Swamp Thing

Swamp ThingSwamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater, Morgan Beem
Published by DC Comics on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1401293239
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
two-stars

Twins, Alec and Walker Holland, could not be more different. Walker is social and outgoing and Alec is focused on his lab work and introverted. When family issues cause tension at home, they go to live with extended family for the summer. Walker brings his life-of-the party attitude with him, while Alec brings his lab experiments. After an incident at a party, Walker finds himself in trouble, and for the first time, needs the help of his twin, Alec and his experiments. The artwork in this graphic novel is filled with lush green hues which illustrate the plant life in Alec’s experiments; however, it cannot unite all the plot lines that are happening. The story moves along at a confusing pace and at the sake of developing any depth. The whole beginning feels like it must be a recap because it plunges into the action so quickly without establishing a foundation. That being said, readers will want to read this graphic novel because of author Maggie Stiefvater. This book should be considered an additional selection.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

two-stars

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier

Astronauts: Women on the Final FrontierAstronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani, Maris Wicks
Published by First Second on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1626728771
Pages: 176
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Narrated by former astronaut, Mary Cleaves, this graphic memoir celebrates the lives and many achievements of history’s famous female astronauts. Written with humor and frustration felt by many of these women going into a field that was designed and run by men.

Illustrations compliment the text and are easy to follow. Recommended for grades 6 and up and especially for those young women that think this is a possibility for them.

five-stars

The Golden Age: Book 1

The Golden Age: Book 1The Golden Age, Book 1 by Cyril Pedrosa, Roxanne Moreil
Published by First Second on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1250237947
Pages: 224
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Princess Tilda, is on the run, as rightful heir to the throne. Her remaining allies are doing their best to keep her safe and alive, but are only one step ahead of the Princess’s usurper — her younger brother.

Translated from French, this is the first in a duology in this fantasy graphic series.  Illustrations are bold and compliment the text as the story moves on. Ends on a  cliff hanger, leaving the reader unsure and curious to what happens next.

Recommended for grades 7 and up, but would be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys Arthurian type stories.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Alien Nate

Alien NateAlien Nate by Dave Whamond
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525302094
Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

A very satisfying graphic novel for the early reader about a pizza loving  purple alien.  He has one mission which he completes with gusto; find, consume, and bring home pizza.   But wait, how can an alien do this alone, doesn’t he need human assistance?  Enter his new BBF Fazel who’s eyes are almost as large as Nate’s.  This is an introductory graphic that has all the humor, action and colorful illustrations necessary to make it become a favorite.   Adults will also enjoy the storyline as well as the unlaying morals shown by the young characters.

Add this to school and public libraries and consider gifting to 1-3rd grade teachers.  When relatives ask what should they purchase for a holiday gift, do share this title and send them to the nearest bookstore. Hope we see a sequel to this in the near future.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Cassandra Animal Psychic 2: Out on a Limb

Cassandra Animal Psychic 2: Out on a LimbCassandra, Animal Psychic by Haelaene Canac, Isabelle Bottier, Norwyn Mactyre
ISBN: 154154398X
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
two-stars

Cassandra can speak with animals, and in this second installment of this series, she is trying to find a new home for the dog of an elderly friend. Amidst that plot line, she’s also nervous about a first date, and things seem doomed on that front after it doesn’t go as she imagined it would.

The illustrations in this graphic novel are colorful and in a style typical of many graphic novels right now. The story is underwhelming and not all that engaging. The plot seems confusing in that the pet story line seems more geared towards 2nd-3rd grade readers, but the first date plot line is more appropriate for older readers. I’d give this book to kids no younger than 4th grade because of the dating plot line (which eventually involved kissing).

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Lizard in a Zoot Suit

Lizard in a Zoot SuitLizard in a Zoot Suit by Marco Finnegan
Published by Graphic Universe on August 4, 2020
ISBN: 1541523652
Pages: 144
Genres: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
two-stars

Staged during the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles, a group of sailors are harassing twins sisters, Flaca and Cuata, when a man-lizard creature saves them. In order to get the creature back to whatever subterranean realm he came from, the sisters need to dress him in the garb of the day — a Zoot Suit.

Colors are very minimal — yellow, black and white — not easy to look at while reading. The historical information is loose, though there is a brief history of the Zoot Suit Riots in the back that is interesting. Unfortunately, not an overall fan of this graphic novel.

Recommended for grades 5-12.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

two-stars

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in PicturesThe Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures by Noelle Stevenson
Published by HarperTeen on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062278274
Pages: 208
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

The Fire Never Goes Out chronicles eight years of the author’s young adult life in the form of sketches and text.  As the years progress, so does the author’s self-portraits and experiences. She discovers herself through good times and bad, professional successes and defining her independence, many times in letters that she has written  to herself. This book is a National Book Award Finalist.

Fans of Nimona, will love this memoir and those looking to relate on self-understanding and approval. Recommended for grades 10 and above.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

InvestiGATORS

InvestiGATORSInvestiGators by John Patrick Green
Published by First Second on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 1250219957
Pages: 208
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Brash and Mango are two investi-gators for S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigaion Teams), and they’re hot on a case about a missing baker. Going undercover, they discover some nefarious and humorous characters, but will they be able to rescue the baker and save his secret recipes?

This new graphic novel series will be a hit with fans of Dog Man and the like. The story is fun, there are loads of puns and witty humor, and kids will love it. There are, however, some ethnic stereotypes portrayed for the sake of humor, and it feels unnecessary and inappropriate. Hopefully the subsequent books in the series will not include this aspect as I think the series will be quite popular. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Maker Comics: Grow a Garden

Maker Comics: Grow a GardenMaker Comics: Grow a Garden! by Alexis Frederick-Frost
Published by First Second on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 1250152143
Pages: 128
Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Will, Violet, and Basil are students at the Garden Gnome Academy, and they’ve just landed in the class taught by the least popular teacher, Mr. Butternut. He teaches about composting and growing gardens — and it turns out to be a bit more fun than simple vegetable gardening.

This graphic novel is a combination of a fictional plot with a lot of information about gardening. While I like the idea, it just doesn’t seem to work for me. The plot is loosely there throughout, but there are also pages where the kids are just learning about gardening. I feel like a simple but well-done graphic nonfiction book about gardening may work better. I do like the information presented as it encompasses many types of gardening with several DIY activities to try at home. Recommended for 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier

Astronauts: Women on the Final FrontierAstronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani, Maris Wicks
Published by First Second on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1626728771
Pages: 176
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a fascinating graphic novel of the story of the first women astronauts, from cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova to Sally Ride to Mary Cleave. This is not only an interesting and informative look at the world of space flight and scientific experiments in space, it is also the history of women’s equality. The text is funny at times and the illustrations are beautiful.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars