Old Souls

Old SoulsOld Souls by Brian McDonald, Les McClaine
Published by First Second on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1626727325
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars

Chris buys lunch everyday for a homeless man and is uncertain to why he feels obligated to do so. Eventually he understands the connection between he and the homeless man and it is unnerving. With his discovery, Chris enters into a world that leads him to his previous lives that maybe he should not have revisited. There is a previous life that needs closure in order for him to live in the present, can he do it or will his present life crash? This paranormal tale makes the reader think about how reincarnation may play within one’s life

Illustration are mainly black and white with minimal coloring. Easy to follow and a little  unsettling to read. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Pumpkinheads

PumpkinheadsPumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, Faith Erin Hicks
Published by First Second on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 1626721629
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars

Pumpkinheads might be a romance, but there is quite a bit more to this graphic novel. It is about 2 friends, Josie and Deja, and their friendship. They decide, or more like Deja decides for the two of them, that they are going to try silly and fun things on their last night at their summer job before they head off to college. Yea, it’s high schoolers, but there is nothing in here that a 5th grader couldn’t read. And the sweet romance piece at the end is just right for 5th graders starting to want a book with a bit of romance in it but not too much for others. Love that the characters are not exactly what you’d expect. Great addition to all graphic novel collections.

Cream. Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

The Giver

The GiverThe Giver: Graphic Novel by Lois Lowry, P. Craig Russell
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0544157885
Pages: 185
Goodreads
five-stars

This graphic novel adaptation of Lowry’s award-winning The Giver tackles themes of uniformity, sameness, change, and identity in a powerful and visually gripping way.  The back matter includes interviews with Lowry and Russell in which they explain their thinking about this retelling.  Russell shares the process he used to create this version, which might create fascinating lesson plans for cross-curricular work in graphic novel design.

Recommended for grades 7 and up due to some mature scenes and troubling content.

Reviewed by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

five-stars

It’s Me

It’s MeIt's Me. (Catwad, #1) by Jim Benton
Series: Catwad #1
Published by Graphix on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 1338326023
Pages: 128
Goodreads
three-stars

Sketch comedy with cats at its finest. Benton’s latest character is a grumpy, blue cat named Catwad whose best friend is a dim-witted cat named Blurmp. The two are an unlikely duo (think Odd Couple but in brighter-than-life cartoon-cat form) and when Blurmp gets an idea, hilarity follows as Catwad (over)reacts. In short vignettes of vivid color and prolific exclamation points, Catwad tries in vain to feel a tiny bit of the ignorant bliss experienced by Blurmp. There are many jokes that fall under the category of bathroom or gross-out humor, but since Captain Underpants has paved the way, kids will love this. The word dumb is also thrown around a bit. Some of the humor will go over the heads of younger readers and some of the humor might be too juvenile for older readers, but for the elementary-aged sweet spot, this book in the hands of a more reluctant reader may have you scrambling for Book 2 (coming soon!). Readers of Bird & Squirrel and Dog Man as well as fans of Grumpy Cat will eat up this graphic novel.

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

three-stars

Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice

Polar Bears: Survival on the IceScience Comics: Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice by Jason Viola
Published by First Second on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1626728232
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

Another excellent entry in the Science Comics series. This graphic novel, aimed at an upper elementary or middle grade reader but of interest to almost any age, focuses on polar bears and challenges the reader to explore the world of these bears that we think we know so much about (they are white, they live in the Arctic, they eat seals, they are losing their habitat). Reading this book was so informative; it was a deep dive into the lives of this animal. The reader will learn just how important ice is to polar bears; how they live and hunt and why; about mating and dining and stalking. Like all of the other books in the Science Comic series, Viola uses humor to discuss some of the more delicate areas like the subadult years of a polar bear and mating. And he is careful about how much gore to show when discussing hunting and eating.  Readers of the series will not be disappointed. Perhaps it will even inspire one or more of them to work on ways to protect this magnificent animal.

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

five-stars

The Sticky Rice Caper

The Sticky Rice CaperThe Sticky Rice Caper (Graphic Novel) by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1328495787
Pages: 144
Goodreads
three-stars

This graphic novel is 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. She still travels all over the world and the show, and this graphic novel, focus on one or two countries peppering facts about them into the dialogue and action. In this case, one of VILE’s agents is in Indonesia so Carmen leaves France and heads to Jakarta to figure out their dastardly plan and stop them. Filled with danger, banter, and gadgets, the GN captures the action of the show and is a nice companion for kids who might want to slow it down and rehash the story (it follows the plot line of episode 3 exactly). Carmen and her team succeed, of course, and inform the reader that they are off to Ecuador for another adventure. The endpapers include additional information about France and Indonesia and a hint for The Fishy Treasure Caper. This is not a must-buy, but it will be popular in collections where readers are familiar with the show and may give kids without the means to watch Netflix an “in” to the conversations about the show. And any book that highlights geography and informs the reader about another part of the world is a good thing.

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

three-stars

The Singing Rock and Other Brand-New Fairy Tales

The Singing Rock and Other Brand-New Fairy TalesThe Singing Rock & Other Brand-New Fairy Tales by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
Published by First Second on June 18th 2019
ISBN: 1596437502
Pages: 112
Goodreads
three-stars

A collection of four original fairy tales from Lachenmeyer, these stories are steeped in classic tropes: a genie, a nasty witch, dueling wizards, and a cruel ogre. But Lachenmeyer puts his own spin on the stories in a delightful way. The genie is trying to elicit wishes out of a frog who has accidentally rubbed the lamp; the witch’s magic is not strong enough to squash the power of music; a parrot is the key player in the war of the wizards; and that cruel ogre helps a painter see the folly of his ways. Blocker’s illustrations are clearly digitally rendered as they have a cartoonish quality and soft edges, but they work well to illustrate the tales in full-color and with enough distinction and clarity. Lachenmeyer mentions being heavily influenced by fairy tale books from his childhood, so there is clearly a deep affection for the genre, but it would have been nice not to have the only female character not be the inflexible, disagreeable witch; all of the stories feature males (even the frog feels male as the genie offers it gold, a race car, an airplane, and a speedboat). Elementary and middle school readers will enjoy this  graphic novel.

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

three-stars

Island Book

Island BookIsland Book by Evan Dahm
Published by First Second on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1626729506
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

A gorgeous graphic novel for readers in upper elementary and above that packs a lot of meaning into each seemingly simple page. Set in a world in which a young girl lives on an island where The Monster threatens and no one knows for sure what this monster is or from where it comes.  Sola is cursed because when the monster came, she did not back down or run away. Tired of being picked on, she gets in her rowboat and ventures out into the vast sea to find answers. To her wonder, her quest brings her in contact with other islands, other people and, eventually, The Monster. Does Sola finds the answer she seeks? Does she conquer The Monster? Letting his exquisite illustrations do most of the talking, Dahm captures a Yoda-esque feeling from the wisdom Sola does gain, which is very different than what she expected. A quiet book that illustrates how other does not have to mean enemy and that a monster is not so bad when you look it in the eye. The book has a number 1 on the spine; hopefully Dahm is not finished with Sola and her quest for enlightenment. This is a book that will be set apart by its size (8×8 square), the feel of it in your hands, and by the surreal illustrations and spare text which let the reader do the thinking.

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

 

four-stars

Wings of Fire the Graphic Novel: Book Two, The Lost Heir

Wings of Fire the Graphic Novel: Book Two, The Lost HeirThe Lost Heir (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel, #2) by Tui T. Sutherland
Published by Graphix on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0545942209
Pages: 224
Goodreads
four-stars

The second graphic novel of the wildly popular Wings of Fire series follows the plot of book 2 but in full-color glory. One of the dragonets of destiny is going home to the SeaWing Kingdom to meet her family. Sutherland adapts her own book to hit all of the important plot points (the joyful reunion of Tsunami with her mother Queen Coral and sister Anemone, suspicion by the SeaWings of the other dragonets, machinations happening in the rest of the kingdoms, and the intrigue of an assassin bent on eliminating all of Queen Coral’s heirs) and Mike Holmes creates the art that brings it all together. There is action, danger, and banter. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. Those new to the series will want to read book 1 and perhaps even the novel as the prolific number of dragons can be confusing to those who don’t know any of the characters.

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

four-stars

The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited

The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited! by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Carey Pietsch
Published by First Second on July 16th 2019
ISBN: 1250229286
Pages: 240
Goodreads
three-stars

This is the second book from the creators of The Adventure Zone roleplaying game podcast, the McElroys. The first one was set in a middle earth type environment and this one is now on a train (still with wizards and elves, but now there are trains involved). The first book was a hilarious send-up of D&D type games and this one makes jokes about mysteries and whodunits. Taako, Merle, and Magnus are back and on a mission to retrieve a lost (and powerful) artifact that is believed to be on the Rockport Limited train. Mishaps befall them, jokes are made, and a lot of laughter is had by all. Not as good as the first novel, but still a lot of fun.

The artwork by Carey Pietsch is detailed and humorous and really works with the RPG elements of the game, like having the Game Master pop up in little bubbles when he has to tell the players something. Aimed at teens and adults, there is some profanity and gore involved, but nothing over the top. A definite purchase for any YA or Adult graphic novel section where RPG games are big.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars