Chad Sell's The Cardboard Kingdom is widely praised for its vibrant artwork and imaginative storytelling, capturing the essence of childhood creativity and community. Readers appreciate its diverse characters and inclusive themes. Some critiques mention a lack of depth in character development. Overall, it’s celebrated as an uplifting and visually engaging read for all ages.

Readers who enjoy The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell are likely middle-grade students who appreciate imaginative, community-driven narratives. They might also enjoy Smile by Raina Telgemeier or Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi, as these books similarly combine engaging visuals with themes of friendship, creativity, and personal growth.

The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell is a middle-grade graphic novel about a diverse group of neighborhood children who creatively use cardboard to transform their world into a fantastical kingdom, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the transformative power of play during their summer holidays. The novel highlights the importance of parental and guardian support as the kids navigate various personal challenges and work together to create an imaginative community full of adventure and inclusivity. The book involves themes of parental separation and bullying.

Playful / Nostalgic / Heartwarming / Emotional

- The Cardboard Kingdom is a collaborative graphic novel that features different stories written by a team of ten diverse writers and illustrators, all expertly woven together by Chad Sell's vibrant illustrations.
- Chad Sell, the illustrator of The Cardboard Kingdom, is known for his distinctive style that combines expressive characters with colorful and dynamic scenes, bringing both humor and emotion to life.
- The Cardboard Kingdom was nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award in 2019, recognizing its creative storytelling and impactful illustrations in the realm of graphic novels for children and young adults.

Chad Sell

Middle grade

Graphic Novel/Book

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Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Cardboard Kingdom and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Cardboard Kingdom Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Cardboard Kingdom Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

The Cardboard Kingdom Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

The Cardboard Kingdom Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-9

The Cardboard Kingdom Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-12

The Cardboard Kingdom Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-15

The Cardboard Kingdom Chapters 13-15 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Cardboard Kingdom Character Analysis

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Themes

The Cardboard Kingdom Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Cardboard Kingdom Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Cardboard Kingdom Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Cardboard Kingdom Essay Topics

The Cardboard Kingdom

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Cardboard Kingdom?

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Book Details