, who, after getting zapped from her time into the future, learns she's supposed to be the savior of the universe. But first: school. As Cleo would say, "Oh, crud.".
Cute, and I look forward to sharing this with my grade school book club next
Recommended
Cute, and I look forward to sharing this with my grade school book club next
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summer!Recommended
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
Sometimes a great new book just lands in your lap. Or, it's helped there by a friend or family member who knows your taste in books and is willing and able to feed your addiction.
In the case of Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice by Mike Maihack, it was a two step process. Books Inc had set up a
Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice is the first of a new tween graphic novel series. Cleopatra of ancient Egypt is recruited by time travelers to save the far future. But before she can do that, she has to pass algebra. It sounds silly but it works. It works with the same goofy enthusiasm that Doctor Who does.
The book opens en media res with Cleopatra and a talking cat finishing up a dangerous mission. Of course they are discovered and there's a chase, and a quick battle. It's an energetic and exciting way to meet the two stars of this new series.
With that introduction, I was perfectly willing to go with a far future built on an ancient Egyptian aesthetic. I was even willing to let there be characters with the names of famous Egyptians. Heck, one of my favorite films is Stargate.
But then, with the second chapter, we're taken back to the beginning, and we see Cleopatra in school doing her best to avoid her lessons, except for the ones that involve combat. Just like Alice or Dorothy, Cleopatra's desire to be anywhere else is the impetus to new adventures well beyond her imagination.
Length wise, it's about as long as an Amulet book. There's just the right mix of world and character building to go with the adventure and mystery. The second book, The Thief and the Sword comes out next year and I am eagerly awaiting it.
In the case of Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice by Mike Maihack, it was a two step process. Books Inc had set up a
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book fair in the cafeteria where my husband works. He knows I love books about Ancient Egypt, tween graphic novels, and time travel stories. This book was a trifecta! So he snagged a copy for me.Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice is the first of a new tween graphic novel series. Cleopatra of ancient Egypt is recruited by time travelers to save the far future. But before she can do that, she has to pass algebra. It sounds silly but it works. It works with the same goofy enthusiasm that Doctor Who does.
The book opens en media res with Cleopatra and a talking cat finishing up a dangerous mission. Of course they are discovered and there's a chase, and a quick battle. It's an energetic and exciting way to meet the two stars of this new series.
With that introduction, I was perfectly willing to go with a far future built on an ancient Egyptian aesthetic. I was even willing to let there be characters with the names of famous Egyptians. Heck, one of my favorite films is Stargate.
But then, with the second chapter, we're taken back to the beginning, and we see Cleopatra in school doing her best to avoid her lessons, except for the ones that involve combat. Just like Alice or Dorothy, Cleopatra's desire to be anywhere else is the impetus to new adventures well beyond her imagination.
Length wise, it's about as long as an Amulet book. There's just the right mix of world and character building to go with the adventure and mystery. The second book, The Thief and the Sword comes out next year and I am eagerly awaiting it.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I originally read most of this as a webcomic online and then the author pulled it when he got a publishing deal. This only went a little bit further then the stuff I had read online and so I ended up a little disappointed.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I originally read most of this as a webcomic online and then the author pulled it when he got a publishing deal. This only went a little bit further then the stuff I had read online and so I ended up a little disappointed.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I originally read most of this as a webcomic online and then the author pulled it when he got a publishing deal. This only went a little bit further then the stuff I had read online and so I ended up a little disappointed.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I originally read most of this as a webcomic online and then the author pulled it when he got a publishing deal. This only went a little bit further then the stuff I had read online and so I ended up a little disappointed.
LibraryThing member mirikayla
Eh. Cheesy. I don't love the girls wearing pink flippy miniskirts with knee-high boots while the boys wear long pants and jackets, either. Come on.
