Graphic Novels
Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on May.09, 2010, under Fairy Tale, Graphic Novels, Sam's Reviews, YRCA
Who would like this book? Fans of the graphic novel format and people who like take-offs on fairy tales.
Why? Can you handle the idea of Rapunzel (as in the fairy tale princess trapped in a tower) teaming up with Jack (as in the Beanstalk) to take on the evils of a magical world with a strong resemblance to the Wild West? It sounds crazy, but it works with wonder in the hands of the Hales and the exceptional illustrator (another Hale, but no relation). Rapunzel starts out as a sheltered princess surrounded by the luxury of the royal palace. When she climbs the wall and is faced with the horror of devastation and mining camps, Rapunzel comes face to face with a truth that sets her on a collision course with her Queen mother. She, of course, ends up in a tower (a magic tree), where her hair – and her self-reliance – grows. This graphic novel is witty, engaging, entertaining, with a good moral for good measure.
The details: 144 p. 2008 Review by Samrarian
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.04, 2010, under Bullying, Graphic Novels, Humorous, Student Reviews, YRCA
Review by Maddie
Who would like this book? People who like to have secondary books to read (me) or people who don’t like to read chapter books and would rather read a graphic novel.
Why? This book was pretty funny. I guess if you really enjoy reading like me, you can read this book and 1 or 2 other chapter books at the same time. This book is about A LOT of different things. It basically is a new story every 7 pages. I recommend this book to anyone who likes funny graphic novels and to those of you who don’t like to read, I also recommend this book to you. Just try it. I didn’t think I would enjoy it, but I did.
The details: 217 p. 2007 Submitted by Maddie
The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.29, 2009, under Art, Battle of the Books 2009-2010, Graphic Novels, Grief, Real life, Student Reviews
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
Bone by Jeff Smith
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.23, 2009, under Graphic Novels, PowerPoint Reviews
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
The Savage by David Almond (Illustrated by Dave McKean)
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.13, 2009, under Bullying, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Grief, Staff Reviews
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
The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jul.26, 2009, under Battle of the Books 2009-2010, Graphic Novels, Mental Health, Real life, Sam's Reviews, YRCA
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
Negima by Ken Akamatsu
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.22, 2009, under Graphic Novels, Manga, Student Reviews
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
Hunternx Hunter by Togashi Yoshihiro
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.20, 2009, under Graphic Novels, Manga, Student Reviews
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
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi by Matsuena Syun
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.15, 2009, under Graphic Novels, Manga, Student Reviews
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/
One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.15, 2009, under Graphic Novels, Manga, Student Reviews
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
