(2) YA Translated by Edward Gauvin. Illustrated by Lisa Lugrin. Color by Albertine Ralenti. This immersive comic introduces readers to the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), a radical group of real-life early-twentieth-century English feminists led by Emmeline Pankhurst. Needing to mitigate the physical harm faced by members, the militant activists of WSPU coordinated a self-defense and security unit and recruited jujitsu expert Edith Garrud to train them. Garrud's life and perspective ground the absorbing, dialogue-heavy, and fast-paced fictionalized narrative as "jujitsuffragettes" learn, strategize, build solidarity, and engage in aggressive direct action together ("Deeds, not words!"). Embedded primary sources such as political cartoons and black-and-white newspaper images pull the facts and narrative together with striking, powerful clarity. The cartooning, beautifully rendered in muted, old-timey hues, presents information about jujitsu, the inner workings and tensions of the WSPU, and everyday indignities faced by the subjects. Frenetic sound effect and motion lines accentuate setting and mood. While enduring themes such as resisting oppression and asserting autonomy abound, the book remains centered on its specific time, place, and people. Pair with Chambers's Finish the Fight! and Dionne's Lifting as We Climb (both rev. 9/20) for perspectives from suffragists of color and broader coverage of gender justice. Back matter includes a timeline, citations, and additional historical information.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(4) K-3 Translated by Edward Gauvin. A boy describes the day when his party-loathing parents finally throw him a birthday bash. They enlist the help of neighborhood problem-solver Mr. Ponzio, who lets things get somewhat out of hand (think hippo in the bathtub). The book's narrative arc is overcrowded (like the Snipperpots' house), but the retro-flavored mixed-media art is enchanting.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(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.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(2) YA Translated by Edward Gauvin. Abirached revisits the Lebanese civil war setting of her previous graphic-novel memoir A Game for Swallows in a loosely connected series of sobering vignettes, each beginning with the phrase "I remember": her family's bullet hole–riddled car, her brother's shrapnel collection, schools used as bomb shelters. Black-and-white geometric illustrations capture both the enormous scale of the war and its personal repercussions.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(4) 1-3 Tao, the Little Samurai series. Translated by Edward Gauvin. Illustrated by Nicolas Ryser. While attending the International Martial Arts Championship, Tao and his friends discover their school's top two competitors are missing (Championship). Tao tries to dodge a new student's romantic advances while also teaching martial arts to his little brother and cat (Wild). The graphic novels' colorful, zippy comics-style illustrations include visual jokes, but the story lines of these installments are scattered. Review covers these Tao, the Little Samurai titles: The Championship! and Wild Animals!.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 1-3 Tao, the Little Samurai series. Translated by Edward Gauvin. Illustrated by Nicolas Ryser. While attending the International Martial Arts Championship, Tao and his friends discover their school's top two competitors are missing (Championship). Tao tries to dodge a new student's romantic advances while also teaching martial arts to his little brother and cat (Wild). The graphic novels' colorful, zippy comics-style illustrations include visual jokes, but the story lines of these installments are scattered. Review covers these Tao, the Little Samurai titles: The Championship! and Wild Animals!.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 1-3 Tao, the Little Samurai series. Translated by Edward Gauvin. Illustrated by Nicolas Ryser. At Master Snow's Martial Arts School, Tao is the most disruptive and foolish student, constantly late for class and clumsy once he arrives. Despite his silly antics, the likable little boy shows determination in his lessons. The colorful, zippy cartoons feature Tao and his friends as cute rounded figures, and their playful behavior is engaging. Includes cartooning tips from the graphic novels' creators. Review covers these Tao, the Little Samurai titles: Ninjas and Knock Outs! and Pranks and Attacks!.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(3) 1-3 Tao, the Little Samurai series. Translated by Edward Gauvin. Illustrated by Nicolas Ryser. At Master Snow's Martial Arts School, Tao is the most disruptive and foolish student, constantly late for class and clumsy once he arrives. Despite his silly antics, the likable little boy shows determination in his lessons. The colorful, zippy cartoons feature Tao and his friends as cute rounded figures, and their playful behavior is engaging. Includes cartooning tips from the graphic novels' creators. Review covers these Tao, the Little Samurai titles: Ninjas and Knock Outs! and Pranks and Attacks!.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(2) YA Adapted by Kris. Translated by Edward Gauvin. Illustrated by Vincent Bailly. In this graphic novel (adapted from Joffo's 1973 adult memoir), Jo and his brother Maurice stay one step ahead of the Nazis as they travel through southern France, hoping to reunite with their brothers near the Italian border. The book's relatively busy layout is balanced by Bailly's gorgeously detailed illustrations. A map of wartime France, a glossary, and an author's note are included.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(2) YA Translated by Edward Gauvin. Like Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, Persepolis, this French import presents a girlhood under fire in the war-torn Middle East. Here the setting is 1984 Beirut. Abirached skillfully weaves flashbacks and explanatory asides into the narrative while maintaining one harrowing evening's tension. Stark, dramatic illustrations (mostly black backgrounds with white-outlined characters and features) include repeated motifs that capture elements of the culture.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012