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.