The Mannamong
The Mannamong
Spirits of nature. A girl chosen by fate. A story of balance, hope, and survival.
What is The Mannamong?
Kali (Kay-lee) Teal has always sensed the unseen, but when she falls mysteriously ill, she learns the truth—her body has become the vessel for Tontorus, a rogue mannamong with a dark past. Now, she must navigate the world of spirits, battling fear and doubt as she seeks to uncover the mannamong’s hidden history and her own connection to their fate. With each discovery, Kali is drawn deeper into an ancient struggle between order and chaos, where the truth about her soul—and the spirit bound to it—could determine the future of both mankind and the mannamong.
Full-Color Fantasy World
Every page is beautifully illustrated to bring the mannamong to life.
A Brave Heroine
Kali's heart, courage and curiousity inspire readers to face their own challenges.
Themes of Hope & Discovery
A story about bravery, friendship, and finding strength in unlikely places.
Mild fantasy peril · No graphic violence · No profanity · Ages 8–14
Why Families & Readers Connect with The Mannamong
A Magical Journey
The Mannamong invites children into a world filled with adventure, danger, and unexpected twists. It is a story of courage, wisdom, and the importance of understanding the consequences of one’s actions—both in extraordinary moments and in everyday life.
Rich Storytelling for Teachers and Parents
This is more than a fairy tale. The Mannamong explores meaningful themes such as greed, personal responsibility, and the impact of choices. Teachers and parents can use the story to engage young readers in thoughtful conversations about ethics, decision-making, and the balance between ambition and wisdom.
Timeless Appeal
The Mannamong speaks to both young readers and fans of fantasy comics through its dynamic world and compelling characters. Whether drawn to magical creatures or stories of self-discovery, readers will find layers of depth and excitement that invite exploration and reflection.
Kali Is Missing. But Her Story Isn’t Over.
Coming soon… The Mannamong returns — and hope takes center stage.
Sign up to be informed of release date of Volume 3.
The Characters
Kali Teal
(Kay-lee) (tēl)
An inquisitive eight-year old girl able to see spirits. She struggles to remain calm while being haunted by Tontorus.
Vianne Teal
(Vee-anne) (tēl)
Kali's diligent mother who always has a story to tell about the mystical mannamong.
Hawk
(Haw-k)
A mysterious older man able to interact with the mannamong like Kali. He gifts her with a dreamcatcher to help her see the truth about Tontorus.
Jewel
(Jew-el)
A dependable figure in Kali's life — Trent's devoted girlfriend and Vianne's friend — whose selfless nature and quiet strength anchor those around her.
Trent
(Tren-t)
An archaeologist chasing the Crimsong Pearl, Trent hides his self-doubt behind ambition, hoping a great discovery will prove he's worth remembering.
Meet The Mannamong
Gisenes
(Jeh-see-ness)
Daughter of Mother Nature and leader of the mannamong. Residing in a garden within the spiritual realm, she advises Kali on how to deal with Tontorus' empty threats.
Tontorus
(Ton-toe-rus)
The infamous rogue mannamong hiding within Kali's totem necklace to escape capture.
Galerith
(Gail-rith)
The quiet mannamong who works with Hawk. His intentions remain unclear.
Blitzstreak
(Blitz-streek)
Scorch's mischievous companion looking to test the boundaries between mortals and spirits.
Scorch
(Scor-ch)
Hunter of rogue mannamong and Tontorus' old enemy. He is determined to apprehend Tontorus again after their last encounter thousands of years ago.
Paniña
(Puh-neen-yah)
The Priestess of Fire who once gave her people hope. Her legend still echoes.
FAQs
Key reasons readers (especially children) love the story:
- Manga-inspired art — great for visual engagement.
- Accessible emotional themes like courage, friendship, and empathy.
- Easy-to-follow panels — ideal for reluctant readers.
- Comparable reads: Amulet, Wings of Fire, Bone, and films like Inside Out, Lilo & Stitch or Spirited Away.
- Primary Age Range: 8–12 years old (middle-grade readers).
- Secondary Appeal: Older teens and adults may also enjoy deeper themes of empathy, trauma, courage, and trust.
The series generally aligns with grades 3–6 and is especially accessible to visual learners due to its graphic-novel format.
Yes — The Mannamong is designed for visual learners and reluctant readers. Its manga-inspired layout with engaging artwork helps maintain interest, even for readers who say they “hate books.”
The Mannamong: Volume 1 follows Kali Teal, a young girl battling a mysterious illness, who discovers her world intersects with mannamong — ancient nature spirits — after an encounter with a stubborn spirit named Tontorus.
There are a few brief fantasy confrontations and moments of tension, including magical creatures in conflict. These scenes are non-graphic and balanced with humor, warmth, and reassurance throughout the story.
The Mannamong includes mild fantasy peril, similar to what you’d find in many middle-grade adventure stories. Characters may face danger, magical threats, or brief scuffles, but there is no graphic violence, gore, or on-screen injury. All conflicts are handled in a child-appropriate, story-driven way with an emphasis on emotion, consequences, and growth rather than harm.
One adult character is briefly shown smoking a cigarette. This behavior is not glamorized or encouraged and appears only momentarily as part of character world-building.
No. The Mannamong does not include profanity, slurs, or explicit language. Characters may occasionally express frustration using mild words such as “jerk,” but the dialogue remains appropriate for children and families.
While primarily a story, it supports emotional literacy, ethical thinking, and discussion about personal responsibility.
No. The Mannamong is entirely human-created, written and illustrated by its creator Michael Adam Lengyel over many years.
