Format: Graphic Novel

Pirates Past Noon: The Graphic Novel

Pirates Past Noon: The Graphic NovelPirates Past Noon Graphic Novel by Mary Pope Osborne, Jenny Laird, Kelly Matthews, Nichole Matthews
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 0593174801
Pages: 176
Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Jack and Annie land on a beach using the Magic Tree House. They think that they are in paradise until they realize that they have landed on an island during the time of pirates. Then Cap’n Bones arrives, looking for his buried treasure! This is the fourth book in the popular Magic Tree House series  that has been transformed into graphic novel format. Ideal for readers in grades 1 through 3. The illustrations by Kelly & Nichole Matthews are clear and bright and each page has a balance of illustration and text perfect for emerging readers. Like the prose books, vocabulary in these graphic novels is appropriate for this reading level. This book is suggested for elementary school and public libraries.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

three-stars

Expedition Backyard: Exploring Nature from Country to City

Expedition Backyard: Exploring Nature from Country to CityExpedition Backyard by Rosemary Mosco, Binglin Hu
Published by Random House Graphic on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 059312734X
Pages: 128
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This elementary grade graphic novel with full-color, earth-tone illustrations throughout tells the story of Vole & Mole, two friends living in the country near a human house. They enjoy many adventures, including entering the house to watch nature shows on TV. One day, they find the house filled with boxes and while exploring they fall in, only to find themselves shipped to the city. There they have new adventures and make new friends: a house sparrow, an opossum, and a bumblebee. They learn to watch out for city owls (much like country owls) and discover that the city “lion” is a pet cat with a responsible owner.

This gentle book contains themes of friendship, nature, and adventure. There are several How-To’s at the end of the book, including How to Keep a Bird Journal, How to be a Responsible Cat Owner, etc. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

five-stars

Garlic and the Witch

Garlic and the WitchGarlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen
Published by HarperCollins US on January 4, 2023
ISBN: 006299512X
Pages: 160
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Garlic and the Witch is the second installment in the Garlic and the Vampire series. Young readers will continue to be blown away by the breathtaking illustrations that Bree Paulsen has created, and will enjoy being reunited with characters from the first book. In this book Garlic goes through character growth which makes them more relatable. Readers also get an explanation of Agnus’s powers, which was an unexplained phenomena from book one. This book is heavier on illustration than text and much of the text consists of onomatopoetic text rather than dialogue or exposition. Garlic and the Witch is perfect for readers ages 8 through 12.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

four-stars

Two-Headed Chicken

Two-Headed ChickenTwo-Headed Chicken by Tom Angleberger
Published by Walker Books US on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1536223212
Pages: 208
Genres: Adventure, Humor, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

In this offbeat graphic novel young readers are introduced to a two-headed chicken who is being chased through a multi-universe dimension by a hungry green moose. Fans of Tom Angleberger’s Origami Yoda series are sure to enjoy this book as it has a similar art style and fast-paced storytelling. The abstract illustrations and humorous dialogue among the characters will have readers chuckling until the very end. This book may not be for every one as the bright illustrations lend themselves to busy pages that may cause negative sensory stimulation. The target audience for this graphic novel is young readers, grades 3rd through 6th.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

three-stars

Hooky Volume 2

Hooky Volume 2Hooky Volume 2 by Míriam Bonastre Tur
Published by Clarion Books on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0358693101
Pages: 368
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

This is the second collected volume of the popular Webtoon comic Hooky. It follows twins Dani and Dorian and their fight for the fair treatment of witches, while struggling with their parents and the romantic entanglements of their friends.

While there are too many characters and quick jumps from subplot to subplot for me to follow, the first volume of Hooky was successful and those invested in it will want to continue with this one.  The illustrations are rich and it’s appropriate for middle grade graphic novel fans.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

three-stars

Besties Find Their Groove

Besties Find Their GrooveBesties: Find Their Groove by Kayla Miller, Jeffrey Canino, Kristina Luu
Series: World of Click, #2, #2
Published by HarperCollins US on January 4, 2023
ISBN: 0358521165
Pages: 208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

This fiction graphic novel is the sequel to Besties Work It Out and was written by Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino; it is a story from the world of Click, Miller’s best-selling graphic novel series. The story explores Beth and Chanda’s friendship, as well as the relationships they have with their mothers and sisters. The expressive illustrations take the reader on a journey of two 12-year-old girls navigating their first middle school dance. From trying to get dates to finding the perfect outfits these two girls run into obstacles. Chanda is Indian American and wants to find an outfit that will express her cultural heritage. Beth is a larger girl and struggles with finding a dress that fits and would be flattering. This book shows the reader two best friends who have conflict with each other and how they resolve it. It shows family drama and how the characters deal with that. It shows the reader that is is ok to look different than other kids and still be awesome. This empowering graphic novel is for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Girl on Fire

Girl on FireGirl on Fire by Alicia Keys, Andrew Weiner, Brittney Williams
Published by Harper Alley on June 1, 2022
ISBN: 0063029561
Pages: 224
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

This graphic novel by singer Alicia Keys, co-written by Andrew Weiner, uses her song lyrics “Girl on Fire” as a jumping-off point to tell a story about a girl who is not going to take any more. When Lolo Wright’s brother is wrongly accused of a crime by police, and he is being physically assaulted by an officer, Lolo taps into a deep power she didn’t even knew she had to fight back. With a form of telekenesis that channels light, Lolo removes the officer from her brother. In doing this, she catches the eye of the neighborhood boss, Skin, who wants to use her power for his own nefarious intent.  Lolo has a choice to make as those she loves are used as leverage to try to woo her to the crime-lord’s team. The illustrations are excellent – each character is distinct and Lolo’s power is clearly delineated; the pages are uncluttered and the story is easy to follow. Hand this book to fans of Angie Thomas or Nic Stone.

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

four-stars

Squire

SquireSquire by Sara Alfageeh, Nadia Shammas
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0062945858
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

When the Bayt-Sajji Empire offers teens from their conquered territories to enlist in a squire training program, Aiza jumps at the chance. It is an opportunity to not only gain honor, but full citizenship and all the benefits that come with it. She must be careful though to hide her Ornu heritage as it is sure to make her a target of discrimination.

Aiza struggles with her training and begins a secret mentorship with the groundskeeper Doruk who not only improves her swordsmanship, but imparts the grim realities of war. After a surprising turn of events, Aiza must determine what it means to be a part of a history and what it means to fight for justice.

With attractive illustrations and a spirited heroine to root for, this graphic novel is an engaging and insightful look at colonization and prejudice. An author’s note reminds readers, “when you listen to a history, think about who it serves,” a message that is reiterated throughout the story and one that we should all contemplate as we examine our own country’s past. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School

five-stars

Witches of Brooklyn S’more Magic

Witches of Brooklyn S’more MagicWitches of Brooklyn: s'More Magic: (A Graphic Novel) by Sophie Escabasse
Published by Random House Graphic on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0593125525
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

The third book of this graphic novel series follows the young witch Effie as she leaves her beloved aunts and friends to bond with nature and make new friends(?) at summer camp. Wherever Effie is, mayhem and funny situations follow. This time there is a panda bear (a very lovable  new character) and Effie learns that she has a green thumb.  When the lake becomes primary to the plot development, we learn that even witches have fears. The illustrations bring the story to life with colorful drawings and expressive faces. A fun story that is sure to please middle grade readers and have them clamor for more titles in the series, perhaps even a second book set at . Reading the first two novels in the series will add depth to Effie’s story, but it is not necessary to have read those in order to enjoy this title.  Add the series to middle grade school libraries and place on the juvenile graphic novel shelves in public libraries.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s librarian

four-stars

The Terribles: Welcome to Stubtoe Elementary

The Terribles: Welcome to Stubtoe ElementaryWelcome to Stubtoe Elementary by Travis Nichols
Series: The Terribles, #1, #1
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on July 5, 2022
ISBN: 0593425715
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Book one of The Terribles series is a silly fantasy which takes an occasional step toward horror. A range of characters from vampires to mummies to swamp-things show that monster kids are just like human kids. With a mix of graphic panels, prose, charts, poems, and activities young readers will giggle and occasionally gasp through the book. Black and white illustrations add to the storyline and humor. Elementary school libraries and public libraries with early chapter book readers of series like Eerie Elementary or the Notebook of Doom should consider adding this to their collection.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s librarian

four-stars