I picked up my copy of Amulet at a Value Village, tucked between old paperbacks, and had no idea it would become one of my favorite graphic novel recommendations for kids and adults alike. Short answer: yes, it’s worth reading. Amulet, The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi is an emotionally grounded, beautifully illustrated adventure that earns its reading momentum fast, even if a couple of story beats feel rushed in the opening chapters.

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

After a family tragedy takes their father, Emily and Navin move with their mom into their late grandfather’s old, derelict home. During a bit of forced deep cleaning in the basement library, Emily finds a strange necklace the amulet that turns out to hold real power. When a monstrosity with too many limbs drags their mom through a hidden door into a strange world, the kids have no choice but to follow. What unfolds is a search-and-rescuing mission across a landscape full of forest dwellers, elf-like allies, wandering robots, and a nervous rabbit-like creature who quickly becomes the emotional glue of the group. The backstory and lore unfold gradually, and by the final pages you’re excited for the progress the next book promises.

About the Author

Kazu Kibuishi was born in Tokyo, Japan, and later spent time growing up between California and South Korea before studying film studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He illustrates primarily on a tablet and computer, building each image by hand before a coloring team helps bring the color to life a workflow he’s talked about openly on Twitter when announcing new books in the Amulet Series. As of book number nine, the series remains one of the best-selling graphic novels for young readers, and Kibuishi is widely respected for balancing character development with genuinely insane artwork.

Pros

• Gorgeous, detailed artwork with a real sense of depth and action in every panel
• Strong emotional hook early the loss of their father gives real weight to the adventure
• A rich cast of characters, including beasts, creatures, and a lovable bunny creature sidekick
• Builds a genuinely imaginative strange world without losing its emotional story
• Great balance between spooky house mystery and full action

Cons

• The move from the derelict home to the strange world can feel a little rushed, with a few throwaway lines expected to fill in backstory
• Some side elements (the kidnapping setup, the generic “chosen protector” stonekeeper power) lean slightly cliché for readers who’ve read a lot of fantasy
• A couple of first grade-level readers may find certain scenes with violence a touch intense, though nothing gory

Comparable Titles

If your household enjoyed the found-family-in-a-spooky house tone of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Amulet will feel familiar in the best way. Fans of Bone by Jeff Smith will also recognize the mix of humor, beasts, and heart, and readers who liked the found-world adventure pacing of American Born Chinese should enjoy how quickly Kibuishi gets Emily and Navin moving into the action.

FAQ

Is Amulet appropriate for kids?
Yes it’s aimed at middle-grade readers, roughly first grade and up for read-alongs, with older elementary kids reading independently. There’s mild violence and one accident-related death, handled with care.

Is there a sequel?
Yes. Amulet is a nine-book series, with each entry continuing Emily and Navin’s journey to save their mom and understand the stonekeeper’s power.

Is it based on a true story?
No, it’s entirely fictional, though Kibuishi has said personal emotions around family and loss shaped the story’s tone.

Who is Kazu Kibuishi?
He’s the author and illustrator of the Amulet series, known for his detailed artwork and world-building across graphic novels.

Final Rating

(4/5) Read it if you… love graphic novels with real emotional stakes, enjoy fantasy worlds full of robots, elf-like allies, and strange creatures, and want a series the whole family can work through together. You can check reader reactions on Goodreads or browse Kibuishi’s process on his official site.