Format: Graphic Novel

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

Egg or Eyeball?

Egg or Eyeball?Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball? by Cece Bell
ISBN: 1536204390
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Chick and Brain are back for another humorous early reader graphic novel from Newbery Honor Winner, Cece Bell. Brain finds an eyeball, and Chick says it’s an egg. The book follows their disagreement and logic about why it is one or the other. Along the way, they wake up other creatures, first a dog, then a very large cat, then…..something else. Is it an egg or an eyeball? You’ll have to read it to find out.

This is a great book for the beginning reader. The text is simple with many repeated words for building confidence. The story is silly, so young kids will find it funny and engaging. The illustrations are cartoonish and simple but definitely add to the story by providing emotion and drama. Recommended for beginning readers aged 4-7.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Stepping Stones

Stepping StonesStepping Stones by Lucy Knisley
Published by Random House Graphic on May 5, 2020
ISBN: 1984896849
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Knisley’s first graphic novel for middle grade readers is a strong entry into the canon of realistic fiction and will appeal to readers of this genre. Jen’s parents have divorced and now she has been whisked from the city to a farm in the country where she is expected to do her share of the farm chores. She is resentful and feels isolated and ignored. Her mother’s boyfriend is not a sympathetic character  but he has two daughters who, in predictable fashion, we are set up not to like but to whom we come around as Jen does. This story is based on Knisley’s childhood experience and her author’s note at the end provides some warmer context for the hard-nosed Walter. A Kirkus reviewer called the book “painfully realistic” which is an apt description. It is also honest and engaging and well-drawn. Give to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jenny Holm.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library

four-stars

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian RefugeesThe Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1328810151
Pages: 112
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Don Brown wanted to tell the story of the Syrian refugees. He wanted the focus to be on their plight and their stories. In order to get accurate information, he visited a refugee camp in Greece, outside a former Greek air base. In graphic novel form, he tells their story – the horror of war, the torture of men, women and children, fleeing from one horrific place to another, never knowing whether you will live to see the end of the day. His illustrations convey both the hopelessness of their-plight and the hopefulness of a people who will not be defeated. This is a hard book to read yet it should be read and discussed. It causes the reader to wonder if this could really be happening in this day and age. How could people be treated so badly for wanting to be free and decide their own fate?

In Brown’s postscript he states”There are about 5.7 million registered refugees. In the first three months of 2018, the United States has accepted eleven for resettlement.”

Suggested reading level is grades 9-12

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

five-stars