Manga
Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.06, 2013, under Adventure, Graphic Novels, Manga, Student Reviews
Review by Theresa G.
Who would like this book? People from 11-20, boy or girl – this book will grab you right from the start. It is science fiction, but it grabs lots of fiction readers’ attention. It is a manga and it’s also an anime if you want to watch it.
The goods on this book: This book is about a teen boy named Edward and his younger brother Alphonse. Their dad left them when they were young, and at one point the brothers snuck into their dad’s office and used his books to learn alchemy. (Alchemy is a form of taking one thing and transforming it into something else of equal value.) A few years later their mom passed away, and the brothers commited a taboo trying to bring her back to life with alchemy. It didn’t work, and Alphonse lost his entire body and Edward lost his leg. Edward traded his arm in exchange for bonding his brother’s soul to armor. Together, the brothers go through a long journey trying to get their bodies back.
The details: Manga series (GN FIC Ara); 2005 Review by Theresa G.
Tiger by Jeff Stone
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jul.13, 2011, under Adventure, Battle of the Books 2011-2012, Manga, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Fans (grades 6-9) of martial arts, manga, or kung-fu would like this book.
Why? In a style that reads like manga or a video game, Tiger opens with a young monk, Fu, hiding in a ceramic water jar with his four brothers on top of him. The headmaster has named each of the five orphan monks after the Cantonese name of an animal and trained them in specific martial arts styles specific to each animal. As they hide, their Cangzhen Monastery is under attack by the emperor’s army, led by the vicious Ying, their rebellious brother. Ying and his soldiers kill 100 monks but Ying’s goal is to kill the headmaster and to steal the five sacred dragon scrolls. Once Ying discovers the brothers in the jar, the action never stops. Fu uses wit, skill, and luck to dodge Ying’s ferocious brutality and to get the best of Ying’s subordinates. Fu encounters numerous challenges that test his integrity and resolve, and many minor characters help him expand his view of his purpose in life. Besides the riveting action and amusing asides, Tiger has colorful personalities of both major and minor characters. The plot works but is not resolved, leaving the reader with an ending that will have them grabbing Monkey, the next book in the series of five.
This book is a 2011-2012 Battle of the Books selection.
The details: 208 p. 2006 Review by Samrarian
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
