Literacy Now

by Judith Hayn

Whaley, John Corey. Where Things Come Back. New York, NY: Putnam, 2011.

Cullen Witter’s summer before his senior year in high school in small town Lily, Arkansas, opens with his identification of his cousin’s body, lying dead from an overdose in a morgue. From then on, the plot takes a fantastic ride into Cullen’s world, including his vivid imagination. An obsessed outsider shows up seeking the extinct Lazarus woodpecker, and then Cullen’s sensitive younger brother disappears. Woven into this is the story of a disenchanted teen missionary in Africa. How does this relate to Cullen and his fixation with a local town beauty and the temptation of a newly separated young woman, both exiles returning home? His best friend Lucas stands by Cullen throughout, but will this be enough to convince him that perhaps he can leave Lily, or will he, too, come back? Whaley won the Morris Debut Award and the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature; this book offers a challenging, emotional ride for the reader. 

Dr. Judith A. Hayn is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

This article is part of a series from the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL).

by Greg McVerry 

As curricula and classrooms transform to address the Common Core State Standards, our students will be better served with an increased focused on informational texts. In addition, I have written that when we discuss composing with digital texts and tools, the focus is too often on narrative texts. 

Yet now I find myself, in the wake of a concentrated effort to limit the use of stories in schools, to come to the defense of the narrative. This, of course, includes the use of digital texts and tools.

Bruner defined literature as “an instrument of freedom, lightness, imagination, and yes, reason. It is our only hope against the long gray night.” I agree. There is no better approach to understanding the human condition than through literature. I do not, like some national consultants who authored the Common Core, want to prepare students for the “real world” where “no one cares what you think or feel” (quote adapted to remove expletive).

Instead I use literature to shape my students’ understanding of themselves and their world. I use literature so students can connect with the conflicts that capture the essence of humanity. I use literature in my classroom because it teaches my students what it means to be. We need to stand in defense of narrative texts. It is our only hope, “against the long gray night.”

Introducing Plot Structure with Online Composition Tools

I often use online composition tools to introduce plot structure to my students. I find this can add a fresh look to an issue many readers and writers struggle with.

Google Search Stories

For older students, who may be exploring how characters, events, and setting affect conflict and resolution, I use Google Search Stories. This tool allows you to create a short video by simply inputting text into a story maker. The tool then spins the tale and populates the story with images of search results from a variety of tools. 

 

 

I have my students begin by first choosing a conflict and resolution. We then create a search story together. I then have them complete your standard plot organizer for the story we just created.  Finally they brainstorm their own story, complete a plot organizer, and then adapt the story to the search story maker.

My Story Maker

For younger students, my favorite tool for composing online narrative texts is My Story Maker from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The tool is a great way to introduce digital narratives to emerging readers and writers.

Basically the story is authored with your students. They choose a character and a conflict. Then the authors can manipulate the characters on the page. As they add elements, the sentences are written for the students. It is a great tool to model plot structure. More importantly, the students can get a special access code to an online version of their story and share it with friends and family for up to a month after it’s been created.

Greg McVerry is in the Department of Education at Southern Connecticut State University.

This article is part of a series from the Technology in Literacy Education Special Interest Group (TILE-SIG).

 

 

First the crocus, then the daffodil, and next the tulip bloom to herald the return of spring. Warm weather and the joyful music of songbirds beckon us outside to soak up the sunshine, work in the yard, plant gardens, and to play. Green replaces the drab brown remnants of winter and we welcome the reawakening of nature and a new season.  This week the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group shares books that celebrate this wonderful time of the year.

Arnosky, Jim. (2012). Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders. New York: Sterling. 

This nonfiction masterpiece is ideal for children who enjoy observing the insects and spiders around them. Indeed, this introduction to 200 arthropods would serve as an excellent field guide for some of the tiny (and not so tiny) creatures that share our world. Readers will learn about an array of insects and spiders ranging from a tick and tiny bedbug to a dragonfly, from a tarantula to a comet-tailed moth, from a honeybee to a praying mantis. The larger than life illustrations illuminate such details as brilliantly colored wings, scissor-like jaws, and venomous fangs. Arnosky’s concise writing, thorough research, and magnificent super-sized paintings and drawings make this book a compelling choice for nature lovers. The book includes a table of contents, six foldouts, an author’s note, and a list of additional readings about insects and spiders.
-Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University


Ford, Jessie. (2012). My Bunny Puzzle Book. New York: Abrams. 

