Format: Graphic Novel

Gina and the Big Secret

Gina and the Big SecretHilo Book 8: Gina and the Big Secret by Judd Winick
Series: Hilo #8
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 0593379667
Pages: 224
Genres: Humor, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Hilo and friends are back in the continuation of the story of the robot who fell to Earth and became a real boy. Book 8 continues to focus on Gina who now has the power to save the planet from an unsettling new reality. As the book opens, readers see just how much has changed on the home planet and with confidence and XX and help from her friends, Gina takes big steps to set things right. The book ends on a cliffhanger that sets up Book 9. Winnick’s illustrations have movement and personality, his characters are expressive, and his colors pop. There is humor, adventure, magic, and interesting and wacky new alien robots to keep readers swiftly turning pages. This series continues is a delight and this latest entry does not disappoint. This is an automatic purchase for any school or public library and will appeal to readers from grades 2-8.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

The Legend of Brightblade

The Legend of BrightbladeThe Legend of Brightblade by Ethan M. Aldridge
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0062995537
Pages: 208
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Aldridge, author of the beautiful Estranged duology, is back with a stand-alone graphic novel perfect for the elementary or middle grade fantasy reader. Prince Alto has heard stories of his heroic mother, Lady Brightblade, and he longs for an adventure of his own. Secretly practicing his bardic skill, he decides to venture out into the world to seek his fortune and prove that he can make it on his own. Like all good adventure stories, there is a crew of villains (using magic against people), a band of heroes (a couple of outcasts looking to prove themselves), and a quest to find answers that will lead to growth and empowerment for our hero. All of the tropes are there, but the addition of dueling lutes and bardic songs make for a satisfying read. The illustrations are bright and well-drawn and offer excellent differentiation between the villainous and the heroic songs (think red and green lasers in Star Wars). Readers of Amulet and fans of Lord of the Rings will gobble up this tale and clamor for more. Hopefully, this is not the last we see of Alto.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese AmericanMessy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0063067773
Pages: 272
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Gao shares her experiences in this timely and riveting coming-of-age account of moving from Wuhan to Texas. She faces lifelong challenges with racism, homophobia, and navigating her relationship with her parents. As with so many immigrant children, she tries to balance her new life with finding ways to honor her heritage. 

As a young child, Gao was raised by her grandparents alongside two cousins. The trio ran through rice paddies and lily pad ponds, made mischief and savored traditional foods. Suddenly uprooted once her parents completed graduate school in the United States, Gao moved to Texas to begin life as an American. Soon after, her little brother was born, and she gained an ally for life.

As is the case for many preteens, adolescents, and young adults, Gao’s developing sense of self often conflicted with her parents’ and society’s expectations. Recommended for high schoolers, this book will resonate with all kids in some ways, but provides an important voice for today’s Asian American youth.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Girl on fire

Girl on fireGirl on Fire by Alicia Keys, Andrew Weiner, Brittney Williams
Published by Harper Alley on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0063029561
Pages: 224
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Full disclosure: if you’re not already singing Keys’ 2012 hit to yourself you will be soon. 

In many ways, this is your classic superhero comic: a main character who has a strange experience that triggers the onset of special powers, a villain, a best friend sidekick, and the tension between good and evil. As a modern graphic novel, however, it weaves in real and important contemporary themes such as the mistreatment of black Americans by police officers, how drugs and gangs affect communities, and the struggle of having an absent parent. 

Lolo is with her brother when he is blamed for a crime he had nothing to do with. She surprises herself when she is able to use a newly-discovered power to help him escape from the cops, and even more surprised when she later falls backward off the roof of a building and floats back up to safety. When she finds herself cornered and blackmailed by a local thug, she’s not quite sure what to do. As she watches the people she loves fall into harm’s way, she has to decide how much she’s willing to put herself at risk to save them. 

This book is fun with just enough tension to keep you turning the pages quickly. The creators do a great job of balancing the classic comics feel with important themes to get teens reflecting. Recommended for high school students. 

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

Linty: A Pocketful of Adventure

Linty: A Pocketful of AdventureLinty: A Pocketful of Adventure by Mike Shiell
Published by Kids Can Press on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 1525304941
Pages: 64
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel, Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
I have to give a shout-out to Mike Shiell, the author of Linty. He realized that there are too few books out there that feature agoraphobic lint, and he set out to change that. The result is a brightly colored story about Linty, who after years of isolation in a denim pocket gets his first taste of adventure and friendship when a child fills that pocket with random things (an acorn, a bottle cap, two peas (?)).  After the friends leave because of an impending wash, Linty tries to go back to his normal daily routine but feels empty. Can he overcome his fear of the world outside the pocket and find his beloved new friends again?

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

three-stars

Bedhead Ted

Bedhead TedBedhead Ted by Scott SanGiacomo
Published by Quill Tree Books on August 24, 2021
ISBN: 0062941321
Pages: 224
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Ted has huge hair. He’s always had huge hair. He’s also always been teased about his hair. He and his best friend, Stacy, are on a quest to figure out the true identity of local folklore lengend, the Brookside Beast. When a few new friends enter the fray, Ted finds himself feeling alone and jealous of Stacy’s time. When Ted discovers his hair has magical powers, and that these powers go back generations in his family, it seems his hair may be a blessing rather than a curse.

This is a fun-lighthearted read for younger middle grade readers. There are friendship and emotional issues that many kids face on a daily basis, and they’re tackled at an age-appropriate level, and readers will identify with Ted’s struggles. The illustrations are cartoonish, help carry the story, and add humor and emotion throughout.

Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Clark the Shark and the School Sing

Clark the Shark and the School SingClark the Shark and the School Sing by Bruce Hale, Guy Francis
Published by HarperAlley on June 22, 2021
ISBN: 0062912577
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Early Reader, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Clark is super excited for the school sing, he LOVES to sing. When the teacher tells him he’ll have to sing and dance at the same time, Clark wonders if he can actually do that. His friends and some practice help him feel confident.

This early reader is in graphic novel format. The text is simple but has some challenging words and phrases in it. The graphic novel format may present a bit of a challenge for new readers, but this is the perfect way to introduce them to panels and speech bubbles. The illustrations are loud and busy and some kids may find this distracting. They definitely add emotion and motion to the story.

Recommended for readers 5 and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Treasure in the lake

Treasure in the lakeTreasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment
Published by HarperAlley on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 0063065185
Pages: 208
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Iris is always looking for adventure, and she’s not going to be held back by her life long friend Sam. Sam is more timid, and Iris gets frustrated with his juvenile antics. When the lake they live on is suddenly dry, an entire city is revealed, and Iris can’t help but explore all the treasures within. Looming flood waters have Sam concerned, but Iris keeps exploring. Their harrowing escape and the discoveries they make along the way bring these two friends together despite their differences. This is a fun, quick graphic novel with lots of emotion, mystery, and adventure. The illustrations are colorful, at times dark, and really carry the story. The story isn’t text heavy, so this is a perfect book to give to a reluctant reader or to new readers of longer graphic novels. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Stealing Home

Stealing HomeStealing Home by David Namisato, J. Torres
Published by Kids Can Press on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 1525303341
Pages: 112
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Baseball loving Sandy and his family are living in Vancouver, British Columbia when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. It isn’t long before they are ripped away from their everyday life and sent to an internment camp. Sandy has difficulty adjusting to life at the camp and struggles to maintain a relationship with his father. Playing baseball brings back a sense of normalcy and camaraderie to an otherwise helpless and depressing situation.

Formatting this story as a graphic novel helps make this content accessible to the younger age group it is meant for. And the illustrations provide a stronger portrayal of the emotional impact of the discrimination and injustice faced by Japanese Canadian citizens (and their United States counterparts) than would be had by words alone. While the story seems to end a bit abruptly, it is nonetheless an important story to tell and a purchase that will add value to historical fiction collections in both school and public libraries. 

Grades 3-6

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Graceling: The Graphic Novel

Graceling: The Graphic NovelGraceling (Graphic Novel) by Gareth Hinds, Kristin Cashore
Published by Etch/Clarion Books on November 16, 2021
ISBN: 0358250471
Pages: 272
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
In “Graceling: The Graphic Novel,” Gareth Hinds adapts Kristin Cashore’s first novel in the Graceling Realm series. Retelling the broad strokes of the story, we meet Katsa, a young woman with special powers called a “grace.” Those who have graces have two differently colored eyes. Katsa’s grace seems to be the power to kill easily, so she is the perfect royal assassin. After meeting another graced fighter from another kingdom, Katsa rebels against her uncle and leaves to seek out the true kidnappers of a neighboring royal.

Themes of power and corruption as well as acceptance of oneself and friendship are shown throughout the novel, with those in power typically abusing it and Katsa coming to accept herself, setting her own boundaries, and allowing herself to befriend and love others. The artwork is simple and colorful and it is very easy to follow the story. You can tell that Hinds really loved Cashore’s original novel (which you’ll find out if you read the afterword about how the graphic novel came to be).

This book should appeal to both those who read the book back in 2008 as well as new readers who discover the series through this graphic novel. Recommended for teens and young adults, this graphic novel is a must buy for your YA collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars