Graphic Novels 6/27

Gettysburg: the Graphic Novel   written and illustrated by C. M Butzer.  Harper and Collins, 2009. This black and white graphic novel details the historic Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and the devastating ramifications of such an event to our Nation’s history. Through the use of detailed visuals and text, the readers are taken on a journey to learn the circumstances of such a battle. Abraham Lincoln’s leadership and compassion is also chronicled as well.  Through his speech, Lincoln was able to commemorate the lives of those who where lost by preserving their legacy. This compelling historical work is very moving and the illustrations are expressive and dynamic. Great for sixth to eighth graders.

Smile written and illustrated by Raina Tegemeier. Scholastic, 2010. When racing to her front door after girl scouts one night, Raina falls on her face and loses her two front teeth. In this colorful autobiographical graphic novel, the author is able to convey the difficult dental and orthodontic drama   that a junior high school student endured while at the same time attempting to navigate the trials   of adolescent life. This is a very relatable account of a young girls experience that many readers can sympathize with, myself included.  This graphic novel is recommended to young adult readers in upper elementary to junior high school.

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger. Jonathan Cape, 2010.  This adult graphic novel follows a woman named Alexandra who encounters a mysterious traveling bookmobile containing every book she has ever read throughout her lifetime.   She is only able to locate the truck driven by its librarian Mr. Openshaw at certain times.  After learning this fact, Alexandra strives to expand her collection by reading and absorbing as much information as possible. Over the course of years, her need to reunite with the bookmobile becomes an obsession that consumes her world. I found this book to be very touching however at the same time to be very sad. The illustrations are very expressive, especially the ones that detail the character’s facial expressions.  This is an adult level graphic novel and I would suggest it for high school students in grades 10-12.  

Mercury written and illustrated by Hope Larson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010. Josey Fraser and her family live in French Hill Nova Scotia in 1859. A stranger named Asa Curry convinces the family that he can help them locate gold on their land. Unfortunately, this endeavor creates difficulties for Josey and her parents.  In 2009, Tara Fraser a modern Fraser relative is trying to accept life after a devastating fire leaves her house destroyed. While coming to terms with such devastation, she must adjust to these changes. When doing so, she uncovers some very interesting secrets about her ancestor’s lives. The black and white illustrations and very detailed however, it is a bit confusing to continuously refer back to the pages from the various time periods.  Young adult readers in 7^th -12^th  grade would like this book.

Oregon Trail: The Road to Destiny. A Graphic Novel by Frank Young and David Lasky. Saquatch Books, 2011.  Set in 1848, The Weston Family, parents Mr. and Mrs. Weston and their children Rebecca and Charlie move from Baltimore to Oregon in search of a simpler life.  After packing up their belongings in a covered wagon, the family embarks on a journey across a very intense and dangerous trail through what is now the Midwest region of the United States.  Their journey is an extremely difficult one resulting in illness and death. The black and white illustrations were very animated and the text sizes are clear for easy reading.  This is would be a great book to use when coinciding with Social Studies units. Great for students in 3^rd to 6^th grade.

The Demon of River Heights (Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Graphic Novels #1.  By Stefan Petrucha, illustrations by Sho Murase. Papercutz, 2005. Based in the popular series by Caroline Keene, Nancy Drew embarks on a challenging case to locate two filmmakers who go missing in the woods. Along the way, Nancy and her friends Bess and George have a run-in with a dangerous bear, and encounter a corrupt businessman who is in search of gold in an abandoned coalmine.  This very adventurous storyline leaves one asking for more. As a fan of the original series, I must say it was a bit difficult to adjust to the story in a graphic novel format because of the modern illustrations and unconventional illustrations. However, I do understand that this format of storytelling would be very appealing to younger readers who are now being introduced to the series. Elementary students and junior high school students may relate to the themes addressed.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: A Graphic Novel. By F. Scott Fitzgerald. Adapted by Nunzio DeFlippis and Christina Weir. Illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Quirk Books, 2008.   In 1860, a very unique individual named Benjamin Button is born.  Benjamin comes into the world as an elderly male who instead of growing old, grows young with age. In the first stages of his life, Benjamin develops from an elderly adult to a middle aged man while trying to attempt a normal life.  As Benjamin’s age progresses, his appearance becomes more youthful. In the second half of his life he grows into a young adult, a teenager, a child and eventually into an infant and passes on. Light pastel illustrations are appropriate for this graphic novel, in that they symbolize Benjamin’s life that fades away.  I would recommend this graphic novel to junior high students.

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea by Ann Sibley O’Brian, Charlesbridge Publishing, 2006. Hong Kil Dong was born the illegitimate child of an affluent Korean aristocrat and his servant. Shunned by the household, Hong Kil Dong grows up believing that he will not amount to much. After spending time with a group of kindhearted monks, he learns powerful skills such as martial-arts and magic. After returning to his home, Hong Kil Dong tries to utilize his skills for the betterment of his community by defending the weak and those who are unable to defend themselves against corrupt governments. The beautiful and authentic artwork truly conveys the Korean emphasize on detail and culture. This is a wonderful book for 2^nd-3^rd graders.

Historical Fiction, Nonfiction Narratives and Biographies

The Orphans of Normandy: A true story of World War Two by Nancy Amis. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003. This illustrated picture book   chronicles a group of French little girls who must flee their orphanage after the invasion of Normandy.  The young girls were required to walk over one hundred and fifty miles to a safer location.  Each illustration details their journey. The drawings emphasize the kindest they received from strangers as well as the difficulties they experienced on their way to safety. The drawings and French translations are so touching and moving. Students in third to  sixth  grade would enjoy this book.

 

A Weekend with Renoir by Rosabianca Skira-Venturi.  Rizzoili International Publications. Inc,1990. Told from the perspective of Renoir, the world renowned impressionist painter helps the reader gain a sense of what it would be like to work alongside him during the most successful time of his career. The illustrations in this biography are a mix of both Renior’s classics paintings photographs, illustrations and drawings from others of the time period so that the reader can learn what it was like to understand his influences and lifestyle.

Jesse Owens: Fastest Man Alive by Carole Boston Weatherford. Walker PublishingCompany, Inc. 2007. This illustrated biography chronicles the struggles of Jesse Owens, an African American runner from the United States who competes in the 1938 Berlin Olympics during the time of Hitler’s influence in Germany.  Jesse not only wins a gold medal by defeating a German athlete, he was able to dispel Hitler’ philosophies that the German Aryan race was superior to any other. This is an inspirational story about a Southern African American man who lived his life struggling racism in America and was able to scatter stereotypes on a world stage by proudly representing his country. This is a great book appropriate for students in fourth to sixth  grade.

Marie Curie by Leonard Everett Fisher. MacMillian Publishing Company, 1994.  This illustrated biography documents the  life and accomplishments of Madame Curie from her early life in Poland to her days as a gifted scientist. In the biography, the reader is able to learn about her years as the first female student at the Sorbonne, and his discoveries of the elements polonium and radium.  She received many awards for her accomplishments including the Nobel Peace Prize with her husband Pierre Curie. This is a wonderful book for junior high school and upper elementary students.  The dark black and white illustrations provide an eerie dynamic. 

My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris. Simon and Schuster, 2003.  Christine King, the older sister of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. reflects on her childhood days  with her brother  the man  would eventually grow up to become the famous civil rights leader. She addresses the fun and loving elements of their relationship as well as the struggles they both experienced growing up in a very segregated community in Atlanta.  Written in a very gentle tone, this book would be used for younger students who can learn about the  concepts of racism, family and goal setting. 

 

One Yellow Daffodil by David Adler. Voyager Books, Harcourt Inc, 1995. Morris Kaplan is a florist as well as a Holocaust survivor.  He lives alone and has difficulty forgetting the most horrific time period of his life. Two very kind young customers named Illana and Jonathan invite Morris to spend Hanukah  with them and their family, a tradition that he has  failed to celebrate since his childhood in Poland. After experiencing such an outpour of kindness from these children and their parents, Morris is able to gradually embrace the holiday in a new way.  This is a compelling story for fifth to sixth grade students. The illustrations are vibrant especially those of the flowers which are symbolic representations of strength and hope. Morris explains that while a prisoner at Auschwitz, he found a yellow daffodil in the middle of such misery and has viewed it as a representation of life in a world of despair. This is compelling and touching story about love, kindness and understanding.  