This vibrant four-page board book is perfect for spring reading. In simple words young readers learn what bunny likes to do. On the first page, “My bunny likes to sniff flowers” (unpaginated). A small speech bubble adds, “Twitch, twitch!” (unpaginated). In addition, bunny likes to eat carrots, listen to bumblebees and hop away. But that isn’t all. Each page contains a puzzle piece that can be removed. Little hands will love putting together the pieces to create a gray and white bunny. When the puzzle is flipped over little eyes will notice pictures of everything bunny likes to do. This book is sure to be read and played with multiple times. 
-Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver


Fogliano, Julie. (2012). And Then It’s Spring. Illustrated by Erin Stead. New York: Roaring Brook Press. 

Sometimes the best part of winter is anticipating the fresh greens of spring, something that this picture book celebrates quietly.  Swathed in a red scarf, red mittens, and a red knitted hat with a pompom on its top, a boy looks over the brown landscape and plants seeds in hopes of warmer weather. His dog, a turtle, a bunny, and various birds observe curiously. Hoping for rain and a bit of sun to nurture those seeds, he waits and watches, pondering all sorts of possibilities. Worried about the tiny seeds, he imagines that maybe the birds ate them or the stomping of lumbering bears kept them in hiding. Eventually, when he peers out the door of his house, everything is green. Each page of this book is filled with some delight that observant readers will note; for instance, the amount of smoke rising from the red house on the hill diminishes over the course of the illustrations as temperatures begin to rise and the boy sheds some of his winter wear. Through a wonderful two-page cutaway view of the earth, readers are able to see the actions of creatures busily preparing for spring when he puts his ear to the ground to hear the "greenish hum that you can only hear if you put your ear to the ground" (unpaginated). Using woodblock printing techniques and pencil, the illustrations feature the particular shades of brown and green found only at the end of one season and the start of another. The subtle secrets found within this book’s pages insure that readers will return to it to savor the joy of spring even when winter winds still howl outside their doors.
-Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman


Frost, Helen. (2012). Step Gently Out. Photos by Rick Lieder. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

The text of this book—a poem—invites young readers to look carefully and closely at nature to see what tiny and amazing creatures are lurking just outside their doors. Frost uses rich language to describe the insects as “the creatures/ shine with/ stardust” (unpaginated) and “they’re/ splashed/ with/ morning/ dew” (unpaginated). Then she closes with a reminder, “In song and dance/ and stillness,/ they share the world/ with you” (unpaginated). The imagery of Frost’s words seem to dance with Lieder’s close-up photographs that share the beauty of graceful wings in flight, jewel-like droplets on a spider’s web, the glint of a katydid’s eye, and the soft, fuzzy scales on a moth’s wings. Children will want to learn more about the tiny insects around them after they experience the combination of the gentle message, the calming text, and the breathtaking photography. The author includes detailed endnotes about each of the insects and spiders that appear in the book.
-Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University


McDonnell, P. (2011). Me…Jane. New York: Little, Brown and Co. 

Me…Jane describes the formative years of Dr. Jane Goodall, a United Nations Messenger of Peace.  This story narrates how the young Jane became interested in nature and animals, and decided to study chimpanzees in Africa.  As a girl who loved to sleep with her stuffed toy chimpanzee, Jubilee, chasing animals and observing plants in her backyard on nice spring days weren’t enough to satisfy her curiosity.  One day, interested in where chicken eggs came from, she hid in her grandmother’s chicken coop and watched the hens in order to solve the mystery.  She avidly read many books in order to learn about different animals.  Although women were not encouraged to pursue adventurous careers at that time, with the encouragement of her mother, Jane kept dreaming of going to Africa.  Her dreams ultimately brought her to Tanzania, where she discovered that chimpanzees could make and use tools just as humans do.  The India ink and watercolor illustrations allow readers a glimpse into the personality of this ground-breaking woman. This book recounts one little girl’s almost impossible dream that became a reality—and it all started in her own backyard.  
-Tadayuki Suzuki, Western Kentucky University


Millard, Glenda. (2012). Isabella’s Garden. Illustrated by Rebecca Cool. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Many of us think of gardening in spring, and Isabella is no different. Millard tells the story of the amazing things that happen in the beloved garden, told in a similar style as the traditional nursery rhyme “This is the House that Jack Built.” Amazing things happen to the tiny seeds as Isabella and her friends observe the incredible events unfolding before their very eyes. “These are the shoots that seek the sun/ that kissed the clouds that cried the rain/ that soaked the seeds that slept in the soil,/ all dark and deep, in Isabella’s garden” (unpaginated). Rebecca Cool’s brightly colored, mixed-media illustrations capture the wonderful growth and change that takes place in astonishing garden.
-Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University


Pfister, Marcus. (2012)  Ava’s Poppy. New York: NorthSouth Books. 

Red-haired Ava discovers a bright red poppy growing in the middle of a field near her house. Over the summer she befriends the flower and takes care of it by watering the poppy, sheltering it from heavy rain, protecting it from harsh winds. When the summer ends and the growing season is over, the flower withers and eventually dies. Ava feels the loss of a true friend. She marks the spot where her flower passed by creating a ring of stones around the area to memorialize their friendship. Winter comes and goes but Ava has not forgotten her poppy friend. In spring when Ava returns to the circle of stones and as the cycle of life promises, a new friend has started to grow within the circle. Pfister has created colorful opening and closing spreads that show the flower from seed to stem and finally the dying plant.  Teachers who are using picture books to support science concepts of life cycles will find this book useful as well as nurturing friendships whether personal or botanical.
-Karen Hildebrand , Ohio Library and Reading Consultant


Salas, Laura Purdie. (2012). A Leaf Can Be… Illustrated by Violeta Dabija. Minneapolis: Lerner. 

This lovely story in rhyme begins with, “A leaf is a leaf. It bursts out each spring when sunny days linger and orioles sing” (unpaginated). From there, Laura Purdie Salas takes young readers and listeners on a colorful tour that illustrates the leaf’s many functions, such as: “Tree topper/ Rain Stopper” and “Wind rider/ Lake glider” (unpaginated). Violeta Dabija’s stunning, evocative mixed media illustrations are the perfect compliment to Purdie’s playful text. The back matter includes a glossary, a list of books for further reading, and “More About Leaves” section that further explains each of the leaves’ many functions. Between the lyrical text and the luminous, magical illustrations, children will beg to return to this book again and again.
-Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University


Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. (2012). Green. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

This stunning, imaginative offering from the creator of First the Egg (2007) highlights all the incredible shades of spring’s favorite color, green. A quick glance at the illustrations and simple text reveals that there are many different shades of green, ranging from the greens of a tree’s foliage to the greens of a sea turtle sliding through the ocean depths. Thus, her die-cut illustrations feature the particular green lushness of an unlogged forest on a spring day, the green of a juicy, just-cut lime, the darkish greens in a bowl of newly-shelled peas, and the slow-moving green of a caterpillar creeping across a flower petal, among others. Each double-page spread has a cut-out that belongs to the next page. Once readers reach the end of the book, they encounter opposites with a stop sign that is "never green" (unpaginated) as well as a snow-filled landscape when there is "no green" (unpaginated) to be seen. Finally, the mature trees of summer seem to be "forever green" (unpaginated). With spring’s recent arrival in some parts of the world, this is a timely title to share in the classroom. The fact that the cut-outs are designed in different shapes and sizes as well as being placed at different spots on the book's pages adds to the appeal. Readers may enjoy viewing the book trailer for this must-have classroom library title at http://us.macmillan.com/green-1/LauraSeeger. 
-Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman


Singer, Marilyn. (2012). A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Boston: Clarion Books. 

With the end of winter, youngsters love to venture outside, but sometimes they have no idea what to do once they shut the door. Despite the attraction of indoor games, playing outdoors in the spring and summer can be plenty of fun. A little imagination and a simple object or two are all that is needed, and the time will pass quickly and enjoyably as described in these 18 poems celebrating the joy of playing outdoors. Thus, one lonely boy in “First One Out” plays catch with the family poodle since no one else is around. While a boy blows a bubble “big as a planet,” (unpaginated) his younger sister creates her own small bubbles that go “sailing right behind him” (unpaginated) in the poem “Bubbles.” The children in these poems play catch and jacks, jump rope, fly high or low on a swing or roll down a grassy hill as though they were barrels. They even run through the sprinkler in glee, play Statues in their own unique way, play Hide-and-Seek, and concoct their own unappetizing soup from the most unlikely items.  The title poem "A Stick Is an Excellent Thing" points out all the possible uses for the perfect stick that might be found and used in imaginative play as a king’s scepter, a fairy’s wand or even just something to throw. The pencil and ink illustrations have been colored digitally, and all of them show boys and girls--and even an adult or two--enjoying the great outdoors. 

-Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman


Smith, Lane. (2011). Grandpa Green. New York: Roaring Brook Press 

Youngsters are often surprised to realize that the elders in their families weren’t always old. They once had youthful dreams, some of which come to fruition, and others of which are supplanted by others. In the case of Grandpa Green, who grew up on a farm while imagining a career as a horticulturist, he recalls many significant events in his life, including his bout with chicken pox, and represents them and his life stories through topiary shapes in his garden. Once an ambitious and talented young man whose college plans were derailed by WWI, Grandpa Green lived an energetic life and loved to entertain his great-grandson by sharing his precious memories.  This Caldecott Honor book follows his life from birth to his first stolen kiss to his marriage to a woman he met while in Europe to his twilight years with many offspring, blessed with many children and grandchildren.  Although age has caused him to become more forgetful and he will physically disappear some day, his wonderful memories have been captured through skillfully formed topiary shapes in his garden.  The watercolor, oil paint, and digital paint foliage illustrations and the brush and waterproof drawing ink representing the characters show that Grandpa Green was not only a simple grandfather but also an artist who cultivated his family.  Although all humans eventually become old, their memories can stay fresh through the next generation.  Grandpa Green teaches us that all families are special and have unique stories to share.  
-Tadayuki Suzuki, Western Kentucky University


Springett, Martin. (2012). Kate and Pippin: An unlikely love story. Photographs by Isobel Springett. New York: Henry Holt.

For three days, Pippin an abandoned fawn, cries out for help before Isobel Springett carries her home and places her next to Kate, a Great Dane. Kate licks and nuzzles the young deer and Pippin thinks she has found a new mother. Springett documents this unlikely bond in striking photographs. Wherever Kate goes, Pippin follows. Outside they play, roll around on the lawn, chase each other and leap everywhere. When they return home they fall asleep next to each other. One day the fawn disappears into the forest and doesn’t return for dinner. Isobel calls and Kate waits. But the next morning Pippin returns for breakfast. From then on, Pippin sleeps in the forest each night but returns to play with Kate. Gradually Pippin becomes an independent deer, returning to the farm to see Kate sometimes. This information book would make a wonderful read aloud and could be part of an animal text set.

-Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver


Stone, Phoebe. (2012) The Boy on Cinnamon Street. New York: Arthur . Levine Books.

Seventh-grade Louise has come to live with her pretty cool grandparents after a tragedy strikes her family that Louise cannot remember, or rather, has suppressed. As Louise narrates the story, she describes how she is creating a new life for herself having given up her old friends, her old neighborhood and her love of gymnastics. She has nicknamed herself Thumb, for Thumbelina, because she is so tiny, unlike her fairly large best friend Reni who stands by Thumb during this family life crisis. As spring approaches, Thumb receives a note from a secret admirer that she believes is from the pizza delivery boy, Benny. She and Reni set out to encourage a blossoming relationship with Benny only to find out the note is not from him. Standing in the wings of all this are Louise’s very supportive grandparents and Reni’s brother, Henderson. Readers will discover who is Thumb’s “biggest fan” before she realizes who the secret admirer is. Told with humor and realistic adolescent dialogue, Louise comes to terms with her father’s new family and the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death to move on and have a spring with new relationships and new beginnings.
Visit the author’s website for more books by Phoebe Stone: http://www.phoebestone.com/
-Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant


Vail, Rachel. (2012). Piggy Bunny. Illus. by Jeremy Tankard. New York: Feiwel and Friends/MacMillan. 

With Easter right around the corner this hilarious picture book will bring a lot of laughter. Liam is like all of the other piglets, except for one thing. Most piglets want to grow up to be pigs, but Liam dreams of becoming the Easter Bunny. Liam practices hopping, eating salad and delivering eggs. In the accompanying illustration Liam falls on his face, tries tasting greens and leaves a trail of broken eggs. His family thinks he is perfect the way he is with a squiggly tail, little black eyes, snouty nose, and triangular ears, but Liam believes he is the Easter Bunny. Thankfully, his grandparents respect his imagination and order him a Bunny suit on the internet. In the meantime, Liam practices hopping, eating salad and delivering eggs, though salad remains a challenge. When Liam tries on the Bunny suit and looks in the mirror, he is indeed the Easter Bunny. Every child or piglet can become anything they want to be when friends and family believe in them. 
-Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver


Warner, Sally. (2012) EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank. Illustrated by Jamie Harper. New York: Viking. 
   
Spring break is ruined! EllRay was supposed to take care of the class pet Zippy the goldfish, over spring break but his little sister Alfie accidently overfeeds him and that is the end of Zippy. This disaster happens just when things were starting to go really well for EllRay and his third grade year in school. When he returns to school after spring break he has forgotten to bring back Treasure Island, the book he borrowed from Mrs. Sanchez that she is reading aloud to the class and his classmates are furious. To make matters worse, his archenemy and the class bully, Cynthia, is unjustly blaming EllRay for a few playground and classroom issues that were not his doing. Readers who are familiar with the EllRay series will recognize how EllRay always seems to mess up. This third installment in the series brings another realistic school adventure to the early chapter book genre. Read about the entire EllRay Jakes series at the author’s website: http://www.sallywarner.com/
-Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant


Zoehfeld, Kathleen. (2012) Secrets of the Garden: Food Chains and the Food Web in Our Backyard. Illustrated by Priscilla Lamont.  New York: Knopf. 

Alice and her family are anxiously awaiting spring so they can begin planting their garden. Working the soil, starting the seeds in pots, and planting the budding sprouts they begin to watch their garden take root. Other critters are watching the garden as well and Alice narrates the comings and goings of nibbling rabbits and munching mice and buzzing insects where even the family cat and a soaring eagle drop into the garden. She discovers how many creatures, including her family, are waiting on the delicious fresh produce coming from the garden. Two chickens on nearly every page provide humor but also contribute science concepts about gardening through the speech bubbles that thread through the book explaining exactly what is happening as the garden changes including the water cycle, photosynthesis, composting and the food chains that bring the insects, rain and sun. Teachers who would like to add nonfiction read-alouds will find this book perfect on many levels. Careful examination of the often-humorous illustrations demonstrates how the garden is created and tended throughout the spring and summer.
-Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

by Jen Donovan

Calling all literacy advocates and book lovers! World Book Night is quickly approaching. On April 23 the U.S. will celebrate its very first World Book Night by sending thousands of copies of paperback books out communities across the nation. Thirty books have been chosen, featuring modern American classics such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, as well as NY Times best sellers like Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones. Also included in this literature line-up are a number of books for young adults. The Hunger Games and Because of Winn-Dixie are some examples of the featured award-winning titles in young adult fiction. 

World Book Night will rely on volunteers to distribute 20 copies of their favorite book on the list to members of their own community. The goal of the event is to encourage the love of reading and allow volunteers and participants to share their passion for a great book. The original World Book Night was first held in the UK; it was such a success that the idea has spread around the world. In the US, the first World Book Night is supported by major publishing houses, libraries, authors, and communities. 

The 2012 US World Book Night currently has tens of thousands of volunteers signed up to distribute, but there is also a waiting list for those who wish to be a part of the event. More information is available on the World Book Night website.

Jen Donovan is the strategic communications department intern at the International Reading Association. 

The Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group reviews of new graphic novels continues with this list of texts to enchant and inspire readers of all ages.

GRADES K-2

Knight, Hilary. (2011). Nina in that makes me mad! New York: Toon Books/Candlewick Press.

This graphic novel is for beginning readers. Each full page spread discusses a new reason why Nina is mad. For example, Nina gets mad when her parents blame her for something she didn't do. In the accompanying illustrations Nina is taking care of her baby brother in the bathtub. Tony gets carried away and splashes a lot of water on the floor. The speech bubble states, “No more bath for you tonight” (p. 9). Nina has a perplexed face with pointy eyebrows. Other reasons Nina gets mad include: “When you don’t let me help” (p. 12), “When I try and it doesn’t work” (p. 14) and “When I need you and you make me wait” (p. 20). The last page closes with, “But I feel better when I can tell you that I’m mad!” (p. 30). This fun picture book will definitely bring about discussion. Teachers and parents could ask—Do you ever get mad like Nina? or What are some of the things that cause you to get mad?

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Eaton, Maxwell. (2012). The flying Beaver brothers and the fishy business. New York: Random House Children’s Books. 

The Beaver brothers, Ace and Bub, uncover a plot by a corporation to use up the island’s trees to create Fish Stix for consumers in this second title in the graphic novel series. In its advertisement campaign, the corporation claims that Fish Stix, made from ground-up trees, are somehow good for the environment. The campaign promoting Fish Stix features the brothers' nemesis Bruce. It will take an alliance made up of Ace, Bub, some evil penguins who aren't all that evil, and yes, even Bruce to stop the corporation before the trees are all gone. There are plenty of funny lines and visual humor as well to keep young readers entertained as well as informed. Using spots of green in the pen and ink and digitally colored illustrations complements perfectly the forests being destroyed so casually and so purposelessly. Older readers will recognize the greed behind the corporation's marketing of a product for which there really is no need and possibly compare those actions with some advertising campaigns by corporations today. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

GRADES 3-5

Eaton, Maxwell. (2012). The flying beaver brothers and the evil penguin plan. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 

In this second book, the Beaver brothers are swinging off a rope, hang gliding to a beach, and surfing some waves. All of a sudden some penguins steal one of the beaver’s surfboards. An immediate chase begins. Fortunately, beavers can make bridges between cliffs pretty quickly by gnawing down trees. The beavers follow the penguins under water to a large refrigerator at the bottom of the ocean. They notice that the penguins are viewing large blue prints, but aren’t sure what is going on. Readers will have many questions at this point in the book, making inferences and predictions. Later, Ace and Bub return to the ocean to enter the large refrigerator. They learn that the penguins are planning to create a frozen paradise using the ice machine. One beaver escapes and shuts down the refrigerator’s turbine, thus saving their island. This humorous book seems to have a deeper meaning—are humans destroying the penguin habitat? 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver 

Krosoczka, Jarrett J. (2012). Lunch Lady and the mutant mathletes. New York: Knopf. 

Dee, Hector, and Terrence, also known as the Breakfast Bunch, are forced to join the extracurricular Mathletes as their punishment for missing the museum field trip in the previous title. In this, the seventh installment of the Lunch Lady graphic novel series, the friends are definitely not thrilled to spend time after school solving math problems. But joining the Mathletes turns out to be less painful than they had expected. Even Dee comes around once the private school kids from Willoughby Academy denigrate the public school kids of Thompson Brook. The two teams roll on inexorably toward the final round of competition where they face each other. But there's something odd about the private school students and their competitive teacher, and it's up to Lunch Lady and her cafeteria side-kick Betty to figure out what's going on. Not only does she come through, yellow gloves, Cannoli-oculars, and Pineapple mace in tow, but so do Orson, the Mathlete over-achiever, and Mr. Kalowski, the school janitor. The book’s lessons are sound, accompanied by the Lunch Lady’s expostulations such as "Moldy Bread!" and "Sweet BBQ sauce!” Not only does the ever-ready Lunch Lady fight for justice, but she can also be depended upon to whip up a yummy batch of cookies just when they're needed. 

