Graphic Novels

Elementary and Middle School

Gr 5-8–Ami and Noa have always competed with one another, mostly over boys. So when an opportunity comes up to go to a karaoke party with kids from another school, they jump at the chance to show each other up. The party ends up being a dud, so they crash another one, where they meet two guys who may be their matches. In order to get to know them better, the teens are forced to cooperate. But for all their aggressive behavior, these girls are very sweet and innocent, dreaming of the perfect first kiss and boyfriend to give it. And the boys they are trying for are not the nice guys that they seem to be at first. Ami is forced to face the facts and tries to protect her rival/friend, while at the same time seeking revenge by forcing one of the guys to fall for her. This is a somewhat fluffy romance, with good core values, that girls will eat up. The layout is in traditional manga style, with expressive black-and-white drawings in the expected ultra-cute style. A good purchase for libraries with ravenous manga readerships.–Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 2-4–Two regular comics from Disney Adventures magazine appear in brief but engaging collections. In the first book, Gorilla morphs into the superhero Gorilla Gorilla when his nemesis, Lizard Lizard, stirs up trouble. Strangely enough, he strongly resembles Gorilla’s mild roommate, Lizard. The second book recounts the adventures of beloved Disney characters Lilo, a spirited Hawaiian girl, and Stitch, a cuddly but “ferocious” alien. Each episode contains numerous one-liners and slapstick gags, and all are short, quick reads. Cheerful colors, clean lines, and simple layouts further ensure the popularity of these entertaining and accessible stories.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2–A debut picture book done in a graphic-novel format and set in the 1920s. While Jackie walks home from school, his shadow is stolen from him. Alerted to the theft by his bulldog, Baxter, the boy tries to find it. His elderly friend, Mr. Socrates, helps. They realize that the infamous Shadow Snatcher has escaped from prison and re-embarked on his life of crime. Jackie’s shadow is eventually retrieved and the robbers are last seen being chased by the coppers. The boxed black-and-white pencil cartoons give the book a nostalgic tone. There is quite a bit of dialogue, much of which would need to be read aloud to children, and many of the references to mystery-genre conventions will go over their heads. Di Fiori is better at drawing evocative and sophisticated buildings and landscapes than he is at people, and Baxter is the most effectively drawn and animated-looking character. There is a need for comics/graphic novels for younger readers; this one is not a necessary purchase, but may help fill some of that void.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Gr 6 Up–This reproduction of a classic goes back to the heyday of comics, and it’s full of complex characters, plot twists, and classic storytelling. While this comic never obtained the status of some of the publisher’s series like Batman, it is no doubt excellent in every way and will keep the interest of any comic-book readers who give it a try. Typical of DC comics, the illustrations are dark and full of energy, perfectly complementing the text. Its only real drawback is that the art looks dated, which will turn off some readers who want a fresher look.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 7 Up–Cadet Robin Plotnik is assigned to work under Mac Gimbensky, feisty ace mechanic for a crack squadron of pilots preparing for the return of extraterrestrials whose first attack eliminated 60 percent of human life. Mac is a gorilla, one of millions that were “accelerated” with rapid evolution in order to replenish Earth’s defensive numbers, should the attackers return. Through Robin’s introduction to Mac, readers learn about the workings of the space station and the future world in which the stories take place. The original comics collected here were published by three different companies over the course of 10 years. What’s remarkable is that the presentation retains a focus and a consistency throughout that period. The occasional broad humor lacks punch, and the 12-page stories partially limit the canvas upon which the characters can develop. That said, the short cadence of the chapters does leave readers desiring more, and so the book quickly becomes a compelling, addictive read. The lack of depth with which the high concept of human/gorilla relations and the characters’ emotions are explored prevents the story from moving beyond a well-constructed spectacle. However, most teens will be unlikely to notice, as it is both enjoyable and emotionally effective.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH

Gr 4-7–Sardine is the sprightly, swashbuckling niece of Captain Yellow Shoulder, a galactic pirate who saves children from orphanages run by a costume-wearing villain (Supermuscleman). Twelve chapters each contain a short adventure, as Sardine and her cousin Little Louie fight Supermuscleman and his Assistant, Doc Krok, as well as various aliens, creatures, and robots. The artwork is scratchy and primitive, but also contains the sort of raw, grotesque sensibility that so often clicks with young readers. Tentacles, poisons, and gloopy substances are exhibited in abundance, as is Supermuscleman’s rear end, and despite Yellow Shoulder’s vast musculature, it is petite Sardine who usually ends up saving the day. Occasional puns and cultural references are sophisticated (e.g., a trio of clouds made from beer, wine, and rum take their names from Dumas’s Three Musketeers; the youngsters play a video game called “No-Child-Left-Behind-School II”), but most of the dramatic situations are comical enough to be appreciated by the intended audience.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH

Gr 1-3–Babymouse’s family spends summer vacation at the beach. During boring or difficult times, the young mouse uses her imagination to take her to far more interesting and exciting places. Her younger brother wants to play with her, but, like most big sisters, Babymouse wants nothing to do with him. When he runs away, she realizes how important he is to her, and how much fun they can have. The story moves quickly, and readers are sure to notice that whenever Babymouse has trouble with a character, it is illustrated as a cat. The black-and-white cartoons are highlighted with splashes of pink that become darker when the action intensifies. This book will be popular with young graphic novel fans as well as devotees of the genre in general, especially reluctant readers.–Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 3-5–These “graphic histories” offer accessible overviews of the Gold Rush and the siege of the Alamo. Glossy, colorful pages with more illustrations than text make them quick reads. However, the drawings are a little crude, the narratives are perfunctory, and the conventional, staid layouts do nothing to highlight the drama of these two compelling events. A list of quality Web sites and books on each topic helpfully point readers toward more substantial resources.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up–This is a typical romantic comedy complete with love triangle. Tsukamoto Tenma has decided to take her fate into her own hands by writing a letter to her crush, Karasuma. He had been planning to transfer to another school, but when he gets the letter, which Tenma has neglected to sign, he is intrigued enough to stay another term. Ironically, this is the most interesting thing he does. He is oblivious to Tenma’s affections and doesn’t seem to deserve them. Enter Harima Kenji, the school’s notorious “bad boy,” who has a crush on Tenma. She is unaware of his feelings for her. Readers are never really sure who will win in the end and sometimes their loyalties are shaken as the story progresses, but it’s all part of the fun. The plot works well in manga style, and the inevitable cliff-hanger will have patrons clamoring for volume two. The art is fairly typical, but the characters are easy to distinguish and have interesting styles. Harima Kenji is cool with his black leather and sunglasses, Karasuma is boring in his bowl haircut, and Tenma’s antennalike pigtails add to her busy-bee, always-flitting-around persona. This is a great title for both male and female manga fans.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 4-6–The authors successfully adapt the adventures of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four for younger audiences in these “all ages” comics. The tone is light: episodes breeze by with an emphasis on playful banter and with minimal violence. Young people should approve of the references to iPods and digital cameras, as well as the resemblance of the teen Spider-Man to Harry Potter. Illustrated with vivid, slick colors, these comics will be popular.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 4-7–This graphic-novel version of a popular series describes how the Baby-Sitters Club was formed, focusing on the girls’ friendships and some of their amusing jobs. Subplots include Kristy’s gradual acceptance of her mother’s boyfriend and their eventual engagement and Stacy’s medical problem (readers may think it’s anorexia, but it is really diabetes). The black-and-white cartoons are clear and uncluttered, and the language is simple enough for slow or reluctant readers.–Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up–This story combines two issues of X-Men and two of Black Panther. It seems that someone is mutating wild animals in the African region of Nigand, and the X-Men must investigate. Black Panther, a popular but usually elusive Marvel character who makes his home in Africa, is also investigating the strange happenings. Storm accompanies the X-Men and the sparks fly between her and Black Panther. The X-Men team is unusually bumbling in this volume; still, the plot keeps moving. Throw in an evil scientist who wants to take over the world and his übersmart talking apes and you have a clichéd story that is still enjoyable. The romantic tension between Storm and Black Panther is sealed with a kiss on the last page. The possibility of a future story arc involving these two characters adds to the appeal of Wild Kingdom.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up–The Cheetah is just one of the many obstacles that a now-blind Wonder Woman must face before descending into the depths of Hades to rescue Hermes. In the first part, which is entertaining but standard superhero fare, she teams up with the Flash to battle the evil and power-hungry villains Cheetah and Zoom. The quality of the storytelling and artwork improve dramatically in the second part. Here Rucka’s pacing and the art mesh to create a well-plotted story that provides insight into the psychology of Wonder Woman’s heroism and her role as ambassador for the Amazons. At the request of Athena, Wonder Woman travels to the underworld accompanied by a Minotaur and her protégée, Wonder Girl. Readers soon learn that Princess Diana and company are merely pawns in Athena’s grand scheme to usurp Hades and gain dominion over Mt. Olympus. The culminating events bring closure to a story that is both satisfying and heartfelt. A good choice for middle and high school collections, this book contains minor elements of violence.–Philip Charles Crawford, Essex High School, Essex Junction, VT

Gr 3-6–Thelonious is a young chipmunk who lives in a world where humans exist only in legend. During a violent rainstorm, his tree is ripped from the ground, and he is swept away to a city populated by animals of the lowest criminal element. He soon finds himself in the company of Olive, a bear with a gift for mechanics; Fitzgerald, a porcupine who guards the books that were left behind when the humans died; and Brown, a shifty lizard who joins their group to escape a life of slavery. Together they must find their way back to the idyllic commune that exists atop the Fog Mound. In doing so, they will discover clues as to what happened to the humans. Written in chapters that alternate between traditional prose and comic-book format, the story is a gentle introduction to graphic novels. The illustrations are delightfully cartoonlike, and they are tinted in a soothing blue that beautifully complements the postapocalyptic setting. Unfortunately, the narrative is heavy-handed in espousing the evils of humanity’s lack of concern for the environment, and the story takes a silly idealistic turn when the animals arrive at their destination. Despite these flaws, this is an easy and entertaining read that will appeal to reluctant readers as well as those exploring the graphic-novel genre.–Heather M. Lisowski, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 8 Up–The Dust King, an ancient and blind dragon, and his seeing-eye bat travel to the dragons’ graveyard accompanied by brash rabbit warrior Marvin the Red. The story has animal characters in a swords-and-sorcery setting, a surreal sense of humor, and gruesome violence. It’s all in good fun, but mildly baffling, perhaps because of the stream-of-consciousness plotting and the sudden transitions. The illustrations incorporate cheerful cartoonishness and disturbing, polypy detail; basic smiley faces can be found alongside dripping eviscerations. The action careens on until the abrupt ending, leaving readers bemused and wanting more, on the off-chance of some resolution and the sure promise of further absurdity. The translated dialogue is occasionally choppy, but the bizarre content leads one to the conclusion that much of it is stylistic and deliberate in order to heighten the many contrasts that make the book so effective but not for the faint of heart.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH

Gr 5-9–This compilation of 20 issues of the series contains a detailed table of contents listing the stories within each issue with author and artist credits. Black-and-white reprints of the original covers precede each of the short stories about the supernatural. Although the drawing style varies from tale to tale, this volume has a very classic-comic look. A recurring host appears throughout but the stories do not need to be read in any particular order. Although the selections lack the overt blood and gore prevalent in today’s comics, they also lack any sort of racial diversity.–Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 7 Up–The DC heroes are temporarily out of the picture while the villains take center stage. Lex Luthor recruits hundreds of people to join The Society to get revenge on the heroes of the Justice League of America. The handful of individuals who dare to say no to him become the Secret Six. They are led by the mysterious Mockingbird. This book would be best appreciated by fans of the DC universe as they will understand more of the inside references, but the fact that most of the villains are obscure lower-tier characters means that the story will be accessible to most readers. The volume includes eight pages of background information from the DC universe that led up to this point, including excerpts from the Superman/Batman, JLA, Wonder Woman, Teen Titans, and Countdown to Infinite Crisis comics. A helpful “Identifying the Villains” section aids readers in keeping straight the more than 75 starring and cameo appearances throughout the book. With its many plot twists and edge-of-the-seat action sequences, this offering will turn readers into Catman fans, even if they’ve never heard of him before.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 3 Up–Exiled from their home, the Bone cousins have discovered a beautiful but frightening world in the valley. The tone darkens in this volume as their friend Thorn learns of her tragic past, the bloodthirsty rat creatures become even more menacing, and war appears imminent. Already a gripping, striking work in black and white, Bone is even more appealing in color. The lighter palettes highlight the story’s playful humor, while darker shades heighten the immense drama unfolding in the valley. This offering should bring Smith’s work a deservedly wider audience.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

High School

Gr 9 Up–This collection of stories all touching on the power of love has promise but never really takes off. The settings and backgrounds of the stories are ignored in favor of mere presentation of characters, ornamentally drawn with ribbons and frills. In the title piece, readers meet a tiny waif who has just attempted suicide. Her ethereal soul mate, Ruri, promises devotion, despite being infected with Death Blood–a plot mention that is meant to add danger but only comes up once in a while. A sorceress tries to steal Ruri away, and later a young soldier seeking vengeance for his dead sister tries to murder them. Although readers are expected to root for the young lovers because–apparently–they are so “mangarific,” the other two characters have far more emotionally connecting backstories. Sadly, the final author’s note tells of an intriguing plotline involving the sorceress that is never even approached. The remaining pieces continue the strange theme of individuals falling for people who resemble their dead lovers, and then wanting to kill them. In general the artwork is overdone with each figure too stylized and each article of clothing bejeweled to the max. Scenery, never manga’s strong suit, appears only as an afterthought, to the detriment of the story’s pacing.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–This fresh treatment of an old relationship is squarely in the tradition of sophisticated alternate treatments of classic heroes. Lex Luthor finds Superman’s alien preternatural calm and taciturn manner so irritating that he creates his own superhero. Hope, his glamorous new superprotégée, has the personality and media savvy that Superman never will. Lex hires a local pedophile supervillain, the Toyman, to carry out a day-care bombing and intends for Hope to achieve a public triumph by catching and murdering him. But as all comics readers know, the rule of law must always win out over vigilante justice. Here Bruce Wayne, Batman, is nothing but a wealthy industrialist, part of the corporate Gotham world, while Superman stays away from the bright lights. Bermejo’s sleek coloring and line design maintain DC’s high standards. Superman appears angrier and without the ludicrous muscles he often sports; Bruce Wayne is roguish instead of his usual polished self. Clearly for older readers for its moral questioning, this title deserves a home in libraries looking for brainy and subtle superhero reads.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–The biblical story of Gideon is vividly and violently updated in this modern retelling of the episode from the Book of Judges. In a futuristic San Francisco, Chinatown is taken over by a ruthless gang of bikers who aggressively police the neighborhood in service of the Mighty Baal, a materialist dictator obsessed with power and gold. The oppressed citizens live in fear until one man, Gid, organizes a successful revolt against Baal and his gang. Good art and solid writing make this an engaging story, but the repetitious images of blood and gore may turn off many readers. This faithful adaptation retains all of the biblical bloodshed in a story that aptly balances character development with fast-paced action. This book will make a good addition to collections that include mature titles such as Garth Ennis’s Preacher (DC Comics), Frank Miller’s Sin City (Dark Horse), and Brian Azzarello’s 100 Bullets (DC Comics).–Philip Charles Crawford, Essex High School, Essex Junction, VT

Gr 9 Up–Imagine the duo from Dumb and Dumber in the midst of a role-playing game, and you have Drei and Tian, two unlikely and dim-witted heroes who just cannot get ahead. Drei is the fair-haired half of the pair; he is always hungry and has an exceptionally low IQ. Tian is always left to clean up his brother’s messes, though he creates more than a few troubles himself. Always looking for new money-making ventures, the boys usually make the wrong choice–whether it is unwittingly slaying the father of their rescuer, burning a treasure that they had sworn to protect, or losing their potential fortune to a gigantic fish–their greed always gets the best of them. An overtly silly book filled with crude humor and highly exaggerated “super deformed” character expressions, this book will most likely appeal to fans of the type of humor found in movies like Scary Movie and Naked Gun. Filled with action, dragons, ogres, buxom shopkeepers, and centaurs, it parodies role-playing games and their conventions. Creative Hon, a team of three different authors, explains how this manhwa was created in concluding pages. Strictly for larger collections.–Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY

Gr 10 Up–Four short stories about the futility, the heartbreak, and the rawness of war. All take place in the 1930s and ’40s. “J for Jenny” focuses on World War II fighter pilots; it is followed by “The Reivers,” which takes place in Africa and has an emphasis on a special-forces unit. The strongest story, “Condors,” presents a harrowing look at the brutality of the Spanish Civil War and explores ethnocentrism and stereotypes; the final story, “Archangel,” has a decidedly lighter tone and serves as a satisfying resolution to an otherwise somber collection. Each selection, illustrated by a different artist, evinces a different feeling and portrayal of war. In “The Reivers,” the art and colors are deftly united, evoking the feelings of being in a night battle; in “J for Jenny,” a shadowy muted palette of colors is coupled with heavy lines evoking the bleakness of the ensuing conflict. This volume spares its readers none of the brutality and violence of battle. It is an accomplished collection, with frankness and intricate histories, that’s best suited for a mature audience.–Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY

Gr 10 Up–The novel follows Monty and Simon, two rock musicians, as they try to make it big and get caught up in a murder scheme in the process. The story is full of plot twists and fresh dialogue. It is also exciting and humorous at times, and will definitely keep teens interested with its fair share of sex, drugs, violence, and drinking. The illustrations stay true to manga form, which doesn’t always work, because the story is trying desperately to be American, but the art makes it seem Asian.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 9 Up–Set in Brooklyn during the height of Prohibition, this atmospheric novel focuses on the infamous Jewish gangsters known as “Murder, Inc.”: Louis “Lepke” Buchalter, Abe Reles, Dutch Schultz, and the Shapiro brothers. It’s a tale of power, murder, and corruption as seen through the eyes of Allie Tannenbaum, beginning in the 1920s when he is still a teenager and continuing through the mid-1950s. This coming-of-age story provides readers with a powerful glimpse into the brutal and violent world of the Mafia, a world with few sympathetic characters. Allen’s heavily shadowed, black-and-white illustrations are effective in creating a film-noir-style atmosphere, but his depiction of individual characters often lacks distinction. This problem, combined with a convoluted subplot about the shifting loyalties among the bad guys, often makes this story hard to follow. Still, it will appeal to fans of crime fiction and Prohibition-era history buffs and is a good choice for large collections.–Philip Charles Crawford, Essex High School, Essex Junction, VT

Gr 11 Up–Stand-up comedian Jerry Sullivan is used to dying onstage–but not in a hospital bed. After a violent car accident leaves him in a coma, he meets supernatural traveler Kid Eternity. Killed before his time in World War II, Kid Eternity was granted the power to conjure up historical figures simply by chanting the word “eternity.” Along with his friend Mr. Keeper he has been condemned to hell for misusing his powers, and now he needs Jerry’s help to get himself and Mr. Keeper out of the underworld. Through Fegredo’s swirling and dreamlike painted images, readers are pulled down into hell and in and out of Sullivan’s consciousness. Morrison’s plot is disorienting and scattered, allowing readers to slowly piece together a sometimes-confusing narrative. Having the feel of Dante’s Inferno on psychedelic drugs, this surreal story may be wholly unsatisfying and overly obscure to some readers. But those who can see past the holes into the lusciously bizarre art and deeply complex plot may find a heteromorphic tale of horror, myth, and survival. Dark, violent, and nightmarish, this volume would be best suited to those collections that include Neil Gaiman’s entire “Sandman” oeuvre (DC Comics). Not for the timid, but a solid supplemental collection for public libraries that seek edgier selections.–Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY

Gr 10 Up–Faking his own death, Billy the Kid is free to roam, or so he thinks. Then Fineas Spoule, the Human Spider, approaches him and tells him that he’s discovered his secret. Spoule offers a deal: help him retrieve a precious jewel from Dr. Victor Frankenstein and he’ll keep Billy’s secret. If the Kid doesn’t help, then Spoule’s contacts will release his whereabouts to the authorities. All Billy wants to do is retire in anonymity, so he agrees to the plan, and soon he finds himself in the service of a caravan of carnival sideshow performers who have their own unfinished business with Frankenstein. It’s not until the end of the story that Spoule reveals the real reason for their trip to see Frankenstein–one of their performers has been kidnapped. The story is fast-paced, and the artwork is reminiscent of both spaghetti Westerns and B-movie horror. The illustrations are in full color, but have a dark tone that provides the right blend of quirky and macabre. The treatment of the “freaks” (as Billy calls them) is an accurate portrayal of the period and, as Billy grows as a character, his attitude toward them changes.–Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 9 Up–A “sequence” is defined as a spell that lets two bodies share one heart. This is relevant because the first thing that Kamyu Titi does after Kanata opens his cross-shaped coffin is to rip Kanata’s heart out of his chest. The sequence forces the boys to lead lives that are intertwined, because the death of one would result in the demise of the other. This strong beginning evolves into a main story about demons, devils, and vampires (collectively known as “walks”), as well as a strange subplot about gender confusion. Titi is referred to as a “pretty boy,” and he is unable to tell the difference between boys and girls. A demon that only abducts girls finds Titi very confusing. Then Titi shows up wearing a dress and there are several boy/boy near-kisses, and this comedy of errors crosses the line from the humorous to the downright odd. Titi’s gender remains unresolved at the end of the book, but since he/she also denies being a vampire despite all the evidence to the contrary, perhaps it’s not surprising. The primary story of the demon-fighting vampire is often compelling, and the demons themselves are some of the most interesting characters in the book. However, the gender confusion/sexual tension aspect of the story may alienate many readers.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–From the author of the delightful “Little Vampire” books (S & S) comes an inexplicably grown-up version of the same character, thirsty for both blood and love. Ferdinand is a sweet, charming bloodsucker who considerately sips from his victims with one fang so they will only think it is a mosquito bite and not panic. When not quenching his thirst, he spends much of his time either with his pet cat or flying around town trying to pick up women. Great characters, weird plot twists, and fantastic drawing and coloration make for a terrific graphic novel that will appeal to Goth teens and vampire aficionados. There are references to implied promiscuity and drug use–this is, after all, a story about an undead creature who gives away his conscience because it is annoying him. An excellent choice for public libraries.–Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 10 Up–In this harrowing fictionalized account of the Rwandan genocide, readers meet Deogratias, a teenaged Hutu. His friends Benina and Apollinaria are Tutsi–a race that is being ethnically cleansed by Hutu extremists. As the conflict escalates, Deogratias witnesses murders and is forced to become involved in brutal acts of violence. He suffers a mental breakdown. The story is told through a series of flashbacks while he skates the line between rational and insane. Stassen spares his readers none of the brutality and visceral cruelties of this atrocity. Scenes of rape, harsh language, and some sexual content solidly designate this book for a mature audience. An introduction sets the backdrop and explains the historical significance of the period. This is one of the most intense, gripping graphic novels to date; libraries with other factually themed titles, such as those by Joe Sacco, Marjane Satrapi, and Art Spiegelman, should purchase it. A masterful work with vibrant, confident art, this book will stay with and haunt its readers.–Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY

Gr 9 Up–What at first glance appears to be a charming wordless graphic novel for young children turns out to be something more complex and much more sophisticated. The conceit is charming enough: while vacationing in the Catskills, Trondheim supposedly came across a comic book that appeared to be of alien origin. In it, strange creatures speak an unrecognizable language and go about their adventures on a planet that seems both familiar and strange. The design of the book is marvelous, with the cover and pages given a slightly weathered look to match the framing story. The art is bright and enchanting, but the stories themselves tend to be dark, with terrible things happening to small vulnerable creatures or sweet monsters with good intentions. For teens seeking entertainment both whimsical and sardonic, this could be a real treasure, but most middle schools will find this French import to be an uncomfortable fit for their collections.–Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 9 Up–The author recounts her adolescence as an artsy outsider in this collection of short comics. Often simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, the stories are packed with the positive lessons usually only learned in adult hindsight. Weinstein is never condescending, however, coming off as a hip older sister rather than a pedantic adult. In one comic she weathers her first breakup with a surprising lack of trauma; in another she comforts herself with the knowledge that, even though she is not popular, she has her “music and art.” Bonus comics critique the body-image standards and vapid relationship advice imposed on female teens by the media. Bright colors and scrawled lettering make for a cheerfully untidy style that reflects Weinstein’s uplifting message to readers to love themselves, imagined warts and all.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY