The Big Tournament
Book 1
From the Series Magda, Intergalactic Chef
Can a little chef with a big heart save the galaxy with the communal spirit of cooking?
Twelve-year-old Magda was born on Azuki, a tiny moon with incredible plant life. Magda may be a bit of a mess, but she’s also a gifted chef—so gifted her unique and delicious dishes earn her a spot in the centuries-old Intergalactic Cooking Tournament! Kids from all over the galaxy hope to win honor for their home planet—as well as the Nector, a precious resource that can reshape entire worlds . . . or even save dying ones. But when Magda discovers an intergalactic conspiracy, only the kind-hearted chef can stop a secret society from stealing the Nector—and with it, control of the entire galaxy.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
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979-8-7656-4321-1
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$22.99 | |
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979-8-7656-4322-8
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$15.99 | |
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979-8-7656-5215-2
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$34.99 |
| Interest Level | Grade 5 - Grade 8 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 5 |
| Genre | Graphic Novels |
| Category | SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2025 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Graphic Universe ™ |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 152 |
| Publication Date | 2025-04-01 |
Author: Nicolas Wouters
Nicolas Wouters is an illustrator, comic book scriptwriter, teacher, and director of animated films. He lives in Brussels, Belgium, where he teaches at the university. Since 2020, he holds a doctoral thesis in art and art sciences. He has published Feet in Concrete (2013), Totem (2013), and Les égarés de Déjima (2018).
Illustrator: Mathilde Van Gheluwe
Mathilde Van Gheluwe was born in Belgium. She studied illustration at the Institut Saint-Luc in Brussels, then at Luca School of Arts in Ghent. After graduating, she published independent comics within the Flemish collective Tieten met Haar. Her first graphic novel Pendant que le Loup n’y est pas, written and illustrated alongside Valentine Gallardo, was published by Atrabile in 2016. Her second comic, the highly acclaimed Funky Town, was published in English by Peow Studio.
Reviews
Shelf Awareness
“Wouters is an ingenious storyteller, inserting mysteriously provocative hints throughout. . . In explosive full-color images, Van Gheluwe creates worlds bursting with imaginative flora and fauna. . . Author and artist embolden tenacious Magda, a vegan force of nature poised to save the whole galaxy.”—Shelf Awareness
Booklist
“This Belgian import boasts wildly imaginative artwork, looking something like Spirited Away via Tintin: lush colors and crisp linework reveal inventive flora and fauna on every planet and architecture teeming with whimsy.”—Booklist
Publishers Weekly
“Gheluwe pairs imaginative depictions of alien ingredients and futuristic kitchen tools with expressive character designs; dynamic compositions heighten both the tension of time-bound cooking challenges and the joy of artistic expression, while color shifts underscore the story’s emotional beats. With its humor, inventive premise, and eco-conscious messaging, this graphic novel celebrates resilience and creativity.”—Publishers Weekly
Foreword Reviews
“A whimsical graphic novel in which a girl who hopes to be a great chef helps others in the process of pursuing her dreams.”—Foreword Reviews
School Library Journal
“A colorful and engaging graphic novel about a young girl who uncovers a nefarious plot and finds the courage to fight.”—School Library Journal