Category: Graphic Novel Review

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Cinzia is apprentice to a printer who gets on the wrong side of the ruling family with something she writes. Cinzia is able to escape arrest, but only with unexpected help from the mysterious Contessina Elena. Together they go looking for the proof needed to convince the Principessa that the magistrate – her brother – is up to no good.

Review

This was excellent! I loved the story and the girls. It’s an inspiring tale about the power of words, truth, friendship, and community. The artwork is gorgeous and pulls the story together so well. There are some author’s notes about the time and setting for this fictional city as well as information about the avvisi, the flyers Cinzia and her mestra printed.

This belongs in graphic novel collections in classrooms and homes and libraries. I think the “sweet spot” for this is 10 to 14 year olds, but it will also appeal to some younger and older readers. This would also be an excellent discussion group selection for upper elementary and middle school kids.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! If you are looking for gift ideas on this Black Friday, be sure to check out my Holiday Hint List of book recommendations.

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Game designer Luigi Lemoncello builds a fantastical public library in his home town and then invites a group of kids to take a early peek inside by spending a night in the library. But the lock-in turns into a game when the kids have a chance to solve the puzzle of how to escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Review

Outstanding! I have been a fan of this book – really, of the whole series – from the beginning. And this is a fantastic graphic novel adaptation of the first book in the Lemoncello’s Library series. It’s been too long since I read the original for me to be able to comment on what was trimmed out for length. But the story here hangs together brilliantly.

This would be a great introduction for kids who aren’t familiar with the prose novel or kids who think the novel looks intimidating. Graphic novel adaptations can be a great onramp for some kids before they try out the full book. I also think this is a fun option for kids (and teens and adults) who already love the original and want to explore a visual version of the story and characters. Do not miss this one! Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Punycorn by Andi Watson

REVIEW: Punycorn by Andi Watson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Clarion Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on Tuesday, November 14th.]

Summary

Punycorn lives in the land of Carbuncle which once vanquished evil and now enjoys peace. Punycorn trains like the other, majestic unicorns. But Punycorn is small and struggles at times.

Sir Ogre has received some magical “gauntlets” to help him defeat Carbuncle once and for all. He schedules his attack, but the unicorn fighting force is away on training maneuvers. Only Punycorn remains behind.

Punycorn is sent on a quest to assemble a Kinship of Heroes to help him save the day. But Sir Ogre has someone spying on Punycorn and trying to thwart his every move.

 

Review

What a fantastic adventure! I loved Punycorn and the Kinship. This is a great team, and I would definitely read more of their adventures. Good thing Punycorn and the Princess of Thieves is in the works!

For me this feels like a story in the vein of Max and the Midknights or Hilo – two graphic novel adventure series that I have adored! Fans of those series definitely should check this book out. There’s a classic quest setup here but with a quirky “party” which I thoroughly enjoyed. The artwork here is fantastic – something readers are going to want to pour over. Classroom teachers with students who love graphic novels do not want to miss this one! Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

THROW BACK: Gabby and Gator by James Burks

THROW BACK: Gabby and Gator by James Burks

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on May 13, 2013. My students couldn’t get enough of graphic novels like this. The cover image here is updated since my original post and the book’s initial release.

Summary and Review

An outcast girl and an alligator that survived flushing find friendship together.

This was absolutely delightful! I liked it so much, I bought two for our school library because I think my students will enjoy it, too. The story starts by establishing each of the characters separately and establishing the “mystery” of a monster in the sewer. Then, when the two meet, they develop this wonderful, quirky relationship that is just right for both of them. Gabby and Gator make a great team. As a fun little bonus, there are line drawings at the bottom of the right-hand pages, and if you flip them quickly you can see Gabby and Gator dance. Great fun!

5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: The Bawk-ness Monster by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess

REVIEW: The Bawk-ness Monster by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Before Penny and her mom move away, Penny has one last thing to do – find the Bawk-ness Monster that saved her life three years ago. Penny’s friends, Luc and K, are also along for the adventure. (It would help if they could ditch Penny’s mom who’s a bit overprotective.) But the kids find more than they bargained for in their search for Bessie.

 

Review

This first book in the Cryptid Kids series was so fun! I loved all of the cryptid characters (who are twists on typical cryptids like Bigfoot). And the story kept moving forward while more challenges cropped up.

Penny’s mom is understandably over-protective after the scare three years ago. But there’s also a great moment when Penny stands up to her mom that I loved. Luc’s story is subtle but important. I would love to see a reading group dig into this book and see what kids make of Luc’s story.

I hope there will be more adventures for the Cryptid Kids. I would absolutely pick up a sequel to check it out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzales and Gabriela Epstein

REVIEW: Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzales and Gabriela Epstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Five Latino students are dumped together to do community service in their middle school cafeteria. Through their service hours they learn to look past their assumptions about one another while also trying to help someone in need.

Review

This is an excellent, richly layered story! I love how they told so much in both English and Spanish (The author’s note on this is excellent – don’t miss it!) And the storyline of helping someone else both pulled the five individuals into a team, but it also balanced the rest of the story which focuses on the challenges for the five kids.

This would be an excellent addition to a classroom or library graphic novel collection. Also a fun addition to Spanish classes! This would be a fantastic choice for a book group where each reader could read a copy and discuss together the various layers of the story.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Flamer by Mike Curato

REVIEW: Flamer by Mike Curato

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

It’s summer break, and Aiden is away at scout camp. When he’s not earning badges and cooking over a campfire, he’s thinking about moving from his Catholic middle school to the public high school in the fall. Aiden’s had his fill of bullies in middle school, mocking him for being half Asian or calling him a “fag.” It might be worse in public school…. He learned all about how bad homosexuality is at Catholic school – and he works really hard to be a good person. So he’s not gay.

Review

Wow. This was good, but at the same time it was a lot in places – direct and gritty. This feels like the sort of book that would scare people into trying to ban it. It includes frank conversation (“locker room talk”), references to homosexuality, pornography, and other sexual references. There’s bigotry, racism, and homophobia as well as domestic violence and bullying.  There’s also a section that deals with suicidal thoughts and feelings.

At the same time it feels completely realistic for the time and context. Aiden’s journey is the journey of a lot of kids. This is the sort of book that could help a kid feel seen – and not feel alone and out of options. Aiden’s story is upsetting and thought-provoking. The artwork is gorgeous.  This should find a home in school and public spaces for teens, especially where folks are looking to add some non-white, non-cisgender perspectives.  (Language, sexual references, racism, bullying,, TW: suicide, domestic violence)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good + (based not on the quality of the book but on my enjoyment of it. This was a hard book for me to like.)

REVIEW: The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

REVIEW: The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When her father dies, the only ways for Lady Camembert to inherit are for her to marry a man – something she has no interest in – or pretend to be one. So she moves away – somewhere no one will know her with only one servant – and becomes Count Camembert.

And that plan might have worked if she was content with a quiet life at home, mostly on her own. But “Count Camembert” can’t resist a party and eventually becomes friends with Princess Brie. And before long, she’s fallen in love with her. But the princess can never know the truth.

Review

While I don’t read historicals often, when I do the idea of women fighting to keep their inheritance is a theme I gravitate toward. I love those stories. But I think I prefer them in prose over graphic novels. I found myself wanting more here.

That said, I did enjoy this graphic novel. The characters were fun and the artwork is gorgeous. I think readers will get a kick out of the cheesy references and Cam’s journey to the freedom to wholly be herself.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Bruce Wayne Not Super by Stuart Gibbs

REVIEW: Bruce Wayne Not Super by Stuart Gibbs

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Bruce is the only non-powered kid at his middle school which makes him feel like a nobody. His driving desire is to clean up his city and protect others. But between school administration and Alfred, his dream of being a vigilante is getting a lot of push back.

Review

This was a fun story! I enjoyed the characters in a middle school context, and Bruce’s quest to find a way to make his mark at the school and in Gotham. The illustrations here are excellent. I loved pouring over the pictures to find all the familiar DC characters.

My only complaint here is about the portrayal of some of those characters. The portrayal of Clark Kent, for example, did not fit the historic Clark Kent at all. I don’t know if the thinking there was “these are kids who will grow into their better selves,” but it was distracting. (I have seen other reviews bring up these same issues.)

I would definitely read a sequel to see how they continue to build this new take on the characters.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Raven and Gar have broken free from HIVE and are on the run with Max and Damien. They meet up with Max’s mom to regroup – and train for whatever comes next.

Meanwhile, Dick Grayson is tracking Damien. They got off on the wrong foot when Bruce introduced them. Dick is determined to find his brother and help him.

While Damien would love to send Dick packing, the group knows they have a lot to overcome if they want to be ready for HIVE’s next move. And Dick could be an asset.

Review

I love this series more and more with each book. I really enjoyed watching the growth of the two couples. But the relationship between Dick and Damien was my favorite part of this one. I wanted to read this again as soon as I finished. I also loved the cover tease for book five, which is a must-read for me.

DC fans, Teen Titan fans, and graphic novel fans should not miss this series. There are some dark and occultish elements in Raven’s story (her demon father, astral projection, talking to and raising the dead) that might not work for sensitive readers. But there’s nothing else in this series that has raised any red flags for me. I re-read the whole series before letting myself dive into this one, and it was so satisfying. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!