Off Menu: A Graphic Novel

The last thing on Soup's to-do list is to make waves at the restaurant she calls home, but when her boss's villainous behavior becomes toxic, she decides to dismantle his power by beating him at his own game-cooking! This graphic novel is an empowering story about taking risks, finding your voice, and being brave enough to stand up for friends.

At seventeen, Soup is at a crossroads, eager to make her mark on the world, yet reluctant to leave the restaurant she calls home--the place where she was found as a baby, the place where she grew up, the place where she learned to cook. It's only when her elven boss snaps at her that she begins to see his pattern of abuse, starting in the kitchen and extending all across town. Something's got to give, and the answer is simple: a cooking competition for the restaurant.

If Soup wins, she'll claim the business and protect her village from destructive expansion. But if she loses, she'll have to leave her home and stand by as the food community she loves is razed to the ground. With friends and chosen family rallying around her, Soup has a chance to win. Yet, everyone knows villains don't fight fair, and this restauranteur is not going to give up his throne so easily . . .

"Readers will love the themes of found family and burgeoning love. Don't miss this one." -School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Author: Oliver Gerlach
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
Published: 10/08/2024
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.90w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781499815023
Audience: Young Adult


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 10/15/2024 pg. 36
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2024 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

About the Author
Oliver Gerlach is a writer, escaped chef, and doctor of classics, living and working in Edinburgh, Scotland. His work can be found in places including 2000 AD's Mega City Max and the GLAAD and Ringo award-winning anthology Young Men In Love. On the rare occasions when he is not writing, Oliver can be found teaching and selling board and role-playing games. He still can't quite believe he gets to do both of these for a living. He probably spends too much time in the kitchen too. Off Menu is his debut graphic novel.

Kelsi Jo Silva is an American illustrator and artist based out of Denver, Colorado. Aftergraduating from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design with a BA in illustration, Kelsi went straight into formulating a creative career. They've worked on a number of projects, most notably the Ela Cat children's series with Good Luck Black Cat books, the first of which was awarded a MoonBeam award for illustration. Online, Kelsi is most known for her depictions of women in loving relationships and sapphic redesigns of Greek mythos.