Graphic Novels

Gr 4–6—These books suffer from a bit of amateurish writing. Each volume focuses on a positive character trait and introduces six individuals who have demonstrated it in their actions. Their stories are presented in graphic-novel style, which will likely draw in reluctant readers. The variety of role models is wide, but in one case, a head-scratcher; Cooperation features social and historical figures like Ted and Nora Gross, Ryan Hreljac, Bernard Kouchner, Eugene Kranz, Harriet Tubman—and Eli Manning. He's a nice guy, but winning the Super Bowl is hardly comparable to leading slaves to freedom or bringing the Apollo 13 astronauts home safely. The limitations of the speech balloons and panel captions prevent these books from having enough information for reports, but they make for fairly interesting browsing and could inspire future social activists. At the end of each profile, readers are invited to contemplate how they would handle some kind of personal challenge.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

Gr 2—5—The Kur Stone is another entry in the glut of adapted-for-comics cartoon shows. Based on "The Secret Saturdays," a cartoon about a family of cryptozoologists and their various adventures, the book consists of still frames of a particular episode laid out in panels with dialogue (presumably from the episode as well) and text, which does not really add to the story as much as it describes precisely what's happening in the panels. There is no doubt that something like this will appeal to fans of the show, but this shoddy adaptation is a sorry excuse for a graphic novel.—Jason M. Poole, Webster Public Library, NY

Gr 3–5—While the content and design will make these titles hard to resist, the stories themselves don't stand out. In Paintball, opposite-in-personality identical twins Peter and Noah are pitted against one another to make the team. Their competition-obsessed father encourages his sons to battle it out. When the tryout begins, the brothers quickly realize that they'd much rather work together. In Skateboard Sonar, Matty is blind but an excellent skateboarder nonetheless, with the confidence to match. When he and his friend Ty enter the local skating competition, Matty is bullied for his disability. This conflict reaches its climax at the competition, where the protagonist beats his tormentors. In both books, the dialogue comes across as inauthentic at times. Designed as though readers were watching sports on television, the books begin with ESPN-like graphics introducing the characters, depicted in stylized, manga-inspired artwork. There's even a "ticker" across the bottom, foreshadowing the story to come. Sure to fly off shelves, but more for style than for memorable storytelling.—Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

Gr 9 Up—The life of notorious John Wilkes Booth receives a striking adaptation. The tagline—"Actor, Lover, Idealist…Assassin"—summarizes the book's approach. The text follows Booth's life, starting with his early years as he strove to make his own way in the world, to his success as an actor, his doomed romances, his increasing role in the anti-abolitionist underground, and finally to the physically broken fugitive he became. The great trick that the book pulls off is managing to create empathy for Booth, despite his flaws and crimes. Along the way, readers receive glimpses of Lincoln-era American life, from the ornate estates of the upper class, to the bawdy taverns of the under classes. The artwork by French artist Tanitoc is looser in style than most North American readers will be used to, but the bold and strategic color palette is compelling. Due to the artistic style and the relatively small size of the overall work, characters' faces are sometimes hard to distinguish, although color is often used to differentiate them.—Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 6 Up—This 10th collection of "Get Fuzzy" newspaper strips was originally syndicated in 2007. Rob Wilco and his two pets, Satchel Pooch and Bucky Katt, continue their daily misadventures of feline-vs.-canine competitiveness, misunderstanding the human world, and squabbling over word meanings and household rules. Each character embodies a strong personality, and their sheer proximity creates conflict and subsequent jokes. And Conley excels at providing a variety of absurd and fanciful logical extensions of his main and regularly appearing characters. In this volume, Satchel gets a personal trainer to help him work off some of his Shar-Pei flab, which leads to commentary about how easy it is to find animal by-products in food. A visiting pug wears a rubber glove as pants and quotes Shakespeare. Bucky creates an art exhibit of appliances that he has smashed and subsequently photographed. These may not, on the face of it, strike one as inherently comic, but the writing has a quiet silliness and a gift for finding bad puns and clever ripostes in almost every situation, and Conley is willing to build a slow burn to get there. Combined with the simple lunacy of the setting and the personable charm of the main trio, this continues to be an excellent comic.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 1–3—Cosentino introduces young readers to the iconic superhero, his origin story, and key characters and villains. Superman chronicles his story, beginning when he was an infant named Kal-El living on Krypton. Sent away on a rocket ship by his parents to escape the exploding planet, he eventually landed in Smallville, KS, where he was discovered by the Kent family and renamed Clark. It wasn't long before his abilities, normal on Krypton, proved to be exceptional on Earth. Origins out of the way, Superman's greatest enemies are presented in a series of spreads. The book concludes with the superhero's vow to protect Earth and help those in need. The simplified presentation and basic text are well suited to early readers. Bold illustrations serviceably support the text; single pictures often take up an entire page or spread. Page layout is large, clear, and uncluttered. Certain to draw interest from reluctant readers, this book will serve as a capable entry point to the Superman universe.—Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

