(4) 4-6 Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series. The Revolutionary War hero continues to distract his executioners in this eighth volume in the graphic-novel series. Here the focus is on the Frenchman Lafayette's participation in the Revolutionary War under General Washington; Hancock, Hamilton, and others make appearances. As always, irreverent humor makes a complicated story more accessible; readers will appreciate another compelling history lesson. Small panel illustrations and tiny type can be challenging. Bib.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) 4-6 In this dystopian graphic novel (rendered in grayscale with effective yellow accents), Strata becomes fiercely devoted to a robot horse she excavates on a salvage expedition. Her discovery sets off a chain of events that ultimately threatens not only Strata and horse Kleidi but Strata's family--and humanity's very existence. An engaging, racially diverse cast and a brave heroine give this high-stakes epic adventure wide appeal.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(4) 4-6 Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series. Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War hero, continues to distract his executioners in this seventh graphic novel. The focus here is on the United States' secret Doolittle air raid on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As always, irreverent humor makes a complicated and harrowing story more accessible; readers will appreciate the compelling history lesson (provided they're not put off by the small panel illustrations and tiny type). Bib.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series. Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War hero, continues to distract his executioners in this sixth volume. Here the focus is on Texas's fight for independence from Mexico with Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, and other historical figures in starring roles. As always, irreverent humor makes a complicated story more accessible; readers will appreciate the compelling history lesson (provided they're not put off by the small panel illustrations and tiny type). Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series. In this fifth graphic novel, Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale continues to distract his executioners; here the focus is on slavery in America and Harriet Tubman's courageous abolitionist work. As in previous volumes, irreverent humor makes a complicated story more accessible. Readers will appreciate the compelling history lesson (provided they're not put off by the small panel illustrations and tiny type). Reading list.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series. Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War hero, continues to distract his executioners in this fourth volume, which tackles WWI's complex events. As always, the graphic novel series' irreverent humor makes the complicated story more accessible. Here, "cute little animals" represent different countries, helping readers appreciate the entertaining history lesson (provided they're not put off by the small panel illustrations and tiny type). Reading list.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War hero, continues to distract his executioners in this third volume. Author Hale (no relation) manages to balance the tragedy of the Donner Party's doomed journey with the graphic novel series' wacky humor--no small feat. Readers not put off by the small panel illustrations and tiny type (or the story's horrific nature) will appreciate this entertaining history lesson. Reading list.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) 4-6 Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale (no relation, though the author effectively milks the joke) stalls his execution (Spy) and narrates a Civil War naval battle (Ironclad). The accessible writing is entertaining; comic panels of varying sizes enhance the real-life events and support the over-the-top humor. Spy has an appended "mini-comic." Back matter includes brief biographies and (sort of) bibliographies. Timeline (Ironclad). Review covers these two Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Ironclad! and One Dead Spy

Reviewer: Dorcas Hand | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2012

(2) 4-6 Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale (no relation, though the author effectively milks the joke) stalls his execution (Spy) and narrates a Civil War naval battle (Ironclad). The accessible writing is entertaining; comic panels of varying sizes enhance the real-life events and support the over-the-top humor. Spy has an appended "mini-comic." Back matter includes brief biographies and (sort of) bibliographies. Timeline (Ironclad). Review covers these two Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Ironclad! and One Dead Spy

Reviewer: Dorcas Hand | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2012

(2) K-3 Hale's imaginative robotic spin on the classic Christmas song includes a Robo-Santa, who looks like he's been cobbled together from spare parts, and featured gifts such as "Two Turbo-Doves." The digitally created art comes together in one final spread, where "Droids a-dancing" boogie next to "Beat Bots thumping." There's plenty of fun here for techies and gadget fanatics.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2010

(3) K-3 When monster Yellowbelly begins school, he takes along his best friend, small purple bear Plum--with anxiety-producing results, after Plum goes missing. Readers will delight in the contrast between the narration, which treats Plum as though he's alive, and the matter-of-fact illustrations, which suggest that, unbeknownst to Yellowbelly, Plum is a stuffed animal.

Reviewer: Nell Beram