More and more teachers and parents are realizing that graphic novels are an easy way to hook reluctant readers as well as keep older readers engaged. While many readers are familiar with Jennifer and Matthew Holm’s Babymouse series, Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Jeff Smith’s Bone series, and even Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet series, there are more and more graphic novels on a wide variety of topics available for the readers of all ages. If you’re interested in dipping your toes into some graphic novels, check out the books reviewed this week by members of the International Reading Association's Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group, and be sure to visit the informative No Flying No Tights website at http://noflyingnotights.com. The site serves up graphic novel reviews and resources for those who want to be in the know.
GRADES 1-2
Kroll, Steven. (2012). Chick and Chickie Play All Day! Ill. by Claude Ponti. Somerville, MA: Toon Books/Candlewick.
As do most good friends, Chick and Chickie have fun playing together. First, they decide to make masks, and they take turns scaring one another. Next they decide to play school and have a good time with the letter A. They try different things with the first letter of the alphabet to see what sounds it will make. Beginning readers will enjoy a graphic novel such as this one that they can read independently.
- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University
GRADES 3-5
Aguirre, Jorge. (2012). Giants, beware! Illus. by Rafael Rosado. New York: First Second/Roaring Brook.
Outspoken and ill-mannered, Claudette refuses to accept the palatable but simplified version of how her town was saved from a giant many years ago. When signs seem to indicate that the giant, who was allowed to return to his home, has reverted to his taste for babies’ toes, Claudette has had enough and takes matters into her own hands. While her friend Marie is interested only in becoming a princess, and her younger brother Gaston dreams of owning his own pastry shop, Claudette tricks the two into joining her quest. Relying on their wits and Claudette's physical prowess as a fighter, they make their way through various perils—including a hag guarding an apple crop while dreaming of the beauty she lost because of a spell and a water king in search of a consort for his son—only to meet a giant. But this giant only wants to play, and in order to trick the townspeople who want to rescue the children and kill the giant, they concoct a simple ruse to fool them into thinking the giant has been killed. The story is great fun to read since the characters have such vivid personalities—even Valiant, a pug who often leaves his signs everywhere they go. While there are some loose ends at the story's conclusion, it would be impossible not to like these loyal friends. While giants might want to beware, so should readers since this title is so addictive.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
Holm, Jennifer & Holm, Matt. (2011). Squish No.2: Brave New Pond. New York: Random House.
Following his oozy introduction in Squish No. 1: Super Amoeba, Squish prepares for the first day of school, which he vows will be different this time. He’s even made a to-do list that includes trying to be accepted by the “in” crowd led by the six super-cool Algae brothers. The book is reminiscent of a teen novel with intimidating high school bullies but with a twist: it’s filled with pond vocabulary. If Squish wants to hang out with the big Algae brothers, he must dump nacho cheese over his nerdy friend Pod. Squish reflects on what his comic book hero Super Amoeba might do in order to resolve this moral dilemma and makes the right decision. Green highlights throughout this graphic novel keep the idea of the pond culture ever present, even in the school administrator’s name—Principal Planaria. This is a great book to use at the start of the school year or even throughout the year since it tackles many issues faced by middle graders, such as fitting in, loyalty, and bullying. Teachers might like to use the book trailer on author Jennifer Holm’s website at www.jenniferholm.com to introduce Squish and create some predictions about the beginning of school. The fun doesn’t end when the book does since readers can create their own slime from a recipe in the “Fun Science with Pod” section at the book’s conclusion.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Reading and Library Consultant
GRADES 6-7
Ignatow, Amy. (2012). The Popularity Papers: The rocky road trip of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang. New York: Amulet Books.
As sixth grade finally ends, best friends Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang have great plans for the summer. But those plans are changed when Lydia’s mother must return to London for her job and her Goth sister Melody heads to Guatemala for a work project. The two friends end up on a road trip with Julie's two fathers. After a cross-country flight, they help Julie’s grandparents move and then drive across the United States, making stops along the way to see the sights and visit family members. A brief visit with Lydia's father ends disappointingly since he has no time to spend with her and her stepbrothers are just as bratty as Melody described them. While some of the sections featuring neat facts about the places they have visited have a decidedly informative element, the storyline allows all the characters, even Melody, to evolve. As they watch the adults in their lives navigate their own family dynamics, Julie and Lydia record their observations in their notebook and realize that growing up doesn’t mean escaping from parental expectations. The ink, colored pencil, colored marker, yarn, and digital illustrations fit the girls' personalities perfectly, adding immeasurably to the pleasures of reading this fourth title in the popular series.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
Kibuishi, Kazu. (2012). Explorer: The mystery boxes: Seven graphic stories. New York: Amulet Books.
Seven short graphic stories are connected by their authors’ various attempts to answer the question of “What exactly is in the box?” Each separate and unique story has the appearance of the mysterious box at the core of the plot, leaving the reader to figure out each box’s contents. In addition to the popular graphic novel artist Kibuishi, the other stories are illustrated by such distinguished artists as Raina Telgemeier, Rad Sechrist, Jason Caffoe, Stuart Livingston, Johane Matte, Dave Roman, and newcomer Emily Carroll. The stories cover a broad range of territory, including war, the Earth’s possible future, and all sorts of trickery, and each approach to the question is different. While some stories are filled with humor and suspense, others may be more suited for mature readers. The cover art is perfect for enticing kids to reach for a title where much mystery awaits.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Reading and Library Consultant
GRADES 9-12
Arni, Samhita. (2011). Sita’s Ramayana. Art by Moyna Chitrakar. Toronto: Groundwood Books.
Departing from the traditional way of telling this epic tale from India, the author has chosen to relate the story from a more feminist point of view through the voice of Sita, the wife of King Rama, as the storyteller. Although the story stays true to its traditional roots dating from 300 B.C.E. and the illustrator has used Indian Patua scrolls on which to base the newly designed graphic style, the artwork stays true to the original story of demons stealing the queen after Rama has foolishly and harshly insulted them. Now a prisoner kidnapped by the demons, Sita can rely only on hearsay and the friendship of animals to make her existence bearable. Battles are waged for her return, and eventually are successful although Sita’s experiences have marked her, and her newfound independence continues after she has been rescued. The illustrations are engaging, vibrant and bold to give the story new life. The title was selected as an ALA Notable. The author, who lives in India, can be heard in this television interview discussing the book and back story and her reasons for using Sita’s strong female voice at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5MisgSFP1Q&feature=youtu.be.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Reading and Library Consultant
Bertozzi, Nick. (2011). Lewis & Clark. New York: First Second Books/ Macmillan.
Using a more oversized format than most graphic novels, Bertozzi describes a journey based on historical fact but with a hint of humor to the story of the explorers and their entourage. These historical characters are portrayed with awareness of their unique personalities and foibles as they face hardships in search of the passage to the West. Readers view a tableau of this epic historic journey through the stories of encounters with treacherous mountains and rivers and attempts to appease the sometimes difficult Lewis as well as watching Sacagawea, the only woman on the trek, act as translator. Then, too, there are scenes that make it clear just how exasperating it must have been to deal with the clumsy Charbonneau’s attempts to assist the group. Following the speech bubbles, the author/illustrator expresses the feelings and emotions of the characters in each new situation along the trail. This is the first in a planned series of graphic novels on explorers with the next title focusing on Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to Antarctica.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Reading and Library Consultant
Brosgol, Vera. (2011). Anya’s ghost. New York: First Second/Roaring Brook Press.
As do so many teens, Anya finds it difficult to fit in at her high school. For one thing, there’s her name—the hard-to-pronounce Borzakovskaya, which hints at her Russian immigrant background. Plus, compared with her slender classmates, she considers herself too plump. Then, too, she is haunted by the ghost of Emily, a girl who died almost a century earlier. Anya feels sorry for Emily when she hears the story of how she died, and when she is rescued, Emily's ghost comes along with her. At first, things are great: Emily helps Anya cheat on her exams and gives her advice about how to attract the attentions of Sean, the basketball star on whom she has a crush. But eventually, Anya’s eyes are opened to the truth about both Sean and her ghost friend who seems, with each passing day, to be less a friend than someone trying to take over Anya’s life unless she puts Emily back where she belongs. Although this wonderful graphic novel about being an outsider is downright scary, it is also very, very funny. It’s hard to decide what aspect is most frightening—a ghost who doesn’t know her place or high school with its particular pecking order where knowing your place seems essential for survival.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University
Jablonski, Carla. (2011) Resistance Book 2: Defiance. Art by Leland Purvis. New York: First Second Books/Roaring Brook Press.
Book 2 in the planned trilogy Resistance, Defiance is historical fiction and graphic novel steeped in facts from WWII and the French Resistance. Set in a village in France, the story focuses on Paul, his mother and two sisters. Their father has been taken away by the Nazis. Paul’s hatred of the Germans and what is happening to his occupied country compels him to become the youngest member of the resistance group hiding in the forests nearby. Not only does Paul’s artwork provide maps for the resistance fighters, but his anti-Nazi posters get him into real trouble. His sisters demonstrate ways of resistance that are more subtle than their brother’s, such as refusing to sing the new government’s songs at schools. Sylvie, the older sister, dates a German soldier to gather information and learns the Nazis are planning to raid a suspected group, the Maquis, within the resistance. The story ends on a suspenseful note that will leave readers anxious for the third and final volume. The pictures and speech bubbles work well together to bring this period of history to life through engaging characters. The author has provided historical notes at the beginning and end of the book that was selected for the ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens list.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Reading and Library Consultant
Kerns, Ann. (2012). I date dead people. Illus. by Janina Gorrissen. Minneapolis: Graphic Universe.
The My Boyfriend Is a Monster graphic novel series is delightful, and this one, the fifth in the series, is sure to bring new fans to the series. Jane Austen-fan Nora Reilly despairs of finding a Mr. Darcy or even a Heathcliff in today's modern world, and even the eligible guys at school don’t pay any attention to her. Nora’s friend Kirsty suggests that popular guy Nick Harris might fit the bill, but Nora is certain that he doesn’t even know who she is. Romance comes for Nora when her parents’ plan to get rid of the grandfather clock in the house prompts a ghostly visit from Thomas Barnes who died when he was eighteen. The two teens spend time together, falling in love, and fighting off the evil spirits in the house with the help of a psychic. Because of Nora's help, Tom is finally able to cross over into the spirit world, leaving her free to love someone who's been waiting for her all along. This is a cool story with a strong-minded heroine and a storyline with many possibilities.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman