Format: Graphic Novel

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

Garlic and the Vampire

Garlic and the VampireGarlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
Published by Quill Tree Books on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 006299509X
Pages: 160
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

The lush illustrations of this quirky graphic novel by debut author Paulsen may make you hunger for a salad. Set in a world in which a witch has imbued certain vegetables with life magic causing them, in return, to work in her garden growing more vegetables for the farmer’s market is a strange concept, but it works. The star of the book is Garlic, an anxious bulb who can’t seem to be on time for the market and who frets about all things. When it is presumed that a vampire has moved into the castle on the edge of town, the vegetables fear for the townspeople and, spurred on by grumpy Celery, nominate Garlic, with her natural defenses against things vampiric, to go to the castle and vanquish the monster. Garlic finds that things are not as they seem and a lesson is learned by all to not judge people by their reputations. The earth-tones of the illustrations, created in photoshop and procreate, the clean design and uncluttered pages, and the relatability of the unsure yet courageous main character will make this book a favorite of upper elementary aged graphic novel fans.

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

five-stars

City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm

City of Dragons: The Awakening StormThe Awakening Storm (City of Dragons #1) by Jaimal Yogis, Vivian Truong
Published by Graphix on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 133866042X
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This middle grade graphic novel is action-packed and filled with heart. The novel starts with an intense bullying scene and the loss of a dad, so these could be triggers to a reader, then fast-forwards three years. The protagonist, Grace, has now moved from the US to Hong Kong with her mother and stepfather, who works for a cutting-edge health research company (delightfully suspicious construct). Grace is newly enrolled in a private international school and meets a few kids, an interesting, motley crew consisting of a local Hong Kong native, an Aboriginal student, and an Indian student. When Grace is gifted an unusual egg during a field trip, and a small blue dragon hatches from that egg, the story takes off. Centered around Chinese mythology and dragon lore, and filled with villains who would do anything to steal the power of the secrets contained within a dragon, the book is a great start of what is sure to be further adventures. That Grace grapples with issues of friendship, self-acceptance, and family offers heart to the story. Readers will feel for her as she struggles to find peace with being part of two worlds, as she digs deep for the courage her father believed was in her, and as she watches a trusted adult make a dangerous choice. There is an intensity to the end of the book as adults brandish tranquilizer guns and a human man turns into a monstrous being. Give to fans of action graphic novels, Dungeons & Dragons, mythology, and dragons.

Age range: Grade 4 -7; ages 10-13

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

five-stars

Hooky

HookyHooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 9780358468295
Pages: 384
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Apparently this is based on the Webtoon series of the same name. A fantastical story about twin witches Dani and Dorian who have missed the bus to magic school and scramble to find a mentor to teach them before their parents find out. A fast-paced plot will keep upper elementary readers enthralled. Manga-style art matches the atmospheric characters and setting. The ending is a cliffhanger so there are sure to be more books to follow. Longer than many graphic novels at 384 pages.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

 

three-stars

Besties: Work It Out

Besties: Work It OutBesties: Work It Out by Jeffrey Canino, Kayla Miller
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on October 19, 2021
ISBN: 9780358633228
Pages: 216
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Series spin-off of the popular Click books, featuring aspiring entrepreneurs Beth and Chanda. The girls land a lucrative dogsitting job, but it quickly turns into a disaster after an accident leaves one of Ms. Langford’s prized lamps broken. The girls scramble to come up with the funds to purchase a replacement, putting a strain on their friendship. The book is primarily about the friendship of tweens  – the good, the bad, and the ugly. The typical graphic novel colorful illustrations bring the characters to life. Middle schoolers who like the other Kayla Miller and Raina Telgemeier books will enjoy it.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars