Spy Ninjas: Virtual Reality Madness – Read It and Rate It

Virtual Reality Madness Spy Ninjas series by Vannotes Adventure Graphic Novel Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A group of kid spies who have to stop a bad guy named Dr. Disaster from taking over the internet with a virtual reality game. They use their spy skills and teamwork to beat the game and save the day. For upper elementary and middle school readers.

Aurora – Read It and Rate It

Aurora Aurora #1 by Red Adventure Fantasy Graphic Novel Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The city of Vash has fallen to a mysterious mage known as the Collector, who has taken the soul of its god. Kendal, the city’s sole survivor, has been tasked to retrieve said god. He soon encounters Alinua, a hermit who is finally free to see the world. The two set off on an adventure neither of … Read more

Bunnybirds – book review

Bunnybirds by Natalie Lim Fantasy Graphic Novel Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) The Bunnybirds exist in a joyful state where nothing really seems to bother them. This isn’t really true, but that’s the facade they are supposed to project – especially their Princess. But when other members of the flock start disappearing and the Princess Aster starts having prophetic dreams about what’s happened to them, it’s hard to be joyful. When the King … Read more

Nothing Special – book review

Through the Elder Woods Nothing Special, v. 1 by Katie Cook Adventure Fantasy Funny Graphic Novel * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Callie’s dad has a magical items shop, and he regularly goes through the gate (she’s not allowed) into another world where he retrieves these objects. The reason of WHY she’s not allowed beyond the gate is a discussion they’ve tabled until she’s older, but before they can have that talk, he disappears. … Read more

How to Draw a Secret – book review

How to Draw a Secret by Cindy Chang Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Based on Cindy Chang’s experiences growing up, “How to Draw a Secret” follows the story of a single-parent Chinese/Taiwanese family living in California. Cindy is the youngest in her family and has two older, college-age sisters. Their mom has been their sole caretaker since their baba moved back to Taiwan “for work.” Actually, Cindy isn’t sure … Read more

Meet Me on Mercer Street – book review

Meet Me on Mercer Street by Booki Vivat Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kacie goes away for the summer and when she comes home to Mercer Street she discovers her best friend Nisha has moved away and Nisha’s dad’s convenience store has been turned into a fancy modern Smart shop. Kacie is an artist and is constantly drawing what she sees, so she documents a lot of what’s going on … Read more

Talk – book review

The Talk by Darrin Bell Autobiography Biography Graphic Novel * * * * Stars (Great!) Darrin Bell (winner of the 2019 Pulitzer prize for his editorial cartooning) writes (and draws) about his experiences growing up Black. His Black father didn’t know how to talk to him about being Black, and eventually left. His White mother couldn’t completely understand, but she always came out swinging in Bell’s defense whenever she heard about any injustices, racism, bullying, … Read more

Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich – book review

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz Graphic Novel LGBTQ+ Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lady Camembert has never cared for men, and she tells her father, the Count, in no uncertain terms, that she will NOT marry. He in turn reveals that he is not long for this world, so in order to pass along his estate and her inheritance (because their laws are stupid and don’t allow women … Read more

Sunny Makes Her Case – book review

Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer & Matthew Holm Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Sunny is now in high school and is discovering her interests. She and a friend try out for cheerleading (not really what Sunny wants to do, but she wants to be with/support her friend). She doesn’t make the squad. When another friend, Arun, starts complaining about how their school is too focused on sports and sports … Read more

Watership Down (graphic novel) – book review

Watership Down Graphic novel adaptation by Richard Adams, James Sturm, Joe Sutphin Adventure Fiction Fantasy (because, talking rabbits) Graphic Novel * * * * Stars (Great!) This is an excellent graphic novel adaptation of Richard Adams’ book, “Watership Down.” It captures the personalities of the rabbits and the urgency of their perilous quest to find a new, safe home to call their own, when developers destroy their old home. Adams created a wonderful world, mythology, … Read more