LibraryThing member kmjanek
Cleopatra (nicknamed Cleo) is flung into the future, where she discovers that she is part of an ancient prophecy that says she was born to save the galaxy. After Cleo finds that there is no way back home to the past, she gets settled in the future. She has to go to school, which is not her
The artwork in this graphic novel is great. It is full of expression and adventure. The panels are easy to follow and part of the story is absorbed visually. This book is a great fit for upper elementary, middle school girls who are looking for comics and graphic novels that feature a fun and spunky heroine. It is not necessarily historically accurate as some reviews are quick to point out, but there are some nods to ancient egypt. If students have an interest in ancient Egypt, this might be a good recommendation -- just with a futuristic twist. There is nothing objectionable in the story. Some teachers may notice that Cleo is not exactly engaged in school. She is probably more of a kinesthetic learner ;) This would be a good addition to a school library. It would appeal to reluctant readers as well as advanced readers. It would be a good fit for a graphic novel display or on a reading list with strong female main characters for young readers. This would be a fun book to promote for summer reading.
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favorite, and she has to learn combat training. She really likes the combat training! She is as good with a ray gun as she was with the slingshot. The adventure in this story is that the evil Xaius Octavian is trying to rid the world of information. He has locked up all the electronic data and entire worlds have lost their histories and culture. There are sectors of space that relied on the written word to preserve their history and they are still safe.The artwork in this graphic novel is great. It is full of expression and adventure. The panels are easy to follow and part of the story is absorbed visually. This book is a great fit for upper elementary, middle school girls who are looking for comics and graphic novels that feature a fun and spunky heroine. It is not necessarily historically accurate as some reviews are quick to point out, but there are some nods to ancient egypt. If students have an interest in ancient Egypt, this might be a good recommendation -- just with a futuristic twist. There is nothing objectionable in the story. Some teachers may notice that Cleo is not exactly engaged in school. She is probably more of a kinesthetic learner ;) This would be a good addition to a school library. It would appeal to reluctant readers as well as advanced readers. It would be a good fit for a graphic novel display or on a reading list with strong female main characters for young readers. This would be a fun book to promote for summer reading.
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LibraryThing member booklover3258
This was such a great read and the illustrations were amazing! So our little 15 year old Cleopatra stumbles inside an unknown tomb and is whisked away to the future in space to save the world. There she meets new friends and kicks butt with her ray gun and combat. The story flowed well throughout
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and how could you not love talking cats?!?! Great for kids who love sci fi, space and a little history (Egyptian that is). Show Less
LibraryThing member EricRosenfield
The art is great and the story is fun, but I'm frustrated that the title character exhibits nothing that would make her Cleopatra other than her name and the fact that she's supposed to be an Egyptian princess. If you changed a few of the nouns and the background art, she could just as easily be a
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rich girl from the modern world. I get that this is a kids book, but no mention of Egyptian gods at all? No mention of Cleopatra's rivalry with her brother Ptolemy? No mention, in fact, of anything to do with Egyptian culture at the time of Cleopatra (or any other). Why bother making the book about Cleopatra at all? Show Less
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Satisfying in an old-school pulp action sort of way, with talking cat professors (eeeee!) kickass combat scenes and a tie-in to ancient Egypt. Good stuff.
LibraryThing member ftbooklover
Cleopatra moves from Ancient Egypt forward in time to a planet ruled by cats. Cleo finds out that she is the answer to a prophecy and that she will be the savior of the planet. Cleo has never liked school, but in addition to the subjects that she hates, she finds that on this new planet, she is
Target Practice is the first book in the Cleopatra in Space series and introduces readers to the main character and her role in this future world. There is a lot of action but little dialogue, keeping the story fast moving, but not really explaining things like why Cleo must be the one to save this world of cats. Overall, Target Practice does establish characters and settings that will be important in upcoming books.
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allowed to use all of her skills.Target Practice is the first book in the Cleopatra in Space series and introduces readers to the main character and her role in this future world. There is a lot of action but little dialogue, keeping the story fast moving, but not really explaining things like why Cleo must be the one to save this world of cats. Overall, Target Practice does establish characters and settings that will be important in upcoming books.
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Awards
Florida Book Award (Gwen P. Reichert Gold Medal — Children's Literature — 2014)
Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List (Selection — 2015)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Selection — 2015)
Children's Favorites Awards (Selection — 2015)
Nerdy Book Award (Graphic Novels — 2014)
Call number
IBD.005.01