Taking Walls by Margy Burns Knight Tilbury House, Publishers, 1992. This illustrated work take readers on an informational tour of the various notable walls throughout the world. Such examples include the Great Wall of China, The Western War in Jerusalem, The Vietnam Memorial and the Berlin Wall. Each example has its own history and story. The author notes that regardless of each walls unique culture, they all serve a purpose to represent a larger unified human culture. By doing so, one can learn to grow and appreciate the distinct histories of the world. The great illustrations help to capture the essence of the authors vision. Students in fifth to  sixth grade would greatly benefit from this book. 

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A Message from Chief Seattle. Illustrations by Susan Jeffers. Scholastic, 1991.  In his address to the United States government, Chief Seattle   leader of one of the Northwest Indian Nations eloquently describes the importance of nature and a respect for the land and environment that we all inhabit. After European settlers overtake most of the land that once belonged to the Choctaw, Cherokee, Navaho, Iroquois and Sioux populations, Chief Seattle emphasized this idea to European settlers who more often than not have difficulty understanding this philosophy. Wonderful illustrations to a moving book can help students in second and third grade.

Multicultural Perspectives, Street Lit, Coretta Scott King and Pura Belpre Awards

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. Scholastic, 2000. Esperanza Ortaga is a young teenager girl who is the daughter of an affluent rancher in Aguascsalientes, Mexico during the Great Depression. She is the pride and joy of her parent’s life and is adored by her family and cherished servants.  Esperanza’s life of privilege and elegance comes to a tragic end after her beloved father is murdered leaving Esperanza and her mother with the harrowing decision to leave Mexico permanently.    Along with her mother and their trusted servants, they immigrate to Southern California to work as migrant day laborers. During this trying process, Esperanza must come to terms with her past life, while adjusting to the challenges of her new  adult responsibilities under extreme circumstances. Winner of the 2002 Pura Belpe Award for Narrative. This is a wonderful young adult novel that explores the themes of prejudice, immigration, bravery, workers rights, family loyalty and trust.  Best for 4^th to 6^th grade.

 

Black and White by Paul Volponi. Speak, 2005. Marcus, an African American and Eddie an Italian American are two best friends growing up together in Queens, New York. Both boys are gifted senior athletes at Long Island City High School who are enjoying the benefits of this special  time of life. After a series of reckless nights, poor judgment and the use of gun, Eddie and Marcus must re-evaluate their actions and their future choices. Both boys are forced to face the consequences of their mistakes in a challenging and often unfair way. Black and White is an extremely well-written novel that addresses the mistakes that can alter a young person’s life in a blink of an eye. I would definitely recommend this work especially when discussing issues of character education, positive decision making skills and redemption. Would be most beneficial for 9^th-12^th graders.

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri. Candlewick Press, 2011.  Cole’s mother is distraught by his behavior such as skipping school, and failing classes.  As a last resort, she decides that living with his father in North Philadelphia would be in Cole’s best interest. After arriving, Cole learns that his father Harper is a skilled horseman and cowboy who manages a local stable with real, live horses in the inner city section of the city. Cole sees first-hand the struggles that his father and the other African American cowboys endure by trying to preserve their way of life in the most impoverished conditions. Through intense hard-work, determination and skill, Harper helps Cole learn to appreciate these unique joys very uncommon amongst urban communities. By helping Harper foster this long-standing tradition, Cole is able to develop a stronger sense of self by caring for the horses and appreciating the community as a whole. A very motivating story about the unspoken bonds one can share between parents and children and the bonds between humans and animals. I would use this book to exemplify tolerance for all traditions and cultures. Most appropriate for 4th to 6th graders.

We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson. Hyperion, 2008. This beautifully illustrated book describes the historical details of the African American Baseball League which took place in the 1920 to the 1940s which included not only African Americans but Hispanics and Indians as well. Each chapter discusses various aspects of the Negro League culture such as its background history and the popular transformative athletes who shaped it such as Jackie Robinson who was the first African American to succeed in the major leagues. The amazing detailed paintings by Kadir Nelson capture the essence of the figures in such a life-like ways that look like photographs. This is a very comprehensive work that can be used for older students due to the large amount of historical details.  2009 Coretta Scott King Award for Author and Illustrator.

Heart and Soul: The Story of Americans and African Americans by Kadir Nelson. Balzar and Bray Harperteen, 2011. Kadir Nelson uses his wonderful talent of storytelling and illustration to detail the history of the African American experience from the perspective on an elderly African American woman. The book chronicles the historic events that have shaped African Americans in the United States dating back to the Revolutionary War and the framing of the Constitution. As the book progresses, the alluring illustrations depict their struggles and triumphs through the 18^th, 19th, 20^th and 21^st centuries. The information and narratives from the Civil War, Reinstruction, The Civil Rights Movement with  Dr. Martin Luther King’s “ I Have A Dream Speech”  on the Mall in Washington D.C are extremely vivid  powerful and detailed. I would use this book in various increments because the chapters are so powerful and comprehensive which I believe  cannot be absorbed in one read through. Appropriate for junior high and high school students. 2012 Coretta Scott King Award for Author and Illustrator.

Newberry, Honor and Printz Award Winners

The Summer of Swans by Betsy Byars.  Viking Press, 1970. A wonderfully moving story and Newberry Award Winning young adult novel about an adolescent girl named Sara who is faced with the challenge of searching for her mentally disabled brother Charlie who wanders  away from his home to search for a group of  uninhabited swans. This touching story conveys the love the characters have for each other and the importance of family, loyalty and trust when it is needed the most. The various black and white illustrations enhance the quality of the story. Perfect for 2^nd to 3^rd graders.

 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Scholastic, 1990. In this Newberry Award Winner, we learn  about an unconventional  orphan name Jeffery Magee. After running away from the guardianship of his loveless aunt and uncle, Jeffery is forced to live on his own. He is given the nickname “Maniac” because of his unique abilities. He makes his way to Two Mills, Pa a racially divided town. There he befriends a cast of characters including Amanda Beale a girl who takes him under his wing and Mar Bars, Maniac’s rival who eventually helps him in the end. This novel enables students to understand the concepts of racism, a  sense of belonging and friendship. Students in 6^th-7^th grade would benefit immensely from this book.

 Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz. G.P Putnam’s Sons, 1982. In this National Book Award and Newberry Honor Award winning book, Jean is a young girl born and raised in China with her missionary parents in the 1920s.  She is excited about her anticipated move to the  United States where she will meet her grandparents and other relatives for the first time. During this time period, Jean and her parents experience the upheaval of living in a country as foreigners on the verge of the  Communist Revolution. This is an outstanding novel based on personal firsthand accounts about one woman’s childhood experience.  A great read for Social Studies lessons for 4^th-6^th grade students.

 How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff. Wendy Lamb,2004. This Printz Award winning book is a very comprehensive young adult novel about Daisy, a fifteen year olds’ experience when she is forced to move from New York to England to live with her Aunt and long lost cousins. Soon after her arrival, an international war breaks out in England forcing the children to fend for themselves and survive the destruction. There are adult concepts addressed in this novel  including violence, mental health and inappropriate family relationships. Junior high and high school students are the target audience.  

  Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. Harper Trophy, 1983. A young boy named Leigh corresponds with his favorite author.  As seen through a series of poignant letters, the reader discovers the challenges this child faces growing up with a single mother working to make ends meet and an unreliable father who is often a disappointment.  This poignant story is truly a touching one where the reader is able to understand his challenges as a young boy trying to navigate the beginning stages of adolescence  under turbulent  circumstances. I would definitely recommend this chapter book for children in 3^rd to 6^th grade.  Newberry Award Winner.

  Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Clearly. Harper Trophy, 1979.  Ramona is an eight year old child who lives with her parents and older sister.  Ramona is a spunky girl living a very typical life in the suburbs.  She often feels unappreciated and inferior by her parents, especially her mother. By trying to gain her mother’s attention. Ramona engages in many typical childhood antics such as clogging the bathroom sink with toothpaste and wearing her pajamas to school. In the end she does learn that her mother’s love is unconditional. A classic tool that can be used with 1^st-3^rd grade students. National Book Award Winner.