a.
Audience for whom the book is written
b.
Audience to whom it will appeal (might
differ from a.)
c.
Particular strengths of the book
d.
Particular weaknesses of the book
e.
Any special considerations (artwork,
curriculum links, community values, beliefs espoused, etc)
f.
And, in the School Library Journal’s format:
Your verdict, supported
with details
No plot summaries and no spoilers please. Failure to follow that rule will result in revocation of your authoring rights, guaranteed!!
Telgemeier, R. (2012). Drama. New York, NY: Graphix.
ReplyDeleteGr. 5-9: Callie is your average, love crazy middle schooler. She has a best friend, she has the school play to work on, and she has drama -- middle school drama. She likes a boy who likes a different girl, she likes a boy, who likes a boy… What’s a girl to do?
Telgemeier, through the pictures and text of this graphic novel, creates a true-to-life look at the awkwardness of middle school. She broaches topics that are relevant to young adults in a true representation of growing up, such as questioning sexual orientation, crushes, and unrequited love. While Drama won’t be a timeless classic, it is a fun read that puts the reader in Callie’s shoes, her slightly geeky, theater-nerd shoes.
Verdict: Drama has a place on the shelves of every middle and high school library. Every school has a large group of students that will be able to relate to the struggles of Callie or her group of friends. Also, the graphic novel format appeals to a mass of students of many different reading levels.
Telgemeier, R. (2006). The baby-sitters club: Kristy’s great idea. New York, NY: Graphix.
ReplyDeleteGr. 3-8: There is a lot going on in Kristy’s life right now. Her parents are divorced, her mom is dating again, her older brothers are annoying, her litter brother needs to be watched afterschool, her friends lives and baby-sitting for the kids in town. It’s a lot to juggle, but Kristy has a great idea: to start a baby-sitting business with her friends, that way they can streamline the baby-sitting jobs! Can they handle the ups and downs of starting a business together?
Telgemeier’s reboot of the original Baby-Sitters Club works well in graphic novel form. Kids are introduced to topics that are real for many of the intended readers; divorce, ‘ghosting’, blended families, and diabetes, yet are still left laughing at the antics of the kids they club baby sits for.
Verdict: Telgemeier’s refreshing take on the original Baby-Sitters Club in graphic novel format will grab readers. While many can relate to the true-to-life themes in the book, the series is heavy on female characters and may be hard for some boys to appreciate.
Pearson, L. (2014). Hilda and the troll. First edition. London: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd.
ReplyDeleteGr. 2-7: Hilda loves adventures, however, sometimes these adventures end up as anything but ordinary. In Hilda and the Troll Hilda decides she wants to sleep in a tent in the rain which leads to all sorts of hijinks. What will happen when she accidently angers the troll?
While the art is creative and whimsical, the story is far from either. The writing, even with the pictures to help fill in the gaps, seems to be missing pertinent information needed to move the story successfully forward. Readers may find themselves flipping back and forth trying to figure out if they missed a page.
Verdict: If art is your thing, this is a beautifully drawn graphic novel that can be poured over for hours to take in all the detail; if you are looking for a well thought out story, you may want to look elsewhere.
Telgemeier, R. (2016). Ghosts. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
ReplyDeleteGr. 4-8: Catrina’s not happy that she and her family are moving north, but since her little sister, Maya, has cystic fibrosis, they need to go where she can breathe better. Little does Cat know that her new town is full of ghosts! While she wants nothing to do with them, her sister can’t wait to meet them all. How is Cat going to keep her sister safe and deal with her fear of ghosts?
Telgemeier’s graphic novel is entertaining and poignant. From the fearful Cat, to the full of life Maya, Telgemeier makes the characters relatable to readers of any age. Her writing of Maya, particularly, and her understanding of her fragile life and future death, makes the reader understand her need to meet the ghosts, in addition to Cat’s fear and need to protect her only sister.
Verdict: Telgemeier’s new work is another staple to add to your graphic novel section. Her characters are genuine and lovable and will leave readers hoping for a sequel.
I'd like to change my view of the book a little after doing some research on Dia de los Muertos and the book. This book, while a lovely story about sisterly love, missed the boat on teaching about the significance of Dia de los Muertos to millions of kids who may never hear about it and could use a little truth in text.
DeleteI am prepping to teach an author study on Raina, and found some articles that made me look at the book in a different light. I will still talk about this book, however, it will be in the, 'if you read this, focus on the sister part and know that it is not close to accurate", and challenging the students to do some research on Dia de los Muerto and mission life. I also plan on starting the conversation of responsibility: Is the author responsible for getting certain facts correct if they are writing a fiction book? Why?
This is the article that I found most meaningful so far : https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2016/09/not-recommended-ghosts-by-raina.html
Please take a moment to read it.
Thank you,
MA
Brogsol, V. (2011). Anya's Ghost. New York, NY: First Second.
ReplyDeleteGr. 7 and up: In her debut graphic novel, Brogsol paints a funny, scary and convincing story of a teenager working through issues of identity, friendship and conformity. Although the protagonist is a first-generation Russian immigrant who is frustrated with her mother's old country ways, anyone who has felt awkward in gym class or over their head in a social situation will identify with Anya, and may find insight in this quick, intelligently written and drawn work. The panels are laid out nicely, and vary from multiple panels to one per page. Illustrations build and add to the setting, plot and characters, and move the story along. This is a quick read that will engage readers of all backgrounds.
Anya’s Ghost deals with mature themes and is genuinely scary at times, but it retains a honest, positive voice. There are multiple opportunities to tie this work into units on cultural differences, assimilation, and conformity. It has received multiple awards and starred reviews, including : Cybils Award (2011), Eisner Award (2012), Harvey Award (2012).
Verdict: Anya’s Ghost is a valuable addition to any middle or high school library media collection, and offers points of entry for reluctant readers and anyone wanting a scary and witty exploration of the balance between identity and conformity
Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash
ReplyDeleteAges 13+
Honor Girl is a graphic novel memoir by Maggie Thrash (staff writer for the online teen girl magazine "Rookie"). The story mostly takes place at a summer camp when Maggie as 15 years old and fell in love with an older camp counselor.
The book gives a very honest portrayal of Maggie's confusion and struggle as she discovers her feelings for another girl (the camp counselor). Although the beginning of the book takes place in the present, when Maggie is older, it then lapses back to the summer of her camp experience. Readers may be confused by this time jump at first but will quickly catch up. The sequence of the graphic format is easy to follow and varied in size and placement of pictures.
The story is told from an innocent voice of teen discovery. There are undertones of homophobic comments made by a group of characters in the story countered by unflinching support and acceptance by other campers of Maggie's age in the story. There is some language which may be found to be offensive to certain readers.
Verdict: I recommend this book for middle and high school libraries wishing to round out the diversity,as well as representation, in their collection.
This One Summer, written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Julian Tamaki.
ReplyDeleteThis teen graphic novel follows two teen girls during their yearly family vacations to a small lake town called Awago Beach. Rose has recently entered high school and her friend Windy is not far behind, but Rose’s interest in more “adult-like” things is apparent as she tries to lessen her enjoyment of anything childish. Throughout the story, Rose and Windy encounter real-life situations that are uncustomary to the vacations they have had before this one summer. From pain and tribulations within their own families, to serious, life-altering situations encountered by the town’s people, Rose realizes that her life is changing as she continues to enter adulthood.
Common Sense Media rates this book for ages 13+ and I would agree that this is the earliest I would introduce this book. Special considerations for this story include its portrayal of a young girl’s transition from childhood to young adulthood and some of the changes, both mentally and physically that take place. Parents could use this book to discuss some of the real-life situations that a young adult may encounter, expanding upon numerous areas that the story includes.
Strengths: This book is a NY Times Bestseller and the recipient of the 2015 Caldecott Honor and the 2015 Michael L. Printz Honor. This book is written and illustrated in a comic book format and the beautiful illustrations lend amazing detail to the story and the characters. Although fiction, the characters in this story encounter many real-life situations in which many readers may identify. The book is also very “modern” in its use of language and many young adults would be drawn to the realistic characters. Additionally, the format of this book makes it a very quick read when compared to graphic novels of similar pages.
Weaknesses: As part of its “modern” language, there is a fair amount of offensive language in the book, along with many “difficult” issues that are often tough to discuss. Although these real-life situations are a major focus of this book, there may be a reluctance by some to offer or recommend this book to young adults. I would argue that this is a form of censorship and media specialists should not overlook this book due to a fear of disapproval by some.
Verdict: Yes, this book should be part of a media center collection as it includes various factors of appeal, from its easy to read “comic book” style, beautiful illustrations and portrayal of realistic scenarios that many young adults may experience. This One Summer offers a look into the world of a young teenage girl that learns a great deal about life over one, seemingly predicatable summer vacation.
Tyranny by Lesley Fairfield
ReplyDeleteGraphic Novel
Gr. 6+ (SLJ), Ages 14+ (Kirkus)
Tyranny is an exceptionally well written book about a very complicated and touchy subject; eating disorders. Lesley Fairfield treats this personal topic with respect while also sharing the emotional turmoil of those who experience these hardships. She draws on her own personal struggle with anorexia and bulimia to give the reader a look at the inner voice, tyranny, that keeps the main character, Anna, striving to look perfect.
The simple black and white graphics help tell the powerful journey of Anna from the lowest lows to the acceptance of a problem and ultimately to a healthy start. Tyranny shows how one’s own thoughts and the constant societal images and messages of what is the right way to look work to push people down the dangerous path of eating disorders.
Verdict - Tyranny compassionately tackles a very complicated issue with grace and truth. It is a book that can spark conversation about a topic that is often looked past. This book should be included in every high school library.