Format: Graphic Novel

The Accursed Vampire

The Accursed VampireThe Accursed Vampire by Madeline McGrane
on July 27, 2021
ISBN: 0062954350
Pages: 176
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Accursed Vampire” is a middle grade graphic novel written and illustrated by Madeline McGrane. We follow the life of Dragoslava, a child vampire who uses They/Them pronouns and was cursed by a mean witch to do her bidding. Dragoslava makes friends with two other child vampires and has fun with them until the witch calls on him to retrieve her grimoire (magic book).

The artwork is beautiful and silly which helps keep the scarier moments a bit less scary. The themes of friendship and having a chosen family repeat throughout the novel as Dragoslava decides whether they would prefer to be cursed and be with their friends or remain uncursed, but hurt those that they love.

Written for kids aged 10-12, “The Accursed Vampire” is a welcome addition to any middle grade graphic novel collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Yorick and Bones: Friends by Any Other Name

Yorick and Bones: Friends by Any Other NameYorick and Bones: Friends by Any Other Name by Hermione Tankard, Jeremy Tankard
Published by Quill Tree Books on May 11, 2021
ISBN: 006285433X
Pages: 160
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Yorick and Bones:  Friends by Any Other Name

 

The father and daughter duo of Jeremy and Hermione Tankard have written their second graphic novel based on Shakespeare’s plays and characters as Yorick and Bones attend a costume party.  The drawings are excellent and the plot provides an introduction to a study of Shakespeare for elementary or middle school age students.

Knowing the characters and the plays will help in understanding the humor.  It can be read in less than an hour.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

The Girl From the Sea

The Girl From the SeaThe Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag
Published by Graphix on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1338540572
Pages: 256
Genres: Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Fans of Ostertag’s Witch Boy series will be very happy with this new graphic novel. Actually, just about anyone would be happy with it because it’s a perfect middle school to teen romance that combines selkie mythology with a teen who is reluctant to let her friends and family know that she is gay. Great character development, beautiful and clever illustrations, plenty of friend drama, some boating action, and a heart-straining but satisfying resolution make this hard to put down. Suggest this for fans of Noelle Stevenson and Kat Leyh.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Power Up

Power UpPower Up by Darnell Johnson, Sam Nisson
Published by Etch/Clarion Books on February 23, 2021
ISBN: 035832565X
Pages: 224
Genres: Adventure
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

This gaming-intensive graphic novel for middle schoolers might appeal to reluctant readers who love video games. Miles and Rhys are two 11 year olds who unknowingly attend the same school by day and join forces to fight as giant robots (and best friends) after school. There is some bullying drama and the novel lightly touches upon exclusion and behavioral issues, but for the most part, it’s all about the video game sequences. The two main characters and their families are likable and the story is engaging, even if you’re not a gamer.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Katie the Catsitter

Katie the CatsitterKatie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable, Stephanie Yue
Published by Amistad, Random House Books for Young Readers on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0593306325
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Katie wants nothing more than to join her friend at summer camp but her Mom simply can’t afford it. Katie tries her hand at various odd jobs in her building to earn money but fails at all but cat sitting. Her neighbor Ms. Lang hires her to take care of her 217 (yes, 217!) cats each evening while she heads out to work. Meanwhile, the superhero Eastern Screech (as in owl) is trying to track down the identity of the villain Mousetress. As the summer progresses, Katie hears less from her friend at camp and starts to make new friends while trying to figure out what it is that Ms. Lang does each evening — and what are those 217 cats up to?

