3.5 stars Chihiro (15 or 16) has been trained by her famous samurai father and it's all she wants to do/be. She does also spend a lot of time on her ph3.5 stars Chihiro (15 or 16) has been trained by her famous samurai father and it's all she wants to do/be. She does also spend a lot of time on her phone watching vids of her fave samurai hero Tatsuo Nakano, the first woman to ever be accepted and trained at an elite samurai academy. When a village is threatened, the leaders want Chihiro's father to go take care of the matter. However, Chihiro begs to go in his place and her parents reluctantly agree IF she can get someone more experienced to go with her. When Tatsuo Nakano finds out that it is her village that is under attack, she decides to accompany Chihiro. They are a very odd pair. Chihiro is very excitable and loves to watch vids on her phone. Tatsuo is very cynical and often drunk even at the young age of 19.
This was interesting because the setting seems like feudal Japan and yet it has modern day elements like cell phones and internet videos. Somehow the concept work, though. The color palette is well thought out to correspond to the moods and the actions/plot points of the book. CW: violence, grief/loss, drinking, swearing Professionally reviewed for ages 12-18...more
3.5 stars Max loves a video game and he spends a lot of time on it. He has gotten so good that he has qualified for the championship. However, his pare3.5 stars Max loves a video game and he spends a lot of time on it. He has gotten so good that he has qualified for the championship. However, his parents don't like that he spends so much time on a screen so they sign him up for Camp reset, a summer camp where there are no electronic devices allowed! Max will do anything to escape camp and find his way to the Gamerville championship but there are a few people and things in his way.
This is definitely a graphic novel with a MESSAGE. While students will likely be drawn in by the video game theme and excellent cover design, they may be less than thrilled with the heavy handed treatment of screen time vs fresh air, friendship, and board games.
Kathy has a Thai mother and a retired American military father. They usually spend most of the year in Bangkok and summers in Maine. With her mixed heKathy has a Thai mother and a retired American military father. They usually spend most of the year in Bangkok and summers in Maine. With her mixed heritage, Kathy often feels like she doesn't quite fit in either world but she absolutely loves her summers in Maine, even though people often stare at her family. One summer she is super excited to go to summer camp there but despite all her best efforts, she still doesn't fit in.
This graphic memoir will be relatable for so many middle school students with the issues of fitting in, even more so for bi/multiracial students who I understand can often feel like they don't quite fit into either culture. Illustrations are blues/greens/grays that are very evocative of a Maine setting. Give to your Raina Telgemeier fans....more
Book 1 in series Liv is the only human student in her new school when her family moves to a new town. She has lots of adjustments to make including leaBook 1 in series Liv is the only human student in her new school when her family moves to a new town. She has lots of adjustments to make including learning about hall monitor bats and students with fangs or tohers who can walk right through you. Grades 3-5...more
Book 1 of series Riley and her parents leave their home with the Muscogee to move in with grandma in Urbanopolis. She is joined there by her cousin MayBook 1 of series Riley and her parents leave their home with the Muscogee to move in with grandma in Urbanopolis. She is joined there by her cousin Maya whose parents are in the military and won't be able to take Maya with them on their next deployment. Riley and Maya will both be entering 6th grade and think that is all they have in common as one is very arts-y and one is very tech-y. However, a detention-happy vice principal gives the girls a common cause and helps them find a reason to unite and use their strengths to combat this terrible administrator. Two beloved authors join forces to write the story of Maya and Riley in this new graphic novel series. They are joined by debut illustrator Murakami who has a style similar to Telgemeier, Miller, and Holms. Together they have created a book that upper elementary and middle school students will find thoroughly relatable and enjoyable....more
Brian was a normal kid for the most part - until a small bump on his head sprouted into a full blown singing unicorn horn! Brian's nonbinary neighbor Brian was a normal kid for the most part - until a small bump on his head sprouted into a full blown singing unicorn horn! Brian's nonbinary neighbor Avery is super supportive when other kids are not (and are, in fact, quite cruel). When the Skull-King kidnaps Avery, Brian must figure out how to use the powers of his horn to rescue Avery!
Colorful, cute, fun - and the first in a series. CW: bullying...more
3.5 stars I read an advanced reader copy (ARC) so the graphics were in black and white. I believe the final copy will be in color. Amy lives in Hawaii 3.5 stars I read an advanced reader copy (ARC) so the graphics were in black and white. I believe the final copy will be in color. Amy lives in Hawaii in 1941. Her great-grandmother, who was a pearl diver is very sick, and Amy is sent to Japan to spend some time with her. While she is there, the bombing of Pearl Harbor occurs and Amy is not able to come back to her family in the US. The Japanese Army conscripts her to translate for them since she can speak English.
I appreciate the torn loyalties that Amy feels throughout the story. We have many stories about the bombing of Pearly Harbor from the perspective of someone who was in Hawaii, but few about someone from the US who may have been abroad at the time, so this is a unique story. Those with enough contextual knowledge will see what is coming next in the story but many readers will be left wanting even more details.
3.5 stars Kai is the daughter of a general in 16th century Korea. She wants to be a martial artist like her brothers and her father indulges her but th3.5 stars Kai is the daughter of a general in 16th century Korea. She wants to be a martial artist like her brothers and her father indulges her but the other soldiers are shocked. When Kai hits puberty, however, and a hidden secret about her (view spoiler)[gumiho (hide spoiler)]past comes to light, she is forced to flee. A kind turn she had done in her past serves to play a huge part in the future paths her world will take. This tale is a bit uneven and confusing in parts but there is a lot to be said for the queer, feminist way the gumiho tale is retold as well as the amazing digital graphics. They are extremely well done with a very well-chosen color palette.
CW: violence/blood, nudity (bare bottoms) Grades 7 and up...more
Valentina has always loved Valentine's Day. Her best friend is St. V, even though no one else can see him. But as she gets older and she discovers cerValentina has always loved Valentine's Day. Her best friend is St. V, even though no one else can see him. But as she gets older and she discovers certain things about her past, she becomes very jaded and the glamour about Valentine's Day is gone. She tries hard to adopt her friend's attitude that dating should be fun but she longs for true love and is given one year to find it.
This graphic novel has all the things: family, friendship, lion dancing, romance, delicious food, plus a little bit of grief, some kissing, fantastic illustrations. Highly recommend...more
3.5 stars This graphic novel highlights 16 youth climate activists who are working hard to change the world and help stop the effects of global climate3.5 stars This graphic novel highlights 16 youth climate activists who are working hard to change the world and help stop the effects of global climate change. Some names will be familiar like Greta Thunberg but others need to be more well-known like water protector, Autumn Peltier, or Edgar Edmund Tarimo who turns plastic waste into building materials. Each person featured is sketched by a different amazing graphic artist....more
A graphic novel autobiography told in multiple short stories. They range from sweet stories about getting kittens when she was very young to the laterA graphic novel autobiography told in multiple short stories. They range from sweet stories about getting kittens when she was very young to the later trauma dealing with this same cat, to stories dealing with sexual encounters with a boyfriend (including graphic images making it high school+ appropriate) to stories about the loss of a family member (grandmother). Stories vary in strength with the one about the cats being the best IMO....more
This graphic novel by Don Brown details the many ways that Jewish youth were able to escape the Nazi Holocaust in WWII. While many lives were saved, mThis graphic novel by Don Brown details the many ways that Jewish youth were able to escape the Nazi Holocaust in WWII. While many lives were saved, millions more were still lost in this terrible genocide. However, the courage highlighted here is noteworthy and must not be forgotten nor belittled in any way. Somber illustrations add to gravitas of subject matter. CW violence, death. *Note - I found it very sobering that in the endnotes Brown highlights that it will take until at least the year 2050 for the Jewish population to regain the numbers that they had prior to the Holocaust - over 100 years. It is devastating to think about....more
The author of this graphic memoir had puzzling symptoms in high school that send her to the Mayo Clinic. She is finally diagnosed and ends up needing The author of this graphic memoir had puzzling symptoms in high school that send her to the Mayo Clinic. She is finally diagnosed and ends up needing surgery. This does not solve the problem however and more surgery is needed. All of this has a disastrous effect on her friendships and school work. Illustrations are all in tones of purple then interspersed with pages of black and white when she spirals into depression. Graphics also convey that spiraling feeling. Unfortunately, is a bit underwhelming. ...more
Pedro Martin's autobiographical graphic novel memoir is about his experience as a first generation Mexican-American. Some of his older siblings were bPedro Martin's autobiographical graphic novel memoir is about his experience as a first generation Mexican-American. Some of his older siblings were born in Mexico while Pedro/Peter and his younger siblings were born in the US. There are 11 people in his family all together. Pedro does a fantastic job differentiating each of them both visually and personality-wise throughout the story. He highlights how at times he didn't feel white enough and others not Mexican enough - especially when they went to Mexico to get his abuelito (grandfather) and bring him back to the US with them. A great family history/moment in time that many will be able to relate to in one way or another - siblings, fitting in, road trips... Highly recommend...more
This graphic novel is all about the Japanese island of Okinawa. It is written (translated from Japanese) by Susuma Higa, a premier Japanese manga artiThis graphic novel is all about the Japanese island of Okinawa. It is written (translated from Japanese) by Susuma Higa, a premier Japanese manga artist. This volume contains multiple stories about the island mainly about WWII and the US occupation and the impact of that. It also reflects on the spirituality of the island's indigenous culture (which is fascinating!). It is rich and complex - but can be difficult to differentiate between characters or follow storylines if not familiar with aspects of history. Illustrations are all black and white. Also quite small. Volume is very thick....more
This graphic novel about Muhammad Ali was a bit of a disappointment. Illustrations are all black and white despite the gorgeous illustration on the frThis graphic novel about Muhammad Ali was a bit of a disappointment. Illustrations are all black and white despite the gorgeous illustration on the front cover. The author also tells you in the foreword that if you are looking for something that will help you pass a comprehensive test about Ali's life, this is not that book. It is well-researched and obviously written with love....more
4.5 stars This graphic novel memoir tells the story of a Korean girl who was adopted by a white family. They lived in a small rural farming community a4.5 stars This graphic novel memoir tells the story of a Korean girl who was adopted by a white family. They lived in a small rural farming community and there weren't a lot of other Asian families there. Sarah had a hard time fitting in and was often bullied. She would get angry about that and then get in trouble. She found solace in her art. The bullying got worse in high school so she withdrew deeper into her art and cosplay. Illustrations of how she saw herself as "monstrous" are haunting, even a bit disturbing....more
3.5 stars This graphic novel by Neal Shusterman takes on the Holocaust in a creative new way - it is a blend of non-fiction with the horrifying truth o3.5 stars This graphic novel by Neal Shusterman takes on the Holocaust in a creative new way - it is a blend of non-fiction with the horrifying truth of the Nazi regime and the extermination camps - with fictional visions of hope taken from Jewish lore such as golems and other legends. In somber watercolor tones suitable to the content, this is an imaginative take on a grim subject....more
3.5 stars This graphic novel tells how women in England fought for their right for the vote. It focuses in particular on Edith Garrud and how she taugh3.5 stars This graphic novel tells how women in England fought for their right for the vote. It focuses in particular on Edith Garrud and how she taught the some of the suffragettes how to use jujitsu to defend themselves in their quest for equal rights. This is a topic that does not get much attention when talking about women's suffrage yet it is really powerful/empowering....more
This graphic novel details the bravery of the people in Mariupol, Ukraine and how they fought back against the Russians during the 83 days siege of thThis graphic novel details the bravery of the people in Mariupol, Ukraine and how they fought back against the Russians during the 83 days siege of their city in 2022. Many citizens were affected by the fighting. Some fled, some stayed. Many died. It also includes some history for those unfamiliar with the political tensions leading up to the siege. Stark black and white illustrations add to the gravitas of the subject matter. CW: war, violence, death...more
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