Format: Graphic Novel

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

The Visitor: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #2)

The Visitor: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #2)The Visitor: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #2) by Chris Grine, K.A. Applegate, Michael Grant
Published by Graphix on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 1338538373
Pages: 202
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

I have not read the first Animorphs graphic novel and I’m not at all familiar with K.A. Applegate’s series but that didn’t matter; this book was really fun. Middle grades will enjoy the tense action, great dialog, and relatable characters. A group of young teens, the Animorphs, are able to change into animal form for a limited amount of time and are using this skill to help save the world from an alien race who are turning community members into their puppets and spies. The characters are complex and engaging and the illustrations are always interesting, especially as the kids turn into or out of animal form.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Spellbiding episodes of Phoebe and her unicorn

The Spellbiding episodes of Phoebe and her unicornThe Spellbinding Episodes of Phoebe and Her Unicorn: Two Books in One by Dana Simpson
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing on July 27, 2021
ISBN: 1524869813
Pages: 352
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

A deluxe bind-up featuring all the comics from two different Phoebe and Her Unicorn books: Unicorns vs. Goblins and Razzle Dazzle Unicorn.
In these spellbinding adventures, nine-year-old Phoebe Howell and her unicorn best friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, explore the possibilities of friendship, summer camp, the holidays, and even founding their own detective agency. These entertaining, visually dazzling stories are a wonderful reminder to young readers that being weird is much more fun than being normal. 

This book is a special collection that combines all the comics from two earlier books – Unicorn vs. Goblins/book 3 and Razzle Dazzle Unicorns/book 4.

What do you get when you have a somewhat awkward, socially challenged 9 year old girl who has a vain, quirky, mythical beast for a best friend? Well, you get many tales of  give and take, enduring friendship and spellbinding adventures.  Summer camp is a

In the back pages, there is a More to explore section that includes information on how the writer makes her comics. She shows how she gets an idea and roughs it out, then runs it by her editor. Then once it is approved she does the artwork on her computer. First adding in the letter then adding in the pencil lines in light blue, then the black lines, ending with various shades of gray The colorist then does the coloring.

Also included in the back pages is a glossary of 15 words that younger readers may not have understood the meaning of.

This book is a solid addition to both public and school libraries that will appeal to readers who are fans of unicorns and Phoebe!

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

3 1/2 stars

Chunky

ChunkyChunky by Yehudi Mercado
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on June 22, 2021
ISBN: 0062972790
Pages: 208
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

A wonderful addition to the growing autobiographical graphic memoir list for upper elementary and middle grade readers, this one from a Mexican, Jewish, fat-positive perspective. Mercado, fictionalizes his struggle with weight due to a health issue. His protagonist, Hudi, visits a doctor who recommends that he exercise in an effort to get in shape, so his parents, particularly his athletic father, encourage him to try sports. Hudi is better at comedy than at catching a ball, or throwing a ball, or stopping a ball, or basically at anything sports related, but Hudi has a winning attitude and a willingness to try. After a few moments of sadness that he has to trade in his dreams of theater for a uniform, Hudi picks himself up and resolves to try. This is when his imaginary mascot, not imaginary friend, imaginary mascot, shows up. Chunky is there to cheer Hudi on in all of his athletic endeavors. He is also there to remind him that it’s okay to be funny and to want to pursue a dream of bright lights and easy laughs. Hudi has an indominable spirit and his lack of athletic prowess and injury-prone experiences never get him down. But when he finds a sport that he is actually good at but which compromises who he is, he alienates his biggest fan and finally understands that he has to find activities that make him happy and feed his heart even if they don’t help shrink his belly. Wonderful, bright illustrations and a funny bit about the changing posters in Hudi’s room depending on which sport he is attempting to play will engage readers and leave them chuckling. Give to fans of El Deafo, Short & Skinny, Smile, or New Kid. Cream of the Crop nominee.

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

four-stars