Gr 3–5—Look out litterbugs! When friend-to-the-planet Flora is paired with classmate Halo, things look good for her science report on pollution. Unfortunately, when Halo eats a little of her superhero candy and flies out for a breath of air after finishing the project, Doozie Hiss steps in to sabotage their work. Little does she know that Flora has a secret identity and the power to avenge any nongreen attitudes. The Green Queen of Mean is a fun graphic novel with an earth-friendly message. Simple dialogue is matched with clear illustrative panels for younger audiences who might be new to the format. At times the plot gets a little muddled in what could be an antibullying message, but most readers will enjoy it. An additional title for libraries looking for a graphic novel with an ecological theme.—Sarah Provence, Churchill Road Elementary School, McLean, VA

Gr 5 Up—More than 40 storytellers and cartoonists have contributed to this original and provocative compendium of traditional folklore presented in authentic, colorful, and engaging sequential art. The stories are drawn from a variety of Native peoples across North America, and so the trickster character appears variously as Rabbit, a raccoon, Coyote, and in other guises; landscapes, clothing and rhythms of speech and action also vary in keeping with distinct traditions. Realistic, impressionistic, painterly, and cartoon styles of art are employed to echo and announce the tone of each tale and telling style, making this a rich visual treasure as well as cultural trove. Contributors include well-known author Joseph Bruchac, Pueblo storyteller Eldrena Douma, cartoonist and Smithsonian Institution employee Evan Keeling, and many who have not worked in comics heretofore as well as cartoonists with no previous allegiance to telling Native stories with their art. The total package is accessible, entertaining, educational, inspiring, and a must-have for all collections.—Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Gr 5–9—Vita is having a hard time making friends and meeting people at her new school until the day she holds auditions for her rock band Zebrafish. While she has big hopes and dreams for the group, she's disappointed with the kids' musical talents. However, she finds skills and abilities in these new bandmates, and they all work together to create a music video. As the band plans and strategizes, Vita can't help but be disappointed that one member continually misses meetings. Then she learns that Tanya has leukemia, and Zebrafish holds a fundraising concert to help the hospital get the medical equipment it needs. Illustrations vary greatly in size and color; some are full page, some are full spreads, and others appear in panels. All are uncluttered and easy to follow. Clear and sharply inked, the color art makes a fine contrast between light and dark scenes and creates balance and tone throughout. This book will speak to children about fighting for a cure/treatment for cancer and shows the value of involvement in this important issue.—Janet Weber, Tigard Public Library, OR

