SOME GREAT GRAPHICS

Sparks by Ian Boothby and Nina Matsumoto  

Two new Graphic Novel versions from Far Out Fairy Tales series Sleeping Beauty, Magic Master by Stephanie True Peters illustrated C.S. Jennings

Goldilocks and the Three Vampires by Laurie Sutton and illustrated by Alex Lopez

HIPPO HAS HATS FOR EVERY JOB

Hippo and Red Panda are tired of their neglected and rundown zoo so they go out to the human world and in order to find amazing jobs.  Each new job comes with a different hat and skill set but none are right for them.  After being fired from all of these amazing jobs (cook, dental assistant, construction worker, etc.), Red Panda runs out of optimism and Hippo is feeling down in the dumps. Hippo and Red Panda realize how their true skills and talents can best be put to use.

A new graphic novel filled with humor, a lot of silliness but at it's core it's a story of friendship and self-discovery. 
Hippopotamister by John Patrick Green is great for beginning readers, graphic novel lovers and anyone else who enjoys a read aloud.   

For Kindergarten through 4th grade.

(LIFE IS) AWKWARD

On her first day as a new student, Middle schooler Penelope “Peppi” Torres will accidently catch the attention of mean-spirited students by tripping over her own feet. In a moment of panic, Peppi will push a quiet boy and scramble away, leaving him to endure the taunts of their classmates. This brief moment will be seared into Peppi’s memory as, even weeks later, she agonizes incessantly over how to apologize.

Peppi knows moving to a new town and school is rarely easy. That’s why she is horrified to break cardinal rule #1 for surviving school on her very first day: don’t get noticed by the mean kids. Luckily, there’s Art Club. There Peppi finds her place among young artists, sharing ideas, bemoaning artist’s block, and commiserating with them over their long-standing rivalry with the Science Club.

Peppi gradually develops an awkward friendship with the quiet boy, a “rival” from the science club, but finds it difficult to navigate between social groups. A highly publicized competition between the two clubs to earn a coveted spot at the annual school club fair ultimately tests her loyalties.

Though the rivalry between the two clubs can feel forced at times (I imagine there are plenty of kids who appreciate both art and science), Svetlana Chmakova’s graphic novel Awkward deftly explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and morality, while remaining true to its middle grade target audience. Give this to readers who are eagerly awaiting Raina Telgemeier's next book (Ghosts in September 2016).

Grades 4+

KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP!

Sunny is sent off to stay with her grandfather for a month in a retirement community in Florida with visions of Disney World dancing in her head but instead they do "fun" stuff like go to the post office and early bird specials - all you can eat dinner at 4 p.m. with the "girls".  

Her summer seems like a bust because her parents have to deal with an incident with her older brother drinking and using drugs until she meets another kid at the retirement home who introduces her to finding golf balls and superhero comic books.  

Sunny Side Up is a touching story set in 1976 that's semi-autobiographical by Jennifer Holm and her brother Matthew regarding substance abuse and keeping secrets.  For readers 5th-8th and fans of Jennifer Holm's other books with similar tones such as Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf and Turtle in Paradise.  

SQUISH, THE SUPER AMOEBA IS HERE!

Squish is a science wiz who enjoys eating Twinkies and reading his comic-books.  When his teacher announces that a science exam is coming up, it becomes clear to Squish that not all of the students are prepared to take it.  Squish is likable and would be willing to help others prepare for the exam.  But his generosity is tested when a classmate insists that he should help (or else!).  What would you do if you were an amoeba named Squish?  

The is the first adventure of Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer and Matthew Holm.

PINOCCHIO AS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE

You may think you know the story of Pinocchio, but you've never experienced it quite like this. Retold in lively words by Kate McMullan and a mix of exciting illustrations and graphic panels by Pascal Lemaitre, this abridged version of Carlo Collodi's classic makes a fun introduction to the original tale. If you only know the Disney version, you don't know the half of it. Did you you Pinocchio's origin story starts even before Geppetto with a carpenter named Mr. Cherry? Or about the dog named Wingfoot that saves Pinocchio from becoming a monstrous fisherman's dinner? And that's just for starters. 

The original tale is certainly much more dark and offbeat than the comparatively cheery Disney version, and this retelling pulls no punches, which makes it a similarly eccentric and dreary read for fans of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unforntunate Events. As an accessible retelling, it will also make a good choice for young readers not yet ready for the more formidable classic version. 

