Daybreaker – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Daybreaker

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2025

95%

WISE Score

5.0

Amazon

Think Percy Jackson meets Amulet, but with a lush Filipino folklore glow-up and a 'stuck together' detention energy that actually works.

Daybreaker

book

2025

95%

WISE Score

5.0

Amazon

Think Percy Jackson meets Amulet, but with a lush Filipino folklore glow-up and a 'stuck together' detention energy that actually works.

5.0

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Where to Read

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Daybreaker is an absolute standout in the 2025 graphic novel lineup. It takes the 'chosen one' trope and gives it a gorgeous, culturally rich makeover that feels both modern and urgent.

It’s rare to find a book that manages to be this visually stunning while also delivering a gut-punch of emotional honesty about grief and friendship. If your kid liked Amulet or The Dragon Prince, this is an easy win. It’s smart, it’s safe, and it’s a masterclass in world-building. Buy it, read it, then wait impatiently for the sequel.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8 to 12. It’s the ideal next step for the middle-grade crowd who has already inhaled every Rick Riordan book and needs a new obsession.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It models a healthy evolution of friendship and the messy process of grieving a grandparent. The tone is adventurous but grounded in emotional honesty.

Imaginative

The way it translates Filipino folklore into a modern, high-stakes graphic novel is brilliant. The magic system—literal binding between characters—is a clever plot engine.

Safe

It's a Disney-Hyperion middle-grade book. No red flags for language or inappropriate themes. Fantasy violence is part of the genre but never gratuitous.

Enriching

A top-tier cultural deep dive. It introduces kids to a rich mythology (gods, spirits, sun-eaters) while hitting universal notes on identity and loss.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Deep dive into Filipino mythology—gods, spirits, and sun-eaters—that feels fresh and vibrant.
The 'magically bound together' trope forces some genuinely funny and moving character growth between the three leads.
Tori Tadiar’s art is a total visual flex; it’s colorful, cinematic, and easy to speed-run for kids who love graphic novels.
It handles the heavy stuff—like grieving a grandparent—with a touch that’s heartfelt but never feels like a lecture.

⚠

What to Watch For

Fantasy peril: There are some intense magical battles and a world-ending threat, but it's strictly PG graphic novel territory.
Emotional weight: The main character is processing the death of her grandmother, which might be a bit of a tug on the heartstrings for sensitive readers.

Conversation Starters

"If you were magically stuck to two of your classmates for a week, who would you pick and why?"
"What's a story or legend from your own family's culture that you wish was real?"
"Mika felt like she had to hide her 'weird' interests at school to fit in. Have you ever felt that way?"

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