Category: Graphic Novel Review

REVIEW: Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller

REVIEW: Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Charlie’s glad her dad has retired from the military so they can settle in one community for awhile. But at the same time, everything feels different. Her dad seems to know everyone in his old home town, making Charlie feel even more like an outsider. And after so many years when it was just Charlie and her mom, his daily presence in her life makes things awkward and weird at times.

But Charlie has a plan to make all this change start to feel like home. She’s going to make some new friends! She’s done tons of research, and she’s determined to do all the “cool” things so she can fit in right away.

Review

I can see why this has been getting such positive reviews! This is a lovely friendship story while also being about growing up and about identity (my favorite theme in a book). Some of Charlie’s choices are painful to watch – like her bristling at her dad as she tries to figure out where he fits into the family dynamic she and her mom have had for years. And the lying to her potential new friends because she’s trying not to stand out.

There’s a lot here that a book group could dig into for excellent conversation. I’d love to see a group of kids dig into this. The artwork in the graphic novel is lovely! I hope there will be some more Curlfriend stories in the future. Graphic novel fans are going to love this. Kids who like school stories and friendship stories will find a lot here to enjoy, too.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Quantum Quest by Mike Maihack

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Quantum Quest by Mike Maihack

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Spider-Man and Mark the pigeon, fresh off their last adventure, are given a new quest by the Fantastic Four. Atlantis has gone missing, as has a dolphin talisman that Spider-Man feels is familiar.

When Spider-Man and Mark go to find the talisman, they discover that heroes are going missing. They are getting pulled into the Quantum Realm.

Review

This was an absolute delight! The story is a bit thin – heroes keep disappearing. But it’s funny how they keep blipping out while talking to Spider-Man. I think it will keep kids laughing.

But the roll call of Marvel characters who show up in this book – including She-Hulk, Moon Girl, and Shang-Chi, dazzled me. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see who showed up next. I’m not sure young readers will get all of the jokes – like She-Hulk’s “missing 4th wall” – but I loved them. There’s a bonus search and find puzzle that I thought was a brilliant way to use the Quantum Realm.

As Mike Maihack is one of my favorite illustrators/artists out there, I of course loved the artwork here. There’s one page where the heroes have “assembled” that is perfection.

This ends on something of a cliffhanger, so I’ll definitely be reading book 3, Cosmic Chaos, which will release in July of 2024. Be sure to check out the whole Mighty Marvel Team-Up series. Hand this to all of the Marvel and graphic novels fans in your life.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

 

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! by Mike Maihack

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! by Mike Maihack

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When Spider-Man hears there’s a supervillain in Central Park, he’s eager to get in on the action. But one by one, the Avengers show up, asking him to pet sit for them so THEY can go to Central Park to fight the villain.

Review

Mike Maihack’s art style is EXACTLY what I love. So I’ve been a fan since his Cleopatra in Space graphic novel series (middle grade – check them out!). He shares cartoons online, and his Batgirl and Supergirl series is a delight every time. I’m a serious fan.

So when he started talking about his new early reader graphic novel series for Marvel, I was eager to check it out. Just after Christmas last year I took a week off social media to focus on reading, and this was the first book I read.

It’s fantastic! I’m sad I’m not teaching any more or hanging around a lot of first and second grade kiddos because I would LOVE to share these with kids. The art work is exactly as amazing as I expected it to be. But I was equally delighted by the story!

The story is “simple” in that young kids will easily follow it. Spider-Man gets left holding the pets while the Avengers get to go fight a villain. He’s dedicated to his assignment, but he’s also disappointed. In the end, it all works out happily – and along the way are some laugh-out-loud moments. I would absolutely read this again. It would be a hoot to read with a kiddo. And any new characters in the book that kids might not know open the door to other books and comics they might enjoy.

This is geared toward readers 7-10. I think it would also appeal to younger kids who might be reading independently as well as those who are looking for some “read together”/lap reading options with superheroes. I HIGHLY recommend this series. Book 2 is out now, Quantum Quest, and I’ll be reviewing that next week. Book 3, Cosmic Chaos, releases this summer. Do not miss the Mighty Marvel Team-Up series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

REVIEW: The Mark of Athena: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan

REVIEW: The Mark of Athena: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

“Seven halfbloods shall answer the call….”

Leo, Jason, Piper, and Annabeth find Percy at Camp Jupiter with Hazel and Frank, and they team up for the next part of their quest to save the world from Gaea and her giants.

Hazel is trying to find her half-brother Nico, who is being held by giants with only days to live. At the same time, Annabeth is on a side quest from her mom, Athena. One that has killed many of her siblings over the centuries. And the Roman campers are trying to stop the seven before Leo can get them to Rome – and if they can’t, they’ll settle for destroying Camp Half Blood.

Review

It’s been years since I last read this book, but all of the key moments came back to me as I read this. This is a trimmed down version of the story – the prose novel clocks in at just over 600 pages, but the graphic novel is 160. But it all hangs together well enough for readers to get the main ideas and key moments. The artwork here is great. It’s easy to tell who is who, and I LOVED getting to see things like the Argo II in action.

This should work for both readers who have read the full prose novel and those who have not. This could be a good onramp for readers who are intimidated by the size of the full novel as well as a nice visual refresher for kids who have read the full story already. But I don’t recommend starting here, on book 3 of the Heroes of Olympus series. Readers definitely should have read either the prose or graphic novel versions of The Lost Hero and The Son of Neptune before diving into The Mark of Athena.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Tootie makes a new friend in Turtletown, but they are a curious looking turtle.  But “Teeny” and Tootie discover they have SO much in common, they quickly become best friends. Even though they found her a shell so she looks more turtle-like, though, Teeny really isn’t enjoying the food or activities the other turtles like. And she’s afraid to let Tootie know.

Review

This is amazing! I adored Tootie’s enthusiasm and encouragement. What a perfect friend to have during an identity crisis! And Teeny is so sweet and worried about not fitting in. The artwork is adorable, and the color scheme was perfect for me. This is a lovely story about friendship and acceptance and identity. I highly recommend this graphic novel for chapter book readers. This is labeled “Volume 1,” so I hope that means there will be more adventures for these two friends.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

 

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Cinzia is apprentice to a printer who gets on the wrong side of the ruling family with something she writes. Cinzia is able to escape arrest, but only with unexpected help from the mysterious Contessina Elena. Together they go looking for the proof needed to convince the Principessa that the magistrate – her brother – is up to no good.

Review

This was excellent! I loved the story and the girls. It’s an inspiring tale about the power of words, truth, friendship, and community. The artwork is gorgeous and pulls the story together so well. There are some author’s notes about the time and setting for this fictional city as well as information about the avvisi, the flyers Cinzia and her mestra printed.

This belongs in graphic novel collections in classrooms and homes and libraries. I think the “sweet spot” for this is 10 to 14 year olds, but it will also appeal to some younger and older readers. This would also be an excellent discussion group selection for upper elementary and middle school kids.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! If you are looking for gift ideas on this Black Friday, be sure to check out my Holiday Hint List of book recommendations.

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Game designer Luigi Lemoncello builds a fantastical public library in his home town and then invites a group of kids to take a early peek inside by spending a night in the library. But the lock-in turns into a game when the kids have a chance to solve the puzzle of how to escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Review

Outstanding! I have been a fan of this book – really, of the whole series – from the beginning. And this is a fantastic graphic novel adaptation of the first book in the Lemoncello’s Library series. It’s been too long since I read the original for me to be able to comment on what was trimmed out for length. But the story here hangs together brilliantly.

This would be a great introduction for kids who aren’t familiar with the prose novel or kids who think the novel looks intimidating. Graphic novel adaptations can be a great onramp for some kids before they try out the full book. I also think this is a fun option for kids (and teens and adults) who already love the original and want to explore a visual version of the story and characters. Do not miss this one! Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Punycorn by Andi Watson

REVIEW: Punycorn by Andi Watson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Clarion Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on Tuesday, November 14th.]

Summary

Punycorn lives in the land of Carbuncle which once vanquished evil and now enjoys peace. Punycorn trains like the other, majestic unicorns. But Punycorn is small and struggles at times.

Sir Ogre has received some magical “gauntlets” to help him defeat Carbuncle once and for all. He schedules his attack, but the unicorn fighting force is away on training maneuvers. Only Punycorn remains behind.

Punycorn is sent on a quest to assemble a Kinship of Heroes to help him save the day. But Sir Ogre has someone spying on Punycorn and trying to thwart his every move.

 

Review

What a fantastic adventure! I loved Punycorn and the Kinship. This is a great team, and I would definitely read more of their adventures. Good thing Punycorn and the Princess of Thieves is in the works!

For me this feels like a story in the vein of Max and the Midknights or Hilo – two graphic novel adventure series that I have adored! Fans of those series definitely should check this book out. There’s a classic quest setup here but with a quirky “party” which I thoroughly enjoyed. The artwork here is fantastic – something readers are going to want to pour over. Classroom teachers with students who love graphic novels do not want to miss this one! Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

THROW BACK: Gabby and Gator by James Burks

THROW BACK: Gabby and Gator by James Burks

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on May 13, 2013. My students couldn’t get enough of graphic novels like this. The cover image here is updated since my original post and the book’s initial release.

Summary and Review

An outcast girl and an alligator that survived flushing find friendship together.

This was absolutely delightful! I liked it so much, I bought two for our school library because I think my students will enjoy it, too. The story starts by establishing each of the characters separately and establishing the “mystery” of a monster in the sewer. Then, when the two meet, they develop this wonderful, quirky relationship that is just right for both of them. Gabby and Gator make a great team. As a fun little bonus, there are line drawings at the bottom of the right-hand pages, and if you flip them quickly you can see Gabby and Gator dance. Great fun!

5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: The Bawk-ness Monster by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess

REVIEW: The Bawk-ness Monster by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Before Penny and her mom move away, Penny has one last thing to do – find the Bawk-ness Monster that saved her life three years ago. Penny’s friends, Luc and K, are also along for the adventure. (It would help if they could ditch Penny’s mom who’s a bit overprotective.) But the kids find more than they bargained for in their search for Bessie.

 

Review

This first book in the Cryptid Kids series was so fun! I loved all of the cryptid characters (who are twists on typical cryptids like Bigfoot). And the story kept moving forward while more challenges cropped up.

Penny’s mom is understandably over-protective after the scare three years ago. But there’s also a great moment when Penny stands up to her mom that I loved. Luc’s story is subtle but important. I would love to see a reading group dig into this book and see what kids make of Luc’s story.

I hope there will be more adventures for the Cryptid Kids. I would absolutely pick up a sequel to check it out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read