Sierra, Sergio. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Sierra, Sergio.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.  Enslow      96p   $25.26  978-0-7660-4084-7   ms/hs   Series: Dark Graphic Novels (Enslow)  VG-BN  Graphic novel

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s classic novel, has been beautifully illustrated and rewritten as a graphic novel.  The flow and balance of the various page structures help create the tone of the story.  Lastly the use of scratch board illustrations effectively provides a dramatic tone to the book.  This book is one in the Dark Graphic Novels series, which consists of three books at this time.  This is a very well-written book that will resonate well with many young readers.  It is recommended as an essential book for any middle- or high-school library, and it would make an excellent selection for a basic books list for school libraries.   

Graphic novels, Classic literature, Horror                          -- Linda McNeil          

Oppel, Kenneth. This Dark Endeavor.

Oppel, Kenneth.    This Dark Endeavor.      

Simon & Schuster/Little Brown 2011  304p  17.99 978-1-44240315-4  

jr/sr        Horror (Mild)           E-BN  

Victor Frankenstein and his twin Konrad are inseparable. They everything together and

enjoy each other’s company. Then the day comes when Konrad falls ill and the

doctors can not find what is wrong with him. It is up to Victor to try and save

his brother.      Victor and Konrad Frankenstein are twin look-a-like and they

are inseparable. They live in a castle that also has a dungeon. Their distant

cousin, Elizabeth, who younger than they are lives with them and have grown up

together. They all share good times together and enjoy exploring  their

surroundings. They one day come upon a secret door in the library and walk down

a very dark and creepy staircase and encounter a locked door. When they manage

to open the door they discover a library full of books about magic and alchemy.

Their father discovers them and makes them promise to never go back into the

room. Then the day comes when Konrad who always seemed fit and healthy falls ill

with a mysteries illness that saps his strength.  It is then that Victor decides

that it is possible he may be able to find the answers to Konrads' illness in

the magic books hidden in the forbidden room.

What happens next is a story unlike any you have read. The book is full of

mysteries, love, magic, adventures and secrets. Very enjoyable. Could be a

prequal to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

 There is however a very strong scene where Victor loses his fingers that might

be to much for some children.       Diaz, Magna

Shelley, Mary adapted by Brigit Viney Frankenstein

Shelley, Mary adapted by Brigit Viney Frankenstein (graphic novel)
Lucent Books see Gale/Cengage 2010 144p 32.45
978-1-4205-0374-6 ms/hs VG-BN Classic Graphic Novel Collection(Cengage)


Mary Shelley created a classic horror story on a rainy night in 1816 in Switzerland. It is the story of a scientist who experiments with science to create a cloned human being.
Brigit Viney has adated Frankenstein by Mary Shelley in graphic style accompanied by Jason Cobley’s script.. The choice of wording is apropos to the story as well as the age group. Readers will enjoy the intermingling of words and graphics as they progress flows through the book.
The illustrator created crisp and ominously dynamic watercolors to accompany the text. The blended palette of dark saturated colors effectively relate the context of the wordings in the story and present the reader with a suspense filled experience.
This is a great book for young readers and non-readers. It’s distinctive and expressive watercolors will enticed the active minds of young children.
The format and layout of the book is beautifully placed for the most effective enjoyment of the readers. The additional materials at the back of the book coordinated the book with further activities. Teachers and parents will appreciate the character visuals and the introduction in the front of the book. The rear of the book provides additional information in the form of a glossary, character summary, biography of Shelley, and other materials. Graphic novel McNeil, Linda

Wells, Catherine Strange Creatures: The Story of Mary Shelley.

Wells, Catherine Strange Creatures: The Story of Mary Shelley.
Morgan Reynolds 2009 160p 28.95 978-1-59935-092-9 ms/hs
World Writers (Morgan)##7

The mercurial life of Mary Shelley including her childhood, her progressive marriage for the age, and her literary companions form a well-rounded picture of her as a person, as a writer, and as a family member. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. Mary Shelley was best known for writing Frankenstein. The setting for the novel as well as the genesis of the idea behind the plot are revealed within the framework of her entire life. She went beyond the common story and plot related to ghosts and superhuman figures to create a novel that questioned man’s advances in science and what it is to be human. Her literary parents, her marriage to poet, Percy Shelley and her close friendship with Byron all seem to point to a person of brilliance. However, her life was tortured by a distant relationship with her father, the birth and death of three of her children, and her inability to really make close female friendships. She suffered bouts of writers block as well as depression throughout her life and its turbulent personal relationships. While respected by some, she was reviled by many as she ignored common mores of the times and spoke her mind on political and social issues. Illustrated with paintings and photos of places and people involved in her life, this book is a visual delight. A time line, index, further reading and source notes make this an excellent place to begin to understand the mind and times of Shelley. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. An error appears on page 142, second paragraph -- the word her is spelled “he r”. LMN Shelley, Mary