Chamberlain, Joris, & Aurelie Neyret. Cici’s Journal.

Chamberlain, Joris, & Aurelie Neyret. Cici’s Journal. Macmillan/First Second  2017  149p.    $17.99  ISBN 978-1-62672-248-4            ms/jr  Graphic Novel        VG-BN         

Cici wants to become a writer. In this graphic novel, Cici describes the steps she goes through to attain this goal with the help of a famous writer who lives in the same town.          

This is a very good graphic novel for middle-school readers. The colors are bright and simply blended in dramatic drawings. The drawings themselves are simple yet effectively portray the content of the story. The format of the book and the visual layout within the pages add variety and insight into Cici’s adventure.                                   

Writing                                                                          --Linda McNeil, Martha Squaresky

Marcus, Leonard S. Comics Confidential: Thirteen Graphic Novelists Talk Story, Craft, and Life Outside the Box.

Marcus, Leonard S.  Comics Confidential: Thirteen Graphic Novelists Talk Story, Craft, and Life Outside the Box.  Candlewick Press  2016            176p    $24.99  ISBN 978-0-7636-5938-7     ms/hs Nonfiction  E-BN

Leonard Marcus interviews thirteen graphic novelists about their childhoods, how they became interested in art and comic books, and how they became graphic novelists. A brief biography precedes each interview, which is written in a question-and-answer format. He gives each novelist the theme of “the city,” and each artist creates a comic that follows his or her interview. This book is not just for graphic novel fans, but anyone interested in art and writing. It is an outstanding collective biography that should be in middle- and high-school collections.     

Summary: Thirteen graphic novelist share their backgrounds and techniques.         

Comics, Graphic novels                                                                                              —Stephanie Pennucci

Simonson, Louise. The Death of Baldur.

Simonson, Louise.  The Death of Baldur.  Capstone Publishers  2017  56p  $20.49      ISBN 978-1-4965-3488-0  elem/ms  Series: Norse Myths   Graphic novels  E-BNes

Students who enjoy the Marvel movies starring Thor and Loki will enjoy this graphic novel series. In this volume, readers find out how Loki kills his brother Baldur, an event that triggers a giant battle called Ragnarok, or Twilight of the Gods, and leads to the demise of Aesir. A glossary explains new terminology (“fate”, “evade”, “invulnerable”, “pyre”, and several Norse terms). The illustrations are full of action, but not too much violence to make this series inappropriate for upper-elementary students. The text is easy to understand and explains the events clearly for readers who may not have any prior knowledge of the original myths. Highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school collections.

                       

Summary: In this graphic novel Baldur, beloved son of Odin, is killed by his adopted brother, Loki, triggering the giant battle that results in the end of the Aesir. 

Norse mythology-Graphic novels, Adventure-Fiction                      --Stephanie Pennucci 

Flowers, Arthur, and Manu Chitrakar. I See The Promised Land.

Flowers, Arthur, and Manu Chitrakar.  I See The Promised Land.    Douglas McIntyre/Groundwood   2013  154p  ISBN 978-1-55498-328-5 all ages  Hardback  E-BN     Graphic biography

This is a graphic biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement in the USA. Dr. King came from a long line of Black Baptist preachers.  This graphic novel tells the story of his life through colorful illustrations, with fact boxes that will capture the reader’s attention.  It provides a running commentary of what was happening during King’s lifetime, very well told and very well illustrated.  The message is one that needs to be addressed for children.  The illustrations include maps and slave trade routes. There are references to Harriet Tubman and her work with the Underground Railroad, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Great Migration.  The story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which were so crucial to the Civil Rights Movement and the rise of Dr. King as a leader are also included.

I would recommend that parents or teachers read the book with children.  There are parts of the book that portray violence at its worst, and may need some explanation and discussion with an adult.    

Summary:  This is a graphic biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement in the USA.   Dr. King came from a long line of Black Baptist preachers.  This graphic novel tells the story of his life through colorful illustrations, with fact boxes that will capture the reader’s attention.           

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.-Biography                             --Magna Diaz

Torres, J. Batman Versus the Yeti.

Torres, J.  Batman Versus the Yeti.  Capstone/Stone Arch    2013  32p   ISBN 978-1-43442-4708-7  series: Batman: The Brave and The Bold  elem  Hardback  VG  Graphic novels     

With crisp, colorful illustrations and conversations that are well reflected in the illustrations, this book will appeal to fans of superheroes.  Batman joins forces with Asian superheroes to battle the Yeti living in the mountains and rescues a superhero who has morphed into a Yeti. An addendum explains The Great Ten, the Asian superheroes, and includes information on creators of the graphic novel and a glossary. A two-page spread encourages readers to go beyond just reading the graphic novel and look carefully at the illustrations and their impact on the story -- how thought and conversation bubbles speed or slow the story and how illustrations enhance the text.     

The series Batman: The Brave and The Bold is comprised of four different adventures about Batman and his friends.  Crisp, colorful illustrations and sometimes humorous text will entertain elementary-age readers who love a superhero graphic novel. Grades 3-5.  It is recommended wherever superhero graphic novels are needed. 

Summary: In vocabulary appropriate for upper elementary-school students, Batman encounters the Yeti, fierce huge creatures of the mountains, with the help of Asian superheroes.  A graphic novel that will appeal to fans of superheroes. Grades 3-5.     

Graphic novels, Superheroes-Fiction                         --Lois McNicol