Graphic Novels

Gr 8 Up–These books depict Shakespeare’s plays through black-and-white paneled storytelling. Much Ado is set in Italy during the late 1800s, using Victorian clothing to set the scene. Vieceli uses different styles of manga art with great effect, from “chibi” or “super-deformed” characters to show excessive cuteness or childish banter to the dramatic, overflowing tears that exaggerate a character’s grief. This play is an excellent choice for adaptation, given its comedic moments and over-the-top emotions, and Appignanesi adapts it beautifully. King Lear is more challenging to convert to the style, made no less so by the choice of setting: the North American frontier, with Lear himself cast as an Algonquin chief. The traitorous Edmund is cast as one of the few African Americans. He is more sympathetic than in other productions, but he remains a villain. Ilya works hard to wrap real historical and cultural details into the panels, attempting authenticity instead of stereotypical images that too often accompany Native Americans in comics. However, there are some questions about the accuracy of the appearance of the fools particularly; they are costumed as “clowns,” one with a vaguely Southwestern appearance and the other wearing the entire hide of a wolf. In addition, Ilya places some gratuitous nudity and cleavage into the script, and the depiction of Lear’s daughter Regan as sometimes pale and sometimes dark-skinned is confusing. Still, both books are likely to draw manga readers further into Shakespeare’s plays, and students of the Bard may get new ideas about how his works can be presented to modern audiences.–Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 7 Up–This work is described as a graphic adaptation of Carlson’s In and Out of Your Mind: Teen Science, Human Bites (Bick, 2002). However, something seems to have been lost in translation. Though the majority of the space is devoted to cosmology, paleontology, genetics, and neuroscience, the author also brings in psychology and even meditation without discussing any of it in enough depth to be useful. The science is rough, with some errors in fact as well as a number of imprecise assertions and graphics (one spread shows an atom emerging from a cell emerging from the Earth, seeming to suggest, as cells are ultimately made of atoms, that the Earth is ultimately made up of cells). Carlson’s discussions of the brain, mind, and consciousness aren’t helpful, either. What are teens to think when discussions of the nervous system are followed by assertions that there is no such thing as a “self”? The question of God’s existence is raised on a few occasions but then dropped. The black-and-white sketches are passable, but the layout can be confusing and the questions asked by the teens pictured don’t always get answered in the text. Larry Gonick’s The Cartoon History of the Universe (Broadway, 1997) is dated but still handles cosmology better, and Mark Schultz’s The Stuff of Life (Hill & Wang, 2008) is a great graphic look at genetics.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Gr 9 Up–The first installment in this series follows sisters Sarah and Alex and the vampires, werewolves, and weirns who attend PS 13W as night students. Sarah’s new job as Night Keeper has her busy learning the ins and outs of the school and its students and homeschooling Alex, who possesses special talents as a weirn. While Sarah is at work, Alex sneaks out with her astral companion to practice spells and encounters a group of supernatural creatures who call themselves Hunters. When Alex mysteriously awakes back at home with no memory of how her encounter ended, she hopes that there won’t be any further problems. But when Sarah’s image starts disappearing from photographs, Alex must travel to the school to find out what’s going on. This volume introduces many characters and sets up multiple story lines involving the Hunters, evil monsters called Rippers, and other students that aren’t resolved here. The various plotlines lead to a jumbled narrative that can be confusing. Chmakova’s artistic skill is displayed to the highest effect in her black-and-white illustrations of spooky locations like the darkened school and cemetery, and the Rippers’ appearances are truly frightening. Minor flaws aside, manga fans and teens looking for vampire stories will devour this one and will want to find out more about these characters.–Laura Amos, Newport News Public Library, VA

Gr 8 Up–The enigma was a portable cipher machine that the Nazis used to decrypt coded messages. A professor finds one at an estate sale and assigns his graduate students the task of decoding it. The next day, the man and all but one of his students are dead, murdered by State Department agents who are now ruthlessly pursuing Casey, the remaining student. Can she decode the message and save her life? Fast-paced and filled with violence, this is a quick, action-packed read. The illustrations are drawn in a realistic style that lacks enough detail to make them expressive or striking, but the book should appeal to fans of spy thrillers.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 3-7–Julian Calendar, 11, is a supersmart transfer student trying desperately to fit in at his new middle school. Just when he starts to believe that he’ll never find his place, he discovers two other brilliant minds and together they form the Secret Science Alliance. These three braniacs create their own book of blueprints for such cunning creations as “the stinkometer,” sticky and dangerous gluebombs, and the flying “Kablovsky Copter.” However, their blueprints are stolen by evil Dr. Stringer, who has plans for them. Davis’s first long-form comic is packed full of detail down to every minute tool in the Alliance’s workshop, and the flying words and panels move the story at a quick pace. Davis’s creativity is evident from the myriad gadgets and schemes of the story. Children will see, through these inventions and the triumph of the protagonists, that science can be cool.–Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

Gr 3-5–While adult fans of the original series, which began in 1942, might be interested in seeing their favorite characters in a new format, these books fall short of expectations. In all three titles, the art feels stiff and awkward–the characters’ faces are undeveloped and indistinct, making them difficult to connect with. The text, rather than the images, moves the action along, flattening the excitement of the Alden kids’ discoveries and making even the dramatic moments when the mysteries are revealed seem clunky and anticlimactic.–Lauren Anduri, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up–This classic tale is condensed into a fast-paced format that, in the Original Text, still contains much of Dickens’s original phrasing. The language remains the real charm of the story–Pip is not a terribly likable character, as he is far too concerned with station and class and is too easily ashamed of his past–and the adaptation works wonderfully as an abridgment accompanied by expressive artwork that accurately depicts the era. Notes at the end offer more information about Dickens’s time and the political climate that form the context for the novel. Quick Text is a plain-language translation that reads well and is likely to attract a more reluctant audience. While the adaptation of the story is still good, it is a shame to lose the author’s original words; the art makes the action and situations clear enough without further watering down the text. Unfortunately, the Quick Text cover is much more intriguing than the Original Text. The latter is recommended for libraries looking to expand their graphic-novel selections into the classics, with the former recommended only where reluctant readers are the majority of the comics audience.–Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 4-7–Four high school students become friends and create a special security force to save the world, called Recon Academy. Nuclear Distraction introduces Hazmat, whose special abilities include ballistics, toxicology, and fingerprint analysis. With his forensic skills, he tracks the bad Shadow Cell team through a nuclear plant and recovers the data they were stealing. Shadow Cell Scam begins with each team member being given a free laptop that soon explodes, sending them out to protect the Navy launch of a spy satellite and getting them in trouble with their families for blowing up the kitchen. This time, Emmi’s martial-arts skills save the day. The illustrations are done in an Americanized anime style with four to eight frames per page. There are additional graphic pages with data, and each title ends with a profile of the main character and some instant chat among the team members. The story and dialogue are appropriate for younger children and will also appeal to older reluctant readers. There are enough technological details to maintain interest, but not much background or character development. The theme of teamwork is clear, as each student uses a talent to help accomplish the task.–Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

Gr 9 Up–Winsome orphan Rui is having enough trouble choosing between dreamy class playboy Karou and scrappy boy-next-door Taro, but when the handsome and seductive new teacher, Mr. Eisuke, becomes her new roommate (and personal cupid), anything could happen. Meanwhile, Taro begins to realize that although his feelings for Rui are blossoming, he’s bound to lose her unless he steps up his game, and he turns to Rui’s best friends for advice on winning her. Although the tone is relatively innocuous overall, there are some mildly suggestive elements and a few instances of underage alcohol consumption. With eye-catching and whimsical artwork, Orange Planet is a pleasant shojo complement to the usual male-centered “harem comedies” à la Ken Akamatsu’s Love Hina (Tokyopop), and would make for a good second purchase for a collections in need of solid shojo titles.–Dave Inabnitt, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 6 Up–The collection of chapters 35-80 of the online graphic novel is a companion to NBC’s television series. It offers glimpses into the lives of Ando, Adam Monroe, and the Haitian, as well as other characters. Familiarity with the characters and plotlines is essential as the chapters jump from one story to another with no introduction. Several authors and illustrators contributed the quick-paced storytelling and full-color artwork, producing a few jarring transitions. Most of the stories are illustrated in the familiar American superhero comic style; a chapter on legendary figure Takezo Kensei is appropriately–and amusingly–presented as manga. Fans of the show will enjoy this gap-filler between seasons, but newcomers will definitely want to check out the previous graphic-novel compilation and perhaps some DVDs.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 1-3–Aliens Eek and Ack want to find out why Earth is so hard to conquer. They dress up in “traditional Earthling costumes” and arrive on the planet during a meteor shower, a perfect disguise for their landing. They do not realize that it is Halloween or that the Wolfman is on the loose. Harpster’s characters are wonderfully drawn in dark colors, and readers see the full emotion behind these charming aliens. Reluctant readers new to graphic novels will love this book. In the second title, Zack Allen is bullied at school. When a tornado hits his town, he turns into Zinc Alloy, superhero. Things go haywire when his suit backfires and sends him through the toilet. He destroys the town by accident, and an angry mob decides that he is a mutant. He runs for cover in the forest, where he meets Frankenstein, who turns out to be a girl. They fight, but become friends as soon as Frankenstein hears that Zinc Alloy likes the comic book Robo Hero. They join forces and wash the town clean but leave it without drinking water. Holgate’s illustrations are explosive and exaggerated and will appeal to children. Both books include a list of characters, a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and Internet sites.–Lisa Gieskes, CA Johnson Preparatory Academy, Columbia, SC

Gr 5-7–The power is out on peaceful Maple Street, and no one knows why. As paranoia and fear rise, the neighbors turn on one another, looking for a culprit. In the end, readers see the street from the viewpoint of invading aliens, who blithely comment on how easy it is to sit back and let the earthlings “destroy themselves.” The illustrations and layout, while not remarkable, are clear and simple enough to move the story along briskly. A gripping horror tale with a deeper meaning, this is a quick read that should appeal to reluctant readers.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 3-5–When not serving up French fries and gravy to students, Lunch Lady escapes to her secret kitchen lair to lead the life of a crime fighter. Using an assortment of lunch-themed gadgets (created by her sidekick Betty), she is definitely a quirky superhero. Tipped off by the “Breakfast Bunch” (three students who discovered Lunch Lady’s crime-fighting alter ego in Book 1), she attempts to foil the plans of the evil “League of Librarians,” who seek to destroy all video games. The black-and-white pen-and-ink illustrations have splashes of yellow in nearly every panel. The clean layout, featuring lots of open space, is well suited for the intended audience. Terrence, Hector, and Dee become more developed in this second installment in the series, especially Dee, who asserts herself as the strong-willed leader of the group. The winking references to book fairs, read-a-thon enrollment, and media specialists fit well with the story line. With its appealing mix of action and humor, this clever, entertaining addition to the series should have wide appeal.–Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

Gr 7 Up–The classic story of Robin Hood is told from the formative years of his childhood to the thrilling challenges and successes of his adulthood. The book begins when Robin is both traumatized and motivated by the Sheriff of Nottingham’s brutal punishment of outlaw Will O’ the Green, then covers his experiences years later in the Holy Land during the Crusades, and follows his return to England. The rich detail in this story, especially during Robin’s time in Jerusalem, might send readers scrambling for earlier versions of Robin Hood to figure out which parts of this book are from the “original” story and which parts sprang from Lee’s imagination. Luckily, the “Who Is Robin Hood?” addendum by Allen W. Wright clears up some of this confusion, explaining how the legendary story has evolved over the course of almost 800 years. Lee’s excellent rendition of the famed selfless hero goes hand-in-hand with Hart’s expressive illustrations, featuring lots of close-ups and dramatic lighting and a beautiful jewel-toned palette. Teens will get caught up in this exciting page-turner, which is one of the most dynamic retellings of a classic tale in recent years. In the pantheon of memorable renditions of Robin Hood there was Errol Flynn, there was Daffy Duck–and now there is Tony Lee’s Outlaw.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

K-Gr 1–Each page of these graphic novels contains one to four picture boxes. Illustrations are done in bright basic colors that portray the emotions of the characters. Enough detail is added to make them interesting but not overwhelming. The texts are highlighted in a separate boxes to help readers follow along in sequence. A few bubbles contain more information. In Goalkeeper Goof, David likes to play soccer except for the goalie position because of past mistakes. His turn to play goalie makes him nervous but his determination to keep trying ends in success. In The End Zone, Olivia likes tag football but the boys exclude her because she’s a girl. When one of their players is sick, she fills in and proves she is an asset to the team. Both stories pose a problem with a happy ending that kids will enjoy. Good choices for beginning readers drawn to graphic novels.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Gr 8 Up–Published initially as comics and compiled into a graphic novel, this book features art by five artists and two colorists, with a smooth transition from one section to the next. Elias Hooke, a former witch hunter and inquisitor, is battling the true witch, the Queen of Thorns, whose corruption has spread throughout the American colonies, including Salem. Other witch hunters continue to execute those who have been tainted by the queen, those accused of witchcraft, without understanding the full repercussions. When Hooke saves accused witch Hannah, two factions inside the church’s brotherhood pursue them, but the greater trouble comes from the Queen of Thorns herself, who wants Hooke to steal something from the church for her. The story is one of terror, not just from the monstrous creatures at the queen’s beck and call, but also because the men involved in the witch hunts perform such monstrous tasks themselves. It is compelling and fast paced, though sometimes confusing, and the images of torture and disembodied heads may prove disturbing to some readers. As a historical horror graphic novel, the book could lend diversity to collections overwhelmed by superheroes and manga, but there is little historical truth in the narrative. The religious implications (the Queen of Thorns having been created at the crucifixion) may also be confusing to readers unfamiliar with the Christian story or intimately connected with the religion.–Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 7 Up–This volume includes the four issues of the comic-book series. The story is a tie-in to the 2008 release of the Wrath of the Lich King game expansion. It begins in the midst of the Second War between orcs and humans, during which Highlord Alexandros Mograine takes possession of a powerful crystal. The action jumps forward in time to show how the crystal was turned from an object of evil to part of a weapon for good, the sword known as Ashbringer. As war rages on, alliances break down and brother turns against brother, leading to the end of the Knights of the Silver Hand and the rise of Scarlet Crusade and Argent Dawn. Computer-colored illustrations bring the action to life, and Neilson’s debut comics effort is more than competent. A must-have for the online-gaming crowd.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 3-6–Nadia is put in charge of the London Lions soccer team when Nate Bowers, her coach, suffers a fall just as the team makes it to the under-18 Canadian national championships. She faces pressure from her teammates, who doubt her leadership ability, and from Aidan, the rival team’s assistant coach. Nadia is lucky, though. She has had a lot of good training from her coach and she has her younger brother. Devin, with the help of Coach Bowers’s son, is determined to find out who is out to sabotage the London Lions. There’s some clever dialogue, and the full-color cartoons have a lot of action, particularly Nadia’s hair-raising escape from the villain at the end. This entertaining story provides soccer instruction as well as mystery.–Lisa Gieskes, CA Johnson Preparatory Academy, Columbia, SC

Gr 7 Up–Beginning 12 years before the lunar landing, this book chronicles the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union through a catalog of both countries’ multiple attempts on the road to manned spaceflight. Organized as a countdown, making the outcome seem inevitable, the frequent, prominent sidebars list a type of rocket, the duration of its flight, and whether the mission was a success or a failure. There are more than 30 attempts chronicled, and the shift between Soviet and U.S. successes creates an interesting balance in the narrative. Ottaviani credits the early Russian successes to chief designer Korolev, and his influence and personal vision fill the first half of the book. The American portion of the narrative lacks a parallel central architect, with the text focusing less on process and more on the majesty, beauty, and peril of simply being in space. The story is necessarily condensed–the author notes that approximately 400,000 people worked on the U.S. projects overall–but plentiful information is provided in the numerous panels and explanatory captions per page. The copious detail will appeal to some, and certainly helps to underscore the meticulous research that went into this undertaking. Ottaviani is particular with facts and eager to inspire readers with regard to the scientific process.–Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 7 Up–After waking up from a nightmare, 19-year-old Ayou’s day starts off with verbal chastisements from his nagging mother, gets progressively worse (a series of minor injuries on his way to work), and culminates with a spectacular disaster involving the collapse of a warehouse full of boxes. Suspended from his job, despondent, and unwilling to accept the advice of his friends, the young man ends up on a bus heading out of the city. He falls asleep in the hollow of a tree, and when he wakes up, Rip Van Winkle and The Wizard of Oz plot elements come into play as a short green man takes him to another world. Unsurprisingly, Ayou’s sojourn in this vibrant and joyful world gives him an attitude adjustment and motivates him to live a more purposeful life. Despite the fantasy backdrop, Ayou’s adventure is one mired with unimaginative lessons. His conclusion that “those who lead joyful lives understand happiness” is just the last in a long list of platitudes scattered throughout the story. As for the artwork, the landscape is bright and worthy of staging a video game, but it’s a waste of visual whimsy for a lesson that essentially boils down to stop whining and appreciate what you have.–Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 1-4-Rapunzel features staid, spare storytelling. Except for the witch, the characters are not detailed and blithely live in “perfect happiness” at the end. The hunched-over, goggle-eyed wicked witch does provide some dark flavor to the story. Three Little Pigs has more spunk and not quite so happy an ending. The pigs and wolf are larger than life, with mud, sweat, and saliva flying across the panels. The animals frenetically bounce across the pages in pursuit of one another. The wolf is particularly menacing and its curved claws and glowing green eyes will remain in children’s thoughts at the end of the tale as it lies in wait. Although the books have some appealing illustrations, children can experience these fairy tales in more stimulating ways.–Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

Gr 5-7-It is 1937 in Kansas, during the Dust Bowl, and 11-year-old Jack can barely remember a world with plentiful water and crops. Unable to help his father with a harvest that isn’t there, and bullied by the other boys his age, he feels like a useless baby. Stories offer a refuge, and there are multiple stories in this work. Jack’s mother tells about the time when the land was a fertile “paradise.” Jack’s invalid sister, Dorothy, is reading The Wizard of Oz, gaining inspiration from the adventures of another Kansan of the same name. Jack’s friend comforts him with folktales about a brave man named Jack who masters nature, battling the King of the West Wind, the King of Blizzards, and the King of the Northeast Winds. In the end, Phelan turns the Dust Bowl into another one of Ernie’s “Jack” tales when the real Jack encounters the Storm King in an abandoned barn and finds out that he has been holding back the rain. The boy must then gather the strength to determine his own narrative, as well as his parched town’s future. Children can read this as a work of historical fiction, a piece of folklore, a scary story, a graphic novel, or all four. Written with simple, direct language, it’s an almost wordless book: the illustrations’ shadowy grays and blurry lines eloquently depict the haze of the dust. A complex but accessible and fascinating book. –Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 3-5–In her second adventure, Claire begins school in a new town. She’s already made one friend, Jet, and then meets Sky. Then Jet becomes obsessed with her camera and fashion, annoying Claire. Sky is worried about the pollutants in Lovesick Lake that are making her family ill. The girls must set aside their differences and help find the villains who are destroying the lake. The story concludes with directions for some photography-related crafts. The black-and-white illustrations are stiff but expressive. Young readers will relate to the rocky nature of friendship. If there’s a demand for graphic novels aimed at elementary-aged girls, then this is a decent addition.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 2-5–This book’s bright colors, simple page layouts, cartoon art, and humorous text will appeal to strong readers in the lower middle grades, although less-surefooted readers may balk at the size and amount of text on each page. The five friends of the 3-2-3 Detective Agency, a donkey, a penguin, a sloth, a rat, and a dung beetle, must find out why the citizens of Whiska City are disappearing before one of their own falls victim to the animal-nappers. Characters are clearly and quickly distinguished, silly action abounds, and sharp-eyed readers will find clues to the mystery in the backgrounds of some panels. Some readers may find the art frustrating: the energetic, adolescent style makes faces hard to read, with most mouths situated just below the cheekbone, and animals that are supposed to be fluffy just look like they’re melting. Second and third graders who like funny mysteries will adore it: it’s a supplemental purchase for everyone else.–Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Gr 9 Up–There are a number of oft-quoted statistics that place the average age of comic-book readers somewhere in their mid-20s. If so, then just as Spider-Man was created for the teenagers of the 1960s, so Starman was for the 20-something readers of the 1990s. This iteration of Starman (and there have been many) sold collectibles, had a strained relationship with his father, and fought crime while wearing street clothes for a costume. The end result was something new, but not for everyone. This third volume collects single issues of the series, plus a limited series, and assorted miscellanea. Unfortunately, the collected works do not equate to a single, consistent narrative. The volume would be fine for those libraries looking to fill out their “Starman” shelves, but not great for casual readers. The writing is very talky, with occasional pages of pure text, and a lot of reflection by the characters. The art is uneven, varying in quality and tone. Purchase for die-hard fans and libraries in which the previous two volumes have been popular.–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 4-8–A prequel to the “Bone” saga (Scholastic), Rose takes place in the Valley years before the Bones arrived, when Gran’ma Ben was the spirited, beautiful Princess Rose. She and her cold, bitter sister, Briar, are called to defend the Valley from a vicious dragon that is possessed by the Lord of the Locusts. Rose is up to the task, but can Briar be trusted? Vess’s Art Nouveau-style illustrations, as well as an elegant, ornate font, give the story the look of an antique fairy tale. The vivid but soft colors, in subtle shades of red, yellow, green, and blue, are stunning. A strong introduction for readers new to the series, and a satisfying addition for fans hungry for more.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 6-9–Former juvenile delinquent Rachel Buchanan would much rather have a hamburger and hit the beach than spend the day in a dusty library researching the location of ancient artifacts. But when you are a spy-school student and a reincarnated goddess–like it or not–duty doesn’t just call, it insists. In this installment in the series, Rachel and her friends trek to Brazil to find a set of Roman artifacts before Rachel’s arch-nemesis, who thinks he’s the reincarnation of the bull god Mithras, can gather them and perform a mysterious ritual. Before she can save the world, though, the young woman must come to terms with who she is, an issue that even teens without superpowers can understand. The script is peppered with witty dialogue and realistic conflict between the teen heroes and the villains, and Rainbow Buddy’s black-and-white manga-style panels manage to stay just this side of too cute. A thoroughly American comic tale that fits seamlessly into a manga telling.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 8 Up–Dyson Wales is the newest member on the International Space Station, where eight scientists from around the world reside. His dream-come-true soon becomes a nightmare when it is evident that everything is not harmonious onboard. On a simple repair mission outside the station, cosmonaut Nicolay Morozov’s thrusters do not re-fire and he cannot maneuver back inside. He is floating away with less than eight hours to live. Was this an accident or was it sabotage? This space whodunit raises moral questions about who can save the health of the world and whose country has the right to get the credit. The majority of the characters are not developed because of the rapid pace and mayhem of the story. The ending is not a surprise yet the action will still entice teens because of the full-color imagery of Caravalho’s chaotic atmosphere inside the space station, which parallels the disturbingly calm pages of Nicolay floating further and further away. Dyson’s inquiries and discoveries solve the murder of Nicolay while the destruction of the space station that crumbles around him is never understood.–Nancy D. Tolson, Mitchell College, New London, CT

Gr 5-8–In this Marvel Comics six-part retelling of Stevenson’s tale, the mood is intense and the plot is fast moving. Young Jim Hawkins and his family, owners of the Admiral Benbow Inn, are immediately ill at ease when wretched pirate Billy Bones (former member of the crew under the unsavory Captain Flint) unexpectedly arrives for an extended stay. In his possession is a mysterious sea chest. When Billy dies of a stroke, Jim and his mother open the chest to discover a map and plan a voyage to find the treasure, escaping just before Billy’s vile former shipmates arrive. The untrustworthy Long John Silver is hired as the ship’s cook, and he brings aboard a number of former Flint shipmates. Things soon get ugly as the search intensifies, putting Jim in harm’s way. The antiquated dialogue, while lending authenticity, may prove difficult for some less-experienced readers to follow. The plot also occasionally moves a bit too quickly (no doubt a result of the length restrictions that comics impose), leaving readers to do some reading between the lines to keep up with the action. The comic-book-style illustrations serviceably match the text, adding a good deal of clarity. The competent layout and panel structure make for smooth reading. Although an additional purchase, Treasure Island is an overall adequate retelling of a classic tale.–Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

Gr 10 Up–This adaptation of Bradbury’s iconic classic about the perils of censorship has an introduction by the author that is an insightful discussion of how a story can be altered even by its originator as it takes on new forms and lengths. Hamilton’s moody palette and 1950s version of “the future” fit well with the original text. In keeping with the period feel, such visual details as characters’ noses project personal traits. Best of all, this rendition of the endangered books themselves shows well-thumbed copies of titles by authors teens will recognize as seminal, such as Darwin and Shakespeare. This is a good crossover graphic novel for classrooms but even better as a discovery for sci/fi readers browsing the shelves.–Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Gr 10 Up–A coming-of-age story set in rural Korea a few generations ago. Ehwa is a beautiful young woman who, over a series of vignettes, learns about her body and how men and women make babies. She suffers the pain of her first unrequited love for the boy monk Chung-Myung (who also suffers from his own forbidden love for her). She also finds herself attracted to Sunoo, a rich son of an orchard owner who studies in the city. While Ehwa discovers her own desires, her widowed mother finds love again with a traveling picture salesman. The story revolves around the close relationship the women share as Ehwa becomes her mother’s main ally and confidante. The illustrator uses flowers in many of the vignettes to explain aspects of love or to represent his characters and their relationships. While the book begins when Ehwa is seven and only takes her into her early teen years, the nostalgic tone and slow pacing make the title more likely to appeal to older readers. The artwork is beautiful, particularly in Hwa’s depiction of the landscape and the two main characters. A good additional purchase for libraries looking for less action-oriented manga/manhwa titles.–Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 10 Up–In this installment in the trilogy set in 19th-century Korea, Ehwa falls in love with a strong young man named Duksam, while her mother continues her affair with a traveling salesman. This is a quiet and intimate story about a girl’s first sexual awakenings as well as the changing nature of her relationship with her mother during her adolescence. The language and concepts are poetic–Ehwa’s mother teaches her that women are like flowers while men are like fire and wind. While Hwa’s artwork predominantly conveys a lot of emotion with very few carefully placed lines, there are some larger scenes of natural beauty (flowers, trees, the night sky) that are breathtaking in their detail. A Korean village is a far cry from the environment of most American teens, but the romantic themes will keep even modern girls pining for more of this story. It is not necessary to have read The Color of Earth (Roaring Brook, 2009) to understand this volume, but since readers will probably be curious to learn about Ehwa’s first two loves and about what will happen with Duksam in the future, ordering the trilogy is a sound investment.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up–Generations of children have enjoyed Jansson’s books about Moomin and his family and friends. Lesser known were Jansson’s series of the comic strips for adults–until Drawn & Quarterly began reissuing them in 2006. This fourth volume is, alas, the last in the series chronicling the adventures and misadventures of the hippolike Scandinavian troll, his girlfriend, and his parents. In the first of the five stories in this volume, Moominpapa accidentally builds a time machine and takes his family back to the exciting days of the Wild West. To his dismay, he finds a population of peaceful and law-abiding citizens, corrupt lawmen, and Indians who keep forgetting that they are supposed to act like bloodthirsty savages. Another story has the denizens of Moominvalley giving up their peaceful and happy life to join the rat race, while a third showcases the perils of fame and fortune, including a kitchen full of intimidating appliances. As in the previous volumes, Jansson pokes gentle fun at human foibles while driving home the message that true happiness lies in being yourself. Teens will be attracted by the simple but expressive black-and-white drawings on yellow pages, and perhaps take to heart the precepts: that which glitters may be just glitter, and some dreams are best left as dreams. Libraries that already own the previous three volumes will want to complete their set, while those that have somehow missed purchasing the series will want to do so now.–Sandy Schmitz, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Gr 10 Up–This comics “event” throws in everything from DC but the proverbial kitchen sink. The end result is something that may please longtime readers but will leave those without an extensive knowledge of the DC universe, past and present, in a state of bewilderment. The barely comprehensible plot involves a major threat to the universe (and beyond) from DC’s biggest baddie, Darkseid. The story begins intriguingly, when two characters from the late, great Jack Kirby’s “New Gods” pantheon arrive on Earth in ominous circumstances. The narrative quickly gets out of control as the story moves forward in a baffling procession of characters and dilemmas. The intriguing cover and bold artwork may draw readers in, but only the truly dedicated will make it through this flawed epic. It is definitely targeted to an older audience as its characters die, make suggestive comments, and generally behave in ways unlike their earlier incarnations, which will seem fresh to some, but gratuitous to others.–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 10 Up–Scott and Ramona both carry emotional baggage from their previous relationships. Scott cheated on one or more of his ex-girlfriends, who have names like Envy and Knives. Ramona has several ex-boyfriends whom Scott has been fighting over the course of this series. This book is filled with characters in their 20s who look and act much younger. They’re bored when they go to parties, so they sit around complaining. They’re in a band but they spend more time arguing with each other than rehearsing or performing. There are several fantasy elements, as when Scott gets into fistfights with robots sent by Ramona’s ex-boyfriends. Ramona also seems to be fantastic in an unexplained way, which promises to be explored in volume six. O’Malley’s cartoon style is eye-catching, but the similarity of the androgynously attractive faces sometimes makes it difficult to tell one character from another. Readers who are not familiar with the earlier volumes may have trouble understanding these characters, their motivations, and the sudden appearance of robots in a (seemingly) reality-based story. But luckily for those readers, summaries of the previous installments as well as many sample pages are available on the scottpilgrim.com Web site. It’s hard to empathize with a character who appears to be the designated hero, but who is also a slacker with poor communication skills. The main problem with Scott Pilgrim is that readers might choose to side with the universe instead.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up–Buhle has brought together a heady group of writers and artists to create a well-informed, engaging, and dynamic presentation of the core precursors and descendants of the Beat ethos in both literary and popular American life. The first half of the volume, drawn by Piskor, interweaves the development, achievements, and interactions of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and, to a lesser degree, William S. Burroughs. Details such as Kerouac’s left-handedness and Ginsberg’s changing physique across his life span are shown, while snippets from their writings are suitably incorporated into the text, which is both discursive and critical. The remainder of the volume comprises 22 pieces, most by Pekar, exploring related figures, like Michael McClure and Lawrence Ferlinghetti; contemporaries whose personal circumstances varied enough from the core of Beats to demand artistic and life expressions that differed from the canonical Beat identity, including LeRoi Jones, Diane di Prima, and Kenneth Patchen; and related arts including visual and jazz. Joyce Brabner, Trina Robbins, Peter Kuper, and Lance Tooks are among the 17 contributors to the volume, which belongs in every library where any Beat literature has a home. This is a perfect gateway to both the art and the era for today’s teens to access the Beat world.–Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Gr 10 Up-Kotoko has inherited her grandfather’s ability to see yokai (evil and mischievous spirits), but not the ability to exorcise them. Wanting to be well liked in high school, she uses her lineage to gain popularity, but things get out of hand when her classmates want her to perform an on-location exorcism to rid a forest of dangerous spirits. Kotoko takes on the challenge, putting herself and her classmates in danger. Classmate Kuro also sees yokai, but unlike Kotoko, who hates them, he secretly heals them. When her exorcism goes wrong, Kuro comes to her rescue. Part one of this manga recounts events through the voice of Kotoko, and is Sato’s original story. Part two, where the series actually begins, repeats events of the first part but from the point of view of Kuro and then continues on. Yokai Doctor’s combination of horror, fantasy, and imminent romance works well, and teens will identify with the characters’ desires to be accepted and fit in. The black-and-white art, while not particularly distinctive in style, is attractive.–Lara McAllister, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Gr 10 Up–Small is best known for his picture-book illustration. Here he tells the decidedly grim but far from unique story of his own childhood. Many teens will identify with the rigors of growing up in a household of angry silences, selfish parents, feelings of personal weakness, and secret lives. Small shows himself to be an excellent storyteller here, developing the cast of characters as they appeared to him during this period of his life, while ending with the reminder that his parents and brother probably had very different takes on these same events. The title derives from throat surgery Small underwent at 14, which left him, for several years, literally voiceless. Both the visual and rhetorical metaphors throughout will have high appeal to teen sensibilities. The shaded artwork, composed mostly of ink washes, is both evocative and beautifully detailed. A fine example of the growing genre of graphic-novel memoirs.–Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Gr 10 Up–This is a masterfully drafted autobiographical work by the creator of Good-bye (2008) and Abandon the Old in Tokyo (2006, both Drawn & Quarterly). Referring to himself as Hiroshi, Tatsumi begins his story with the surrender of Japan after World War II, when he was 10 years of age, and details the following 15 years of his life. Deeply passionate about manga at a young age, he chronicles the time from his start as an enthusiast to his rise as an influential and celebrated author/illustrator of the format. Although this book centers primarily on Tatsumi’s writing career, the history of manga, influential writers and publications of the time, and the turbulent manga publishing industry, much more is revealed. Family life and dynamics influenced by his parents’ troubled marriage, his father’s financial difficulties, and his friendship and rivalry with his brother are explored, first sexual interests and experiences are considered, and relationships among fellow artists are skillfully portrayed. Historical political and cultural events are introduced throughout the story, giving readers a feel for Japan’s climate and social landscape during the period. Black-ink images in a combination of detailed/realistic panels mixed with cartoon-style artwork enhance the atmosphere and bring the characters to life. This is a captivating autobiography, and one that should have high appeal to those interested in the history of manga and Japanese culture, and followers of Tatsumi’s works.–Lara McAllister, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia