Book Resume
for The Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
Professional book information and credentials for The Return of Zita the Spacegirl.
3 Professional Reviews (1 Starred)
3 Book Awards
Selected for 2 State/Province Lists
- School Library Journal:
- Grades 3 - 6
- Booklist:
- Grades 3 - 6
- TeachingBooks:*
- Grades 5-8
- Word Count:
- 4,126
- Lexile Level:
- 510L
- ATOS Reading Level:
- 2.5
- Genre:
- Adventure
- Graphic Novel
- Science Fiction / Fantasy
- Year Published:
- 2014
18 Subject Headings
The following 18 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (The Return of Zita the Spacegirl).
- Good and evil--Fiction
- Prisoners--Fiction
- Prison wardens--Cartoons and comics
- Outer space--Comic books, strips, etc.--Juvenile fiction
- Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | General
- Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction | General
- Inventors--Comic books, strips, etc.--Juvenile fiction
- Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
- Good and evil--Cartoons and comics
- Cartoons and comics
- Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Graphic Novels
- Human-alien encounters--Comic books, strips, etc.--Juvenile fiction
- Girls--Comic books, strips, etc.--Juvenile fiction
- Prison wardens--Fiction
- Robots--Comic books, strips, etc.--Juvenile fiction
- Extraterrestrial beings--Comic books, strips, etc.--Juvenile fiction
- Prisoners--Comic books, strips, etc.--Juvenile fiction
- Prisoners--Cartoons and comics
3 Full Professional Reviews (1 Starred)
The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.
Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).
From Horn Book
July 1, 2014
Following Legends of Zita the Spacegirl, the third graphic novel opens with Zita's capture and punishment for her "crimes." But never fear: Zita is brave, clever, and has a loyal following. The art is colorful, detailed, and child-friendly. Readers of all ages can relate to the themes of friendship and loyalty while enjoying the fantasy of a far-out sci-fi adventure.
(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
From School Library Journal
May 1, 2014
Gr 3-6-Hatke wraps up this delightful series by neatly tying together all three books. While each volume can be read independently and thoroughly enjoyed solo, the experience of reading the trilogy nicely frames the wider story arc. Zita, now stripped of her possessions, including her signature green cape, remains spunky and feisty. Relegated to a dungeon for her alleged crimes, she meets two unlikely cellmates: a pile of rags, and a rotting skeleton who intones "Eye-spy with my little socket." Cinematic influences are evident throughout, from the opening panoramic scenes to the Evil Dungeon Lord with powers reminiscent of the Sith. The author's wit and comic timing sparkle in this adventure. His motley collection of characters is an absolute delight, and each of their humorous exchanges are spot-on. Readers will be amused by their foibles, and by the text's humor that is gentle, and never vicious. Kids will revel in the wordplay; clever use of language abounds, especially in a discussion on the use of "hallway" vs. "corridor" and when one evildoer explains that the hand signals for quotation marks are the "Universal sign for 'you're actually supposed to kill her." Fans of the young heroine will undoubtedly cheer for this continuation of Zita's saga and eagerly hope that the final page signals further episodes. Back matter including artwork and the story's origins are a bonus.-Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
From Booklist
Starred review from March 1, 2014
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* The adventure started in Zita the Spacegirl (2011) comes full circle in this trilogy finale. As no good deed goes unpunished, Zita is sent to the mines of Dungeon World for the crimes of saving a planet from an asteroid and keeping an entire species from being gobbled up by enormous cosmic meanies. There she meets a long-lost friend, performs a few daring escapes, and eventually saves the day with the kind of heroic pluck that's garnered her so many admirers, both in her universe and ours. Although Zita is a great, cheerworthy lead, Hatke has always had a particular knack for surrounding her with crazy-inventive oddballs, from cuddly rocks and wisecracking rag piles to broken-down battle orbs and limeJell-Oblob leviathans. And the villains! There's no mistaking the pure-evil tentacle bots or the pistol-faced hulks for what they are, and they're just vanquishable enough to make the action really zing. As this fine adventure comes to its final pages, Hatke leaves the door just a bit ajar for more interstellar exploits. An afterword supplies fans with the history of Zita's character, from doodle to webcomic to the heroine fans know and love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)
3 Book Awards & Distinctions
The Return of Zita the Spacegirl was recognized by committees of professional librarians and educators for the following book awards and distinctions.
2 Selections for State & Provincial Recommended Reading Lists
The Return of Zita the Spacegirl was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.
United States Lists (2)
New Jersey
- Garden State Children's Book Awards, 2017 -- Fiction
Texas
- Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, 2016, for Grades K-5
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This Book Resume for The Return of Zita the Spacegirl is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.
*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.
Retrieved from TeachingBooks on April 01, 2026. © 2001-2026 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.


Children's Favorites Award, 2015-2025, Selection, 2015
Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2007-2026, Commended, 2015
Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2026, Graphic Novels Selection, 2014