Gr 4 Up—A chronology of key events in Father Damien's life is presented in comic-book format. A straightforward narrative is accompanied by illustrated incidents and conversations in dialogue balloons portraying the thoughts and feelings of the hardworking and devoted priest who was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Born Josef de Veuster, the son of a Belgian farmer, he was called to the priesthood at age 19. In 1863, Father Damien went to the Hawaiian Islands, where he was ordained. His childhood working on a farm stood him in good stead as he labored to build houses and chapels for the islanders. In 1873, he volunteered to stay with the diseased victims at the leper settlement on Molokai. Through his faith, he brought hope to the people and toiled endlessly to improve their lives. The illustrations, though adequate, lack the emotional impact of the cover art, a painting inspired by the Peggy Chun mosaic in Hawaii. Still, graphic-novel fans may enjoy learning about Saint Damien in this format.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 4–8—In this addition to the series of reprints of original French-language material, Melusine, a young witch, is trying to help members of her local community. This collection focuses primarily on love spells and potions, but the general comic thrust is the ways in which magic can go awry, either through misplaced good intentions or the simple misapplication of power. Organized as one- to three-page vignettes, the book moves rapidly from punch line to punch line, accumulating a quick series of gently amusing impressions. The line work is clean, with a fine, cartoony look that's not atypical of European comics, and the color adds richness to the magic, skies, and backgrounds. The figures are expressive in the broad cartoon manner, with shorthand squiggles providing accented depictions of surprise, confusion, fatigue, distress, and the like. While the gags are well timed and the art is lovely, the book is little more than a momentary—if utterly charming—distraction.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 3–8—Coming off the release of the popular live-action Sherlock Holmes movie, this series hopes to capitalize on children's interest in the intrepid investigator. Readers discover the real stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle behind the Sherlock Holmes in the media. The stories are simplified, and sometimes the twisting plots can be hard to follow in just a few brief lines. By taking out so much text, the books lose some of the subtleties and complexities of the cases. However, the colorful artwork is of average quality, and the layout is clean and uncluttered, so the books might attract kids and lead a few of them to other works.—Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

Gr 4–7—Amelia McBride returns in an all new, hilarious adventure to learn some hard truths. She finds out that some people will never be popular, but that they don't have to be unpopular. When a mistake involving space suits turns Amelia and her friend Rhonda into social outcasts, they consult The Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular. In their quest to be "normal," she and her pals try out new hairstyles, attitudes, and friends, with their now-recognizable humor and spirit. They straddle that strange line between childhood and adolescence, wanting to be cool but ending up racing down the hill in a wheelbarrow. The dialogue is effortless and evokes laughter on every page. That alone is reason to read the book, but Gownley's ability to give his heroine such earnestness and thoughtfulness is what sets this story apart. Both Amelia's mother and her aunt play important parts in her life and avoid being shoved to the side. The full-color illustrations will elicit giggles all on their own. Whether for a library stocked with earlier Amelia books or one without, this is an essential purchase.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 5 Up—These intertwined graphic novels tell the stories of two girls coming of age in Europe during World War II. A Family Secret follows the story of Helena, who survived the war primarily due to her father's decision to collaborate with the Nazis. She recounts her life and those of others, including citizens stranded in the Dutch East Indies at the time. The Search begins in our current era, with Esther arriving in the Netherlands from the U.S. for her grandson's Bar Mitzvah. While there, she catches up with Helena, whom she befriended at age 12 after fleeing Hitler's Germany for the Netherlands. Through flashbacks, Esther and Helena tell their grandsons about the danger-filled era of their youth. Before she returns to the U.S., Esther learns the final fate of her family and receives a priceless memento that Helena has kept for her. The Search, in particular, would pair well with Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl. Heuvel crafts his artwork in the European ligne claire style, making the books highly reminiscent of Hergé's work in "Tintin." North American audiences may find the cartoon style somewhat at odds with the often tragic nature of the narratives, but those who try it out will find the books interesting and educational.—Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 7 Up—Paul and Marie are comparatively lucky because they live in the free zone of France instead of the occupied zone. When they try to hide their Jewish friend Henri from the Germans after his parents vanish, the children get recruited into the French Resistance movement. The story opens with Paul's sepia-toned drawings of a bucolic landscape that transforms as the clouds darken, demonic monsters appear, and the houses in the distance start burning. While the rest of the story is illustrated in full color, the boy's drawings appear throughout, a visual thread that readers can follow to see the action through his eyes. Throughout the course of this book, Paul and his sister learn more about the world around them and begin to understand the scope of what is happening to the rest of the country. By the end of the book, they have witnessed forced deportations and seen a member of the Resistance shot in front of them. But they have also learned that many people are participating in the movement and are fighting back in myriad ways. This ending makes it clear that sequels are needed to complete the story. A brief overview of free and occupied France and the French Resistance movement is included, which will be helpful for readers who are unfamiliar with this facet of history.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—At Justice Society of America's headquarters, 31st-century Starman has traveled back to the 21st century after opening a black hole. A nuclear-war-weary "Kingdom Come" Superman has also traveled back in time. His goal is to stop the devastation by battling Gog and Magog. Magog wins over his followers, some of them JSA members, through his miracle cures and missionary zeal. It is up to Superman to convince people that Magog is evil and save Earth from destruction. The drama continues on Earth-2 as Power Girl must battle with the Justice Society of Infinity. Panels are beautifully drawn, and the cast of characters and bonus material help readers contextualize this engaging, involved story. Fans of the "Infinity Crisis" series (DC Comics) will be delighted.—Lisa Gieskes, CA Johnson Preparatory Academy, Columbia, SC

Gr 4 Up—This collection of comic shorts details the wildly imaginative adventures of a boy and his talking dog, Fred. Most of the stories take up a page or two; others are a bit longer. The variety of full-color cartoons makes the book interesting to go through. Readers never know what type of comic format to expect on the next page but will be assured that it is another fun adventure. In a 12-page concluding section, the artist shows how he creates a "Copper" comic. The stories are humorous, and sometimes deeply philosophical, making them appeal to a wide audience.—Nancy D. Tolson, Mitchell College, New London, CT

Gr 5–9—This complex, well-executed work combines a modern, emotional narrative with a European comic style. In 1942, Evelyn, a neglected rich girl, spends her time drawing the comic-book adventures of Zirconium Man and Scooter, who are idealized superhero versions of her father and herself. When her absentee father sends her to live with an upper-crust bohemian aunt, the transition is initially difficult. However, after finding herself in New York City's German district, Evelyn soon pairs up with Tony, who lives in her building, and the two decide to rid the city of the Nazi spies they imagine are all around them. Following a false lead causes the lives of the kids, the aunt, and a down-on-his-luck police officer to intersect. When the children bump, quite literally, into an actual Nazi spy ring, love, adventure, and redemption all arise in course. The artwork is highly reminiscent of Hergé, creator of the "Tintin" series, and is a perfect complement to both the period and feel of the story. Another nice touch is that the artwork changes to a more traditional American style when depicting Evelyn's own comic fantasies. The challenge with City of Spies will be finding the right audience. While the illustrations evoke comics that are traditionally for younger readers, the many personal dilemmas at work in the narrative will be appreciated by older students. But, if the right reader can be found, this should be a very enjoyable reading experience.—Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 6–9—After wandering into a cave by the sea, 15 kids meet Kokopelli, who invites them to play a video game that involves piloting a giant robot. They are asked to sign a contract, not knowing the deadly repercussions or that they will have to protect the planet. The cockpit consists of designated, floating chairs for each one while at the controls of the robot designed to defeat alien invaders. In this initial volume in the series, Takashi Waku and Masaru Kodaka are first in the cockpit where each boy's dark side is revealed. For example, Masaru idolizes his father, who is critical of others and rude. He is not concerned about allowing the robot to destroy others. However, the plot grows darker when one of his victims is his own dad. The story continues to convey the troubled and gloomier side of humanity when one of the boys is pushed by another and falls. Once the investigation begins, readers are left hanging after learning that the boy was already dead prior to being pushed and after being at the controls of the robot. The aliens have an industrial appearance that adds to the obscure tone of the book, which is illustrated in black and white. Sound effects and large frames help create action and edginess on the pages. This story will intrigue readers.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Gr 2–4—This book tries really hard to be a comic book. There is a lot of action, illustrated sound effects, and even a few pictures of Superman sprinkled here and there. The problem is that it's not a comic book, and it fails miserably. The plot is simplistic and unimaginative and the writing condescending. Superheroes are so uniquely tied to the comic-book format that any adaptation in another format needs to add something fresh to the story. Meteor of Doom does not; it cheapens what's familiar with subpar storytelling.—Jason M. Poole, Webster Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—This picture-book-size graphic novel involves two single-parent animal families—Mr. Badger, his two sons Bristle and Grub, and baby daughter Berry; and Mrs. Fox and her daughter Ginger. After hunters destroy the Foxes' home, the adults meet and decide to share a burrow. Not happy with this arrangement, Bristle, Grub, and Ginger organize an open-house party to convince their parents that badgers and foxes should not live together. The story has enough action to keep readers' interest and a dramatic resolution. The theme of children in blended families is well developed without being didactic. With some help from adults, beginning-level readers will be able to read the comic-style text balloons and follow the panels. The soft watercolor illustrations evoke the summer forest setting and move the story along. A good start to a new series.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—In Clues in the Attic, siblings Ben and Sofia investigate strange noises that they hear coming from above them. In The Missing Monster Card, Ethan misplaces a valuable trading card. Kids who pay close attention to the images can easily solve the mystery. These titles provide effective early-reader equivalents to comics and graphic novels. Their traditional beginning-reader trim size as well as bold and brightly colored illustrations are appealing to novice readers, while the inclusion of a "How to Read a Graphic Novel" section, a glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts will appeal to parents and teachers. The texts include simple sentences that closely match the art, while panels are limited to a maximum of four per page. Good fun for early graphic-novel readers.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

Gr 5–9—Five myths featuring the Greek goddess are included in this volume. Dialogue is modern ("What's gotten into you, Zeus?" "I wanna bite him!"), while narration, provided by the Fates, retains a more formal tone. A good balance is struck between exposition and action: readers familiar with these stories will enjoy seeing them brought to life with such vigor, while sufficient background is provided so that children reading about the Greek gods for the first time will not find themselves lost at sea. The family tree of the immortals is a useful tool even for the most experienced readers. O'Connor's drawings, full of energetic diagonals and expressive faces, are nicely balanced by spare settings and minimalistic backgrounds. A sophisticated color palette, full of midtones and subtle contrasts, and panel layouts that vary from page to page further distinguish the art. The author's affection for his subject is evident in a chatty note. Profiles of major characters, notes, and discussion questions appear in addition to the usual back matter. An exceptional graphic novel.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Gr 7 Up—An abridged novel, poetry, and a handful of Alcott's short stories are interpreted by various adapters and illustrators. The most interesting elements of the collection introduce readers to some of Alcott's less-familiar works: melodramatic, gothic horror written primarily for adults. "The Rival Prima Donnas" tells of revenge and betrayal between an opera diva and her understudy as both vie for the romantic attentions of a fickle portrait artist. The illustrator uses a palette of gold, brown, and black with lurid touches of red roses and blood for excellent dramatic effect. In contrast, the illustrator of "Lost in the Pyramid," also known as "The Mummy's Curse," uses heavily blackened shadows to impose an eerie atmosphere and create a heightened sense of the impending doom awaiting the tomb-robbers. One luckless adventurer's decision to pocket a memento will bring a curse to his future wedding day. "The Piggy Girl" and "Buzz" were obviously written for younger readers and provide a refreshing change of pace. Little Women has been significantly abridged to 46 comic pages. Major characters and plotlines are only briefly sketched. Individuals appear one-dimensional with the delightful stories and personalities of the original work eliminated. Devotees of this classic will probably be disappointed, and those who would like an overview of Little Women might be better served by viewing a film adaptation. Like Alcott's Aunt Jo's Scrapbag, this "bundle" of "odds and ends" offers a mixed bag of "stories, old and new."—Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 4 Up—In 1947, Disney illustrator Carl Barks introduced the world to the miserly Scrooge McDuck. This book collects the first six chapters of Rosa's Eisner Award-winning The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, in the creation of which he zealously researched, and incorporated, every reference Barks made to McDuck's past. The result is a masterful weaving of cartoons and author commentary that describes Scrooge's adventures as a shoeshine boy in Scotland, a riverboat captain and cowboy in America, and gold prospector in Africa. Rosa has done a fabulous job of integrating Barks's vague background information about his famous character with what was happening in history at the time. Readers will encounter such historical figures as Teddy Roosevelt and Murdo MacKenzie. They also get to see the imagined origin of such favorite characters as The Beagle Boys. Fans of the original miserly creature will appreciate learning his history and the steps Rosa took to re-create it, while younger readers will simply enjoy the book's exciting stories and humorous pictures. One caveat: True to the original cartoon, there are some stereotypical portrayals of various cultures.—Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 4 Up—Peter Crogan, a Legionnaire fighting for France in North Africa, is at a crossroads in the year 1912. He's a few months away from his military contract ending. Should he become an officer, or move on to bigger and better things? When brash and dashing Major Roitelet takes command of his unit, Crogan doesn't get the chance to think about his options; it's battle after battle until the tragedy at Fort Mayne. Crogan attempts to lead a few survivors to safety, but at what cost? This action-packed graphic adventure manages to give several historical facts about the Legion in North Africa while keeping children wrapped up in the story. The cartoon illustrations seem simple at first, but every emotion the characters go through on their journey is visible on their faces. Schweizer keeps the drawings visually compelling, yet extremely basic at the same time, and kids will forget they're reading in black and white. While obviously geared toward younger readers, this is a story that a wide range of ages will enjoy.—Ryan Donovan, New York Public Library

Gr 5–9—These accounts of actual life-or-death situations may not be considered great artistic or literary achievements but the high-impact stories will be of interest to reluctant readers. Each title contains several stories. Some events, such as Shackleton's expedition or the plane crash that stranded a rugby team in the Andes, may be familiar to many readers while others stories will be new. North and South Poles and Mountains are illustrated in a more compelling and competent style than Wilderness. Each title features some informative introductory materials and a prose section containing two pages of additional survival stories.—Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 4–8—Young fans of Elvis—and especially their moms and dads and grandparents—will delight in this enthusiastic depiction of Presley's influence on the author's musical tastes. Given a radio in 1955 when he was eight, Stamaty was already listening to music when Elvis roared onto the scene. The beat, the rhythm, and the volume drove his mother to distraction but turned him into a lifelong fan. While the layout may be in sync with the animation that Stamaty is trying to portray, at times the combination of exaggerated facial expressions, cartoon panels, hand-lettered text of various sizes and colors, and musical notations sweeping across the pages overpower it. Interspersed bits of the history of rock 'n' roll and thumbnail portraits of some of the performers further crowd the page. Nevertheless, enthusiasts of the music are sure to linger over the mix of information and images that Stamaty energetically supplies. Appended are photos and commentary from "Elvis-related moments" in the illustrator/author's life.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

Gr 5 Up—In a dramatic prologue, a ship offshore of the tiny harbor town of Trepassey, Newfoundland, is dashed to pieces as a plane flies safely overhead, an image that skillfully sets the tone of the book while also presaging the events that will one day claim Earhart's life. The story begins in 1928, with the intrepid Earhart coming to Trepassey in hopes of becoming the first woman to pilot a plane across the Atlantic. After being grounded by several failed flight attempts, she meets a kindred spirit in Grace, a plucky local girl with dreams of becoming a journalist. Earhart gives Grace (and readers) some background into her earlier life and motivations. It is with great joy that Grace receives news of the aviatrix's successful flight. Flash forward nine years and Grace, inspired by Earhart's accomplishments, is now working for a newspaper in Halifax when she learns of the pilot's sudden and mysterious disappearance. Readers are left knowing that Earhart's legacy will give Grace the strength to try to break down the barriers that prevent her from becoming a reporter. Taylor's thoughtful, deliberately paced storytelling may seem slow to some readers, but it allows for a less-sensationalized accounting of the pilot's life. Towle's black, white, and mono-color illustrations have a classic feel that enlivens the tale with casual grace. Endnotes provide insight into the story for those looking for more information. An excellent choice for comic fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a strong female role model.—Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 6 Up—The daily-newspaper comic Cul de Sac focuses on petulant, imaginative kindergartner Alice; her meticulous, neurotic older brother, Petey; and their interactions with neighborhood kids, their parents, and teachers. As Mo Willems says in the introduction to this second collection, it's easy to think that there's little new ground to cover when presenting precocious children in comics, as hyper-verbal musings on the unfairness of childhood has been well-established in both Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes. Thompson is able to achieve the best of all worlds here, with visual gags, wordplay, incisive commentary, wry observation, and an acutely clever re-creation of the surreal circumstances, behaviors, and mentalities of youth. The scratchy, scribbly artwork helps reinforce the childlike environment, but young readers may not be far enough away from these events to recognize them as truly, deliriously funny.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 7 Up—Lola ("grandmother" in Tagalog) has just died, and Jesse is reluctant to visit her home in the Philippines. He was afraid of her because she was rumored to have magical abilities, and because he thinks she tried to drown him when he was a baby. Jesse listens to family members tell stories about her as he tries to adjust to their strange mix of superstitions and religion. Lola is one of several dead characters in this book, and they tie into another reason that the boy is worried about this trip. Jesse is an unusually nuanced character, both in relation to his family and to readers. When he sees something extraordinary, it's unclear if he is dreaming, hallucinating, or if he has inherited his grandmother's abilities. Torres's gradual revelation of details will keep readers hanging until they learn the truth. Or's artwork uses sepia tones and smooth lines, and features characters with cute button eyes. But the sweet images can quickly turn horrific when Jesse has his visions. Lola ends with a cliff-hanger that could be resolved in a sequel but that just might have to be resolved by readers' imaginations.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 2–4—Children will love Sasspants, a guinea pig who reads in her pet-shop cage using a thimble recycled as a reading lamp. She is the only animal properly identified because she's made her own sign using tiles. When the "G" at the end of "PIG" falls off, Hamisher the hamster mistakes Sasspants for a private investigator ("PI"), and enlists her help to find who's stealing Mr. Venezi's sandwiches. So begins this humorous mystery. Children who are just beginning to read graphic novels independently will enjoy solving the case with Sasspants. The full-color cartoons enhance the comic appeal. Two funny informational pages about the pet store denizens follow the story.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up—Red's life is changed forever when his sister is kidnapped by raiders. As years pass and he rises to power in his small village off the coast of British Columbia, he dreams of elaborate scenarios for getting even with the people who took her away from him. When his revenge fantasy is finally fulfilled, it turns out to be both his greatest victory and his tragic downfall. The idea of "Haida manga," an artistic fusion invented by Yahgulanaas, might cause confusion among readers, or at least send them running to Google to find out what "Haida" is. This artistic style, used by the Haida tribe of Native Americans, will be familiar to readers who have seen the stylized faces on totem poles. The bright and colorful artwork is definitely unique, but sometimes it is so overwhelming that it overpowers the story, which might leave readers confused about plot details. "I welcome you to destroy this book" is never something a librarian wants to hear, but that's what Yahgulanaas encourages his readers to do in order to assemble each page into a "formline illustration." It is only when the pages are assembled in this manner that readers will be able to see how every panel connects to other panels and appreciate the true complexity and vision of Yahgulanaas's art. Luckily, this "complete" image is reproduced at the end of the book and inside the dust jacket, so readers should not find it necessary to vandalize more library books than usual.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 4 Up—In the first book in this series, Mel was kidnapped by evil General Uro and his forces. He turned against his queen and fought against Mel's friends—Doug, Naomi, and Jim—to keep her imprisoned. In this volume, the three skateboarding friends must continue in their quest to free Mel and liberate the imprisoned warrior spirits that travel with each of them. Doug must battle with Sassella, the Stone Monster, but when he defeats her with compassion instead of vengeance, he awakens his warrior spirit, the silver tiger, who can help him continue on. It is this lesson that the three friends take with them as they continue their quest. Jim soon meets his warrior spirit, the winged panther; he is imprisoned beneath the sea, and Jim must free him to receive his help. As they travel, they discover that they are to be the ones to save the world of Vermonia. Violence is minimal, and the story, up until this point, shows that integrity and compassion can go a long way toward surviving a warrior's journey.—Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR