Format: Graphic Novel

Super Potato’s Galactic Breakout

Super Potato’s Galactic BreakoutSuper Potato's Galactic Breakout by Artur Laperla
Series: Super Potato #2
Published by Graphic Universe (TM) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1512440221
Pages: 56
Goodreads
three-stars

In the second book of this comedic graphic novel series aimed at readers in grades 2-4, Super Potato is minding his business, flying along, when he is captured by Zort the Third, the Slug King, an alien who is collecting one specimen per planet. Unfortunately for Zort, he picked the wrong Earthling! Once aboard Zort’s ship, Super Potato hatches a plan to free himself and all of the other captive aliens. Using the programming of Zort’s dutiful Robot against itself, Super Potato soon has command of the situation though he didn’t take into consideration that not all aliens get along peacefully. In the end Super Potato is returned to Earth with the promise of future adventures. With humor, wham-bam action and appealing colorful, cartoonish illustrations, Laperla should continue to get fans for his superhero spud extraordinaire.

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

three-stars

Joe Quinn’s Poltergeist

Joe Quinn’s PoltergeistJoe Quinn's Poltergeist by David Almond
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 153620160X
Pages: 80
Goodreads
four-stars

A strange, dark book that will take a few reads to truly appreciate. The title and cover suggest that this is a horror story, and it does have a few ghosts in the plot, but one of the most important “ghosts” is the memory of the narrator’s sister,  Barbara, who died when she was a little girl. The poltergeist in Joe Quinn’s house is the plot device that allows Davie, the narrator, to process Barbara’s death and to question the point of being alive. A rumination of death, loss, religion, and purpose, this highly illustrated novella packs a lot into 80 pages. McLean’s mixed media illustrations have a surreal quality and are haunting and evocative; they make Almond’s story that much more nuanced and gripping. Upper middle grade and high school readers who are fans of dark graphic novels like Gaiman and (Gareth) Hinds as well as fans of other collaborations by Almond & McKean will want to sit with this one and savor it and “the world and all that’s in it will continue to hum and sing, to shake and shine, to hold us in its darkness and its light.”

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

four-stars

Estranged: The Changeling King

Estranged: The Changeling KingThe Changeling King (Estranged, #2) by Ethan M. Aldridge
Published by HarperCollins on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 0062653903
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars

The second book in the Estranged series is as beautifully illustrated, engaging, and action-packed as the first. The boy changeling Edmund Carter has been returned to his human family and the Fay Cinder has been returned to the World Below to rule as king. When there is a threat to all magic in the World Below, Cinder must call upon his family and his friends to help him solve the problem. Plot twists, battles, magic, and family allegiances are part of this sweeping, dense, engaging graphic novel.  The ending hints at a third volume to tie up a loose end from this book and it would be very welcome. Give to readers of the Amulet series or Gregor the Overlander series. Recommended for more sophisticated upper elementary readers and then middle school and up.

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

five-stars

Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration

Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of ImmigrationOpen Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration by Bryan Caplan, Zach Weinersmith
Published by First Second on October 29th 2019
ISBN: 1250316960
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars

In this graphic non-fiction book, economics professor Bryan Caplan teams up with cartoonist Zach Weinersmith to demonstrate why open borders are the best way to handle immigration, both scientifically and ethically.  With a clear cartoon style and a wealth of graphs, Caplan walks the reader through objections to immigration, ultimately showing how open borders benefit the United States specifically and the world as a whole, while walking the line between political sides that can often be highly contentious.

Fantastic for middle school, high school, and even adult patrons, Open Borders will be in high demand wherever graphic non-fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

five-stars

Are You Listening?

Are You Listening?Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden
Published by First Second on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 1250207568
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

Bea is a runaway and happens to run into Lou, a friend of her mother’s, at a gas station in Texas. Both are running from truths in their lives that seem to be haunting them — grief and abuse. In their travels, Bea and Lou find a lost cat and  set intentions of returning it to its rightful home in a town that doesn’t seem to exist.

Detailed illustrations depict subtleties in the story along with adding an air of paranoia, friendship and healing. Colors are in dark hues and tones that change with the scenes. Well developed characters and plot with LGBTQIA diversity in the story line. Fans of Tillie Walden will thoroughly enjoy this latest edition.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Wolfe Monster and the Big Bad Pizza Battle

Wolfe Monster and the Big Bad Pizza BattleWolfie Monster and the Big Bad Pizza Battle by Joey Ellis
Published by Graphix on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1338186035
Pages: 144
Goodreads
three-stars

Monster brothers Wolfie, Jackson, and Roy run the local pizza joint, though it’s pizza isn’t very good and they are barely keeping the doors open.Then a large corporate pizza company, Happy Leaf, comes to town. The boys are ready sell out, that is until Wolfie discovers that the CEO, Lord Mudpant, of Happy Leaf has a plan to turn the people of Oak Hollow into zombies and robots through their good tasting pizza. Can the boys thwart Mudpant’s nefarious plans?

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

three-stars

The Time Museum vol. 2

The Time Museum vol. 2The Time Museum (Time Museum, #2) by Matthew Loux
Published by First Second on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 1596438509
Pages: 208
Goodreads
two-stars

In this second volume of the Time Museum , Delia and her team of time travelers head to Versailles in 1778. Apparently they have help from Richard Nixon! Really? I find the premises presented in this book not only hard to follow but also really hard to accept. I just cannot recommend this book.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

two-stars

Guts

GutsGuts by Raina Telgemeier
Published by Graphix on September 17th 2019
ISBN: 0545852501
Pages: 213
Goodreads
four-stars

Guts is Raina Telgemeier  4th graphic novel. It is the story of 9 year old Raina and her learning to deal with an anxiety disorder. The school year starts with the typical stresses of school life. You’re friends, then in a blink of an eye you’re not, you get teased and other issues.  Raina starts getting sick to her stomach, but because her mom does too it gets chalked up to a stomach bug. However the stomach issues continue and Raina becomes so stressed out that her mom enrolls Raina in therapy.
This engaging story does a wonderful job of normalizing therapy, and presenting useful coping skills that kids can use themselves.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

four-stars

Queen of the Sea

Queen of the SeaQueen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis
Published by Walker Books US on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1536204986
Pages: 400
Goodreads
five-stars

Dylan Meconis has created a historical fiction graphic novel that will wow readers. Clearly inspired by the Tudors, especially Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, Queen of the Sea tells the story of Margaret, a little girl who was found by the nuns living on a small island in the middle of the sea. Margaret occasionally chafes against the rules of the Elysian sisters, especially when political prisoners, William and his mother, Lady Cameron, are exiled to the island. Eventually, they are also joined by Eleanor, the former queen, banished there by her half-sister, who is now sitting on her throne.

Though Margaret and Eleanor don’t get along at first, they grow to depend on each other as mysteries begin to unravel for Margaret about who she really is and what purpose the island actually serves.

Filled with a story pulsing with the drama of history and stylized illustrations that adapt to the story, Queen of the Sea is recommended for all collections serving kids between third and seventh grade.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

 

five-stars

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With MeLaura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki, Rosemary Valero-O'Connell
Published by First Second on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1626722595
Pages: 289
Goodreads
five-stars

In Mariko Tamaki’s latest graphic novel, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Freddy feels so lucky to be the girlfriend of the most popular girl in school. The problem is that Laura Dean keeps breaking up with her. And is maybe not the best girlfriend. Following the advice of her best friend, Doodle, she asks a relationship medium for help about what she should do. Freddy finds herself being drawn deeper and deeper into the relationship with Laura until she realizes that maybe the problem hasn’t been Laura–or at least it hasn’t only been Laura. Maybe she needs to work on herself and try to be a better friend, too.

Played out in stunningly detail black and white illustrations with touches of soft pink, the story unfolds to be as much about personal growth as it is about navigating relationships. The tension draws the reader forward, even as frustration with Freddy occasionally grows. Still, Freddy serves as an example of growth–showing how easy it is to mess a good thing up, and how hard it can be to work your way back.

Recommended for all teen graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

five-stars