El Deafo – Read It and Rate It

El Deafo by Cece Bell Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) I liked “El Deafo” because the character is nice, funny, and smart. “El Deafo” is a Newbery Honor book. R.J. Palacio, the author of “Wonder” put a quote on the cover of the book. She said, “I love El Deafo! It’s everything you could want in a book. Funny and touching and oh so smart.”

Sisters – Read It and Rate It

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier Autobiography Biography Graphic Novel Nonfiction Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) 2 sisters, 1 car. One week to go. They fight and they don’t get along. It’s hot. They are going to Colorado, but it takes a week. Will they survive each other? Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) This is a good book. I think this because it is kind of like my family. It is like … Read more

Ghosts – Read It and Rate It

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier Graphic Novel Supernatural Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) It is about a family who moves to a new town that has ghosts in it. They go to the Dia de los Muertos party. They see a lot of ghosts there. Then they all live happily. Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) I liked “Ghosts” because it was really interesting to learn and see how Cat … Read more

By Night – book review

By Night  vol. 1 by John Allison Comics Science Fiction Supernatural * * * * Stars (Great!) Jane and Heather go way back, but haven’t seen each other since they graduated from college. Now they’re both back in their hometown, Spectrum, where exactly nothing happens ever. Heather has a great idea that’s sure to be fun – the Charleswood Estate, abandoned for years, has officially run out of money to fund its security man (conveniently, … Read more

New Kid – book review

New Kid by Jerry Craft Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Because seventh grader Jordan Banks’ parents want the best education for their son, he ends up attending Riverdale Academy Day School instead of art school (but you get to see lots of his artwork/comics here!). It’s a wealthy, fancy pants place far from his neighborhood. At first Jordan doesn’t think he’s going to like it – it’s low … Read more

Prince and the Dressmaker – book review

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Graphic Novel Young Adult Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Frances is a young seamstress who finds a position as the Prince’s “dressmaker” when one of her designs – very risqué – debuts at a ball held in his honor. Prince Sebastian loves her ideas and wants her to make eye-catching, traffic-stopping gowns for him when he dresses up as Lady Crystallia. Together, they have the … Read more

Fake Blood – book review

Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner Funny Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Now that AJ and his friends are in 6th grade, he’s hoping that something will change.  Hunter and Ivy, who did fun things over the summer, have both grown several inches, but AJ, who stayed home and read all summer, is still short and boring.  He does catch a break, however, when his new teacher pairs him with … Read more

Be Prepared – book review

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Vera Brosgol felt left out among her classmates who all came from wealthier, two-parent households.  All the other kids got to go away to camp in the summer, and Vera is always stuck at home.  Then she finds out about a special summer camp for Russian immigrants that her church will subsidize if she attends.  She convinces her mom to … Read more

Brave – book review

Brave sequel to Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Jensen is playing his way through each of his days of middle school like it’s a videogame – complete with monsters (other students who bully him) that he has to dodge between classes and after school.  He thought he was tight with some kids from the art club, but one of the girls there teases him constantly, and … Read more

Time Museum – book review

The Time Museum Book #1 by Matthew Loux Adventure Graphic Novel Mystery Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) While visiting her uncle over summer vacation Delia Bean follows a kiwi bird into the woods and discovers the Earth Time Museum.  It’s a museum of all of planet Earth’s history from all times – past, present, and future!  She learns her uncle runs the place and that he’d like her to … Read more