For adventurous readers in grades 3 and up. 

SECRET ORIGIN STORIES

By age 15 Jimmy Gownley had already written, illustrated, and self-published his first comic book. The Dumbest Idea Ever is the memoir and secret origin story of a real-life comic book artist who grew up in a small Pennsylvania town. It’s the tale of a lost championship game, chickenpox, pneumonia, friendships, first love, a sudden shift from straight-A student and star athlete to “the kid who used to be special,” and the “dumbest idea ever” that ultimately changed his life. 

Focusing on the author’s life between the ages of 13-15, the graphic novel captures the often difficult transition from middle to high school. The book is dedicated in part to Jimmy’s late friend Tony, who played a significant role in encouraging and inspiring him to write from personal experience. 

Jimmy Gownley’s heartwarming story is a welcome addition to the middle grade graphic novel memoir genre, lately popularized by Raina Telgemeier’s bestseller Smile. For another read alike, try Cece Bell’s El Deafo, which chronicles the author’s early to tween years after a childhood disease leaves her profoundly deaf. 

For grades 4 and up.

A NEW FAR OUT GRAPHIC SERIES...UMMM... NEW COMIC BOOKS

A new contender to enter the chaotic foray of graphic novels is a series of amazing fractured fairy tales by many different authors and illustrators.  

Red Riding Hood, Superhero:  a Graphic Novel by Otis Frampton

When Red Riding Hood (RRH) visited Area 54 some years ago, a very frightened alien threw his magical red cape at her giving the young girl extraordinary powers such as laser-ray vision and super strength. In this action-packed version, Grandma is no helpless elderly lady but the president of the United States, RRH is empowered, her mom is still clueless and our canine villain, Professor Grimm,built himself a giant wolf robot in order to kidnap the president while trying to also rid himself of the awesome superhero. This fractured tale is has a great layout and fantastic illustrations.  

Reviewed by Cecile 

In Ninja-rella by Joey Comeau and illustrated by Omar Lozano, the expected path for the trod-upon title orphan gets turned on its head. Her stepmother and stepsisters are still evil and self-serving, but instead of having starry-eyed aspirations of marrying the prince, Ninja-rella dreams of protecting him with her fierce ninja skills. And when her fairy godninja sends her to the royal ball with a special glass katana sword, she finally gets her chance. But when she must flee at midnight, she leaves the glass sword behind--the only clue by which the prince might find his new royal bodyguard. This twist on the classic fairy tale Cinderella, is a empowering and action-packed story, sure to make readers cheer for the katana-wielding heroine.

Reviewed by Meghan

Super Billy Goats Gruff: a Graphic Novel by Sean Tulien; illustrated by Fernando Cano

In a retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Sean Tulien, two squabbling billy goats and their mediating brother embark on an unexpected journey when they consume three mysterious mushrooms en route to their favorite grassy hillside. Unbeknownst to the hungry goats, these curiously pixelated, Minecraft-styled mushrooms endow super powers, transforming them into the Ninja-Goat, Wizard-Goat, and Warrior-Goat. Transported to a grim landscape where a dark castle awaits them, the new Super Billy Goats Gruff must battle their way through a trove of video gaming references, including giant directional arrows, diverging paths, mysterious doors, magical monsters, boss fights, and power ups. It’s a wacky, action-packed, fractured fairy tale, graphic novel, multiplayer video game kind of adventure, where the winner is crowned the fattest goat of all time.
Reviewed by Sherry

Also check out Snow White and the Seven Robots where everyone in Techworld is green skinned except for Snow White, who with her white skin, red lips, black hair and seven additional virtues is the smartest of of them all for which she has been exiled to another world far from the ruling queen.

Each entry in the Far Out Fairy Tales graphic novel series include some excellent backmatter to communicate information in a highly entertaining way, including an explanation of the origins of the tale, a quick rundown of the twists seen in this version, a glossary, and a set of “visual questions” meant to show story comprehension and analysis in the graphic format.

Any one of these tales will make lively and engaging reads for kids in 3rd grade and up.

GOBLINS, GHOULS, ROYALTY AND CHEFS OF THE UINDERWORLD

Yup, apparently there are chefs in the underworld, in the form of vampires that like to bake. At least that is what Andi Watson implies in her graphic novel called PRINCESS DECOMPOSIA AND COUNT SPATULA. Decomposia, or Dee for short, is a little overwhelmed with the duties of her father the king. He is much too unwell to handle his normal duties, which might be because all he eats are kippers and carrot water! You will have to read it for yourself and tell me what you think because I think this book is just SILLY!!! Definitely for 4th-8th grades.


JUNE 2015

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUPERPOWER

Cece was a regular kid, living a carefree life with her parents and siblings until she is diagnosed with meningitis when she is four. After spending a long time at the hospital, Cece finally gets to go home, but things are not the same. Two weeks after going home, Cece finds out that she hadn't been able to hear anything since she got sick. Her parents take her to a doctor, and she gets a hearing aid, but her hearing is far from being normal. When she starts kindergarten, Cece goes to a school with other kids like her. She loves her teacher Dorn, who teaches her how to understand what people are saying by reading their lips. But when Cece starts first grade, she has to go to school with other kids. She also gets a brand-new hearing aid, the new and powerful Phonic Ear, which helps her hear better but is really big and she has to wear it like a backpack, which makes Cece self-conscious and afraid that everyone will think she is not cool because she has a hearing aid. But Cece does make some friends - some better than others - and on one occasion has everyone in the class thinking that the Phonic Ear is really cool! The Phonic Ear gives Cece a superpower - she can hear everything her teachers are doing when they are not in the room, so Cece imagines herself as the powerful superhero El Deafo, which helps her deal with the challenges of fitting in despite her challenges.

El Deafo is the story of writer Cece Bell's childhood, written in a graphic novel format. It is a story of a girl trying to have a normal life despite the bulky hearing aid that she is forced to carry with her at school. With cute, quirky drawings, Cece shows us what her childhood was like - going to school, trying to make friends who didn't treat her differently, and her first crush. This book makes it really easy for readers to put themselves in the shoes of someone who has different abilities. Like Cece's friends, some of us may not know what it is like to not be able to hear without aid. If we had to speak to someone who is deaf, we might not automatically know that we should not turn away or cover our mouths when we speak so that the person can read our lips.

Finally, what makes this book great is that it is not a sad story made to make us feel bad or sorry for the main character. Although what happened to Cece was bad and unfair, she was able to lead a good childhood and grow up to be a writer who could tell everyone about her experience. El Deafo is a great choice for readers grades 4 and up.

A RIGHTEOUS LITTLE BOUNTY HUNTER

Young bounty hunter, Boyd, is chasing down his outlaw father and sending him to jail, no matter what.  Boyd hasn't had an easy childhood you see.  His older sibling weren't the cuddly kind and his ma wasn't the gentle sing you a lullaby at night type either.  So, Boyd sets out to set things right by bringing his no good dad and the rest of the family.  

Warning:  
Though the atmospheric illustrations sets you up for a great western tale and the illustrations are cute and cuddly looking,  the story  contains serious and mature themes: racism, sex, violence and etc.  

This is a great graphic novel for mature readers in grades 6th-8th.  Cow Boy:  A Boy and His Horse, a Western Graphic Novel  by Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos is not for the faint of heart.  You can read an excerpt online by clicking on this link.  

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Middle school is full of drama- break ups, make ups, and ensuring that the show goes on!  Passionate about theater (but unable to carry a tune), 7^th grader Callie is the set designer for her school’s drama department. She thinks her biggest worry will be making a prop cannon that will really fire during their spring musical, Moon Over Mississippi. Instead, she finds herself having to deal with 8^th grade divas, growing apart from old friends, and navigating the complex waters of modern middle school romance.

Told in an engaging graphic style format, Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a funny and realistic story of what goes on behind the scenes in the lives of middle schoolers. It’s sure to appeal to fans of her earlier work, Smile, but due to some more “grown-up” subject matter, is better suited to a 7^th grade and older audience.

AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE?

I don't know about this book. Granted, the girl is trying to keep herself and her brother from growing hungry, but she sure is selfish! THE GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY adapted by Dan Jolley is a graphic novel based on an original story written by O.T. Nelson in 1975. A virus has wiped out all humans over the age of 12, and it's up to these kids to figure out how to survive. Some are trying to take others' food by force, some merely ask. Well, Lisa's not sharing with anyone, and pretty much expects everyone to do their share of the work in order to maintain their existence. She forms a city, it's HER city, and she controls everything that happens in it. Read this to see if you agree.

For 4th grade and up.

FEARLESS HEROINE OR FOOL HARDY CHILD?

In Alison Dare and the Arabian Knights, she joins her mother on an archeological dig somewhere in an Arabian dessert. Alison sneaks off to rub a magic lamp that was dug up but ends up regretting making the wishes the genie granted her. In the second adventure, Alison Dare and the Mummy Child, she foils an attempt to steal a mummy at her mother's latest museum exhibition. Alison Dare and the Secret of the Blue Scarab her superhero/librarian father prevents a town from being iced forever by Auntie Freeze.

Three fun adventures of the intrepid school girl in Alison Dare: Little Miss Adventures by J. Torres and . For readers 4th-6th grades and can be found in the graphic novel section of the Children's Room.

A CROOKED SCIENTIST

Graphic novels (also known as comic books) are not like the Archie and Veronica or even the Garfield strips of old. You can see it in the new crops of books like this one: The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook by Eleanor Davis.

The drawings are really sharp and dynamic and printed on heavy glossy papers in hardback so it will last as you read and reread this story. You will definitely want to pore over the many diagrams of our clever heroes' inventions.

It's a story we've seen before, a nerdy kid finds like-minded friends and overcomes the odds and fights the bad guys. But what makes this better than your average story is the illustrations, color choices, details and panel layouts or in some cases lack of panels.

For readers in 4th and up.

MORE SPIES, BUT YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHO THEY ARE

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians by Jarrett J. Krozoczka is the latest in graphic novel spy tales. The lunch ladies are no ordinary school workers but secret spies with extraordinary gadgets to fight evil doers set to destroy kids all over the world. yes- those evil librarians are out to dictate what kids should read and do in their free time -READ!

Maawwwhhaaaaa haaaaa.

For grades 5 and older.

A PUNNY BUG DETECTIVE GRAPHIC NOVEL

Who better to be a private eye then a fly with eyes which can see almost 360 degree and therefore would have great observational skills. Joey and sidekick Sammy are hired by to find a stolen diamond pencil box. The two detectives wade through urban landscape, clues & insect suspects to track down the culprit.

Cleverly done in mostlly hues of blues to convey the sense of pulp fiction and black and white noir films of old. It's a fun cheeky story where all the characters are bugs and the bugs are characters.

Joey Fly Private Eye in Creepy Crawly Crime by Aaron Reynolds is a definite must read for those who like the Chet Gecko mysteries.

For 4th & up.

CREEPY, AND CREEPIER

Courtney has just moved into her uncle's mansion with her clueless and self absorbed parents when she realizes there's something strange about her uncle's mansion. The kids in the new school are weird but the mansion and her uncle are seriously creepy. Curiosity gets the better of Courtney and all is not as it seems in the Crumrin mansion or the 'burbs. her uncle catches her going through his things and she sees that he's not the creepy one but he's just private and trying to protect her from a cast of creepier characters living in another world alongside the human world. She discovers the talking cat, a wolf, and other magical and dark beings whom she must conquer in order to survive.

Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things by Ted Naifeh is truly creepy graphic novel for those who like Cirque Du Freak or those too old for Goosebumps. Just looking at the blank eyes of the characters in the book are enough to give you the shivers.

For 6th & up.

PEG LEG GIRL PIRATE

Descended from a notorious female pirate? That what Polly is told one night when she is mysteriously transported in her bed in the middle of the night to meet some of her mother's former pirate mates. All they want from her is to take up where her mother left off... her rightful place as The Pirate Queen. Polly never thought adventure and the improper life of piracy was not for her. That kind of life is not for her, but soon she must choose when her life is in jeopardy.

Polly and the Pirates by Ted Naifeh - an unlikely adventure for an unlikely heroine. Fast paced action for a graphic novel readers grades 4th & up.

JELLABY BELLABY

Awakened by a mysterious dream, Portia discovers what she presumes is a lost purple dragon like creature in the woods behind her home. Hiding her new secret companion becomes very hard since Jellaby keeps following her wherever she goes. After seeing a photograph of a door, Portia decides that must be where Jellaby came from, and sets off on a journey to the city to take him home.


An unusual graphic adventure for readers in 4th grade and older.
Jellaby by Kean Soo.