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

D&D Dungeon Club: Roll Call – book review

D&D Dungeon Club: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Jess and Olivia have been best friends for a long time and have been playing D&D together for much of that time. Now that they’re in 8th grade, Olivia has a plan to start a D&D club at school and bring in other folks to join the campaign. Jess is NOT on board … Read more

What the Hex – book review

What the Hex? Witches of Brooklyn bk #2 by Sophie Escabasse Fantasy Graphic Novel Mystery Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Effie is miffed because her friend Berrit made a new friend over winter break and has been completely ignoring her. It’s hard to compete with Garance, who is cool and French and a great artist. Everyone else seems to like her a lot. These sorts of mundane concerns are distracting Effie from … Read more

Witches of Brooklyn – book review

Witches of Brooklyn Witches of Brooklyn bk #1 by Sophie Escabasse Fantasy Graphic Novel Supernatural * * * * Stars (Great!) Effie arrives at her elderly aunt’s house in Brooklyn in the middle of the night accompanied by a man from child/social services. Although Effie’s aunt Selimene is her only surviving relative, Selimene has received no prior notice of the situation and is not prepared to take her niece in. After a lot of yelling, … Read more

Amy’s Big Brother – book review

Amy’s Big Brother by BonHyung Jeong Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) In this companion novel to “Kyle’s Little Sister,” we meet Amy’s big brother, Andrew. He thinks his little sister is super annoying (she is always in his business) and is thrilled that they’re going to different schools now that he’s in middle school. Andrew’s main love is basketball, until he meets Hannah. Now she’s all he can think about! … Read more

Pearl of the Sea – book review

Pearl of the Sea by Anthony Silverston, Raffaella Delle Donna, and Willem Samuel Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Pearl lives in a small seaside town that’s experiencing an economic downturn. Everyone is looking for work, and Pearl’s dad is trying to make ends meet working in restaurants, which just aren’t making a profit. He’s about to throw in the towel and move them out to the city, but Pearl … Read more

Duel – book review

Duel by Jessixa Bagley Illustrated by Aaron Bagley Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lucy (6th grader) and Gigi (older sis) are now going to the same middle school and it’s not ideal. The sisters have been fighting nonstop since their father passed away, and their quarrels carry over into their school lives, where, on their first day, Gigi trips Lucy in the cafeteria and Lucy challenges Gigi to a … Read more

Curlfriends – book review

Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller Graphic novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Charlie has lived all over the world as a military brat, but now that her dad is changing careers, the family has settled down in the same town where her folks grew up, and Charlie is looking forward to starting over at her new middle school. She studies fashion magazines for ideas and puts together a new … Read more

How to Love – book review

How to Love: A Guide to Feelings & Relationships for Everyone by Alex Norris Graphic Nonfiction Nonfiction Self-help * * * * Stars (Great!) If you’re not sure how to relationship (or if you even want to), this book is a good place to start your inquiries. It busts a lot of pre-conceptions/myths/expectations folks hold about relationships and gives readers space to think about how they feel about things and what matters to them. The … Read more

Enlighten Me – book review

Enlighten Me by Minh Le & Chan Chau Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Binh gets into trouble in school when he starts a fight with the kid who has been bullying him. Instead of being seen as a hero for standing up for himself, Binh finds that his family and the school administration are punishing him for his actions. His folks take the whole family away for a vacation retreat … Read more