The Time Museum (Time Museum, #2) by Matthew Loux 
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
Guts by Raina Telgemeier 
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
Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis 
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.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki, Rosemary Valero-O'Connell 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.
This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews 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.
Science Comics: Cats: Nature and Nurture by Andy Hirsch, Mikel Delgado 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
A Good Team: An Acorn Book (Unicorn and Yeti #2) by Heather Ayris Burnell, Hazel Quintanilla 
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
Science Comics: Cars: Engines That Move You by Dan Zettwoch, Diandra Leslie-Pelecky 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
Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate by M.K. Reed, Jonathan Hill 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
Mystery Club (graphic novel): Wild Werewolves; Mummy Mischief by Davide Cali, Yannick Robert 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