Pichon, L. Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff).

Pichon, L.  Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff).  Candlewick Press  2015  340p.  $12.99  ISBN 978-0-7636-7474-8  elem/ms  Graphic novel  VG-BN

Tom’s daily foibles make for fun reading is this humorous graphic novel. Friendships and family are the themes that form the foundation for many of the vignettes vividly illustrated by young Tom Gates.  One of a series, this book sticks to the format found throughout the series.  In many ways it is comparable to one of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books put into a graphic-novel format.  Liz Pichon has created yet another easy-to-read, funny book in which readers will find many a chuckle, such as in the scene where Tom and his friend Derek hang a bunch of photos of Tom’s sister Delia out a window where Delia’s boyfriend can see them.  Other examples are the image of Marcus playing the drums on wayyy too much sugar, and descriptions of time spent with “The Fossils” (Tom’s grandparents).  All in all, it is a fun read.   

Tom Gates has two weeks off from school.  YAY!!  Of course, he uses this time to spruce up his social life and annoy his sister Delia.  Other highlights of Tom’s life follow: joining the school band, finding a drummer for his band, and interactions with friends and family.    

To date, there are nine titles in this series.  Each is in the graphic-novel format, very funny, and sure to catch the eye of boys who enjoy reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.  

Humor-Fiction                                                     --Lynn Fisher