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80 pp.
| Lerner/Graphic Universe
| April, 2019
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5415-4155-9$29.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5415-4528-1$9.99
(3)
YA
Illustrated by
Ben Hutchings.
Created by Briony Barr and Gregory Crocetti. After caring for a WWI soldier infected with dysentery on the Western Front in 1916, Sister Annie Barnaby, a nurse, contracts the disease herself. As the invading Shigella bacteria wreak havoc in her gut, Annie's body--via bacteriophage--fights back: "You infect, we protect!" Black-and-white panels focus on a microcosmic life-or-death battle in this engrossing graphic-novel mash-up of historical fiction and medical science.
(2)
4-6
Translated by Edward Gauvin.
Jun's graphic novel for young readers begins with Yu'er, a Chinese girl who dreams of swimming in the Special Olympics. When her swim-class application is rejected because of her disability, Grampa has an ingenious solution. Heartwarming relationships, moments of levity, and magical elements also mark the remaining three vignettes. The earth-toned watercolor illustrations seem quiet at first glance, but dynamic perspectives and compositions provide lively energy.
(3)
1-3
Super Potato series.
When an archvillain goes off-script and turns Super Max into a potato, the vain superhero quickly finds solace in being a powerful, handsome spud. This Spanish-import graphic novel for newly independent readers parodies classic comics but keeps the jokes and narratorial asides accessible for an audience new to the genre. Large, clear panels (one to four per page) and skillful illustrations further aid readability.
48 pp.
| Universe
| March, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7893-3429-9$17.95
(3)
K-3
A solid black dot reports, "I have friends... / Life is good. We have housing... / and food to eat." A hollow black dot remarks that "there are lots and lots of us too" but with insufficient housing and food. What to do? When the types of dots band together--to, for instance, create two hands reaching for each other--it's just one example of this outsize book's large-scale humanism.
273 pp.
| Lerner/Graphic Universe
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5124-4910-5$29.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5415-1044-9$11.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-9857-8
(4)
YA
Life on Earth series.
The first book of a graphic-novel series features four teenagers as they deal with their summertime struggles and romantic entanglements, all shadowed by the disappearance of classmate Claudia, who may or may not have been abducted by aliens. In graphic-memoirist MariNaomi's fiction debut, refreshingly creative illustrations in various minimalist styles (shifting with each protagonist's perspective) make up for some murky character motivations.
40 pp.
| Lerner/Graphic Universe
| May, 2018
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5124-1332-8$25.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5415-1046-3$6.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-9856-1
(3)
1-3
Game for Adventure series.
Illustrated by
Flávio B. Silva.
The third wordless graphic novel in a series about everyday children's games turned fantastical follows Chavo, who's last to be chosen for capture the flag and is ignored by all the players. The moonlit park morphs into an alien landscape split by team colors, and Chavo sneaks under the radar to victory. Bright, high-contrast colors and a fast pace should engage early and reluctant readers.
(3)
1-3
Cici: A Fairy's Tale series.
Illustrated by
Tyler Page
&
Cori Doerrfeld.
When Cici's mother starts dating popular classmate Kendra's father, Cici can't resist using her newly discovered fairy powers for revenge (Sight). When Cici and Kendra (now friends) go camping, Cici connects with a forest sprite (Perfect). These early, brightly illustrated graphic novels realistically portray a Latino family of divorce; the fantasy twist adds levity. Review covers these Cici: A Fairy's Tale titles: A Perfect View and Truth in Sight.
(3)
1-3
Hotel Strange series.
Illustrated by
Katherine Ferrier.
The woodland creatures of Hotel Strange are settling in for the winter...until ghosts take away their friend Mr. Snarf. A hot-air balloon trip over the clouds and into the Land of Ghosts ensues. Fourth in the French-import series, the imaginative, quirky story is told through colorful comic panels. A recipe is included.
72 pp.
| Lerner/Graphic Universe
| April, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-8551-8$33.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5124-3070-7$11.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-2701-1
(4)
YA
Illustrated by
Jeff Weigel.
Nick visits his cousin Sophie--whose parents work at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research--to learn about the LHC. The graphic novel format works well in portraying subatomic particles in dramatic collisions and the teens imagining themselves at microscopic sizes. However, the scientific details are conveyed through long, awkward lectures from Sophie and famous scientists. Reading list, websites. Glos.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Graphic Universe
| April, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5124-1330-4$25.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5124-3067-7$6.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-2703-5
(3)
1-3
Game for Adventure series.
Illustrated by
Scott Roberts.
Andrew sketches a purple blob; next thing we know the creature's outside his window and a (frustrating) game of hide-and-seek ensues (Seeker). During Belinda's game of musical chairs with classmates (including Andrew), each time the music starts the gymnasium morphs into a candy-colored playland of animate musical notes (Unbeatable). These companion wordless comics both convey volumes through facial expressions, perspective, and dynamic panel progression. Review covers these Game for Adventure titles: Andrew the Seeker and Belinda the Unbeatable.
(3)
1-3
Game for Adventure series.
Illustrated by
Scott Roberts.
Andrew sketches a purple blob; next thing we know the creature's outside his window and a (frustrating) game of hide-and-seek ensues (Seeker). During Belinda's game of musical chairs with classmates (including Andrew), each time the music starts the gymnasium morphs into a candy-colored playland of animate musical notes (Unbeatable). These companion wordless comics both convey volumes through facial expressions, perspective, and dynamic panel progression. Review covers these Game for Adventure titles: Andrew the Seeker and Belinda the Unbeatable.
(2)
YA
Translated by Kerstin Schwandt.
Illustrated by
Marco Tabilio.
Marco Polo recounts his adventures to his prison cellmate, who writes them down; this narrative will become the (real) Travels of Marco Polo. In this graphic novel, Tabilio distills the essence of the story, capturing its wonder and exoticism without losing its grand sweeping nature. The illustrations balance the intimate with the epic, and the sketchlike style leaves lots of room for the reader's imagination. Glos.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2017
48 pp.
| Lerner/Graphic Universe
| April, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-6152-9$26.65
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4677-9571-5$7.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-9872-2
(4)
1-3
Cici: A Fairy's Tale series.
Illustrated by
Tyler Page
&
Cori Doerrfeld.
While dealing with her parents' divorce, Cici learns that she is a fairy and must decide whether to keep her powers. This graphic novel with a Latina main character deals well with the pain of divorce. Though the logic behind the fantasy elements is shaky, the expressive illustrations are at their best when portraying Cici's friends and family as she sees them--with animal attributes.
(3)
1-3
Cici: A Fairy's Tale series.
Illustrated by
Tyler Page
&
Cori Doerrfeld.
When Cici's mother starts dating popular classmate Kendra's father, Cici can't resist using her newly discovered fairy powers for revenge (Sight). When Cici and Kendra (now friends) go camping, Cici connects with a forest sprite (Perfect). These early, brightly illustrated graphic novels realistically portray a Latino family of divorce; the fantasy twist adds levity. Review covers these Cici: A Fairy's Tale titles: A Perfect View and Truth in Sight.
(3)
1-3
Hotel Strange series.
Illustrated by
Katherine Ferrier.
In Wake Up, forest creatures surprise Hotel Strange's eccentric proprietors, who haven't yet prepared the lodge for their springtime visitors because of enduring wintry weather; where could Mr. Spring be? Sapphire's Trail finds the characters embroiled in a mystery that interrupts the hotel's music festival. These colorful, imaginative picture-book-size comics from France are filled with quirky characters; each includes a recipe. Review covers these Hotel Strange titles: On the Sapphire's Trail and Wake Up, Spring.
(3)
1-3
Hotel Strange series.
When mushroom forest creatures mistake hotel resident Kiki for their king, Hotel Strange temporarily becomes a palace. The idiosyncratic innkeepers eventually locate the real Mushroom King and prevent termite-like pests from destroying the hotel. Third in the offbeat French-import series, the silly story's bright comic panels bring the antics and the woodland setting to colorful life. A cake recipe is included.
(3)
YA
Stone Man Mysteries series.
Illustrated by
Orion Zangara.
When young Scottish lad Craig contemplates suicide, he's talked out of it by Silex, a gargoyle who runs a detective agency. Silex convinces Craig to join him in solving a series of baffling murders. Craig and his plight provide stark realism to an otherwise fantastical story. The graphic novel's black-and-white illustrations are dark and moody, which matches the gloomy setting.
(3)
1-3
Hotel Strange series.
Illustrated by
Katherine Ferrier.
In Wake Up, forest creatures surprise Hotel Strange's eccentric proprietors, who haven't yet prepared the lodge for their springtime visitors because of enduring wintry weather; where could Mr. Spring be? Sapphire's Trail finds the characters embroiled in a mystery that interrupts the hotel's music festival. These colorful, imaginative picture-book-size comics from France are filled with quirky characters; each includes a recipe. Review covers these Hotel Strange titles: On the Sapphire's Trail and Wake Up, Spring.
40 pp.
| Universe
| April, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7893-2913-4$14.95 Reissue (1989, Dutton)
(2)
K-3
This intriguing survey from 1989 includes such attractions as the Tower of London, a ride on a double-decker bus, and the Egyptian mummies in the British Museum. An illustration from the outside of a building or structure is followed by one from the inside, capturing a "you are there" feeling for each place. Brief information about each place concludes this fascinating, useful introduction.
40 pp.
| Lerner/Graphic Universe
| April, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-4575-8$25.26
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4677-4576-5$6.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-4577-2
(4)
K-3
Three Story Books series.
Illustrated by
Meritxell Bosch.
A hungry barracuda assumes--wrongly--a lone fish will make an easy meal (FishFishFish). Two children have very different imaginary experiences of the same tea party in the park (SheHeWe). These wordless graphic novels make good use of an original format (read across panels for individual characters' perspectives; read top to bottom to "get the whole story"), but the stories are occasionally difficult to follow. Review covers these Three Story Books titles: FishFishFish and SheHeWe.