The Scorpio Races written by Maggie Stiefvater

“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.” Every year, at the start of November in a town called Thisby, riders race their water horses in the sand by the sea and cliffs. It’s a dangerous race because the water horses are not ordinary horses; they come from the sea, they are vicious, unpredictable and they have a taste for flesh.

Nineteen-year-old Sean Kendrick knows this only too well. He’s won the races three times, and is determined to win again. If he wins, he’ll be able to buy Corr, the water horse he is riding in the race. Sean works for a hard man named Malvern, who owns most of the water horses. Although he won’t admit it, he needs Sean to keep the water horses calm and safe. No one can handle the horses like Sean – he’s got a powerful and unusual gift – like a horse whisperer extraordinaire.Then there’s Kate Connolly, also known as Puck. There has never been a girl rider in this race, but even though the people in Thisby are against it, Puck is determined to compete and win. She needs to win to save her family home. And she intends to ride her own mare, Dove.

I have to be honest - I don’t know if I would have bothered reading this book if I just thought it was about a horse race. But it was highly recommended by my amazing friend and publisher rep Janet(who is always right on), and it’s written my Maggie Steifvater - two great reasons to try it.  And I wasn't disappointed!

The story is told from Sean and Puck’s point of view in alternating chapters. Sean was quiet and mystical. I felt like he came from the sea, just like the horses he loved so much. I loved Puck’s determination and how straight-forward she was. A romance develops between them, but it’s a quiet, gentle whisper kind of romance (not the helpless and nauseating kind). Both characters were strong , imperfect, and very likeable.

I was glad the author didn't just turn this into a romance. The characters were strong, but so was the setting - the sea, the cliffs, the cold harsh weather, and the danger of these powerful water horses who were almost impossible to ride.  I loved the mythical quality of this story.  It's so much more than a horse race! This story is about family, courage, and the sacrifice one makes for what they love and believe in. Beautifully written.

Order The Scorpio Races from www.tinlids.ca today.

'Great Graphic Wednesday' is a weekly blog posting. Check here every Wednesday for reviews of recommended graphic novels, by members of the Tinlids Graphic Novel Book Club.

Cirque Du Freak Volume 1 Written By Darren Shan, Illustrated by Takahiro Arai

DETAILS: Reads left to right. Paperback ISBN 9780759530416 $13.50

SUMMARY (from book cover): Darren Shan was an average kid until destiny brought him to the Cirque Du Freak. Now Darren’s been immersed into a shadowy world inhabited by vampires, werewolves and strange creatures the likes of which he’s never imagined, and his life will be changed forever!

Illustrated by Takahiro Arai, the manga adaptation has already been a bestseller in Japan and is faithfully reproduced in this first-ever English language edition.

REVIEW: As a reader of manga, I’m usually unimpressed when a novel has been adapted into this format. I feel as if the novel should never have been given the manga treatment and doesn’t respect the “original” words of the author. That all changed with this adaptation of Darren Shan’s popular Cirque Du Freak series- it seems to have enhanced the story. The illustrations allow the reader to see how wild and weird the world Shan has created in his stories. Darren Shan’s stories were almost made for manga interpretations.

The books are rated “T” for Teen; however, any children who are reading the books, could easily read the manga editions. The novels don’t sugarcoat the horror of the characters’ lives and the weird world they live in. There are constant threats of violence but it is vampires, werewolves and strange creatures (who are all part of the traveling circus) that the reader is dealing with in the story. This isn’t real life.

And not to take away from the manga, there are a few pages dedicated to the prose version of the story. This allows the reader to choose what format they prefer to read. Whenever students come to the library and ask for a “scary” book, I recommend both the prose and manga version of the story. Many students choose the prose novel, but then, they go and read the manga version. As for students who read manga (and graphic novels) as their choice of reading materials, this is highly recommended. Weird, wild and freaky- no wonder this series has been an enduring hit for adolescent readers for over ten years (prose) and three years (manga)?

There are 12 books in the Cirque Du Freak series. Book 11 in the manga series will be out this October (2011) and the final book will be available in February 2012.

Fatma Faraj is a teacher-librarian at Royal Orchard Middle School in Brampton. 

Order titles from the Cirque du Freak Manga Series from www.tinlids.ca today!

Check out this video of Brian Selznick(author of Invention of Hugo Cabret) talking about the creation of his amazing new book "Wonderstruck"

Wonderstruck is finally here! 

From Brian Selznick, the creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the Caldecott Medal winner, comes another breathtaking tour de force.

Set fifty years apart, two independent stories — Ben's told in words and Rose's in pictures — weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.

Ever since his mom died, Ben feels lost.
At home with her father, Rose feels alone.
He is searching for someone, but he is not sure who.

She is searching for something, but she is not sure what.
When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mom's room,
When a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose,
Both children risk everything to find what's missing.

I love telling kids they can read this 629 page book in one night.  With over 460 pages of drawings, it’s possible!  Brian Selznick has done it again.  Even though Ben’s story is in text only and Rose’s story is in pictures ,  he weaves the stories so well, that I didn’t even notice that at first.  His incredible drawings spoke to me, and his writing put so many pictures in my head that after I read it, I went back to see if they indeed were there.  There are so many themes to explore in this story – Deaf culture, museums, movies moving from silent to sound, diaromas, identity, and running away.  This story is a stunning visual accomplishment that will appeal to many age groups.  It will make you wonder about your own story and the different ways it can be told. I highly recommend it for grade 5+

Order Wonderstruck from www.tinlids.ca today!

'Great Graphic Wednesday' is a weekly blog posting. Check here every Wednesday for reviews of recommended graphic novels, by members of the Tinlids Graphic Novel Book Club.

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty Written By G. Neri, Illustrated by Randy DuBurke

DETAILS: Reads left to right. Paperback ISBN 9781584302674 $19.95

SUMMARY (from book flap): Eleven-year-old Roger is trying to make sense of his classmate Robert “Yummy” Sandifer’s death, but first he has to make sense of Yummy’s life. Yummy could be as tough as a pit bull sometimes. Other times he as sweet as the sugary treats he loved to eat. Was Yummy some sort of monster, or just another kid?

As Roger searches for the truth, he finds more and more questions. How did Yummy end up in so much trouble? Did he really kill someone? And why do all the answers seem to lead back to a gang- the same gang Roger’s older brother belongs to?

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty is a compelling dramatization based on the events that occurred in Chicago in 1994. This gritty exploration of youth gang life will force readers to question their own understandings of good and bad, right and wrong.

REVIEW: There’s not much more to add to the book’s own summary of the events of the story. This is one graphic novel that sends chills down the reader’s back as they learn about the events that lead to the tragic end of Yummy. The illustrator chose to use only black ink- almost as a way for the reader to discover that even though it’s in black and white, which this story is far from black and white. Every page makes the reader question Yummy’s motives and intentions- sometimes your heart breaking and sometimes, your heart singing, at the realization that Yummy is like every other kid in the world- sweet and with a sweet tooth. But, your heart will ache more than sing, and the story is powerful. So powerful, that this is a graphic novel that children will want to talk about the issues at hand. With peers and adults. The hardest part of it all is the fact that this is based on a true story. Maybe this will be the book that will inspire adults and children, to create a better world for our youth.

Some readers may question the American content, as the story takes place in Chicago but I think the messages and questions that arise from this reading will encourage conversations that are universal: gangs, urban environments, society, and culture. These are topics that most middle school and high school students want and need to talk about. This graphic novel could be the right book to get the conversation started.

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty is recommended for middle school readers and older. The content is based on some violent and destructive events (shootings, torching of cars). However, as a reader, I didn’t feel as if it glamorized the gang life. If anything, it makes the reader question why that type of life is glamorized in movies, television, books, and music.

Fatma Faraj is a teacher-librarian at Royal Orchard Middle School in Brampton. 

Order Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty from www.tinlids.ca today!

'Great Graphic Wednesday' is a weekly blog posting. Check here every Wednesday for reviews of recommended graphic novels, by members of the Tinlids Graphic Novel Book Club.

Skateboard Breakdown Written by Eric Fein, Illustrated by Gerardo Sandoval

Details: Paperback, colour illustrations, read left-to-right. ISBN 9781434227850

Grade: 4 and up

Summary (from back of book): Ty Taggart, extreme sports, skateboarding. Does Ty Taggart have what it takes to win the state skating tournament? Expert analysis: Ty has the talent to take first place, but lately he’s been skating angry. His temper is getting him into trouble and making him miss easy tricks. If Ty wants to win, he’ll have to keep his cool, or his red-hot temper will put his first place hopes on ice.

Review: When I saw that there was a reading level (1.9 with a guided reading level of K) printed on the back cover, I inwardly groaned. Not another comic geared just at improving reluctant readers! However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the story and the art. The extra features are styled as website reports, explaining at the beginning who the main characters are, providing a skateboard glossary and discussion questions at the end. Bold colors and lines make the drawings sizzle and capture the action. The storyline, in which the young Ty is grappling with the death of his older brother and Edwin, his brother’s best friend and a fellow soldier, helps him deal with his feelings on and off the board, was interesting. It’s a short book (49 pages) but one that older kids, especially boys, will not be ashamed to borrow and one that doesn’t talk down to the reader. Although the “reading level” is for grade 2, the target audience is more like grade 4 and up. There’s no objectionable content to prevent a grade 2 student from reading it, but just remember not to alienate the focus group by marketing it too young.

Diana Maliszweski is a teacher-librarian at Agnes MacPhail Public School, and editor of The Teaching Librarian Magazine.

Order from www.tinlids.ca today!

My brother Jim Martella and I presented 4 sessions at the Reading for the Love of it Conference last week. Jim showed me how to create a prezi and this is what he put together for our session. No one wants to read a book if it isn't fun! These are the books we presented. To get to full screen, just click on the "MORE" button.

Great Graphic Wednesday is a weekly blog posting. Check here every Wednesday for reviews of recommended graphic novels, by members of the Tinlids Graphic Novel Book Club.

Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000

Written and Illustrated by Eric Wight

Details: Black and white comic reads left to right. Hardcover ISBN 9781416964858

Grade 1-3

Summary (from back cover): Meet Frankie Pickle…the kid with the world’s most amazing imagination! It takes him on adventures. It helps him save the day. And sometimes… it gets him into trouble. If he wants to move up in rank with the other Possum Scouts, Frankie must win the model car derby known as Pine Run 3000. He dreams up the slickest speedster ever, but when he tries to build it on his own, his creation crashes and burns! Will Frankie get left in the dust before he even gets to the starting line?

Review: I think Eric Wight really understands this age group. I like how he alternates between what’s happening in Frankie’s real life, and what’s happening in his imagination. This is a hybrid novel; when Frankie is in his imaginary world, the author provides us with a comic illustrations and speech bubbles. This is perfect for young readers.

Maria Martella is the owner of Tinlids Inc.

Order Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 from www.tinlids.ca today!

'Great Graphic Wednesday' is a weekly blog posting. Check here every Wednesday for reviews of recommended graphic novels, by members of the Tinlids Graphic Novel Book Club.

The Unsinkable Walker Bean

Written and Illustrated by Aaron Renier

DETAILS:  Colour comic reads left to right.  Paperback ISBN 9781596434530

GRADE: Grade 4 and UP

SUMMARY: (from back of book):  Adventure on the high seas!  A cursed skull!  Fearsome pirates!  Wicked sea-witches!  And almost certain peril!  Boy inventor Walker Bean and his scruffy new friends must summon their courage to face the direst scourges of the sea!

REVIEW:  If you are a fan of the film series Pirates of the Caribbean and the excitement of an adventure at sea, this is the graphic novel for you.  The reader is introduced to Walker Bean as he listens to his grandfather’s bedtime tale of his next adventure, which could include the search for El Dorado, Atlantis or any other adventurer’s dream. Next, we see Walker’s grandfather on his death bed, surrounded by his son and members of the Navy crew who scoff at his inventions and stories.  It’s not until Walker gets to his grandfather, that he is encouraged to go to sea to return the magical skull that has caused the illness. 

And so Walker’s adventures begin.  He meets new friends and some strange characters along the way.  You never really know who’s on his side or who’s working against him but just like his grandfather, he creates inventions and ideas that are fantastical. 

The combination of the words and pictures enhance the storytelling and make the reader feel as if they are part of everyone’s journey in this graphic novel.  That also means that the reader will sometimes stay on a page for a while to “read” everything that Aaron Renier has put in the panels.  One problem with this particular graphic adventure is that when you come to the last page, you realize you have to wait a while to find out what happens as, of course, it is to be continued…

Recommended for readers in grade 4 and up

Fatma Faraj is a teacher-librarian at Royal Orchard Middle School in Brampton. 

'Great Graphic Wednesday' is a weekly blog posting. Check here every Wednesday for reviews of recommended graphic novels, by members of the Tinlids Graphic Novel Book Club.

Mercury 

Written and illustrated by Hope Larson

DETAILS:  Black and White comic reads left to right.  Paperback ISBN 978-1-4169-3588-9

GRADE: Grade 7 to 9

SUMMARY: (from back of book) In 1859 French Hill, Nova Scotia,  Josey Fraser has just met handsome Asa Curry - a man with a mysterious and traveled past.  While quickly winning young Josey’s heart, Asa reveals a secret ability to locate gold on the Frasers’ farm.  But there is darkness in the woods…and in Asa.  In the same town one hundred fifty years later, Tara Fraser is dealing with the aftermath of her house burning down; a house that has been in her family-and Josey’s - for generations, when Tara discovers a pendant that turns out to be much more than a simple heirloom.  As Josey’s story plunges into tragedy, Tara’s emerges with the promise of gold.

COMMENTS: Larson weaves together a mystical story that connects the family history of the Fraser family to the present using compelling black and white graphic images.  The reader is drawn into the story as we learn more about the tragic past of the Fraser family and connect it to the present day challenges faced by the few remaining family members living in the fictional town of French Hill, Nova Scotia.

The author uses her graphics to best effect to illustrate how the storyline moves back and forth between the past and present, to foretell events that will happen to characters and to connect the two stories.

Mercury is recommended for Young Adult readers ages 12 + and would be a welcome addition to any middle school or secondary school library.

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Nylon Road:  A Graphic Memoir of Coming of Age in Iran

Written and illustrated by Parsua Bashi

DETAILS: Colour graphic novel reads left to right.  ISBN:  978-0-312-53286-4

GRADE: High School

SUMMARY: (from back of book)  In the tradition of graphic memoirs such as Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis comes the story of a young Iranian woman’s struggles with growing up under Shiite law, her journey into adulthood and the daughter whom she had to leave behind when she left Iran. 

COMMENTS: This novel is a reflective memoir told from the perspective of the author’s adult self.  The main character is Iranian living in Europe and tells the story of how she arrived in this place.  The story is poignant and challenging as the author/main character struggles with her younger self and the decisions she made throughout her life while growing up in Shiite dominated Iran.  The author/illustrator uses colour, imagery, dialogue and voice to develop the story effectively and refers to other well known memoirs of this genre.  This title would be appropriate for Secondary School libraries and an impactful novel for use in High School English progams.

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Shortcomings

Written and Illustrated by Adrian Tomine

DETAILS:  Black and White graphic novel reads left to right.  ISBN:  978-1-897299-75-3 A New York Times Notable Book.  Shortcomings was serialized in Tomine's iconic comic book series Optic Nerve (issues #9-11)

GRADE: High School

SUMMARY:  (from inside cover)  Ben Tanaka has problems.  In addition to being rampantly critical, sarcastic and insensitive, his long-term relationship is awash in turmoil.  His girlfriend, Miko Hayashi, suspects that Ben has a wandering eye, and more to the point, it’s wandering in the direction of white women.  This accusation (and its various implications) becomes the subject of heated, spiraling debate, setting in motion a story that pits California against New York, devotion against desire, and trust against truth.

COMMENTS: Shortcomings is a challenging examination of the complexities of relationships, race, sexuality and culture.  The main character Ben is stuck in a place where he is unable to move in any direction and is unable to help himself.  He places blame upon his friends, his relationships, his community but is unable to examine himself.  Adrian Tomine is expert in his use of graphic images to represent isolation and human frailty.  He combines dialogue with his artwork to create a graphic novel that examines the challenges of young people finding their way in a changing world.

This title would be appropriate for Secondary School libraries and as a part of a Secondary English program.

Deb is Program Manager for Learning Connections (www.learningconnections.on.ca) at York University; she is on assignment from YRDSB where she was Curriculum Consultant for Libraries, eLearning & Literacy.

'Great Graphic Wednesday' is a weekly blog posting. Check here every Wednesday for reviews of recommended graphic novels, by members of the Tinlids Graphic Novel Book Club.

I haven’t written a graphic novel review in ages. I thought my time for that was dead and gone because of other priorities. It’s not like writing these summaries and commentaries are new to me. I have piles of them saved in my hard drive on my computer and once upon a time, they were archived on my Library Network Group blog, which no longer exists. (I may ask Maria to house them somewhere on the Tinlids site, since it’s thanks to her and to the Tinlids GTA Graphic Novel Club that I was able to read them all.) So, what kind of comic can resurrect my interest in writing comic reviews again? That would be the totally engaging Ghostopolis.

Title: Ghostopolis

Statistics: Written and illustrated by Doug Tennapel, full colour comic read left to right ISBN 9780545210287 paperback  ISBN 9780545210270 hardcover

Summary: (taken from the back of the book) When Garth Hale is accidentally zapped into the ghost world by Frank Gallows, a washed-up ghost wrangler, he discovers that he has special powers. Soon he finds himself on the run from the evil ruler of Ghostopolis, who wants to use Garth’s newfound abilities to tighten his grip on the spirit world. After Garth meets Cecil, his grandfather’s ghost, the two search for a way to get Garth back home, nearly losing hope until Frank Gallows shows up to fix his mistake.

Comments: Everything works in this book. The “minor” characters all play important roles, from Skinny the skeleton horse to Airman Joe to Claire Voyant. There are lots of great puns, moments of goofy humor and pathos, and visual extravaganzas (Skinny chased by raptors or transformation sequences are full of details; Frank’s day-to-day work is “uncluttered” but still conveys so much in its simplicity and expressiveness). This is a comic out of which young readers and older readers will both get something. There’s nothing objectionable that parents or teachers will freak out over – the relationship between Claire and Frank is poignant and not based on the physical, although he does appreciate her beauty in a respectful way. The battles are exciting but not horrific – skeleton soldiers smash otherworldly factions with swords. There are references to farts and diahrrea, but they aren’t just thrown in willy-nilly – they fit the scenes and even work to increase tension as well as evoke chuckles. Could this be Scholastic’s next Bone?

Diana is the teacher-librarian at Agnes MacPhail P.S. in Toronto, and the editor of Teaching Librarian magazine.