Format: Graphic Novel

Stowing Away with the Vikings

Stowing Away with the VikingsStowing Away with the Vikings by Linda Bailey, Bill Slavin
Published by Kids Can Press on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 1771389877
Pages: 56
Goodreads
three-stars

This is part of “The Time Travel Guides” series. Twins Josh and Emma led us through living with Vikings in this graphic novel. We learn about Viking homes, society, food, work, traveling by land and by sea, clothing, feuds, and punishments. It works well to add to students bank of knowledge. The story itself is fiction, but it has many facts throughout the adventure.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray

three-stars

The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection Volume 1

The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection Volume 1The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection: Volume One by Various
Published by David Fickling Books on March 27th 2018
ISBN: 1338206796
Pages: 208
Goodreads
three-stars

This graphic novel volume collects several different comics, but is mostly made up of “Trail Blazers” by Robert Deas, “Bunny vs Monkey” by Jamie Smart, and “Evil Emperor Penguin” by Laura Ellen Anderson.  A “Trail Blazers” story arc takes up most of the book, split into several sections that each end with a cliffhanger. The stories were fun and kept my interest. The only comic I was familiar with before reading this volume was “Bunny vs Monkey,” but you don’t have to have read any of them to be able to follow along. The different art styles range from very straight and angular to rounded and silly, and I found it a nice break to move from one style to another, but some may find it jarring.

My favorite comic of the bunch was a short called “Doug Slugman P.I.” featuring a slug that fancies himself a private investigator (though he doesn’t really solve any mysteries, but he does end each comic with “CASE CLOSED”). Created by Joe List, “Doug Slugman P.I.” is an absurdist comic where Doug “helps” several other characters solve problems. It’s now a favorite of mine.

I wouldn’t call this graphic novel collection a must-buy for your library, but it is funny and kids grades 3-7 will find a few new favorites in it. Purchase if you have a large graphic novel collection or want to try out several comics you may not have seen before.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Last Pick

Last PickLast Pick by Jason Walz
Published by First Second on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 1626728917
Pages: 224
Goodreads
four-stars

Aliens have invaded and everyone between the ages of 16 and 65 has been “scooped” up and removed from Earth. Life is hard for those left behind. The Aliens are rationing the dwindling food supply, while the questions about the future of the Earth are growing. Twins, Sam and Wyatt, lost their parents to the Alien invasion and must rely on each other to survive. Sam is the feisty one who braves the Aliens and steals food to share with others. Wyatt is a talented engineer who can fix anything but is not so good relating to other people, but he might just be the key to figuring out the alien technology. When the “scooper” returns to take any remaining humans of the appropriate age, Sam and Wyatt are being hunted by the “scooper.” The twins must rely on their wits, their natural talents, and the help of some renegades to help them survive. This graphic novel is full of action, but not at the cost of character development. Through flashback scenes depicted visually in gray, we learn about Sam and Wyatt’s past and the importance of their relationship. The action is represented with bold colorful panels that will appeal to both middle school and high school students. The aliens are drawn in a cartoonish style and are not scary. This is a solid addition to graphic novel collections. Recommended for grades 6 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School Library

four-stars

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian RefugeesThe Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1328810151
Pages: 112
Goodreads
five-stars

Don Brown , known for his picture book biographies , has of late turned to historical events, The Great American Dust Bowl and Drowned City and given them story in  graphic novel form. He has outdone himself in his latest book about the Syrian refugee crisis. In his signature style of illustration, he examines the Syrian story from its beginning in 2001 when the people of Syria demanded the end of president Assad’s rule. Assad turned the military on his people and kidnapped, executed and massacred millions. thus began the massive exodus of Syrian citizens. Brown went to one of the largest refugee camps in Greece to better understand the plight of a people who want only to have  self determination and a voice in how they are governed.

What he reports is both heartbreaking and courageous. Here, he puts down in word and picture, the stories of why and how the Syrians and all refugees seek a better life and what they are willing to risk for freedom. This is a hard book to read. This is a book that must be read and shared so those of us who think we know hardship understand what we take for granted-the “unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. In the author’s note he shares: “There are 5.7 million registered Syrian refugees. In the first three months of 2018, the United States has accepted 11 for resettlement.”

