Literacy Now

Graphic novels are often overlooked, dismissed even, when people come into our library. On more than one occasion, I have overheard a parent dismiss a book as nothing but a silly comic book and steer their child towards something they deem more acceptable. I will admit I was one of those parents. Graphic novels and comic books seemed too busy for me to follow, so when my daughter would look for a book to read, eventually selecting a graphic novel or comic book, I would pair her picks with “regular” novels. After being introduced to some wonderful titles through a former library vendor, I changed my opinion about comic books in general and have been looking for ways to share this revelation ever since.

Each summer, my library system is a part of the Collaborative Summer Library Program, a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, tweens, teens, and adults with a theme for children. The theme for 2015 is “Every Hero Has a Story,” which led to the creation of Superhero Reads at our library. Superhero Reads was originally to be a book discussion group for tweens, ages 8–11, to discuss books featuring heroes. The library would provide a list of titles from which the students would choose, and they would read the books on their own. During our weekly meetings, we would discuss our books. This would allow students the opportunity to share what they are reading, practice public speaking and expressing themselves, and introduce titles that may otherwise go unread.

The plans I made were abandoned after the first meeting. The group of students who showed up for the initial meet up ranged from ages 5–12, and the range of books being discussed was so broad that some of the children wanted to leave the first meetup.

The name of the program confused some of the members, because they thought a superhero was coming to read to them. Once we explained that THEY were creating their own heroes, the children were excited to get to work. As we started the ice-breaker activities, some of the students needed more encouragement than others to share their favorite hero traits and what book they were reading, and the format was altered to accommodate the attendees.

There was a discussion about favorite heroes, what makes a person a hero, and what’s in a name. Using an online tool to generate names, we created the ultimate superhero name and then we wrote backstories. Children were encouraged to read what they wrote in a judgment-free space. Feedback and suggestions were offered to those students who were struggling. Some participants created original characters whereas others went with established characters. Although some of the stories were familiar, there also were some unique additions that made familiar characters fun and fresh.

What good is a hero without a nemesis? So we created some.

I had found that many children were reluctant to share, worrying that their creation was not “right,” but I show them some of my artwork—which only can be described as horrible—to put them at ease and to demonstrate that everyone struggles, but that is not a reason not to try.

Supplies for these creations included paper, pencils, color pencils or crayons, books (which we got from the library), and a place to meet. My library owns a machine to make spiral bound books but we could easily substitute rings or use a binder, so costs were kept to a minimum.

The range of backstories were so much fun that for a moment one student said that he wished that he could be a supervillain (me too!). We flushed out characteristics for the villains. The students who were further along created logos and costumes for their characters. The first meeting seemed to be the most diverse with age and ability, and subsequent meetings found different students attending throughout the run of the program. We discuss what makes a hero, offered scenarios in which our hero may be confronted with unheroic behavior, and choices the hero should make. We talk about unlikely villains. We share artwork which may or may not be perfect. We have fun.

The final product is currently in production. We are combining the art and stories we have created into a graphic novel each student will receive at the end. Some stories are more complete than others, which is just fine. The idea was to encourage imagination, exploration, and to put to rest the words “I can’t.”

Resources to start your own graphic novel discussion group

• No Flying No Tights


• School Library Journal’s Good Comics for Kids


• Scholastic’s Guide to Using Graphic Novels With Children and Teens


• 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die. Paul Gravett (Ed.). Foreword by Terry Gilliam. 2011. Universe Publishing.


• The Complete Guide to Figure Drawing for Comics and Graphic Novels. Daniel Cooney. 2012. Barron’s Educational Series.


•  The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels. Andy Schmidt. 2009. IMPACT.

Rachee Fagg is the children’s librarian at the Lansdowne Public Library in Lansdowne, PA.

The ever-expanding genre of the graphic novel contains fiction, biography, science, history, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and more. Listed below are some new titles for 2015 in the graphic novel realm. Reading the art as well as the text combines to make these stories a visual experience that sometimes can be very literal or, at other times, leave room for interpretation.

Ages 4–8

The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Book Four: Dinosaur Dilemma. Frank Cammuso. 2015. Amulet.

Young witch Salem Hyde gets an idea for her science project after a field trip to the Natural History Museum. Disappointed that the dinosaurs aren’t alive and real, she uses her magic to bring them to life. After a few disastrous moments escaping a T-Rex and other large reptiles, she “accidentally” brings home a real dinosaur egg that hatches the next morning. As the little critter begins to eat and grow rapidly, the real trouble begins.  

Sleepless Knight. James Sturm. 2015. First Second.

Perfect for the preschool crowd, this introduction to graphic novels features a young Knight embarking on his first camping adventure. He cannot fall asleep. He realizes his Teddy is missing, thus causing the insomnia. Leaving his tent, he searches for Teddy. A few forest animals offer help, and when Teddy is found, the forest animals are now wide awake. The endpapers give instructions on how to draw the characters featured in the story.

Ages 9­–11

Lumberjanes: Book One: Beware the Kitten Holy. Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis. Ill. Brooke Allen. 2015. BOOM!/Boom Entertainment.

Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five kick-butt best friends attending summer camp for Hard-Core Ladies. Their supernatural camp adventure begins when they witness a woman transforming into a bear. Other escapades include a three-eyed fox and a confrontation with some yetis. With several subtle nods to female social activists, the feminist cast of characters, each with a special quality, embarks on several quests to conquer all kinds of difficulties and bizarre creatures. (Originally published in single magazine comic book form, numbers 1–4)

The Lunch Witch. Deb Lucke. 2015. Papercutz.

When Grunhilda Blackheart loses her witchy job at the Salem Museum for not being scary enough, she has to look for new employment. Knowing that her ancestors are probably ashamed of her, she forges ahead with the job hunting and ends up as a cafeteria lady. Handing out curdled milk is perfect for her until she befriends a young student who is failing all her classes. Grunhilda creates a smartness potion to give her friend an academic edge. The food scraps and grease spots and oil stains that decorate each page against a background of greens and browns are the perfect backdrop for the witch Grunhilda as she begins a new career in food service.

Stinky Cecil in Operation Pond Rescue. Paige Braddock. 2015. Andrews McMeel.

Cecil the toad and his other amphibian friends like to hang out at the pond and have contests and other water fun splashing around. When Cecil takes note of the construction of a new highway that appears to be coming their way, he alerts his friends and they develop a plan to halt the destruction of their home.
Filled with hilarious dialogue but also actual facts about the destruction of habitats and ecosystems this graphic novel is actually a look at an environmental problem facing wetlands today.

The Underground Abductor. Nathan Hale. 2015. Amulet.

Beginning with maps on the endpapers, this next installment of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series peeks at American History as seen through the genre of the graphic novel, taking readers to the Underground Railroad movement of Harriet Tubman. Born a slave in Delaware named Araminta Ross, this graphic novel tells the story of how she changed her name to Harriet Tubman and escaped to freedom. Not satisfied with her own free state, Harriet travels back into slave territory to lead other slaves to safety and freedom along the route of the Underground Railroad. Visit the author’s blogspot where book trailers, videos, and chats with the author about historical writing and graphic novels can be found.

Ages 12–14

Ares: Bringer of War: Olympians 7. George O’Connor. 2015. First Second.

Using Homer’s “The Iliad” as the basis for this graphic novel, the warring life of Ares comes to life in this graphic novel. Illustrated with blood-red backgrounds that are certainly representational of great battlefields, readers are spared from the actual gore of sword-drawn confrontations. The Trojan War and the wrath of Zeus are on display here as Ares does battle with his father and the other gods of Olympus. This is the seventh graphic novel in the series The Olympians, with 12 volumes planned in all. The publisher and author have created a website for the series that includes readers’ guides and activities for each book in the series.

Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure. Nadja Spiegelman. 2015. TOON.

Pablo is new to the city, and on his first day of school he finds himself going on a field trip to the Empire State Building. Paired with Alicia as his partner, they soon become separated from the rest of the class at 96th Street. Venturing onto the subway, they attempt to catch up with the group only to become separated from each other. Pablo is on his own but explores other trains heading to the famous building. A history of New York and transportation offers background material that includes actual pictures of the subway maps. Teachers should check out this CCSS Lesson Plan and Teacher’s Guide to accompany the book. A Spanish version entitled Perdidos in NYC: Una Aventura en el Metro is also available.

Ages 15+

March: Book 2. John Lewis. 2015. Top Shelf.

Book 2 in a planned trilogy, John Lewis continues the story of the Civil Rights movement from the 1960s in his books, March. Lewis talks about his involvement in sit-ins and the freedom rides and being chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The graphic illustrations create a vivid visual to add to the information about this turbulent time. This book is based on the experiences of U.S. Congressman John Lewis from Georgia, who was inspired to write this story and who chose the graphic novel format after reading a graphic novel about Martin Luther King, Jr. Teachers might enjoy showing an interview with Jon Lewis on The Daily Show.

Nimona. Noelle Stevenson. 2015. HarperTeen/HarperCollins.

Based on the author’s critically acclaimed web comic, this debut graphic novel is receiving starred reviews from many major review sources. Nimona is the mysterious sidekick to the newly acclaimed supervillain, Lord Ballister Blackheart. Blackheart is set on a vendetta against his former best friend Sir Ambrose Goldenloin, who now heads up The Institute of Law Enforcement. However, this institute may not be as virtuous as Goldenloin would have people believe. Shape-shifting Nimona adds vehemence to her partnership with Blackheart. A vivid use of contrasting colors for the main characters and lively dialogue enhance this action-packed story.

Yo, Miss. A Graphic Look at High School. Lisa Wilde. 2015. Microcosm.

This nonfiction graphic novel (oxymoron?) is a book for teachers as well as high school students, and is based on the teaching experiences of the author at John V. Lindsay Wildcat Academy and the seniors she taught at this second-chance high school. These semiautobiographical portraits present eight students who have been expelled from previous schools and are considered at risk. From her 16 years of teaching here, Wilde reveals the inner thoughts and experiences of these kids who are trying to escape gangs, who are pregnant, who put on a false bravado about life and failing, to the hope that could possibly be on the horizon. For readers who enjoyed The Freedom Writers Diary (Erin Gruelle, 1999) or My Posse Don’t Do Homework (LouAnne Johnson, 1992), Yo, Miss adds the visual dimension to these stories of seriously struggling students in school today.

Karen Hildebrand is retired library media specialist and library director for Delaware City Schools in Delaware, OH. She is currently an adjunct professor at Ashland University in Ohio, a reading consultant, and a Holocaust Fellow at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. She also chairs the Education Curriculum Committee for the Delaware County Historical Society. The review contributions are provided by members of the International Literacy Association’s Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group.

Staying active can be healthy as well as entertaining. Sports can provide both exercise and entertainment in many cases. The following books are about competition, rivalries, physical abilities or the lack of ability, friendship and sportsmanship. Enjoy these new titles that range from swimming to roller derby to the latest sports statistics.

Ages 4–8

Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play. Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook. 2015. Charlesbridge.

Through rhymed verse and clues hanging from clothespins, various sports are described for young readers to guess. Sports equipment, uniforms, clothing, and balls are just a few examples of the items dangling from the clothesline.

Henry Holton Takes the Ice. Sandra Bradley. 2015. Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Group.

Henry is from a “hockey mad” family, but Henry is just not interested in hockey though he loves ice skating. When he discovers his real passion is ice dancing, his grandmother, who was once a figure skater, offers support.

Mustache Baby Meets His Match. Bridget Heos. 2015. Clarion /HMH Group.

Mustache Baby Billy has a play date with Baby Javier. As the two seem to compete in every activity they choose to do like teddy-bear rassling, hobbyhorse riding, magic, and many other supposed-to-be-fun things, play time turns into a competition and Mustache Baby finds himself on the losing side. He discovers one thing he can be first in, however, and friendship triumphs over rivalry.

Ages 9­–11

Baseballogy: Supercool Facts You Never Knew. Kevin Sylvester. Annick.

Baseball trivia fans will enjoy the vast miscellany of information from bats, balls, and gloves to player information, salaries, tickets, and concessions. Though many baseball tidbits are not covered, the cartoon-like illustrations will give young baseball enthusiasts hours of entertainment while adding to their background knowledge of the U.S. national pastime.

Game Time, Mallory! Laurie  Friedman. 2015. Darby Creek.

Part of the Mallory series from Darby Creek publishers, this first-person narration is told from Mallory’s experience being part of her fourth-grade basketball team. Hesitating and making mistakes when she first gets into play, her anxiety starts to take over. Through good advice from her coach and friends and family, she starts to improve. Of course, there are those players who love to harass and make fun but eventually Mallory proves her worth on the team.

Growing Up Pedro. Matt Tavares. 2015. Candlewick.

Though the title refers to Pedro Martínez, this story is really about Pedro and his older brother Ramón, as they work hard to become Major League baseball players, leaving their home in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic. The L.A. Dodgers draft Ramón first, and a few years later Pedro gets his chance. The book continues to discuss their rise to fame even when having to face each other on the pitcher’s mound from opposing teams. Today, the brothers have returned to their homeland and built a new life helping schools and neighborhoods in the Dominican Republic. The watercolor and gouache illustrations create expressive warmth to represent the family bond between these successful brothers.

Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Baseball. Howard Bryant. 2015. Philomel/Penguin Group.

From ESPN and the world of sports writing and information, author Howard Bryant has collected baseball information that will give every baseball fan the thrill of having all this noted baseball history in one volume. More than just trivia, but actual background information on baseball legends and history, this chronology provides facts on statistics to comebacks to drug-related issues and so much more. Illustrated with photographs and highlights from many seasons, this volume will be enjoyed by sports fans as it precedes the fall publication of the football edition.

A Whole New Ballgame. Phil Bildner. 2015. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Former classroom teacher, author Phil Bildner has written a story about fifth graders and their differences and the labels and stereotypes that often inhabit their world. Rip and his best friend Red, who readers will recognize quickly is on the autism spectrum, are starting school with Mr. Acevedo, a new teacher who is different from any teacher they have had before, with his tattoos and body piercings. Mr. Acevedo loves basketball, as do Rip and Red. When the fifth-grade team gets going, lots of team dynamics are at play. Though Red isn’t much good at the overall game, he is dead-on at the free-throw line. Place Avery, the girl in the wheelchair, on the court, and a whole new set of teamwork issues confronts the team. Enjoy more about this author and his books at his website and blog.

Ages 12–14

Lost in the Sun. Lisa Graff. 2015. Philomel/Penguin Group.

Trent Zimmerman is wracked with guilt from the freak accident last year when he knocked a hockey puck into the chest of Jared Richards, killing him. Jared had an undiagnosed heart ailment, and the impact from the hockey puck proved fatal. Now Trent must live with Jared’s death, and in his child’s mind he is a horrible person, certain that everyone hates him, including his friends, family, and teachers. His divorced parents don’t make life any easier. He lashes out at everyone, his grades are falling, he gets in fights, and he won’t go out for any sport that had once been the highlight of his life. Things start to change when he meets Fallon Little, a girl with a scar whose vitality for life gives Trent a new way of looking at life.

Roller Girl. Victoria Jamieson. 2015. Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin.

Written by a real derby girl herself, Victoria Jamieson has created a graphic novel about girls, roller derby, and middle school. When 12-year-old Astrid discovers she loves roller derby and signs up for summer derby camp , her best friend Nicole parts ways with her when she decides to go to dance camp. Astrid proceeds with her plan to become a great derby queen but quickly discovers she might not be as talented as she hoped to be. The hip checks and elbow digs come flying faster than she imagined. She starts to doubt her talent and her entry into middle school in the fall as well as friendships that are shifting in new directions.

The Sixth Man. John Feinstein. 2015. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

This is book two in the Triple Threat series from popular sports author John Feinstein. Basketball season is here, and there is a new kid at school who is going out for the team. Triple threat Alex Myers watches as this new kid, Max Bellotti, brings a whole new level of talent to the basketball team. The upperclassmen players aren’t happy about letting a freshman steal the show while they sit on the bench. When word gets out that Max is gay, the controversy begins. Knowing Max can lead the Lions to a championship, the community response to Max’s sexuality becomes not only an issue for the school board but also an acceptance within the team.

Yard War. Taylor Kitchings. 2015. Wendy Lamb/Penguin Random House.

Set in Jackson, MS, in 1964 just after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, this story is more about the segregated South than about sports, though a football game provides the backdrop for the story. Twelve-year-old Trip lives with his family and his beloved maid, Willie Jane, who is like his second mother. When Trip invites Dee, Willie Jane’s son, to join a game of football at their house, the neighborhood bigotry comes out in a blast of racist remarks and actions. The language is true to the time period of the 1960s and will make readers cringe at this historic look at segregation and prejudice.

Ages 15+

Biggie. Derek E. Sullivan. 2015. Albert Whitman.

Henry “Biggie” Abbott is a high school junior in Finch, IA. Biggie has earned his nickname because he weighs over 300 pounds. Finding ways to stay below the radar of ridicule, especially as he lives in the shadow of his professional baseball player father, Biggie creates an online presence to avoid his loneliness in real time. When the fake passes that excuse him from gym class are discovered, he is forced to participate in wiffle ball—where he pitches a perfect game. Now he considers a metamorphosis for himself and develops a goal to earn a spot on the school’s baseball team, pitch a perfect game, and win the heart of the girl he loves.

Hit Count. Chris Lynch. 2015. Algonquin.

Arlo has set goals for his football career from an early age. Through hard and incessant training, he becomes an outstanding football player by his sophomore year. Earning the nickname Starlo, he continues through high school hard hitting, receiving and taking tackles and blows to maintain the football stardom that he so desires. Divided into four sections representing his four years in high school, this book reveals changes in Arlo that readers, as well as his coaches, parents, and girlfriend, will start to see. Taking all those blows to his head is starting to take a toll, and Arlo’s cognitive and emotional abilities are being questioned, suggesting that he is heading down a path to self-destruction.

A Matter of Heart. Amy Fellner Dominy. 2015. Delacorte/Random House.

Sixteen-year-old Abby Lipman is a champion swimmer for her high school swim team and is hopeful for qualifying for the Olympics Trials in the 100-freestyle event. However, Abby has a fainting spell after one of her meets, and after a visit to her doctor, finds out that she has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that has been known to kill top-performing high school athletes. Abby’s whole life, including her best friend Jen and her boyfriend Connor, has been centered on the swimming pool. The author delves into the reactions of all the people in Abby’s life as they respond to this life-altering medical condition. Abby’s decision is her own as she digs to find out who she is without a championship swimming career. Beyond just a sports book, this is a look at self-awareness and projecting toward a future.

Karen Hildebrand is a retired library media specialist and library director for Delaware City Schools in Delaware, OH. She is currently an adjunct professor at Ashland University in Ohio, a reading consultant, and a Holocaust Fellow at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. She also chairs the Education Curriculum Committee for the Delaware County Historical Society. The review contributions are provided by members of the International Literacy Association’s Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group.

One of the highlights of the International Literacy Association Conference is the opportunity to hear authors of children’s and young adult literature discuss their creative process. In this week’s book column, members of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group highlight a few of the books written by authors/illustrators who will be at the ILA Conference.

Ages 4–8

Bad Kitty–10th Anniversary Edition. Nick Bruel. 2015. Neal Porter/Roaring Brook.

Can you believe that Bad Kitty is 56 years old (in cat years)? Nick Bruel’s humorous and mischievous cat celebrates its 10th year in publication. The repackaged edition includes a full-size poster of Kitty. Readers will enjoy all of Bad Kitty’s antics in the Bad Kitty series.

Nick Bruel will be speaking at the Book and Author Luncheon Monday, July 20. Tickets are required for this event.

Bulldozer’s Big Day. Candace Fleming. 2015. Ill. Eric Rohmann. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Bulldozer is very excited to celebrate his birthday with his friends, but they seem preoccupied with their construction site duties of scooping and digging. To Bulldozer’s surprise, his friends, through a chorus of celebratory sounds, planned a special celebration just for him. This warmhearted story, with its playful onomatopoeia and charming illustrations, make it perfect for young readers.

Candace Fleming will be at the sold-out Author Meetup Sunday, July 18 and present as part of the panel “Authors Whose Nonfiction Books and Biographies Transform Readers: Informing, Engaging and Inspiring” Monday, July 20.

Stormy Night. Salina Yoon. 2015. Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Readers who are familiar with Yoon’s Found will be pleased to find another story about Bear. The cover shows Bear’s scared disposition while grasping tightly to his favorite stuffed toy, Floppy, as they peer out the window. Readers soon learn that the storm is making it very difficult for Bear and Floppy to sleep. As the thunder booms, Mama and Papa Bear use different ways to keep Bear calm as the refrain, “Bear felt better” offers reassurance to young readers. Yoon’s descriptive text coupled with bright and bold digitized illustrations are a perfect match to share on those stormy nights.

Salina Yoon will be presenting as part of the panel “Authors Whose Books Transform and Engage Readers: Connecting Readers With Characters and Book Series” Sunday, July 19.

Ages 9–11

Billy’s Booger: A Memoir. William Joyce. 2015. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Readers will applaud William Joyce’s creative storytelling in his latest picture book (part memoir). Joyce recalls his fourth-grade elementary school experience, where his principal described him as “his most challenging student.” Flashback to Billy’s childhood, a time with black-and-white TV and limited stations, he recalls how doodes on his homework were not appreciated. Until, one day, the school librarian announced a schoolwide book contest. Billy could not contain his excitement, and he borrowed books on many subjects. The book-making contest fueled Billy’s creative juices, and he wrote “Billy’s Booger: The memoir of a little green nose buddy.” Even though he did not win the prize, he learned that his book was the most popular with the students at his school. The rest is history! William Joyce has shared his creative spirit, talent, and humor with countless readers over the years. His latest book includes stellar illustrations, with nods to his past works (Dinosaur Bob and The Mischievians). Readers will find a miniature reproduction of Billy’s ‘booger’ story, complete with inventiveness, comic elements, and humor.

William Joyce will be speaking at the Primary Literature Luncheon: It All Starts With Books, Darn It Saturday, July 18. Tickets are required for this event.

Octopuses! Laurence Pringle. 2015. Ill. Meryl Henderson. Boyds Mills.

In the latest installment of the Strange and Wonderful series, Pringle offers readers engaging information about the octopus. With direct and interesting writing, Pringle shares facts about these shape-changing masters of camouflage. Information about its habitat, survival techniques, and lifespan grace the pages. Readers will learn new vocabulary and terms, such as octopodes (not octopi) when referring to more than one octopus. Each page includes Henderson’s detailed watercolor illustrations. There is a glossary, index, suggestions for further reading, and online sources to stimulate further inquiry.

Laurence Pringle will be speaking at the Putting Books to Work (Early Childhood/Primary) session and at an Author Panel Saturday, July 18.

Women Who Broke The Rules: Judy Blume. Kathleen Krull. 2015. Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

In Kathleen Krull’s Women Who Broke the Rules series, she shares her art of blending story with facts about famous women, including Judy Blume, Sonia Sotomayor, and Dolley Madison. In the page-turning biography about Judy Blume, readers will learn a great deal about her early life, her foray into writing, and her commitment to portraying honest and realistic characters. Judy Blume remains an inspiration to many writers. Her commitment to intellectual freedom advocacy efforts is also highlighted in this well-written biography.

Kathleen Krull will be at the sold-out Author Meetup Sunday, July 18 and presenting as part of the panel entitled “Authors Whose Nonfiction Books and Biographies Transform Readers: Informing, Engaging and Inspiring” Monday, July 20.

Ages 12–14

The Friendship Riddle. Megan Frazer Blakemore. 2015. Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

In a small town in Maine, Ruth is trying to adjust to middle school. Her childhood best friend, Charlotte, is now part of the popular crowd. Ruth’s parents (Mom and Mum) and Charlotte’s dads were friends, so they spent a lot of time together as kids. But as they grow apart, Ruth finds it awkward to socialize with Charlotte. Ruth finds solace reading books in the library, noting, “Books can be such faithful friends.” Things start to change when she finds a mysterious riddle inside a library book and begins to search for additional clues. As Ruth collects clues, she realizes that she needs the help of others, including Charlotte. Blakemore masterfully creates distinct characters with interesting personalities. The novel presents middle school dynamics in an honest way while inserting clues to bring a cast of characters together. Readers who like friendship stories will certainly enjoy this middle-grade novel.

Megan Frazer Blakemore will be participating as part of the Putting Books to Work (Middle Grades) session and “Revision Revealed: Transforming Student Writers Through Author Partnerships” Sunday, July 19.

From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess. Meg Cabot. 2015. Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan.

For 12-year-old Oliva Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison, things are completely average until she discovers that she is the half-sister of Princess Mia Thermopolis of Genovia. Olivia had been living with her aunt and uncle since her mom died in a jet-skiing accident. Olivia, an aspiring wildlife artist, wasn’t allowed to have a cell phone, use the computer, or have pets. Olivia’s world changes after Princess Mia appears at her private school just in time to save her from an unwarranted confrontation with her nemesis, Annabelle. Olivia meets her father and her grandmother, who wastes no time sharing proper etiquette and fashion advice. Olivia’s road to royalty has an unfortunate snag but, in the end, she lands in Genovia with her furry dog. Olivia gets to live with her father and her best friend gets to spend the summer in Genovia. Plus, they both get to be bridesmaids in Princess Mia’s wedding. Text message exchanges between Olivia and her friend and black-and-white cartoons bring Olivia’s adventures to light.

Meg Cabot will be speaking at the Young Adult Literature Luncheon–Find Your Inner Princess on Sunday, July 19. Tickets are required for this event.

Stella by Starlight. Sharon Draper. 2015. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Draper’s poignant historical fiction novel tells the story of Stella Mills and her family during the Depression era (1930s) in segregated North Carolina. Stella and her younger brother Jojo witness the Ku Klux Klan burn a cross in the middle of the night, an act that signals trouble and concern for the community. They find strength as they face the injustices all around them. Stella’s teacher asks her class to record their thoughts in a journal. Stella initially struggles to write, but after some encouragement, she slowly finds courage and self-confidence to share her stories. Inspired from her grandmother’s journal, Draper’s middle-grade novel weaves cultural and historic details that will appeal to readers. It’s also available as an audiobook.

Sharon Draper will be presenting at the Putting Books to Work (Middle Grades) session on Sunday, July 19 as part of the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature panel entitled “Game Changers: Using Sports and the Power of Adolescent Literature to Transform the World” Monday, July 20.

Mary Napoli is an associate professor of reading at Penn State Harrisburg where she teaches literacy courses.

Members of the Children's Literature Special Interest Group's Notable Books for a Global Society (NBGS) committee will welcome author Sonia Manzano and share the 2015 Notable Books for a Global Society selections for grades K–12 on Sunday, July 19.

Picture books provide unique visual formats to support the literacy development of young and older readers, regardless of genre. In this column, we feature a Baker’s Dozen of recently published picture books that will engage and motivate students without breaking them into age groups. These books can be used at any reading level. The design elements of the selections coupled with creative storylines will delight all readers.

Ask Me. Bernard Waber. 2015. Ill. Suzy Lee. Boston. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

The simple and honest dialogue between a father and his daughter speaks volumes in this posthumous story by Bernard Waber. The endearing story begins with the young girl and her father taking a stroll through their neighborhood as she shares all of her “likes.” Suzy Lee’s illustrations add depth to the story’s message and accentuate the natural beauty of the outdoors. The contrasting hues and masterful use of lines add a visual dimension to the characters and setting. Each page celebrates the tender bond between parent and child with soft and colorful illustrations.

—MN

By Mouse and Frog. Deborah Fredman. 2015. Viking.

An organized Mouse is ready to write her “brand-new” story when she is interrupted by her excited friend, Frog. As Mouse explains her idea for her project, Frog continues to add his creative ideas and inserts characters into what was supposed to be a serene story. Mouse slowly loses her patience and yells “Stop...the story is a mess!” With unique metafictive elements, the Frog turns to his cast of imaginary characters and explains that the story is “Mouse’s” and begins to erase them from the page. Sad and defeated, Frog allows Mouse to begin her story. When Mouse recognizes that there is room in her quiet story for Frog’s vivid imagination, she suggests that they collaborate. Deborah Freedman’s artistic blend of humor and visual ingenuity make this a wonderful book to read aloud.

—MN

Float. Daniel Miyares. 2015. Simon & Schuster.

In this wordless picture book, a young boy learns how to make a paper boat. With great excitement, he takes it outside to play and pretends to sail the boat around his neighborhood. During a downpour, the boat floats in a puddle. Before long, the boat is out of reach as it floats through the sewer drain. At the bottom of the lake, he finds the remains of his boat unraveled into a piece of wet paper. Despondent and wet from the rain, he heads home and is quickly comforted by his dad. After a warm cup of hot chocolate, his dad shows him how to make a paper airplane. The young boy heads outside and watches his creation soar through the sky. The illustrations, perspective, angles, and lines add a rich visual dimension to this heartwarming story. The endpapers provide directions on how to make a paper boat and airplane. Bonus: When you remove the cover jacket, readers will find the image of the boat afloat in calm waters.

—MN

The Fly. Petr Horáček. 2015. Candlewick.

The cursive writing on the cover of this book sets the tone for the seriousness of the fly’s perspective as conveyed in this story. As he explains, he’s a housefly “but people don’t like me being in houses.” Readers travel with the fly throughout his day as he is attacked by fly swatters, cow tails, and natural predators. Several pages feature die-cut fly swatters which, when combined with other clever elements of perspective and tone, make this book highly interactive and entertaining.

—LC

Hippos Are Huge. Jonathan London. 2015. Ill. Matthew Trueman. Candlewick.

From the up-close view of the inside of the hippo’s mouth on the cover to the images of their backsides with swatting tails and balls of dung, perspective plays a big role in this engaging piece of nonfiction for younger readers. In addition to the eye-catching illustrations, the book is full of surprising comparisons (“A hippo has the biggest mouth of any animal except for a whale”), high-interest facts, and fun details. The typography varies on each page, with onomatopoeias such as “glide” and “roar” in bold print and smaller font for some of the more informative text. The back includes an index and a brief “about hippopotamuses” section.

—LC

I Don’t Like Koala. Sean Ferrell. 2015. Ill. Charles Santoso. Atheneum.

Who wouldn’t want to receive an adorable stuffed toy Koala as a gift? Well, not Adam, especially when the Koala has a creepy, crazed, piercing yellow eye. Adam tries to explain to his parents that he doesn’t like Koala, but they do not listen. So, Adam devises multiple plans to get rid of Koala. Readers will giggle at all of the different hiding places for Koala from under the sofa, behind a plant, in a saucepan, and in his mother’s purse to name a few. To no avail, Koala reappears on his bedside pillow and in a fit of rage, Adam throws Koala through the air again declaring, “I don’t like Koala.” The textured pencil illustrations, with muted colors, accentuate the varied expressions. The occasional comic book ‘panels’ and use of white space coupled with a humorous storyline will appeal to readers.

—MN

Inside This Book (Are Three Books). Barney Saltzberg. 2015. Abrams.

This clever and creative book celebrates the power of sharing stories and making books. Each book, created by three siblings (Seymour, Fiona, and Wilbur) supports their unique writing voice. The books vary in dimension, with three distinctive sizes (large, medium, and tiny). Seymour fills his book with observations, feelings, creative stories, and a comic strip. Fiona adds to her book by celebrating her love for poetry. Their little brother, Wilbur, is an emergent learner and, therefore, he draws pictures of their family and shares his love of dinosaurs. As part of the creative process, the three emerging authors decide to bind their unique books “inside” one book to share with others. The charming illustrations and design features may even inspire readers to explore bookmaking.

—MN

The Night World. Mordicai Gerstein. 2015. Little, Brown.

Sylvie, the cat, takes the red-headed protagonist in this book out to explore the dark of night. Sylvie starts meow-ing, then starts “me-out”ing. Her green eyes glow against the gray and black grain of the pictures as she leads the boy through the house and out into the front yard. Double-paged spreads of the house and yard capture the magic of the night as the boy questions why everything seems different. The white text is carefully placed to ensure readability until transitions to black when day breaks. An author’s note explains the night during his own childhood that inspired the story.

—LC

Outstanding in the Rain. Frank Viva. 2015. Little, Brown.

A young boy and his mother spend his birthday at Coney Island. The story unfolds in a series of rhyming oronyms, similar sounding phrases with different meanings, and die-cut illustrations. The cutouts reveal part of the phrase on one spread and the remaining part is unveiled on the next page. For example, the phrase “ice cream” transforms to “I scream.” Each page reveals superb artistic design, with die cuts, hand-drawn text type, and a corresponding color palette offering shades of red, yellow, brown, and teal. The book certainly measures up to its subtitle—“A Whole Story With Holes”—and will certainly invite readers to experiment with wordplay.           
—MN

Please, Mr. Panda. Steve Antony. 2015. Scholastic.

Holding a box of eight doughnuts against a gray background, it is hard to tell if the panda on the front of this book is friendly or grumpy. The plot involves the panda offering doughnuts to a variety of other black-and-white creatures, including a penguin and a skunk, but then refuses to share, saying, “I have changed my mind.” In the end, a lemur gets the box because he said “please.” Without a touch of didacticism, this book reminds readers of the importance of manners. The playful use of perspective and endpapers makes this a delightful read.

—LC

Sidewalk Flowers. JonArno Lawson. 2015. Ill. Sydney Smith. Groundwood.

In this wordless picture book, readers meet a young girl and her father as they walk through the busy city streets toward their home. Through varied frames, the visual brilliance of tone, hue, and details abound on every page. Readers focus on the little girl’s vantage point as she spots two yellow-hued dandelions at the edge of the sidewalk. The flowers offer a brilliant ray of light and hope against the hurried city landscape. Her natural curiosity about her surrounding adds emotional significance. As she continues her walk, she gives away the flowers: she carefully places one flower into a dog’s collar and even leaves one in a sleeping man’s shoe. Perhaps one of the most poignant frames involves the father, immersed in his thoughts, walking right past a dead bird. The young girl lets go of her father’s hand, allowing her enough time to place a bouquet of flowers atop of the bird. The appearance of colors grows as the girl and her father near their home. Each frame signals the universality of warmth that individuals feel as they reunite with their loved ones. The young girl places flowers in her mother’s hair and even gives some to her siblings. The visual details coupled with an insightful story make this a must read. Learn the origin of the story here.

—MN

Spots in a Box. Helen Ward. 2015. Templar/Candlewick.

Through the use of whimsical text and detailed watercolor illustrations, Helen Ward’s picture book will intrigue readers. A guinea fowl did not have many spots, so he sends a note to “Please send spots,” which results in the arrival of a large package. Unfortunately, the spots were either too large, too tiny, or had “no spots at all” (as aptly illustrated with die-cut holes on the page). There were other spots that lit up and some were sparkly (with glitter accents on the page). There were even “connect the dot” spots and “spots of all sorts.” Finally, the persistent fowl discovers multicolored spots that match his personality. A perfect book for young readers.

—MN

Templeton Gets His Wish. Greg Pizzoli. 2015. Disney Hyperion.

Greg Pizzoli’s latest picture book features Templeton, an orange cat who wants his independence. He is annoyed at his parents and with his younger siblings. After reading an advertisement for a magic diamond that grants wishes, Templeton decides to “wish” his family away. His expression of sneakiness and sadness is set off by black background when he steals his brother’s piggy bank to get the money needed to buy the diamond. When he gets his delivery, he makes his wish, and his family disappears. Templeton is momentarily happy with his freedom until he does not like the feeling of being alone and wishes for their return. The bold color graphics of blue, bright green, orange, and black coupled with Pizzoli’s gift for adding unique character expressions will delight young readers. Bonus: Remove the cover jacket to reveal the image of the “box” that adds a creative visual dimension to this picture book.

—MN

Water Is Water. Miranda Paul. 2015. Ill. Jason Chin. Roaring Brook.

The perfect blend of storybook and informational text, Water Is Water introduces young readers to the water cycle by following the seasonal adventures of two young children. A mixed-race family is featured, and a broader diverse community surround the two as they explore water, steam, ice, snow, and more. The soft-toned watercolor illustrations capture the beauty of all the phases of nature while the rhyming text pays homage to both the process and beauty of change. Ample back matter provides answers to further questions, additional facts, vocabulary, and source notes.

—LC

Lesley Colabucci is an associate professor at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches courses in children’s/adolescent literature. Mary Napoli is an associate professor of reading at Penn State Harrisburg, where she teaches literacy courses.

The review contributions are provided by members of the International Literacy Association’s Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group.