In his debut graphic novel, Ready, Cassette, Go!, award-winning illustrator and animator Jarett Sitter introduces us to a fun, retro world perfect for middle-grade readers. The story follows Melody Li, a newcomer to the vibrant Cassette City, a town that runs on summer vibes and the power of mixtapes. She soon teams up with an unlikely crew—a wisecracking raccoon, a living mushroom, and an emotional robot—to compete in the annual Battle of the Bands. Through skate parks, arcades, and monster-movie marathons, Melody discovers the importance of friendship, community, and what it means to step outside your comfort zone. It’s the first book in the planned Cassette City series and sets a wonderfully energetic tone.
This book is an outstanding resource for all types of readers and especially language learners. Being a graphic novel, the dynamic, full-color illustrations carry much of the narrative weight, helping visual learners easily track the plot and character emotions. This visual support is especially useful for students building their vocabulary; when the characters talk about a “setlist” or an “amplifier,” the art provides immediate context, clarifying meaning without needing a dictionary. Sitter keeps the sentence structures simple and direct, which helps build confidence and reading momentum. While it hasn’t received any major awards, the book was highlighted in Publishers Weekly for its nostalgic feel. Ultimately, Ready, Cassette, Go! is a strong addition to any collection because it wraps themes of teamwork and belonging in an accessible format that engages students and supports their reading journey.