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

grades 6-12

 

five-stars

On A Sunbeam

On A SunbeamOn a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
Published by First Second on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 1250178134
Pages: 544
Goodreads

This YA graphic novel love story set in space has depth of story and character as well as heft, coming in at 500+ pages. Using a muted palette, Walden toggles between two time lines, one told in flashbacks, that of Mia and Grace in school and in the early days of their love story in hues of purple-grays, and one in present time, that of Mia as part of a ship’s crew hiding away her story but still burning for the girl that got away in hues of reds and amber yellows.  By setting her story in space, Walden is free to meld whimsical elements like spaceships shaped like fish and to press the edges of the page and the imagination with towering architectural structures and deep chasms of nothingness where not only Mia can ruminate on her past but the reader can fall into the spaces between the stars, lost in the story. The characters are all female with the one exception being a non-binary mechanic with secrets of their own. The fact that there are no men is not a question; it is a statement, and it works beautifully.  The characters demand honesty and exhibit expansive thinking and acceptance and unconditional love. Walden has turned the space cowboy trope on its head with quiet grace and has lost none of the intrigue and adventure.  There are expletives and some mild scenes of romance but nothing an upper-middle school reader couldn’t handle; the size and non-linear storytelling and depth of content probably make this better suited for 9th grade and up, but the more people who read Tillie Walden, the better. Highly recommend.

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

Nick the Sidekick

Nick the SidekickNick the Sidekick by Dave Whamond
Published by Kids Can Press on April 3rd 2018
ISBN: 1771383550
Pages: 48
Goodreads
four-stars

This elementary-level graphic novel tells the tale of Nick who has super large ears (which leads to much teasing) and super hearing. Superhero Super Fantastic Guy recruits Nick to be his sidekick (or as Nick prefers: superhero assistant). This is a true underdog story because Nick is often the one who saves the day and Super Fantastic Guy always take the credit. It’s a fun story and the illustrations are top-notch.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper

Jane Austen: Her Heart Did WhisperJane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper by Manuela Santoni, Matteo Benassi
Published by Graphic Universe (TM) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541523660
Pages: 96
Goodreads
two-stars

This graphic novel, originally written in Italian, imagines what Austen’s impetus for her love of reading and writing may have been, along with her one failed relationship that we know of, all from her letters to her sister Cassandra. The illustrations are all black and white and very simplistic, making it at times difficult to tell characters apart. The timeline begins at her deathbed, then moves to her teen years, through her adulthood, and back to her deathbed. The back matter includes factual information about Austen’s time and her novels, along with a timeline of her life.

Particularly since this is not a factual accounting of Austen’s life, the audience for this book is incredibly narrow, its audience laying mostly in ardent Austen fans. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

two-stars

The 91-Story Treehouse

The 91-Story TreehouseThe 91-Story Treehouse: Babysitting Blunders! by Andy Griffiths
Published by Feiwel & Friends on July 10th 2018
ISBN: 1250104882
Pages: 384
Goodreads
three-stars

This is the seventh entry in the “13-Story Treehouse” series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. The treehouse has had more floors added and is now a 91-story treehouse! The main characters, Andy and Terry (loosely based off of the author and illustrator), are trying to write another book for their boss, Mr. Big Nose, but they keep getting interrupted!

Just when you think that they’ll be able to start working on the book, Mr. Big Nose asks them to babysit his three grandchildren. Andy doesn’t think this is a great idea, but Terry thinks it will be fun. When the kids go missing, Andy and Terry enlist the help of a fortune-teller to find them, but of course a lot of chaos ensues.

The drawings are filled with funny details and the adventure moves along swiftly. Kids who have enjoyed past “13-Story Treehouse” books will love this one as well. A good addition to middle-grade graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Cottons – The Secret of the Wind

Cottons – The Secret of the WindCottons: The Secret of the Wind by Jim Pascoe
Published by First Second on July 3rd 2018
ISBN: 1250157447
Pages: 272
Goodreads
five-stars

Cottons is a story where rabbits and foxes inhabit a world where magic, technology and art are used for beauty and war.

Bridgebelle the rabbit appears to all around her to be an ordinary rabbit who works all day in the carrot factory and goes home at night to care for her auntie. However, Bridgebelle is not ordinary, she is a rabbit of many talents. She uses cha – a mysterious fuel made from carrots , that enables rabbits to create thokchas which are magical works of art. Cha is not only used for art but also to create weapons of war. The rabbits aren’t the only ones who use cha, so do the foxes, which leads to fierce fighting to control it.

In this first of a new series the reader learns all about cha, the rabbits and the foxes and their uses and fight for cha.

This series is sure to be a big hit with the middle school reader.

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan, Orr’s Island Library, Orr’s Island

five-stars

BabyMouse Tales from the Locker

BabyMouse Tales from the LockerMiss Communication by Jennifer L. Holm
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on July 24th 2018
ISBN: 0399554416
Pages: 208
Goodreads

Tales and adventures of BabyMouse in Middle School continue in this next book of the series.

In this book, BabyMouse gets a cell phone, like all her classmates have. The only problem is that unlike the other kids, BabyMouse has difficulty learning how to navigate life through a cell phone. It takes her a while to learn how to build a following , what all the symbols and shortcuts mean in tech language to the point of distraction! Being tired of kids making fun of her inabilities with the cell phone, BabyMouse decides that perhaps technology is not for her and gives up on it.

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan, Orr’s Island Library, Orr’s Island