Graphic Novels

Gr 8 Up—Grace is a sickly, lonely girl long confined to her bed. Her only company is her dear half sister, who brings her food and journals to write in. Her abusively neglectful stepfather refuses to give her medical care beyond the very minimum required to keep her alive. Grace yearns for companionship and finds it in the unexpected appearance of a ghostly teenage boy. The lovely black-and-white drawings are simple in the manga style, yet capture the distinctive personalities of the characters. The time and place of the story are unclear, sometimes seeming to be in the past, and at other times the future, but generally irrelevant to the central love story. While this book will appeal to teens with a taste for melodramatic romances or manga, sophisticated readers will be left unsatisfied with an ending that, while romantic, is inconsistent with previously established plot points.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 4–8—A sequel to Kingdom Hearts (Tokyopop, 2005) and based on the popular role-playing game, this graphic-novel adaptation, with a blend of Final Fantasy and many familiar Disney characters, will be a surefire hit with children and young teens who love video games and/or manga. Soru and his friend Jiminy Cricket meet up with Goofy and Donald Duck to go on a quest to find King Mickey and Soru's friend Riku, who are locked in the Kingdom of Hearts. The artwork, while by no means spectacular, is reminiscent of the classic manga style. This fast-paced adventure will have library patrons returning this volume before day's end.—Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Brooklyn, NY

Gr 4–6—The format of these retellings provides a gateway to otherwise daunting works of literature. By no means are these graphic novels meant to replace the originals; the vocabulary is limited, and the narrative, dialogue, and descriptive elements are rudimentary. Yet in combination with the bold, fresh, action-packed graphic elements, the stories will attract reluctant readers. What is verbal in the original novels, such as characterization or imagery, is dependent on the art. Line qualities in the color drawings are varied and show evidence of an accomplished illustrator. The books include discussion questions that teachers might find useful. These titles are visually attractive and will see a lot of circulation. Once in the hands of developing readers, they may open the doors to the masterful works on which they are based.—Joel Bangilan, Houston Public Library, TX

Gr 5–8—Reluctant readers will be drawn to these books' graphic format, colorful illustrations, and dialogue that brings the characters to life. Pyramid describes the life of a farmer and a pharaoh and the planning and building of a pyramid. Alexander the Great portrays the man's rise to power and his many conquests. The possibility of a conspiracy in the murder of Philip II; the story of Alexander's horse, Bucephalus; and Alexander's lifelong friendship with Hephaestion add even more interest. In the third book, Caesar's tumultuous life is presented in a clear and concise fashion. The descriptions of political intrigues and alliances through marriage and friendship give readers a sense of the life of an ambitious Roman patrician. Vivid depictions of battles in Gaul, Germany, Britannia, and Egypt are included. All three books open with brief descriptions of the main players, a paragraph of background information, and a map. Entertaining introductions.—Lana Miles, Jackson Elementary School, Rosenberg, TX

Gr 5–8—This history of how Elizabeth I came to power skims over the conflict in England between Protestants and Catholics and jumps to the Spanish Armada. Those reading this book with little or no background knowledge will only get a superficial introduction to the period. The illustrations are of fair quality. The vivid colorization doesn't mute difficult scenes like the burning of Protestants at the stake, but it will keep readers turning the pages.—Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Brooklyn, NY

Gr 3–8—These hi/lo graphic novels feature a diverse group of middle school kids who champion ecology and fight property development. In Panic, the Riders try to get signatures for a petition to stop the planned housing that will take over their biking hill. When the developer sets up a paintball tournament, three members of the group participate (the others won't use guns) and a fiasco ensues, yet all ends well as townspeople decide against the developer: "We don't want this paintballing nonsense every weekend." In the second title, the children go on a hunger strike (which they promptly break) and stage a "tree-in." It ends when Andy, who is deaf, falls and lands in a pond in which protected wildlife is discovered; most of the property then becomes a sanctuary. In both books, the dialogue flows like natural speech, color cartoon illustrations enhance the text, and back matter includes discussion questions and writing prompts.—Bobbee Pennington, Bryan Public Library, TX

Gr 8 Up—Never heard of Dr. Fate, Wildcat, and the Star Spangled Kid? The publisher has a tendency to overestimate the appeal of their B-list superheroes. Especially distressing is the inclusion of small crossover appearances by Superman or Batman, when this book is really about the least-interesting members of the DC Universe. Most comics take a recurrent interest in the haunted or bitter origins of their superheroes, and that's what makes Superman and Batman so appealing, giving them emotional depth and a dark gravitas. But in these stories, the characters are merely all super, all the time, not even seen in their civilian personas, which strips away any potential for reader empathy. Many of the villains are preposterous, even for comics standards. Clearly, this series has not aged well. Despite the flawless page design and artwork, which shows no age at all, and despite a final story involving Hitler and Roosevelt that has some good plotting, most of these tales are rightly forgotten.—John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up—If Snow is any indication of the direction Tokyopop is moving toward in the manga genre, then readers can rejoice. A straightforward superhero tale told in manga style, yet more of a combination of the two, it is a great read. Two enormous robots travel through interplanetary space, wiping out all leftover mortals. Their drone, The Ghost, destroys planets at their command. But on The Hub, a drifter called Snow arrives and joins the band of resistance fighters. Although it's easy to tell where the story is going, the originality of the city setting-Snow works as a fry cook among the local working class, touchingly rendered here-and the hybrid manga/comic artwork are spellbinding. Each character blends elements of the gigantic eyes of anime and the chiseled musculature of comics, making for a fantastic visual, and the robots are drawn in truly awesome dimensions. A really terrific story.—John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 6–10—Pope John Paul II's remarkable life, which he himself described as "a path that wasn't mine," is captured in this full-color graphic biography that includes many of the man's own words and correspondences. The realistic illustrations might feel cloying if it weren't for the rich color and light that come off the pages. Any faults the man might have had are left out. This is not the book for that. It's a truly beautiful volume, with a message of hope, that will have a place in most collections.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 2–8—Both of these hi/lo books are written at a second-grade reading level, but while the protagonists of Arf appear to be eight or nine years old, those in Surfboard look like teens. In the first title, Arf opens his neighbor's package and, finding a metal detector inside, decides to take it to the park. He makes a bet with his sister that he'll find treasure, "borrows" his mother's jewelry to win the bet, and panics when he can't find his buried box. The artwork is light and cartoony, and the story ends on a positive note with Arf being praised (rather generously) as being "clever" for helping the dim-witted police find a real treasure buried in the same park. In Surfboard, the artwork leans more toward angst-ridden close-ups and the story is darker, as well. Jack, who loves surfing, moves with his mother to a new home by the ocean. He becomes friends with Peter, a daredevil surfer whose twin, Tom, was killed when he tried to surf over Crab Rock. Tom makes several appearances throughout the story, from the first scenes in which Jack sees his ghost in the waves to the credulity-stretching ending in which Tom rescues his brother from drowning. The bright covers and simple plots of both titles might entice younger reluctant readers.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 4–8—The first book is a high-action title with a simple plot. Steve's first hot-air balloon trip with his cousins turns into a dangerous outing. When the get kids into the basket, Uncle Harry has a heart attack and drops the mooring rope, the balloon gets free, and Steve must figure out what to do as the balloon goes out over the sea. The art is uninspiring, but easy to interpret and follow, so it serves the purpose. In the second book, Andy is plagued by nightmares of being attacked by ravens just before going to kayaking camp. When he arrives at Greystone Grange, he finds that it is near the ruins of an old mansion, with many ravens flying about. He makes a few friends, but finds an enemy in a trainee instructor who tells him menacing stories about the house and the birds. He begins to wonder if Jack is simply a sleepwalking bully, or if he is somehow supernaturally tied to the house and the birds. The content and creepiness are suitable for middle school readers, but the character development and plotting leave much to be desired. The artwork is course and dark, suiting the tone of the story, but not highly appealing. Both books have a few sentences of text. These titles will work as additional purchases for school libraries working with reluctant readers, but they're not for standard graphic-novel collections. Public libraries can pass on them.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 2–5—These books vary greatly in their ability to embrace the tools and conventions of sequential art. Bug is the less successful of the two. Slim in scope and in substance, although certainly wryly amusing in a slightly predictable manner, it has little to indicate that it is anything other than a picture book. Having characters speak with word balloons and having multiple images on a single page does not constitute a graphic novel, and this book will do little to establish or encourage the visual skills that proponents of the format espouse. A pleasant if innocuous tale, it seems to be called a "graphic novel" for the purposes of hype only. In the second title, fourth-grader Tiger Moth, self-proclaimed ninja and superhero, has to discover who stole a valuable painting from his elementary school. Multiple puns and the trappings of multiple genres are all tossed at readers so that there is at least a goodly potential of some of them finding a receptive audience. Clever, and with a solid moral about assumptions and good intentions, the book exhibits the basic visual literacies of graphic literature.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, MA

Gr 6–9—Based on transcripts from an Internet message board, Train Man tells the story of a nervous, nerdy young man who meets the girl of his dreams in a chance encounter on the subway. He talks about it on a bulletin board for lonely singles, and the collective advice of the anonymous Internet community provides him with the knowledge and confidence to pursue this budding romance. While the artwork lacks depth and deftness, this manga successfully depicts both the multiple personages of the online community and their computerized forms of communicating emotion and code. The layouts aid immensely in adding personality and action to what is effectively a story depicting the writing of a modern epistolary tale. That process of showing computer screens and their immobile observers could have been deadly dull, and it is not. So while some of the figure work lacks finesse, it can largely be forgiven in light of the artwork's other strengths. The translation is quite good, with a solid voice and current references that help make the setting and exposition connect with readers. And while the romance is obviously the central movement of the plot, the protagonist's self-reinvention grows from the generosity of his online peers, and it is the depiction of this supportive relationship that is the most compelling.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, MA

Gr 3–6—First there were books, then there was a television show, now there are books adapted from the television show. The Time Warp Trio is fast becoming its own brand! In the first graphic novel, adapted from an episode's teleplay, the boys go back to 1816. Frankenstein's monster has come to life and is out for revenge. He's after Mary Shelley, the woman who created him and made him so ugly. The boys (Joe and Sam minus Fred) must again use the time-traveling book to set things right. While there's nothing new in this novel, the dialogue and characters are still funny, and the full-color pictures are almost snapshots of the episode. Fans of the series and the show will enjoy the format. Libraries with lots of "Trio" requests will want to make room for this one.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 4 Up—This book will no doubt please fans of the series, but the plot is somber and often drags, and the humor is too easy, too sparse, and not dry-witted, as in earlier titles. What the story lacks in plot, it makes up for in character development; there are back stories about Thorn; Gran'ma; and a mysterious, new, hooded dark leader; and the relationship between Fone Bone and Thorn deepens. While the series as a whole has appeal to both young and old alike, the dark images and light violence in this title might be too intense for some younger readers.—Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 8 Up—One of the most talked about series in comics publishing ever, "Infinite Crisis" is now out in a one-volume set of all seven original issues. It's about the alternative dimensions of Earths Prime, One, and Two, and the multiple characters that cross-pollinate these worlds. The three major DC heroes, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, are trying to work out the causality and relentless spin-offs from the infinite worlds. Panels from older comics are set beside modern renderings, showing the aging DC finally seems to acknowledge. At one point, Batman makes a caustic reference to when Superman died-a major news event from the '90s. In many ways, this title has a sad tone, as one realizes that the publisher is setting aside its legendary triad in favor of the newer, more modern heroes. Although comics frequently use the story line of the "final" appearance, and DC has not used that explicitly here, "Infinite Crisis" does feel like the beginning of the end. There are so many plotlines and moments here that could be mentioned; one that leaps to mind is the intergalactic brotherhood of Green Lanterns, and their final act captured in one mesmerizing panel. Simply put: a must-have for most libraries.—John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up—This manhwa is a fantasy/romance about Myung-Ee, who is a boy-obsessed fifth grader crushing on the older pretty boys when she has a run-in with classmate Yu-Da Lee. Soon after their confrontation, she discovers that he has the same strange affliction she does: his eyes turn red at night. It turns out that they are "Earth Rabbits" who once lived on the moon but escaped extinction and their mortal enemy, the "Fox Tribe." The trouble is that these foxes are also here on Earth and it's rabbit season. Fast forward to high school. Myung-Ee is starting at a new school and there she finds her old friend Yu-Da, but he doesn't remember her. He hangs out with the popular kids, who are really part of the Fox Tribe, and they are guarding him because he is a rare "Black Rabbit" and his mature liver when eaten will give the foxes immortality. Myung-Ee has an ally in Mr. Taekwon V of the Soon-La Army, sworn enemy of the Fox Tribe, and together they might be able to save Yu-Da. The story is fast paced with a few laughs. All the characters are easy to differentiate and likable, especially Myung-Ee, whose spunkiness will endear her to readers. With the usual cliff-hanger ending, this volume will fly off the shelves.—Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—An award-winning author presents a hilarious and informative survey of modern history. The book actually begins with an impressive 15-page distillation of pre-Columbian America; and while Europe and North America receive most of the attention, Gonick does include at least some highlights from other parts of the world. Covering such topics as the Protestant Reformation, the British defeat of the Spanish Armada, the Copernican model of the universe, and the American Revolution, he writes and draws with considerable wit and authority, and is obviously well versed in his subject. A good example of his cleverness appears at the book's outset, where he summarizes our knowledge of the first Americans who "arrived 12-, 15-, or 30,000 years ago, by land or by sea, from Siberia or somewhere else. They killed all the mastodons, ground sloths, and saber-toothed tigers, or else the big animals died of climate change." In the accompanying drawing, a man says to a serpent, "That much is almost certain." It is even more certain that most readers will enjoy this fun-filled trek through time.—Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Gr 10 Up—Disillusioned high school student Miguel lives in a typical small town, and he is filled with ennui and restlessness. He wills himself into a coma to escape-and wills himself out, one year later. He resumes his normal life with his friend Romeo and girlfriend, Lita. One night, the trio venture out into their town's lemon orchards to investigate an urban legend about a goat man who can supposedly charm someone into switching lives with him. There, they find that there is some truth to the legend. Hernandez has crafted an exceptional story with a brilliant twist, and it will most likely lend itself to multiple readings. The three main characters' love triangle, combined with their rock-and-roll lifestyles, will attract teens, and the compelling plot will keep them engaged. Cursing and mild sexual situations earn this book its publisher-designated "mature" rating. Hernandez has splendidly encapsulated all of the verisimilitude and angst of life in a small town and added the perfect ending.—Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY

Gr 10 Up—Caitlin Fairchild is nearing the end of her sophomore year at Princeton, eagerly waiting to hear if she has gotten a summer internship. When government agents come to her dorm room in the middle of the night to whisk her away to Death Valley for an exciting internship opportunity, she finds it strange but not impossibly so. And when it seems to be more like boot camp than a science fair, she isn't terribly alarmed. It isn't until she goes out late one night, seeking the medical facilities for a stomachache, that she learns the truth: she and her new friends are the science experiment, and a second-generation one at that. Anti-authoritarian conspiracy themes may appeal to some teens, as will the inevitable clothes shredding that the sexy main character seems to always go through. Libraries in which Gen 13 is popular might want this origin story, but the rough art, sexually exaggerated figures, and hilariously outdated characters (particularly "Grunge"-this is from 1994) will make it a supplementary purchase for most collections.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 9 Up—Izsak is a homeless teen living in the subway, playing his guitar for small change. When Cree comes upon him one evening, she knows that he is the talent that her band, Faust, needs. She recklessly invites him to come home with her so that he can meet her friend and band mate. Rail is wary of this stranger but has to admit that he is talented, and they accept him into the group. Little do they know that Izsak is watched by a secret society of supernatural beings. Is he a junkie? A vampire? Or something else altogether? Teens will appreciate the fresh manga-style art; mysterious, edgy plot; romantic tension that is quick to develop; and the characters' fun punk-style outfits. Middle school libraries might object to the language and the small amount of violence, but the book is sure to be popular in public libraries.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 9 Up—This autobiographical chronicle spans 30 years, beginning in 1971 with Maslov's days as a young student in Siberia. This bleak story of the Everyman is told in a style reminiscent of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich with its matter-of-fact descriptions of grim living conditions. Following school, Maslov is drafted into the army. His life as a soldier in Mongolia is retold with the same slow and methodical detachment used to describe tender scenes of his family life. After leaving the army, he takes up construction work and later enrolls in art school. Following the death of his brother, Maslov suffers a breakdown and is hospitalized after an alcoholic binge spurred on by depression. The events of his life are described in a plain manner, whether the author is depicting the marriage of a schoolmate or the death of a friend. His pencil drawings retain the feeling of sketches and are filled with gray shadows. At times, the people all look the same, underscoring a communal sensibility and the shared experience of life in isolated Siberia. Elsewhere, the faces take on an expressive detail that borders on the grotesque. Maslov dwells on the minutiae of his encounters with friends and acquaintances, and teens will be fascinated as his story slowly unfolds—Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Library, CA

Gr 9 Up—Sabato Obiga is a hopeless romantic who is always falling head over heels for a pretty girl. If only his family weren't so strange, he is sure he could keep a steady girlfriend. Whenever he brings a date home, she flees in terror; his relatives are obsessed with death and bear a closer resemblance to the Addams family than to the Brady Bunch. After his 66th breakup, the teen is determined to get a job and move as far away from his parents as he can-but they have other plans for him. From first glance, with the menacing title and creepy cover art, this looks like a horror story, but what lies within is a rollicking comedy. Sabato's family members, while macabre, are funny and oddly endearing. Mihara's characters are lavishly drawn, with gothic Lolita-style attire and long flowing locks. Filled with fun pop-culture references, teen angst, kooky people, and cool costumes, Mihara's manga has something for most teens.—Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY

Gr 10 Up—Nemesis was a member of the Coda Sisterhood on the planet Khera. As part of this elite warrior class, she went on dangerous missions, including one in which she pretended to side with its enemies. The plan worked well until she was betrayed by her lover. That happened thousands of years ago on a primitive but strategically important world called Earth. Nemesis and the other Kherans are invulnerable to most injuries and age much more slowly than humans, so these characters appear in scenes from 995 B.C.E. to the present day. Much like the Endless in Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" series (Vertigo), they interact with other figures throughout history. One of the highlights is when Nemesis teams up with Sherlock Holmes. (While her fashions change over time, her attitude and her cleavage remain the same.) The fight scenes are kinetic and explosive, and there's a lot of blood, most notably in the breathtakingly cool image of Nemesis with both her sword and the hem of her dress dripping red. This book would be best for mature readers, both because of the tendency of female characters to be almost but not quite naked and because of the intricacies of the plot. It will find an immediate audience with teens who enjoy lots of intrigue and even more action.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up—Ai Mayuzumi is an unusual teen who doesn't like to play by the rules. She frequently cuts school to go to her father's research lab, where she is an ace driver and tester of water jetbikes. In the underwater city where she lives, corporations run everything, keeping citizens safe from the environmentally damaged world above. But when an outlaw organization steals vital information, Ai is compelled to chase after them to try and foil their plans. She finds that she is not alone in this rescue when she encounters two women known as Stelnas. Ai becomes fascinated with this vigilante group, who are sworn enemies of Error, and she becomes determined to join them. An excellent science-fiction plot is well matched with strong action and compelling characters. Best for an older audience, due to brief gratuitous nudity.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 12 Up—An alternative comic if there ever was one, this book uses intentionally grotesque artwork, all animal characters, and adult humor to create a flippant story meant to amuse. The two leads are a blind, bloblike flightless dragon and his fanged red cyborg rabbit friend, and with every character they meet, they have the kind of jokey, ironic conversations one finds in indie movies. They move from milieu to milieu, encountering new oddities and narrowly avoiding danger. There are moments when the story pauses and the artwork and narration come together to make a moving panel or two, but usually the narration overtells and the jokes fall flat. Any conventional rules of storytelling go out the window in favor of introducing more weirdly colored creatures who involve the characters in embarrassing snafus. Although some of the creatures are highly original, this title is just not worth bothering with.—John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up—Mingo, 26, is an aspiring cartoonist with a hot temper who has recently broken up with her boyfriend, an aloof musician. Despite their split, she and Jerry have decided to remain friends. X Diary chronicles their ups and downs as they transition from one phase to another. Toma's subdued manwha might appeal to older readers who could relate to and identify with the fine nuances in Mingo and Jerry's unsteady relationship. However, there's not much action. The book relies heavily on dialogue, and some translation issues make for choppy and unsure exchanges between the characters. The full-color art is sparse, with white space taking up much of each page, and rounded panels make readers feel like they are watching this drama unfold on TV, opposed to a more traditional format.—Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY

Gr 9 Up—A heartbreaking look at what it's like to live in a war zone. Inspired by true events, this story tells of four lions that escape from the Baghdad Zoo during a bombing raid in 2003 and encounter other animals that offer unique perspectives, such as a tortoise that survived World War I. They begin to question the nature of freedom. Can it be achieved without being earned? What is its price? What do the lions owe the zookeepers who took care of them at the cost of keeping them in captivity? Where should they go? What should they eat? The four lions soon realize that a desert city is nothing like the grassy savannas of their memories. Their experiences mirror those of the Iraqi citizens displaced by the conflict. The book succeeds as a graphic novel and as an account of the current crisis. Henrichon's full palette emphasizes browns and grays that evoke the sands of the country, while his long brushstrokes and careful attention to detail reflect the precise and minimalist dialogue that Vaughan uses. An allegorical tale with compelling and believable characters, Baghdad makes it clear that without self-determination, there can be no freedom—Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax, VA

Gr 10 Up—The beloved characters of classic stories, such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Mowgli, come to life as the denizens of mythical Fabletown. With the womanizing Prince Charming as mayor, things are off to a rocky start for these residents. Then Sinbad and his slaves arrive, and Charming misunderstands their Arabian customs and language. When Sinbad adopts American customs, his advisor loses faith in him and unleashes a genie that could destroy Fabletown and all of its inhabitants, unless they find a way to stop it. Also included in this volume is a bonus story about two wooden soldiers named Rodney and June who wish to be made real so they can marry. Willingham's seventh installment proves that this series storms on, full steam ahead. Readers unfamiliar with the Fable world can still follow the arc of this story, with few holes, and longtime fans will revel in the new plot twists and deeper development of its characters. Exquisitely detailed and vibrant art pulls readers into this well-crafted fantasy. Unlike some of its predecessors, this volume is fairly innocuous in content, besides some light cursing and mild sexual themes. A fun series for larger libraries and/or those that already carry the preceding volumes.—Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NY