This Was Our Pact

This Was Our PactThis Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews
Published by First Second on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 1626720533
Pages: 330
Goodreads
five-stars

This Was Our Pact is a graphic novel from Ryan Andrews. Ben and his three best friends are on their bikes following the lanterns from the Autumn Equinox Festival. Every year, they follow the lanterns as they bob down the river, but turn back before they find out where they go. This year will be different because they’ve made a pact–No one turns back or looks behind them. Eventually, however, Ben’s friends do turn back and Ben is left with Nathaniel–the weird kid who has been following along. Ben and Nathaniel go on a long fantastical journey, eventually learning the truth of where the lanterns go and learn a lot about each other as they do.

This Was Our Pact is full of twists and turns that startle the reader. The stand out aspect of the graphic novels are Andrews’ illustrations. Toned in various colors, they breathe life into the stories and make the fantasy become part of the reality for the characters.

Recommended for readers between 9 and 14.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

five-stars

Cats: Nature and Nurture

Cats: Nature and NurtureScience Comics: Cats: Nature and Nurture by Andy Hirsch, Mikel Delgado
Published by First Second on August 13th 2019
ISBN: 1250143128
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

Another fantastic title in the Science Comics series. This book by Andy Hirsch (a familiar Science Comics author of Dogs, Trees, and Varmints) delves into the mystery of the cat from house cat to jungle beast.  We meet Bean, adorable internet sensation, and learn how she got to be the most viewed kitty on the Web. As Bean tells her story, the reader learns about main motivation for ALL cats: hunting. Cats are carnivores and are made for killing. This killer instinct and humans’ understanding of it speaks to how successfully a person is in living with a domesticated cat. All cats need to hunt to feel fulfilled, it’s in their nature and humans can only change that behavior so much with nurturing. The book is filled with facts about the physiology of cats from their teeth to their claws to their righting reflex (cats always land on their feet). Cat lovers will enjoy the science behind the seemingly mysterious behavior of their pet and comics readers will enjoy the humor, engaging writing, and fabulous, bright illustrations for which this series has become known. These comics are text-heavy and best for readers in grades 3 and up.

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

five-stars

Unicorn and Yeti – A Good Team

Unicorn and Yeti – A Good TeamA Good Team: An Acorn Book (Unicorn and Yeti #2) by Heather Ayris Burnell, Hazel Quintanilla
Published by Scholastic Inc. on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1338329049
Pages: 64
Goodreads
three-stars

In this early reader graphic novel style book the reader learns the story of how a Yeti and a Unicorn figure out how they can play together. Through a series of trying different games to play with each other they finally discover they can both enjoy ice skating!                                                                                                               This is a good series for the beginning reader.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

three-stars

Science Comics – Cars

Science Comics – CarsScience Comics: Cars: Engines That Move You by Dan Zettwoch, Diandra Leslie-Pelecky
Published by First Second on May 28th 2019
ISBN: 1626728224
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

Ever wonder about the history of the wheel? How about how transportation evolved through the ages and how we got to where we are in our modes of transportation now. You will learn about all this and more in this wonderful edition of Science Comics about Cars.
I am very glad that this series continues to bring science topics to kids in an entertaining and engaging way.

 

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

four-stars

Science Comics – Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology and Climate

Science Comics – Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology and ClimateScience Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate by M.K. Reed, Jonathan Hill
Published by First Second on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 1626727899
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

In this book 11 of the Science Comics series we learn about weather and the components of weather as well as the tools a meteorologist uses when making a prediction.
The difference between weather and climate,  how weather satellites help us predict future weather as well as other fun facts are all explained in this book. These wonderfully illustrated graphic novels offer  entertaining views of their subjects.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Mystery Club – Wild Werewolves Mummy Mischief

Mystery Club – Wild Werewolves Mummy MischiefMystery Club (graphic novel): Wild Werewolves; Mummy Mischief by Davide Cali, Yannick Robert
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1328528480
Pages: 112
Goodreads
two-stars

In this double mystery the kids in the Mystery Club, Zoey, Tyler, Kyle and Ashley, get to work solving the questions “ Do werewolves or mummies exist in London?”. There are many high kinks and crazy events as the kids work to solve these two mysteries.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan- retired Youth Services Librarian

two-stars

The Fishy Treasure Caper

The Fishy Treasure CaperThe Fishy Treasure Caper (Graphic Novel) by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1328495795
Pages: 144
Goodreads
three-stars

The second graphic novel based on the Netflix show which is based on an old computer game “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” The game was created to teach geography skills as Carmen hopped from country to country stealing items. The player was asked geography-related questions to determine where she was. In the Netflix series, Carmen has left a life of crime with VILE (Villains’ International League of Evil) and is determined to thwart them before they can commit crimes. In this book, Carmen is off to Ecuador and the book jumps right into the action as Carmen appears in full scuba gear searching for a sunken ship containing treasure. The treasure in this book is an old doubloon which, it turns out doesn’t have a lot of monetary value, but has cultural significance to the Ecuadorians.  Carmen has plenty of gadgets and a crew to help her navigate her mission and she has VILE operatives to fight. As the VILE villains try to acquire the doubloon, assuming that if Carmen wants it, it must be worth a lot, the reader is introduced to the importance that the fishing industry plays in Ecuador.  Action, decent pacing, and interesting geographical facts combine to make a readable book. This series will be popular in collections where readers are familiar with the show or where readers like adventure stories mixed with a little geography.

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

three-stars

Moles

MolesMoles by Rachel Poliquin, Nicholas John Frith
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on June 18th 2019
ISBN: 0544951077
Pages: 96
Goodreads
five-stars

The second in the Superpower Field Guides, Poliquin and Firth once again highlight the adaptations of an animal that are akin to super powers (the first was Beavers). This time the focus is on the mighty mole. Rosalie spends her entire life underground and has developed skills to help her build tunnels, move dirt, find worms, and survive in a world devoid of sunshine or fresh air. Poliquin has a fantastic voice, writing with genuine affection for her subject and joy for her audience (I can imagine her chucking a kid on his arm as the kid reads amazing facts aloud and saying, “I know, right!?!”). She uses scientific terms and a lot of stretch vocabulary; a glossary is included in the back of the book. Firth’s illustrations were created using a mixture of black ink, pencil, and wax crayon in a technique known as “preseparation” – the artwork was then colored digitally and the palette of brown, lime green, and coral captures the soil- and worm-filled world of the common mole.  These books are fantastic for  nonfiction or animal lovers in grades 2-5 and would fly off the shelves in a classroom or public library.  They would benefit from an INDEX!  The supersonic Ostrich is next in the series and then the shape-shifting Eel.

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

five-stars

Grimoire Noir

Grimoire NoirGrimoire Noir by Vera Greentea, Yana Bogatch
Published by First Second on July 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1626725985
Pages: 288
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

“Grimoire Noir” is a young adult graphic novel. The story follows Bucky, a teen whose little sister has gone missing. In the town of Blackwell, all girls are witches, but all boys are non-magical. It’s a bit of an “urban fantasy,” set in the present day, but with lots of dark magic. The dark supernatural mystery keeps you interested, and the world-building done by Greentea makes you want to know more about the history of this town and why only girls are magical.

The art is beautiful and definitely noir-style. There are a few dark scenes that put this in the teen/young adult category. Not necessarily a must-buy for your library unless your YA  graphic novels are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Hawking

HawkingHawking by Jim Ottaviani, Leland Myrick
Published by First Second on July 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1626720258
Pages: 304
Goodreads

Jim Ottaviani has teamed up with Leland Myrick to put together this biographical graphic novel of one of the greatest minds ever to exist in the scientific community. Written in a first person narrative, the graphic novel discusses Hawkings’ earlier years and the struggles that he faced in choosing his profession and the  degenerative muscular disease that rapidly took over his body. There is a lot of scientific discovery written into the text, which unfortunately does make the reading a tad bit boring for those who aren’t into the physics field. Despite the scientific jargon and information, anyone interested in Stephen Hawkings life might find this a doable read.

The illustration are detailed and quite colorful and easy to follow along. Recommended for grades 10 and up, but would also considered to be an adult read.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.