Format: Graphic Novel

Evil Emperor Penguin Strikes Back

Evil Emperor Penguin Strikes BackEvil Emperor Penguin: Strikes Back by Laura Ellen Anderson
Published by David Fickling Books on May 29th 2018
ISBN: 1338185934
Pages: 64
Goodreads
three-stars

A series of comic vignettes detailing Evil Penguin’s plans for world domination. Fortunately for the world, Penguin’s sidekicks are fluffy, fuzzy, and accident-prone (messing up most diabolic inventions before they have a chance to enact whichever dastardly deed they are supposed to carry out). Though a slim volume, this graphic novel has dense text and advanced vocabulary making it a great challenge for emerging readers (who will delight in the bright, clear illustrations) and a perfect fit for older elementary and middle school readers who appreciate silliness coupled with wry humor. Fans of the first Evil Emperor Penguin graphic novel will enjoy further exploits of this bird with a chip on his shoulder and zero skill at follow-through.

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

three-stars

The Divided Earth

The Divided EarthThe Divided Earth (The Nameless City, #3) by Faith Erin Hicks
Published by First Second on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1626721602
Pages: 272
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

How can peace be established in a region under siege? Are weapons the answer? Politics? In this third and final installment in The Nameless City series by Faith Erin Hicks, readers follow Rat and Kai as they attempt to the ancient weapon of mass destruction that has been hidden from the world. Meanwhile, The Named, who live in The Nameless City, are caught in the middle of the struggle raising themes of belonging and acceptance. Hicks is both the illustrator and author of this fantasy world (color by Jordie Bellaire). Readers who have read the first two books in the series will be anxious to read the final book. Libraries who do not own the series and have young fantasy readers should consider purchasing it. The characters are extremely relatable and likable, the illustrations are vibrant, and the themes provide readers with a lot to ponder even after they have finished reading.  

Recommended for grades 4-8.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

Lucy and the Neanderthals: Bad to the Bone

Lucy and the Neanderthals: Bad to the BoneBad to the Bones (Lucy & Andy Neanderthal, #3) by Jeffrey Brown
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on August 28th 2018
ISBN: 0385388411
Pages: 208
Goodreads
four-stars
In the third book of the Lucy and Andy Neanderthal series, our favorite Neanderthals and their human friends discover dinosaur fossils! This graphic novel tells us a lot of interesting stuff about ancient humans and Neanderthals by switching between the scenes from the past and scientists from today. For example, did you know that research has shown that Neanderthals had allergies? Fascinating! However, even when the author uses comedic license for the story, he corrects it later so that readers know that despite their allergies, “there are no studies on how much Neanderthals wiped their noses on their sleeves!” We learn about dinosaurs, woolly rhinos, what type of bedding Neanderthals used, and a bunch of other awesome stuff!

The stories move quickly and are funny. I was super impressed by how informative it was! This book will appeal to reluctant readers as well as voracious ones. I would recommend this series for fans of Jeffrey Brown’s Jedi Academy series or Big Nate readers looking to branch out.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrookazon

four-stars

Mr. Wolf’s Class

Mr. Wolf’s ClassThe First Day of School (Mr. Wolf's Class #1) by Aron Nels Steinke
Published by Graphix on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 133804768X
Pages: 160
Goodreads
four-stars
Mr. Wolf’s Class  by Eisner Award-winning author Aron Nels Steinke follows a teacher (Mr. Wolf) and several of his students on the first day of fourth grade. This is the first in a series (second book is coming out February 2019) and it’s a great start! We see Mr. Wolf setting up his classroom the day before and most of his students going to sleep. I appreciated the fact that Steinke shows all of the kids in various sleeping situations; yes, most are in beds, but some are on couches, on mattresses on the floor, one is being kept up by a crying baby, and one is asleep while riding in a car. Mr. Wolf’s class is also diverse, with one main character wearing a hijab and kids who work and learn in different ways. Overall, Mr. Wolf manages to survive a missing kid, a stapler-stealing coworker, and his first day of teaching. The illustrations are simple, colorful, and very funny. The kids in the story are realistic, diverse, and keep you interested. I would suggest this book to kids who like Cucumber Quest and for libraries that carry middle grade graphic novels. Recommended for grades 2 – 5.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Making Friends

Making FriendsMaking Friends by Kristen Gudsnuk
Published by Graphix on July 31st 2018
ISBN: 1338139215
Pages: 272
Goodreads
four-stars
Readers of realistic, friendship-themed graphic novels will be drawn to this title. Once the book is in their hands, they will find a fantastical twist to the plot, and while the twist doesn’t diminish the message and shouldn’t turn any readers away since it is really well-done, it does push the book into the fantasy genre.

Who wouldn’t want the power to draw the perfect friend? Dany is struggling with the adjustment to middle school. Her two best friends from elementary school are not in any of her classes or her lunch, so Dany feels isolated and alone; bully Nick is not helping matters. When Dany’s great aunt dies, Dany inherits a sketchbook, but it is no ordinary sketchbook. When doodling the head of her favorite character, evil Prince Neptune from the show Solar Sisters, causes the head to pop off the page and into Dany’s life, she realizes that she might have found the magical key to her loneliness. She will draw a new, perfect best friend, one who is attractive, witty, and programmed to love and support Dany, thereby making Dany cool and attractive by association. The problem is the characters created by the notebook are as real as any natural-born humans with minds of their own. Madison doesn’t appreciate being plopped into the world with no story and no family. And Prince Neptune can’t abandon his evil thoughts and his need for power at the expense of human lives (he absorbs their energy to bolster his own power). When things go horribly wrong, Dany has to rely on other people, people who are not only willing, but happy to support and route for her. The messages that we have more people in our lives who like us and that you have to be a friend to make a friend are well-drawn and are important for middle-school-aged readers to hear/read/see over and over.  Gudsnuk’s full-color, bright illustrations are eye-catching and all of her characters are distinct and easy to identify. The magic in the book works well with the plot and sets up a sequel for Dany and her now-magical friends should Gudsnuk have more adventures in mind. Add this to any school or public library.

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

four-stars

The Cardboard Kingdom

The Cardboard KingdomThe Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell, Jay Fuller, David DeMeo, Katie Schenkel, Kris Moore, Molly Muldoon, Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, Michael Cole, Cloud Jacobs, Barbara Perez Marquez
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on June 5th 2018
ISBN: 1524719374
Pages: 288
Goodreads
five-stars
Take the collective imaginations of a neighborhood full of kids, add cardboard, and you’ve got the perfect summer adventure. Sell started this middle grade graphic novel with the invention of the Sorceress and then invited other storytellers to create a character for the Kingdom, which they did with style. When Sell added the gorgeous, full-color illustrations filled with movement and power, the Kingdom vibrated to life. Through each character, issues of bullying, burgeoning romantic feelings, alienation, identity, cooperation, compromise, and friendship are deftly woven into this engaging book. The beauty of this GN is that it can be read over and over and each time more details and nuance emerge.  As readers reach the end of the book, they will feel empowered to connect to their creative spirit and perhaps to find other, like-minded people to share their vision. There is magic in putting oneself out there, in engaging in pure play, and in building a world where everyone can participate. This book will fly off the shelves on its own, but if it needs any help, recommend to readers of Raina Telgemeier, Jenny Holm, and Svetlana Chmakova.

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

five-stars

The Dam Keeper: World Without Darkness

The Dam Keeper: World Without DarknessThe Dam Keeper: World Without Darkness by Robert Kondo, Dice Tsutsumi
Published by First Second on July 10th 2018
ISBN: 162672427X
Pages: 160
Goodreads
three-stars
This is the second book in The Dam Keeper series. The illustrations are full of deep vibrant colors on beautifully thick paper pages. Together the creators, Konodo and Tsutsumi, created an Oscar-nominated short of the first book in the series and together they now created the second book. The story picks up at the end of the first story and is full of action, adventure, and lessons about friendship and bravery as Pig, Fox, and Hippo try to reach Sunrise Valley before the deadly black fog returns. This book will appeal to readers who have read the first book or seen the animated short but would be confusing for anyone who did not know the first part of the story; however, just looking at the beautiful artwork might be enough for some. Recommended for Grade levels 2-5.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School 

three-stars

Lost Soul, Be At Peace

Lost Soul, Be At PeaceLost Soul, Be at Peace by Maggie Thrash
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 0763694193
Pages: 192
Goodreads
five-stars
I am always surprised when a follow-up work is as good as the first. So I am pleased to report that Maggie Thrash’s follow up to Honor Girl is just as good. Again Trash tackles her past with brutal honesty in images and words. Set a year and a half after Honor Girl, Maggie is depressed and failing most of her classes. She wants her parents to notice her troubles, but her mother avoids the signs and her father remains distant and absorbed in his work. Maggie is haunted by a ghost, Tommy, who she is able to open up to. Coincidentally, Maggie is studying Hamlet and there are many connections between the Shakespearean tragedy and Maggie’s story. Thrash tackles the turbulence of growing up and leaving things behind, the dangers of the world, and complicated family relationships into a haunting graphic novel.
Recommended For grades 9-12
Elizabeth Andersen
Librarian
Westbrook High School

five-stars

Time Shifters

Time ShiftersTime Shifters by Chris Grine
Published by Graphix on May 30th 2017
ISBN: 0545926599
Pages: 272
Goodreads
five-stars
An odd-ball adventure across time and alternate dimensions will that will leave readers laughing and wanting more.

Luke and his brother Kyle run into a gang of bullies one afternoon while playing in the woods. The encounter causes an accident in which Kyle dies. A year after Kyle’s death, Luke sees a mysterious light coming from the forest behind his house. He suddenly finds himself in possession of a strange device and is chased by a mummy, vampire Napoleon, and a skeleton astronaut. However, Luke is saved by a time-traversing group comprised of a ghost, dinosaur, robotic Abraham Lincoln, and the scientist who invented the multiverse shifting device. In order to get the device off Luke’s arm (which is locked on unless you know the code), the groups hides out in an alternate dimension of giant spiders in the Wild West. Pursued by the henchmen and dodgy spiders, Luke and the gang must keep the device away while also saving a kidnapped robotic Abraham Lincoln.

Luke is a great protagonist, and the eclectic bunch of characters are all interesting and well rounded. The slapstick humor is fitting, and is genuinely funny. The art is bright and effective, and conveys the story well. A great title for readers who loved Ben Hatke’s “Mighty Jack” series.

Reviewed by Cidney Mayes, Memorial Middle School Library, South Portland

five-stars