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November 1, 2010

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Elementary and Middle

High School

Elementary and Middle School

ARISTOPHANE. The Zabime Sisters. tr. from French by Matt Madden. illus. by author. 96p. Roaring Brook/First Second. Nov. 2010. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-638-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 8 Up–Madden, an admirer of French comic artist Aristophane, has translated this 1996 work. The tender and evocative narrative chronicles the first day of summer vacation on the sultry Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. Opening panels move readers inside a home’s shuttered window and introduce three sleeping sisters: M’Rose, Elle, and Célina. The girls awaken and their day unfolds with summer delights and discoveries: they catch crab at the river, steal mangoes, experiment with a stolen pipe, witness a fight between rivaling boys, suffer the intoxicating effects of rum, taunt and teas friends, and engage in constant sibling rivalry. The text is coupled with expressive images that offer glimpses into the personality of each character and allow the story to slowly unfold. The interplay among the siblings and each girl’s singular response to events allow readers to establish a personal connection with each sister. The artist’s dry brush technique and controlled use of line, mastery of light and shadow, interesting and unusual framing, and expressive facial close-ups are compelling. Readers will visualize both the unique and universal aspects of this day of freedom for these girls. Back matter includes an afterword and a discussion guide.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

BOUCHARD, Hervé. Harvey. tr. from the French by Helen Mixter. illus. by Janice Nadeau. unpaged. Groundwood. 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-075-8. LC C2010-901098-1.

Gr 3-6–Harvey feels invisible. No one ever really notices him. His younger, taller brother is the one who stands out. Harvey spends most his days racing toothpicks along street corners against the neighborhood children. When he comes home one day to find that his father has died of a heart attack, he discovers that he is the one person who can help his brother understand their family’s tragedy. Harvey’s first-person perspective captures the grief and innocence of a child’s greatest loss. The muted watercolor-inspired style is dark and sad, emotionally appropriate without being too over the top. Many pages are without text. For example, when the crowd outside Harvey’s house slowly scatters after the ambulance departs, several pages are devoted to showing his mother standing outside their home alone. While the overall melancholy feel of this title might leave many children depressed, it is a great graphic novel to give to a younger child trying to understand the pain of bereavement.–Ryan Donovan, New York Public Library

DEUTSCH, Barry. Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword. illus. by author. 142p. Abrams/Amulet. Nov. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8422-6. LC 2010924236.

Gr 4-7–To the delight of his online followers, Deutsch’s popular web comic featuring “Yet another troll-fighting 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl” is now available in print. Mirka is the heroine that girlhood dreams are made of: questioning and smart and willing to take on the world. She constantly battles wits with her stepmother, Fruma, whose argumentative nature and sharp nose conceal a warm and caring nature. Readers view the image of Mirka’s deceased mother, who continues to play an influential role in her life. The child, stuck at home with knitting needles, longs to wield a sword and do battle with dragons. Instead she finds herself caught in a battle of wills with a talking pig. That’s right: scenes of an Orthodox Jew with a pig add to the humor. The story is a captivating mixture of fantasy and a realistic look at a culture. The girl encounters both a mind-reading witch and a multilingual troll in her quest for a sword with which to fight dragons. Yiddish language and Jewish customs are an essential part of the story and provide excellent bedrock to the tale without overwhelming it. Mirka outwits the troll and obtains the sword, bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion. However, there is more to tell and it is obvious that further adventures await this young heroine. The illustrations are done in a monochromatic palette, with a color change from a warm earthy orange/cream for daytime scenes to a cool lavender/blue for the night scene. With engaging characters and delightful art, Hereville is pure enchantment.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

GODI & Zidrou. Ducoboo: The Class Struggle. tr by Luke Spear. illus. by Véronique Grobet. 46p. Cinebook. 2010. Tr $11.95. ISBN 978-1-84918-031-3. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-6–A Franco-Belgian comic that first appeared in 1992, this book should also speak to American kids. Ducoboo is the class dunce and constantly feuds with Leonie Gratin, the teacher’s pet. Colorful cartoons illustrate the one-page comics, which follow a continuous narrative. This quick read should appeal to fans of other mischievous schoolboys such as Hank Ketcham’s Dennis the Menace and Jeff Kinney’s Greg Heffley. Zany gags; memorable characters such as “Skelly,” the anatomy class skeleton; and silly but smart humor make this an entertaining comic for fans of humorous stories, as well as “Asterix” and “Tintin” readers.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

HINDS, Gareth. The Odyssey. illus. by author. 248p. Candlewick. 2010. RTE $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4266-2; pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4268-6. LC 2010007512.

Gr 7 Up–Taking a world-famous epic poem and adapting it into a graphic-novel format for modern readers is certainly an enormous endeavor. But since Hinds already performed the same feat quite admirably with Beowulf (Candlewick, 2007) he has proven himself more than capable of the task. To sum up the classic story: Odysseus tries to get home after the Trojan War, but many obstacles are thrown in his way, and many people, creatures, and gods try to stop him. His men are loyal on the one hand, yet bad at following critical orders on the other, which results in even more delays. Meanwhile, his faithful wife Penelope waits for him while fending off scores of impatient suitors. Luckily for Odysseus, he does have a few supporters, including the goddess Athena. Hinds’s beautiful watercolors skillfully capture the rosy-fingered dawn, the wine-dark sea, the land of the dead, and many other settings and characters that will inspire readers. This adaptation goes far above and beyond the “highlights” coverage that other versions such as Tim Mucci’s The Odyssey (Sterling, 2010) provide. Hinds’s work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer’s original work and for newcomers to this classic story.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

KUBO, Tite. Color Bleach+: Bleach Official Bootleg. illus. by author. unpaged. Viz Media. 2010. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-3227-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 8 Up–When Kubo, the creator of the original “Bleach” manga series, was asked to create some “rough sketches” of additional scenes that would take place in the Bleach universe, his output was quite prolific. In fact, he created so many sketches showcasing characters like the Soul Reapers that they were able to fill the first half of this book. In this color section, the artwork is definitely rougher than that in the original series, but the casual style matches the fun and fluffy stories in which serious characters show their lighter sides. The other half of the book features more polished black-and-white art and consists of something called Seireitei Bulletin, a handbook that is supposed to prepare readers for the Soul Reaper academy entrance exam. Superfans of the “Bleach” manga and anime series will be delighted with this behind-the-scenes look at some of their favorite characters from the 13 Court Guard Companies. Readers who are unfamiliar with Bleach, however, will have absolutely no idea what’s going on, so this book is only recommended for libraries in which the manga and/or anime series already have a following.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

LEE, T. S. The Edison Story. Bk. 9. tr. by Janet Jaywan Shin. 179p. ISBN 978-0-9819542-5-7.

–––– . The Stephen Hawking Story: The Boy Who Turned Disability into the Ability to Embrace the Stars. Bk. 7. tr. by Chad Walker. 179p. ISBN 978-0-9819542-9-5.

–––– . The Steven Spielberg Story. Bk. 10. tr. by Janet Jaywan Shin. 177p. ISBN 978-0-9819542-7-1.

ea vol: illus. by author. (Great Hero Series). bibliog. chron. 2010. Joyful Stories Pr. pap. $14.95. LC number unavailable.

Gr 3-8–These fictionalized manga biographies are appealing, but their usefulness is limited by their uneven translations. The books follow the lives of their subjects, often focusing on the importance of their creativity in achieving success. The artwork is practically adorable when depicting the subjects as youths, and continues to be a strength throughout. The lighthearted texts are often satisfactory as well. However, translation problems result in grammatical errors, stilted language, and statements that are incorrect, unclear, unsupported, and occasionally downright weird. Consider this line from The Steven Spielberg Story: “He debuted as a theatrical director with a movie about ceneted [sic] around escaped convict in a car chase called The Sugarland Expres [sic].” According to Edison, the great inventor went so far as to have “created a new civilization” and the newspaper he worked on was “printing eight hundred copies at a singly [sic] time.” Readers of Hawking will be surprised to learn that “People often refer to him as the ‘genius physicist’ or the ‘physically disabled’ physicist who has gotten closest to the secrets of the origin of the universe.”–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

LUCIANI, Brigitte. A Hubbub. Bk. 2. tr. by Edward Gauvin. illus. by Eve Tharlet. 32p. (Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox Series). CIP. Lerner. 2010. PLB $25.26. ISBN 978-0-7613-5626-4; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5632-5. LC 2010005714.

K-Gr 2–In this sequel to The Meeting (Lerner, 2010), in which Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox met and blended their families, Ginger Fox is having some trouble adjusting to her new life, which includes two badger stepbrothers. In the end she realizes that having a bigger family can only bring more rewards and is happy with her situation. Luciani uses animal characters to bring to life the feelings and frustrations that can develop when children are faced with family changes. The pros and cons that Ginger experiences suggest a realistic view of modern families instead of an idealistic “Happily ever after.” The watercolor illustrations help set the mood and provide a great deal of depth to each panel. Each strip depicts Ginger’s feelings and makes the text come alive. A good choice for the youngest graphic-novel fans.–Catherine Brenner, Bethlehem Public Library, Delmar, NY

PILKEY, Dav. The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future. illus. by author. 175p. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 2010. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-545-17530-2. LC 2010904867.

Gr 3-6–The year is 500,001 BC. The town is Caveland, OH. Ook Schadowski and Gluk Jones have a knack for getting under the skin of no-good Chief Goppernopper, the ruler of Caveland. When one of his distant descendants uses a portal to travel back in time from AD 2222 and steal natural resources, our heroes jump into action, traveling to the future, where they learn kung fu and eventually put a stop to the evildoers. The humor is completely immature, and for the target audience, completely hilarious. Billed as The Second Graphic Novel by George Beard and Harold Hutchins–The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby (Scholastic, 2002) was the first–the book is crafted to look like it was written and illustrated by kids, employing rough black-and-white pencil and watercolor artwork. Also in keeping with the ruse, words are often misspelled–a fact that will drive many teachers and parents bonkers, but will likely have little effect on the spelling skills of youngsters. Few books can inspire the level of devotion seen by the “Captain Underpants” series, but Pilkey has likely re-created that feat with the joyous Ook and Gluk, a book destined to fly off the shelves and circulate until the cover falls off.–Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

ROBBINS, Trina. The Drained Brains Caper. Bk. 1. illus. by Tyler Page. 64p. (Chicagoland Detective Agency Series). CIP. Lerner/Graphic Universe. 2010. PLB $29.27. ISBN 978-0-7613-4601-2; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5635-6; ebook $16.46. ISBN 978-0-7613-6224-1. LC 2009032620.

Gr 4-7–Thirteen-year-old Megan Yamamura has recently moved to Chicago. A vegetarian haiku poet and manga fan, she stands out at her new school, Stepford Academy, where the students appear to be brainwashed into complete conformity. With her new friend Raf Hernandez, Megan uncovers the exploits of campy villain Dr. Vorschak and rescues a talking dog who is a fan of old detective films. Though it is full of sophisticated references, this inventive, playful story should appeal to tween readers. Diverse characters and assured, accessible cartoon-style illustrations make it a promising start to a new series.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

SHIMABUKURO, Mitsutoshi. Toriko. Vol. 1. illus. by author. 208p. Viz Media. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-3509-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7 Up–Komatsu, International Gourmet Organization’s chef, must prepare dishes that “boldly explore the frontiers of exotic taste.” This assignment requires the assistance of Toriko, the gourmet hunter who is able to track down the most ferocious ingredients. Toriko is a larger-than-life figure who lives in the wild, chomping on huge cigars that he lights with a snap of his fingers and relishing mammoth meals of unbelievable proportions. Contracted by IGO, he battles the eight-legged garara gator and then braves the four-armed troll kongs to obtain the succulent rainbow fruit. The comedy arises from the contrast between the supersized gourmet hunter and the diminutive, overanxious chef. Readers view his constant distress as Toriko encounters epic-sized challenges that encompass full-page images of the creatures and the battles that ensue. The book is filled with wordplay. The gabara is subdued with two weapons: a knife and...a fork, which are in reality special body attack positions. Volume one concludes when Toriko is seated at IGO, enjoying the gourmet meal created by chef Komatsu. There is nothing subtle about this shonen title. It features big guys, grotesque oversized creatures, highly physical action, and plenty of slightly crass “potty humor.”–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

SHIMABUKURO, Mitsutoshi. Toriko. Vol. 2. illus. by author. 189p. Viz Media. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-3510-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 7 Up–Toriko, a gourmet hunter, is again searching for his perfect full-course meal. This involves hunting the most dangerous and rare creatures and defeating them with incredible, semi-magical martial arts skills before eating them. He is accompanied by the narrator, and the guide to the world, the chef Komatsu, who is half the size of Toriko and has no martial skills but decides to tag along regardless of the danger. In this episode, they are determined to catch the rare puffer whale. The creature is tiny, and easy to catch, but has a venom sack that ruptures if it’s disrupted while being caught. To make their catch, they need Coco, a gourmet hunter who is Toriko’s equal, and who has developed so many immunities to venom that he’s become poisonous himself. The silly premise is in keeping with the genre, but some of the ideas are problematic: the hunting of rare whales is a questionable (and largely illegal) activity in the real world, something not dealt with in the narrative, and Coco’s skin goes from pale to dark when he becomes poisonous. These issues are not intended as moral statements, and manga readers are likely to skim over them without considering the implications. The violence, mostly human versus monster, is intensely depicted. Toriko seems to be standard manga fare and is only recommended for libraries in which genre fans just can’t get enough “Naruto” or “Shaman King” series (both Viz Media).–Alana Joli Abbott, formerly at James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

SAINT-EXUPÉRY, Antoine de. The Little Prince. adapt. by Joann Sfar. tr. from French by Sarah Ardizzone. illus. by adapter. 112p. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. RTE $19.99. ISBN 978-0-547-33802-6. LC number unavailable.

Gr 5 Up–This timeless story of a man who meets a mysterious boy in the middle of the desert is one that has been enjoyed by readers of all ages for more than 65 years. The man is young at heart, strongly influenced by the memories of his own childhood. He loves to draw although he isn’t very good at it, and his art helps him form an emotional bond with the boy. The child appears to be young but has a very old soul. He loves to talk, think, and ask questions. He also has the strength to face a sacrifice that the man cannot. The original story was illustrated by Saint-Exupéry, which makes this modern transition into graphic-novel form especially seamless. Sfar is very respectful of the original writing and illustrations, but his simple yet nuanced artwork brings another layer of depth to the story, his use of shadows and close-ups reinforcing the mood of this piece. His adaptation is as classic as the original, and it will bring this quiet yet thought-provoking story to a new generation of readers. The format will be especially attractive to teens who might have missed this story when they were children, and to adults who are interested in revisiting their own childhood memories. Also available in French (ISBN 978-0-547-44330-0; $22.).–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

SPIRES, Ashley. Binky to the Rescue. illus. by author. 64p. (A Binky Adventure). CIP. Kids Can. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-502-6; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-597-2. LC C2009-906866-4.

Gr 1-4When Binky the space cat and Ted, his stuffed mouse, fall out of the window and find themselves adrift in outer space (the backyard), the cat has to rely on his training to combat the aliens (bees and spiders) and to get himself home again. Although the feline returns safely, his trusty cohort has been left behind and Binky must brave the unexpected again. The text is cleverly written, and the jokes are appealing to young readers. From Binky’s inner monologue about the motives of his humans to his excessive habit of munching on cat crunchies and releasing a discreet “pooot,” he is funny. As with Binky the Space Cat (Kids Can, 2009), the graphic-novel layout is simple and easy to follow. Spires changes the number of panels and frames per page and includes full-page layouts. The watercolor illustrations are a perfect medium to capture Binky’s changing expressions, allowing readers to understand his emotions even without reading the text. A great choice for beginning chapter-book readers or an introduction to graphic novels, this one’s a winner in both quality and appeal. –Catherine Brenner, Bethlehem Public Library, Delmar, NY

High School

DIGGLE, Andy. The Losers. Bk. 2. illus. by Jock. unpaged. (Vertigo Series). DC Comics. 2010. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-2923-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 11 Up–The elite special-forces unit with nothing to lose is back and on the offense. At the start of the story, Clay and his companions are still dealing with the shocking betrayal from one of their own. Moving forward, they follow a lead to the Middle East with the hope that they will ultimately find and expose the mysterious villain Max. Aisha takes a detour to help an old friend, prompting Clay to reveal to her how the Losers “died” in the first place. As the team draws closer to their goal, each member has to decide whether the cost of winning is worth the price they will have to pay. The jagged, full-color illustrations draw readers immediately into the Losers’ brutal world. While the art is not realistic, the wartime locales and situations the unit is constantly involved in give the story a reality of its own. Part mystery, part action adventure, the compelling nature of The Losers will draw readers wholeheartedly into the story, but the high body count and adult language make it more appropriate for older readers.–Ryan Donovan, New York Public Library

GABRYCH, Andersen. Fogtown. illus. by Brad Rader. 175p. Vertigo. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-1384-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 12 UpThe book opens on a foggy, summer night in San Francisco, 1953. Grizzled, tough-talking Frank Grissel is a boozer and a private investigator by trade. Searching for a missing girl, he stumbles upon possible connections with the murders of local prostitutes, an evangelistic millionaire, the Chinatown drug trade, and his own haunted past. Gabrych crafts a well-written, well-paced piece of noir. Grissel’s wry, cynical internal monologue appears in lettering reminiscent of a typewriter, adding to the period mood. The story is full of interesting characters and surprising twists and turns, and readers will be compelled to reread passages to see hints of the dark secrets hiding in the shadows, literally and figuratively. Emulating the comic-book art of the 1950s, Rader’s black-and-white pen-and-inks finished in graytones create bleak, mesmerizing images. With its skillful use of light, shadow, and fog, the illustrations are extremely effective and easy to follow. The language reflects its time period with racial slurs and derogatory names for homosexuals and women. Artwork includes nudity, eviscerated bodies, and suggestive scenes of sodomy. Fogtown is a gritty excursion into the dark underbelly of San Francisco. The gripping crime mystery unfolds in stark panels of eye-catching artwork. This is for mature, older teens looking for a hard-boiled, hard-hitting read. –June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA

GLIDDEN, Sarah. How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less. illus. by author. 206p. Vertigo. Nov. 2010. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-2233-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 10 Up–After years of questioning her heritage, arguing with her mother about what it means to be Jewish, and dating a “goy,” Glidden succumbed to the lure of an all-expense-paid trip to Israel through Birthright, a program that offers Jewish young adults first-time trips to the country. At the onset, she declared, “I’m ready to go there and discover the truth behind this whole mess once and for all. It will be crystal clear by the time I come back.” An experienced traveler and a skeptic, she details her two-month excursion through cities and deserts. Readers witness her personal conflict as she seeks to view Israel with an objective eye. One effective literary device is the use of illustrated flashbacks from both Glidden’s and Israel’s past. The ghosts of David Ben Gurion and Sarah’s deceased younger brother accompany her for several panels during her journey. She encounters the worldview of non-Eastern European Jews, Israeli soldiers, and her traveling companions, and begins to realize her limited perspective as she wonders “how many other people on the trip I’ve completely misjudged.” The author’s inner voices as she struggles with her conflicting emotions are brilliantly portrayed during brief trials in “the court of birthright vs. brainwash,” where she serves as the prosecutor, defense, and judge. The tongue-in-cheek title hints at both the subtle humor and the complex subject matter. Glidden’s soft, watercolor palette and realistic art complement without overshadowing this thoughtful exploration of the role that cultural heritage plays in the search for personal identity.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

MILLMAN, Dan. Peaceful Warrior: The Graphic Novel. illus. by Andrew Winegarner. unpaged. New World Library. Nov. 2010. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-932073-48-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 UpThis graphic adaption of Millman’s 1980 book, which has generated additional books, self-help courses, and a film, is semiautobiographical. As a college student and gymnast, Dan is wandering through Berkeley one night when he encounters a gas-station attendant who resembles a man appearing in his dreams. He is intrigued with this individual, whom he calls Socrates. The stranger appears to have extraordinary mental and physical capabilities and begins to instruct Dan in “the way.” After an accident crushes a bone in Dan’s leg, Socrates appears at the hospital bedside and “heals” it. Dan becomes a disciple and begins to follows Socrates’s regimen of a raw-food diet and a “purifying” lifestyle: abstaining from relationships with girls and undertaking a new approach to life. These changes, coupled with increased training, allow him to return to gymnastics. As he approaches Nationals competition, Socrates becomes ill and is hospitalized. His death occurs at the precise moment that Dan’s routine scores a perfect 10. Distraught and searching for answers, Dan then embarks on a spiritual journey, meeting and conquering his fears. These “life lessons” often appear in the book as vague platitudes. “The earth is a living creature and we are the cells of her body...we are made of the same stuff as the stars....” However, his search for a higher life purpose may resonate with some young readers. Pen-and-ink artwork is especially effective for action scenes depicting gymnastic competitions as well as a dramatic struggle with the figure that symbolizes Dan’s fears. –Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

STURM, James. Market Day. illus. by author. unpaged. Drawn & Quarterly. 2010. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-1-897299-97-5. LC number unavailable.

Gr 10 Up–Mendleman is a Jewish rug maker in early-20th-century Eastern Europe. His wife is pregnant with their first child and due any minute, but he must go to the market to make money for his family to survive. He attempts to sell his wares to no avail. The shop he frequented in the past has changed owners and no longer carries quality items like his. Mendleman presses on and attempts to sell his rugs at the emporium, where they are willing to pay a fraction of what he used to make, and his pieces are thrown onto a heap of other rugs for sale. Mendleman feels he has no choice and completes the sale. This catalyzes an existential crisis for him. His work used to give him so much pride, but he is forced to surrender for money. With expressive and moody imagery, Sturm’s story is at once original and universal. The struggle to maintain one’s identity after losing a job is a tough one, and the author does an excellent job conveying it. With some obscene language, nudity, and brief mention of sex, this graphic novel is for mature readers.–Melissa Houlroyd, formerly at Brighton Memorial Library, Rochester, NY

WHITE, Tracy. How I Made It to Eighteen: A Mostly True Story. illus. by author. 151p. Roaring Brook. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-454-7. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–White has created a semiautobiographical account of her battle with a mental disorder, bulimia, and drug addiction. Through a variety of formats, readers follow Stacy Black, 17, through this ordeal. The book is divided into chronological sections. Each one opens with text-only panels recording the responses of four friends to a question about Stacy. The densely packed text in these speech balloons requires some effort to wade through. This is followed by copies of documents such as portions of actual doctor and therapist reports. A series of panels then chronicles a period of Stacy’s stay at Golden Meadows, a mental hospital. These cartoon panels are highly compelling and the book’s strongest feature. White’s arrangement of figures within each panel, especially during therapy sessions, exposes Stacy’s emotional state. Changes in the artist’s point of view inform readers of the teen’s slowly changing perspectives of herself and her world. The line, “It’s never a good idea to lie your way through therapy” hints at the big reveal in the final pages of the book: Stacy has hidden her episodes of bulimia from the hospital staff. While she tells the group, “I used to be bulimic. I don’t have the urge anymore,” she is continuing her ongoing dialogue with the toilet in her room. Young adults willing to stay with Stacy through the dense textual passages will find a compelling story.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

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