How the World Was

HOW THE WORD WAS by Emmanuel Guibert. First Second, 2014.

A simpler time? Or
Was it really? Nothing is
As it seems to be.

Happy Birthday, BabyMouse

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABYMOUSE by Jennifer and Matthew Holm. Random House, 2014.

BabyMouse is back (this is #18) and getting ready for the best birthday party ever. The only problem is that Felicia Furrypaws plans an awesome party for the exact same day. Even with help from Squish and his pals, BabyMouse's party is destined for disaster.

Comics

COMICS SQUAD: RECESS. Random House, 2014.

Jenni and Matt HOLM, Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier, Dav Pilkey, Jarrett Krosoczka, and Gene Yang combine their talents ith several other authors of graphics novels for this collection. BabyMouse and Lunch Lady are here along with Harold and George of Captain Underpants fame writing their own GNs. This will be one that is in great demand from tons of fans. It will also create some new fans of the books by these stellar graphic artists.

Genius

GENIUS by Seagle and Kristiansen. First Second Books, 2013.

Physicist Ted Marx was a wunderkind, a true genius, one of whom great things was expected. Now that he has reached his 30s, though, things are not the way they were planned to be. His wife is ill; his father-in-law lives with the family; his kids are in the throes of adolescence. Worse still is the pressure on Ted at work to come up with something new or lose his job. Though written for a more adult audience, there is much here to appeal to mature teen readers.

As an aside, I will point out that the reading level of this book is 3rd grade. It is worth one point on an AR test.

Classic Reenvisioned

ROMEO AND JULIET adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds. CandleWick Press, 2013.


Gareth Hinds turns his talents to a retelling of Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULEIT in graphic novel form. A note in the introduction explains why the cast of this retelling is multicultural. From Hinds' perspective, using characters from different ethnic groups demonstrates the universality of the story. Much of Shakespeare's language is used, especially some of the soliloquies. This is a perfect way to provide an introduction to the play, to the language, and to the Bard. Begin the introduction with Bruce Coville's picture book adaptation, Charles and Mary Lamb's TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE along with ROMIETTE AND JULIO by Sharon Draper and IF YOU COME SOFTLY by Jacqueline Woodson.

Oddly charming

ODD DUCK by Cecil Castelucci and Sara Varon. First Second, 2013.

Chapter book meets graphic novel format in this perfect teaming of author and artist. Theodora is perfectly content being a perfectly normal duck, well except for her daily swim with a teacup balanced on her head, her affinity for salsa to go with her duck nuggets, and her preference for riding a bike into town and back to run her errands. And then, HE moves in. Chad is messy; he builds weird sculptures in the yard, and he sings off key. How can these two find anything in common? The answer is charming and warmly humorous as is the misunderstanding that threatens their friendship. Here is a book that blurs lines nicely, bringing GN to early readers in the form of a chapter book. For kids ready to move on from BabyMouse and Lunch Lady, this might be the perfect next rung on the reading ladder.

What could go wrong?

NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG by Prudence Shen and Faith Erin Hicks. First Second, 2013.

The robotics club and the cheerleaders go to war over which will be funded. The cheerleaders decide to force Charlie, the captain of the basketball team to run for Student Council president while his neighbor Nate elects to run himself. Nate if the president of the robotics team. Each group is certain that their candidate will win and the funding will be theirs. What happens when the best laid plans go awry? This GN explores cliques, misconceptions groups have about those outside. It also shows what can happen when teamwork replaces rivalry (kind of).

Read it , you must!

STAR WARDS: JEDI ACADEMY y Jeffrey Brown. Scholastic, September 2013.

Roan Novachez wants to attend PilotAcademy like his father and his brother before him. When he receives word that he is instead to attend the Jedi Academy, he is disappointed. However, as classes with Yoda and RW-22 and T-P30, and other fairly familiar beings (wookies, siths, etc.) continue, Roan discovers that he might just have what it takes to use the force and become a Jedi. Lots of humor, GN format, familiar territory (well, for this reader at least) combine to make this a series kids will clamor for.

return of The Beaver(s)

THE FLYING BEAVER BROTHERS: BIRDS VS. BUNNIES

THE FLYING BEAVER BROTHERS: THE MUD-SLINGING MOLES

by Maxwell Eaton III. Knopf 2013.

The Beaver Brothers are back with two new adventures. In BIRDS VS. BUNNIES, the brothers try to forge a peace between the two warring groups after they discover who is behind the feud. In MUD-SLINING MOLES, Ace and Bub wonder where trees and houses and more are disappearing to on their quiet island. Lots of humor in these two GNs for younger reader. Fans of BabyMouse and Lunch Lady will enjoy Ace and Bub as well.

Palindrome Adventure

OTTO'S BACKWARDS DAY by Frank Cammuso with illustrations by Jay Lynch. Toon Books, 2013.

This series from Toon Books combines GNs for young readers. Otto travels to Backwards Land when his birthday cake and presents are stolen. Learn about palindromes and being backwards!

Eat Your Veggies!

PATRICK EATS HIS PEAS AND OTHER STORIES by Geoffrey Hayes. Toon Books, 2013.

Patrick does not like peas. Fortunately, his mother allows him to "cook" them so he will eat them, too. Join Patrick through his day: taking a bath, getting ready for bed, helping his Mom and Dad. This series from Toon Books provide terrific graphic novels for young readers.

Dogs and Dinos

TOMMYSAURUS REX by Doug TenNapel. Graphia, 2013.

Hang on to your heartstrings. Here is a wonderful and warm GN about the close relationship between a boy and his, erm, dinosaur. wn is faced with After Ely's dog, Tommy, is hit by a car, his parents decide Ely should go spend the summer with his grandfather. Grandpa is lots of fun to be around even if he sometimes forgets about Ely being a kid and not a grown up. But the coolest thing about this summer is when Ely discovers a baby T-rex hidden in a cave near Grandpa's house. It is hard to keep even a baby T-rex a secret and, before long, the town is faced with "Tommy" as Ely christens his new pet. Tuck a hanky into the pages of this GN which is filled with humor and pathos. Kids will demand more TenNapel books, too, after diving into this one.

Martha Speaks (and we listen)

MARTHA SPEAKS, CANINE COMICS: SIX DARING DOGGY ADVENTURES by Jamie White (adapter) based on Susan Meddaugh's picture books. HMH, 2013.

Martha, the talking dog (it all started with a bowl of alphabet soup) is back in six comical and comics adventures based on the TV show featuring her. One story has Martha sucked up into the computer when she accidentally plays with the keyboard wondering what all the fuss is about. Another story has her starstruck when a handsome TV dog comes to her town. Readers who grew up reading the picture books can now look forward to "chapter" books that resemble GNs.

Lunch Lady returns

LUNCH LADY AND THE VIDEO GAME VILLAIN by Jarrett Krosoczka. Knopf, 2013.

It seems as though things are normal at school for a change. it is time for Student Council elections. Hector is running. Campaign planning has begun. But, of course, things never stay normal for long. Suddenly, all the tech gadgets in the scool begin to disappear. Will Lunch Lady and Betty and the Breakfast Bunch be able to solve this one?

Sea this book!

POSEIDON:EARTH SHAKER by George O'Connor. First Second,2013.

O'Connor's Olympians series of GNs about the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus moves on to the god of the sea, Poseidon. Odysseus, the Minotaur, Theseus: the actions of an angry Poseidon are beautifully rendered in shades of green and blue with wild strokes of black. Poseidon himself is the narrator, giving readers deeper insights into the tormented mind of a brother jealous of what he thinks is the short straw in terms of kingdoms.

eating it all up

RELISH: MY LIFE IN THE KITCHEN by Rita Knisley. First Second, 2013.


This nonfiction GN will make your mouth water with its praise of food and cooking not to mention all the recipes. Graphic novelist and food lover combine in this autobiography combined with commentary. This is s celebration of food, family, and much, much more. Pair with A TANGLE OF KNOTS, HOPE WAS HERE, PEELED, and other YA that celebrates the community created by a good meal and a good story.

Digital footprints

WHO IS AC? by Hope Larson with illustrations by Tintin Pantoja. Atheneum, 2013.



Lin is lonely after moving to a new town. She turns to her one comfort: writing. She creates her own books to sell at the bookstore. When she witnesses a robbery at the copy center, she somehow returns a call she had missed some time ago, a call from someone she does not know. She is suddenly transformed into a superhero and is able to stop the crime. But what exactly has happened? And why? Can she help a girl possessed by an evil troll? Larson once again explores familiar topics with a fresh approach. Illustrations in black and white with a few splashes if color are perfect.

Thanks you Censors

NEONOMICON by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows. Avatar, 2011.

You might look at this cover and wonder. It is an adult GN. I do not read much adult stuff as there is already an overwhelming number of children's and YA titles on my shelves demanding to be read. But when I read that a librarian in South Carolina had removed this book after it had been challenged and a board had voted to RETAIN it, I used my Christmas gift card to Amazon to order a copy. You see, that is what I do when I read of outrageous violations of the FREEDOM TO READ: I buy copies of the books, read them, and donate them to our local public library (and I am in the middle of Republican territory here). So, Neonomicon will be donated to the public library shortly. This GN has it all: ritual murders, monstrous beings, depravity. Add to this incredible art and a compelling story, and you do have to wonder what that librarian thought this book should not remain in the ADULT section of the library (where someone had checked it out for a teen whose parent screamed bloody murder).

I hope others will do the same: if you hear about challenges, buy the books, donate them, add them back to collections. last year I purchased every copy of SPEAK and SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE and donated tem to libraries around the country. It is my duty to fight the ignorance of censorship by placing those dangerous books back into the hands of readers.

a + e 4ever

a + e 4ever by I. Merey. Lethe Press, 2011.

Ash is an androgynous boy who is subject to much bullying and more by kids at his high school. Eulalie is a tough girl at Ash's school. She comes to his defense and wants to get to know Ash more. But Ash has been damaged by life and is reluctant to let anyone near him. Love versus friendship, love versus sex, gender issues, and more make this an absorbing graphic novel.



"An honoree for the 2012 Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children's and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience." from the publisher <717>

Going Graphic

TUNE BOOK 1: VANISHING POINT by Derek Kirk Kim. First Second, 2012.

Andy Go decides to drip out of art school believing he has nothing left to learn from his classes. The only lure to school was the lovely Yumi, she of his longtime crush. But that, too, seems to be heading nowhere fast. Andy is content to sit around the house and watch TV, but his parents,ashamed at their son's lack of education, insist he find a job. As he fails to land job after job, Andy comes up against a deadline: find employment or find somewhere else to live. His decision, the one that ends Book 1, could lead to some more than interesting (not to say dangerous) ends. <631>