Rodriguez, David, & Ignacio Segesso. Moby Dick.

Rodriguez, David, & Ignacio Segesso. Moby Dick. Capstone Publishers     2018 78p $27.32   ISBN 978-1-4965-5573-1    elem/ms   Graphic Novel  E-BNe     

This graphic-novel version of the classic story Moby Dick, translated from Spanish, is very well done, and it includes notes on Melville, information on legendary whales, and notes on the novel and its cinematic adaptations. 

The author of the adaptation is an established screenwriter, and the illustrator has a wide variety of experiences and has won awards for his work. In a skinny little book, they have succeeded in conveying the adventure, pathos, heart and humor of this great novel.  This is a highly recommended way to get kids interested in classical literature. Recommended for elementary and middle-school readers, and hi-lo readers at the high-school level.  

Summary: This graphic-novel version of the classic story Moby Dick, translated from Spanish, is very well done, and it includes notes on Melville, information on legendary whales, and notes on the novel and the movies that have been made from it.

Moby Dick, Adventure stories                                                                      --Carol Kennedy

Smy, Pam Thornhill

Smy, Pam       Thornhill        Macmillan/ Roaring Brook Press     2017   529p   19.99  978-1-62672-654-3            ms       Graphic novel            E-BN            

Lonely Ella has just moved into a new home that overlooks the old, abandoned Thornhill Institute for orphans where she sees a girl in the window and explores the Thornhill property and institute to find the link between herself and the girl she seeks to befriend.       Ella has just moved into a new home that overlooks the old, abandoned Thornhill Institute for orphans. Feeling lonely in a new environment, from her upper floor bedroom window she sees a girl in the window of the institute and decides to explore the Thornhill property and home to find this new, mysterious, possible friend.

     Told in alternating voice, Mary, the girl in the window, tells her story which takes place in a different time and is told through diary entries that  Ella finds. Ella’s story is told through eye-catching, wonderful illustrations. As the story unfolds, the girls’ lives are paralleled through different times. Mary is a lonely orphan in 1982 dealing with not being adopted as the institute closes and facing a bully, and Ella living in 2017, is a lonely girl in a new town.

     The story is delivered beautifully in contrasting formats that lead to the mystery, excitement, and poignancy of the plot. While the novel could be considered haunting, the manner in which it is written makes it more suspenseful and intriguing than horrifying. The writing is fanatstic and the illustrations are exquisite.                                 McGarvey, Virginia          Orphans and family life- fiction

Agrimbau, Diego Leonardo Da Vinci

           

Agrimbau, Diego        Leonardo Da Vinci     Calkins Creek (Boyd's Mills)            2018   112p   31.99  978-1-5157-9163-8            elm/ms            Graphic novel            VG-BNS           

Graphic novel biography of Leonardo da Vinci.  It tells how he developed from an apprentice to master painter and sculptor.  Also shows some of his many other interests in science and engineering.  Grades 4-8.         

This title calls itself an unofficial biography.  In graphic novel format, it takes Leonardo from childhood through his life.  He serves as an apprentice to Verrocchio where he dreams of making his own paintings. He uses cadavers to study anatomy.  As his sponsors changed, he moved from Florence to Milan to Venice and back to Florence.  His technique and search for perfection caused him to spend years on an individual painting.  His disappointments as well as his achievements are related.
  This story is told as if Leonardo is telling about his life to his apprentice Salai.  This allows the story to proceed forward and backwards in time, rather that a straight life progression.  Regret is expressed over unfinished works and failed projects.
  The illustrations are integral to the story.  It is easy to follow the action and the drawings clearly show the story. The choice of colors evoke a pensive mood or at the least, times past.  The text is clear with good contrast to the background.
  A timeline, some historic background, glossary, discussion questions and writing prompts are included.  The discussion of Leonardo in movies mostly addresses the Teenage Mutant Turtles.  This is superfluous.  The index is rudimentary as are the suggestions to read more about Leonardo. 
  This title would give readers a general outline of the life of Leonardo da Vinci in a readily accessible format.  Reluctant readers are more likely to pick up a graphic novel than a wordy tome.  The information is given in sufficient detail to give a good picture of his life.  Grades 4-8.            Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories (Capstone)        Graphic Lives includes four titles.  Anne Frank, Nelson Mandela, Pope Francis and Leonardo da Vinci.  Good introductory biographies for grades 4-8.       Theal, Joan           Leonardo Da Vinci

Wiesner, David, and Donna Jo Napoli. Fish Girl.

Wiesner, David, and Donna Jo Napoli.  Fish Girl. Houghton Mifflin/Clarion     2017  186p  $17.99  Paperback  ISBN 978-0-547-48393-1  elem/ms  Graphic novel     E-BN 

In a seaside attraction with a multilevel aquarium there lives a mermaid. Her best friend is an octopus.  She is the star attraction, but she has been taught to let the audience get only quick glimpses of her. The man who runs the attraction calls himself Neptune.  He tells the story that he is the god of the sea and makes waves and lightning with his trident.
 

The mermaid disobeys him and meets a human girl, who visits often.  To try to see what is really going on, the mermaid climbs out of her tank and discovers she has legs when her tail is dry.  During a very heavy storm she escapes the aquarium and frees all the other fish who were also trapped there.  On the beach amid the destruction caused by the storm, she finds her friend and goes off with her family.
  

The illustrations are luscious, using vibrant color with a great amount of detail. The mermaid is very tactfully drawn, hidden behind various sea creatures or plants, or wearing a dress. The words are minimal, with the thoughts of the mermaid shown in blocks rather than bubbles.  The story line follows the background story of mermaids.  Readers will love it.  This will be an excellent purchase for upper-elementary and middle-school students.

Summary: Fish Girl tells the story of a mermaid.  She is on display at a seaside attraction cared for by a man who calls himself Neptune.  She meets a human girl and wishes to be human, too. Grade 5-8.   

Mermaids-Fiction                                            --Joan Theal

Bowen, Carl, Michael Dahl, & Louise Simonson. Gods and Thunder: A Graphic Novel of Old Norse Myths

Bowen, Carl, Michael Dahl, & Louise Simonson.  Gods and Thunder: A Graphic Novel of Old Norse Myths   Capstone Publishers      2017  208p  $14.95  ISBN 978-1-62370-848-1      elem/ms  Graphic novel  VG

This fascinating book presents a retelling of the original Viking tales of Asgard, Thor, Loki, Odin, and Baldur in a graphic-novel format. The Old Norse myths come to life through the text and graphics. The legends are exciting and written in present-day language, ensuring full comprehension and engagement by the reader.

In addition to the great writing and retelling is the visual appeal of the book. Full-color, detailed graphics enhance the text and add suspense and excitement. Overall, illustrators use darker shading that reinforces the darker side of the myths. The facial expressions of the characters and the action pictures bring the stories to life.
                 

Summary: This is a retelling of the original Viking tales of Asgard, Thor, Loki, Odin, and Baldur in graphic-novel format.

Norse Mythology                                                   --Virginia McGarvey

Bowen, Carl, Michael Dahl, & Louise Simonson.  Gods and Thunder: A Graphic Novel of Old Norse Myths.  Capstone Publishers  2017  208p  $14.95  ISBN 978-1-62370-848-1      all ages    Graphic novel  VG-BN   

This graphic-novel retelling of the stories of Thor, Loki, Odin, and Baldur will engage fans and reluctant readers alike. The illustrations are vibrantly drawn and the dynamic penstrokes portray action to keep moving the story forward. It is a good starting point to introduce young readers to classic literature.  It includes a glossary of Norse mythology.            

Summary: Readers will experience legends of mighty Thor, cunning Loki, all-seeing Odin, beloved Baldur, and many others as their deeds spring to life in this gripping, full-color graphic novel.

Norse Mythology                                                   -- Linda McNeil