- Barbara A. Ward Washington State University Pullman 

GRADES 6-7 

Neel, Julien. (2012) Lou! Secret Diary. Translation by Carol Klio Burrell. Minneapolis: Graphic Universe. 

Translated from its original French and winner of the Youth Prize of the Angouleme International Comics Festival, this graphic novel looks exactly like a comic book that might be found on store shelves. It stars twelve-year old Lou who is plowing headlong into adolescence. Trying to catch the eye of the boy across the street, in addition to finding a boyfriend for her single mom as well as designing her own clothes and fashion statement, this tween also keeps a diary of her thoughts and opinions, some of which are colorfully portrayed on the end pages of the book. Lou’s diary provides a fun yet also serious look at that stage of pre-dating, dealing with crushes on boys and peer pressures. It’s easy to see why Lou is so popular in so many different countries. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Reading and Library Consultant 

Nelson, O. T., & Jolley, Dan. (2012). The girl who owned a city: The graphic novel. Illus. by Joelle Jones. Minneapolis: Graphic Universe. 

Originally written in 1975, this book of survival after an apocalyptic event translates well to the graphic novel format. After a virus kills everyone older than twelve, leaving those left behind to fend for themselves, Lisa Nelson and her younger brother are managing to survive, thanks to Lisa's ability to find food and supplies. Others use numbers and intimidation to take what they need, and Lisa forms a neighborhood coalition to guard against the marauding gangs. When the alliance fails, she fortifies a former school where her allies will be safe. Everyone has jobs to do, but Lisa feels responsible for everyone in her city. This graphic novel only hints at what may lie ahead for the survivors of the virus once they turn 12—or the emotional cost of being responsible for so many other dependents. Lisa's self-reliance and her determination to help others be self-reliant are particularly appealing in the original story and in this adaptation. While she and her friend Craig may have very different ways of finding happiness, both seek self-reliance. The title raises many issues; for instance, how will the survivors cope when all the available supplies have been depleted, and what happens when the society with which we are familiar has disappeared? 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

Phelan, Matt. (2011). Three remarkable journeys around the world. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. 

Jules Vern’s Around the World in Eighty Days provided the inspiration for three adventurers who set out on their own worldwide journeys. First, questioning the value of ten years spent working in a mine, Thomas Stevens purchased a large-wheeled bicycle in 1884 and then rode it 3,700 miles from San Francisco to Boston. Upon reaching Boston, Stevens decided he was ready for a larger challenge and took off on an around the world bicycle ride. Reports of his journey were published over a three-year period in Outing magazine. Nellie Bly, a daring and dashing female reporter, embarked on her own journey around the world in 1889. She met her goal to return in less than 80 days since her travels lasted 72 days. During that time, the New York World, the newspaper for which she worked, sold record numbers of papers with updates on Bly’s fabled journey. Finally, Joshua Slocum set out in 1895 to become the first person to traverse the globe alone in a small boat. Neither storms nor pirates stopped Slocum from reaching his goal. The inspiring stories of these three independent individuals fit the graphic novel format well with Phelan’s artwork almost seeming to resemble a film screen. 

- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University 

GRADES 9-12 

Hicks, Faith Erin. (2012). Friends with boys. New York: First Second/Roaring Brook Press. 

Maggie, who has been homeschooled all of her life, is understandably nervous about her first day at high school. Her three older brothers insist that she must go it alone since they did. She navigates the school corridors, alone except for the ghost that keeps following her, eventually making friends with two siblings, Lucy and Alistair. There are hints about the story behind the rift between the Mohawk-wearing Alistair and volleyball star Matt. When Alistair finally tells Maggie the story behind his haircut, it's easy to understand his reluctance to stand up for his sister or for the males who have been ridiculed for their preference for drama rather than sports. It's impossible not to like Maggie and understand her confusion about the often cruel high school social order. While there are some similarities to Anya's Ghost, this graphic novel can be savored for its own strengths, including its accurate depiction of the sometimes rocky shoals of high school and family. The author encourages readers to examine their own tendencies to judge others by their appearances when appearances are often masks behind which others may hide their true nature.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

Long, Mark & Demonakas, Jim. (2012). The silence of our friends. Illus. by Nate Powell. New York: First Second/Roaring Brook. 

Set in the late part of the racially volatile 1960s in Houston, Texas, this graphic novel tackles the challenging topic of civil rights. The story follows two different individuals whose lives come together unexpectedly: a white television newsman reporting on the city’s civil rights protests, and an African-American Texas Southern University faculty member involved in the protests. When the protests turn violent, leading to the death of a police officer, the blame is placed on a handful of TSU students. The trial that results divides the city even more. The starkly stunning black and white illustrations evoke a sense of a time and place during which it was hard to know who to trust or what to believe. This graphic novel plunges readers right in the midst of this turmoil-filled period. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

Lyga, Barry. (2011). Manga man. Illus. by Colleen Doran. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 

When Ryoko, an attractive androgynous young man with beautiful feminine and masculine features, falls through a rip in time and space and lands in our world, he is shunned by many humans. The difference that makes others shun him makes him more attractive to Marissa Montaigne, a popular, beautiful teen who is bored with her life and her relationship with a hard-drinking football player. The romance between Ryoko and Marissa parallels that of Romeo and Juliet, complete with scenes in which Ryoko leans from his window and talks about his growing attraction to Marissa while she overhears him while hiding in the bushes beneath his compound. When he shows Marissa the different dimensions, she is able to move from one cartoon panel to the next. The pen and ink illustrations are beautiful and show the inner and outer beauty of this unlikely couple. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

O’Connor, George. (2012). Hades: Lord of the dead. New York: First Second/Roaring Brook Press. 

Sticking closely for the most part to the original story of Demeter, Hades, and Persephone in this fourth title in the Olympian series, the creator of this graphic novel describes how Hades kidnaps Persephone—known as Kore on Earth—and shows her around his kingdom. While she is gone, her mother, Demeter, allows the crops to fail as she searches for her daughter. Once she finds Kore again, she agrees to allow new life to bud on Earth to celebrate her daughter’s return. Of course, during the time her daughter must return to Hades, cold weather will cover the Earth, representing Demeter’s sadness at being separated from her child. But this updated story contains a twist as Persephone comes into her own while in the Underworld. Out from under the control of her mother, she flourishes, and although she is glad to be reunited with her mother, she is also relieved to return to Hades, enough so that she lies about having consumed any foods while in Hades the first time around. This is an empowered version of Persephone, unwilling to be a pawn in a game played by the gods. The different perspective is refreshing, allowing Persephone to make her own mark on how things are done in her new kingdom. One of the best illustrations is the last one, which shows the two rulers on their underground thrones, Hades with just the slightest smile on his lips. Fans of mythology will relish this moody version of the classic story. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

Yang, Gene Luen. (2011). Level up. Illus. by Thien Pham. New York: First Second/Roaring Brook Press. 

In the latest offering from the creator of American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang returns to the themes he covered in his earlier graphic novel: the clash between parental expectations and one's own dreams, cultural expectations, coming of age, and the journey to self-acceptance, among others. The story focuses on Dennis Ouyang, a boy whose attraction to video games has been denigrated by his parents in favor of academic success. After his father dies, Dennis plays games so much that he is kicked out of college. Four angels intervene and set him back on the path of success, but they allow him to have no fun whatsoever. His hard work pays off, and he is accepted into med school, but still he wonders about his life goals and whether he wants to spend the rest of his life doing what his father wanted him to do. Dennis ends up quitting med school and starts playing games for cash prizes. He returns to medical school after he realizes that he wants to make a difference in the world, only to find that the manual dexterity honed by all those games will actually be useful in his chosen area of specialization. The lines between reality and fantasy blur interestingly in this book with soft colored artwork and slight but pertinent visual references to video games at the beginning of each section. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman