October 29th 2009
Review by Madison
Who would like this book? Maybe people who like Graphic Novels.
Why? I did not like this book . I am not a graphic novel fan, so that might be why. This book was very odd, and I didn’t think it was very well organized at all. I got very bored with this book. It was often confusing for me and a little mixed up. I only reccomend this book to graphic novel fans. This book is about a girl who moves from a busy city to a safer city. She joins a group called P.L.A.I.N. They draw art in neighborhoods and the town is kind of debating on whether they like it or not. The school teachers don’t like it. Nobody knows who this group is and who the people are in this group. That is why I didn’t like this book, and I prefer books that are not graphic novels.
The details: 2007 Submitted by Madison
October 23rd 2009
Click here for a PowerPoint presentation of the nine books in the Graphic Novel series Bone by Jeff Smith. This presentation was created by Michael R. Find the Bone books in the Graphic Novel section of the library: GN FIC Smi
October 13th 2009
Review by Mr. Cantwell
Summary: When Blue Baker’s father dies, the school counselor tries to help by having Blue write down his feelings and emotions. It doesn’t work. Instead, Blue starts writing a story about a wild boy living in the woods. When the boy who’s been bullying Blue ends up in the story, things get ugly. The savage seems to be coming to life, and Blue starts to wonder where he ends and the savage begins.
Opinion: At only 80 pages, and with a lot of those pages filled with cool illustrations, this book is a fast read. While the story about Blue is pretty good, it’s the story Blue is writing that really gets your attention. These are the pages that are illustrated, and they read like a graphic novel. The savage is quite savage, so some of the content might be a little too intense for some young readers. Perhaps the best part of the book (besides the cool illustrations) is watching how these two completely opposite characters – Blue and the savage – each come to realize that they have more in common with the other than either would have imagined. It makes you wonder if such opposites don’t exist within all of us.
The details: 79 p. 2008 Submitted by Mr. Cantwell
July 26th 2009
Who would like this book? Both fans of graphic novels and students interested in the lives of quirky, artistic, intelligent kids on the “outside” of the in-crowd.
Why? This graphic novel starts out with a bang, literally. Jane is walking past a café in Metro City when a bomb goes off, sending her to the hospital along with a mysterious young man who does not regain consciousness. Jane’s parents decide to move to the safe suburb of Kent Waters, and Jane is bored and depressed over her new not-life at Buz Aldrin High School. She is drawn to three girls, all social misfits and each with a “Jane” name. At first they are withdrawn, but Jane hits on a creative, edgy plan to bring them to life. The result is PLAIN – People Loving Art in Neighborhoods – and a spurt of unique “art attacks.” Jane’s spunky efforts to work through the trauma of the bombing and to ignite creative thought in the complacent suburb are inspiring. The story gains focus through her letters to John Doe, the mysterious young man back at the hospital in Metro City. The graphic novel format is an excellent match for the plot and characters, and Rugg’s drawings are superb. It’s great to have a graphic novel as a YRCA nominee (2010) and as a selection for the 2009-2010 Battle of the Books.
The details: 176 p. 2007 Review by Samrarian
A Battle of the Books selection for 2009-2010 and a 2010 YRCA nominee
April 22nd 2009
Review by Garrett
Who would like this book? People who like school life and magic.
Why? Ten-year-old prodigy Negi Springfield has just graduated from the Magic Academy. He dreams of becoming a Magester Magi and he was sent to Japan to teach at an all-girls school for training.
Submitted by Garrett
April 20th 2009
Review by Garrett
Who would like this book? People who like fantasy, action, and also adventure will like this book.
Why? Hunters are a special breed, dedicated to tracking down treasures, magical beasts, and even other men. But such pursuits require a license, and less than one in a hundred thousand can pass the grueling…
The details: ongoing Review by Garrett
April 15th 2009
Who would like this book? People who like martial arts and seeing a kid who has no talent in martial arts or any luck with girls become the history’s strongest disciple and slowly make the girls fall for him.
Why? Shirahma Kenichi is a book lover who has just entered high school, but he is often bullied by others. One day, he became friends with the new transfer student, Fuurinji Miu, who was also looking for a friend . Kenichi was shocked by how powerful she is at first but he is still somehow attracted to her.
Submitted by Garrett
The details: Available online at
http://www.onemanga.com/Historys_Strongest_Disciple_Kenichi/
April 15th 2009
Review by Garrett
Who would like this book? People who like comedy, action, and adventure comic books will probaly enjoy this book.
Why? Seeking to be king of the pirates, the greatest pirate in the world monkey, D. Luffy, endowed with stretching powers from the legendary “gomu gomu” devil’s fruit, travels towards the gand line in search of one piece, the greatest treasure in the world.
The details: 203 p. 1999 Submitted by Garrett
December 15th 2008
Who would like this book?
Do you like wind-up toys? Silent movies? Old clocks? Graphic novels? Paris? If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, read this book! This book has magical qualities and fascinating connections- it appeals to all ages.
Why? Hugo is a twelve-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of a Paris train station in the early part of the 20th century. Hugo has inherited his deceased father’s skill with intricate clocks and has set out to repair a mysterious automaton (a robot that is seated, ready to write a message). Hugo’s daily life involves maintaining the train station’s clocks (a job he inherited from his uncle, who has disappeared mysteriously) and stealing his food and the parts he needs for the automaton. The latter pursuit puts him in the bad graces of the grouchy keeper of the nearby toyshop. The shopkeeper and his impetuous goddaughter become intertwined with Hugo’s life, and the complications are riveting. As you read, pay attention for foreshadowing that hints at the amazing climax. The intersection of a well-told story with intricate illustrations is masterful, a creative breathtaking breakthrough into a new way to tell a story. Selznick has amazing timing in the choices for where he inserted the illustrations. This book held me spellbound. What’s more, there are lots of fantastic historical connections to silent films and automatons. Related websites:
The book’s opening images
The Maillardet automaton:
http://www.fi.edu/learn/sci-tech/automaton/automaton.php?cts=instrumentation
A video interview with the author:
http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Hugo-Cabret-Brian-Selznick/dp/0439813786
The details: 544 p. 2007
December 14th 2008
Who would like this book? Anyone who has any interest in dance, especially ballet. Also, people who like the graphic novel format will want to read this book.
Why? The combination of energetic illustrations with the author’s personal story of growing up with a passion for dancing is highly effective and engaging. Sienna ’s story starts when, at the age of six, she finds that she loves to leap and spin. When she sees Maya Plisetskaya of the Bolshoi Ballet, she becomes inspired to try out for the American School of Ballet. Her story is full of the painful challenges of being dedicated to dancing and also includes her the joys and sorrows of her thoughts, her friendships, and her family. This book is a quick read that stayed with me. I could feel her passion.
The details: 64 p. 2006 Submitted by Sam