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

The Girl From the Sea

The Girl From the SeaThe Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag
Published by Graphix on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1338540572
Pages: 256
Genres: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

A stunning graphic novel from the author of the Witch Boy trilogy, this one aimed at a slightly older audience. Morgan lives on an island with her divorced mom and her angry younger brother. She is gay but has not come out to anyone, not even her three closest friends; she is afraid of being different preferring to stay closeted and blend in. When she kisses a mysterious girl on the beach, she unknowingly binds that girl to her because she is a selkie and a kiss is a promise. Morgan is simultaneously thrilled and terrified by this new development. Instead of dealing with it or talking with anyone, she hides Keltie and their growing involvement. A story that illustrates the difficulty a teen can have coming to grips with who they are and how to communicate with others, even those who seem to be accepting and open. The artwork is lovely and Keltie is a full-bodied girl who seems fearless yet has a secret of her own. Hand to fans of Tillie Walden and  Vera Brosgol, or to those who enjoy a strong coming of age story.  Highly recommend.

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

five-stars

Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite

Burt the Beetle Doesn’t BiteBurt the Beetle Doesn't Bite! by Ashley Spires
Published by Kids Can Press on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1525301462
Pages: 56
Genres: Animals, Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Burt is a June Beetle, though he insists he likes May just as much! This is a funny and educational look at beetles by well-loved author, Ashley Spires. In her typical mix of humor and fact, Spires reaches audiences who may not otherwise pick up nonfiction. The book is set up in the graphic novel format so it will also appeal to reluctant and emerging readers. The illustrations are humorous cartoons with anthropomorphized animals. Mixed in with the facts about bugs, there is a story of perseverance and friendship. Recommended for wide purchase and for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Sylvie

SylvieSylvie by Sylvie Kantorovitz
Published by Walker Books US on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 1536207624
Pages: 352
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

In this graphic memoir, author Sylvie Kantorovitz recounts many aspects of her childhood in France. She was born in Morocco, and kids at her school tease her about this. She lives in an apartment at the end of a hallway of classrooms. She isn’t the kid her mom wants her to be, but her father is supportive (although quietly) of her eccentricities. Sylvie finds herself in art. This memoir is interesting albeit a bit directionless at times. Sylvie is delightfully awkward, quirky, and real. Kids will relate to her struggles and her conflicts with both friends and family. The art is simple and cartoonish but conveys Sylvie’s emotions well. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Escape at 10,000 Feet

Escape at 10,000 FeetUnsolved Case Files: Escape at 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money by Tom Sullivan
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0062991523
Pages: 104
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a new graphic nonfiction series about unsolved cases, and it begins with the only unsolved skyjacking in American history. In 1971, a man boarded a plane, requested money and some parachutes, then jumped out of the back of the plane. He has never been seen since. This is a fun series that will delight young sleuths. The text is interspersed with many images of actual evidence as well as extra sidebar bits of information about the time period or the nature of the crime. This series is sure to be a hit. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Allergic

AllergicAllergic: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter
Published by Graphix on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1338568906
Pages: 240
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

An engaging and heartwarming graphic novel that tells the story of a girl, her love for animals, and the allergies that keep them apart. Maggie dreams of having a pet. When her parents agree to let her get a dog, her dream is close to coming true. But, in addition to finding her perfect pup, Maggie discovers her raging allergies to all things furred and feathered. She tries other pets from lizards to turtles to tarantulas (seriously?), but none of these quite fit. Resigned to allergy shots (which will lessen but not eliminate her allergic reactions) and a pet-less life, Mia is devastated. When a new neighbor, Claire, moves in next door, Maggie is thrilled to have a new friend to take her mind off of her dog-free life. In a typical coming-of-age story, things go wrong as Claire makes a decision that deeply hurts Maggie; Maggie attempts to thwart her own allergies; and a shift occurs in Maggie’s family dynamic that causes her to reassess her views. Lloyd’s story is well-crafted and Nutter’s cozy illustrations perfectly capture the turmoil and melodrama of the thoughts and feelings of a middle grader. The design of the book is clean with plenty of white space and an uncluttered flow. Fans of RainaTelgemeier and Jennifer Holmes will gravitate to this book, but all lovers of graphic novels will gobble it up.

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

five-stars