Archives:
How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less
Author/Illustrator: Sarah Glidden Publisher: Vertigo Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12, Higher Education Subject: History/Social Studies Genre: Biography/Autobiography, Political Special Attractions: Nonfiction, Female Lead Characters, Multicultural Lead Characters, Social issues, For adults too Synopsis: A stunningly accomplished debut graphic novel, HOW TO UNDERSTAND ISRAEL IN 60 DAYS OR LESS is Sarah Glidden’s charming and funny travel memoir of her trip through Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, Masada and other historic locales, brought to life with lush watercolors in all of their quirky and breathtaking detail.At the same time, ISRAEL is a sensitive, deeply thoughtful and personal examination of a highly charged issue, an account […] Read More
Kat and Mouse
Author/Illustrator: Alex De Campi, Federica Manfredi Publisher: Tokyopop Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12 Subject: History/Social Studies, Science, Math Genre: Mystery Synopsis: From first issue: “When Kat’s dad gets a job as a science teacher at a posh private school, things seem perfect—that is, until Kat’s rich, popular classmates shove her to the bottom of the social heap just for being smart. And bad turns to worse when an anonymous student blackmails Kat’s dad to give the class better grades! Can Kat and her new friend, the rebellious computer nerd Mouse, find the real culprits before Kat’s dad loses his job?” Titles in […] Read More
A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge
Author/Illustrator: Josh Neufeld Publisher: Pantheon Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12, Higher Education Subject: History/Social Studies Genre: Historical Fiction, Biography/Autobiography, Political Synopsis: A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge is a masterful portrait of a city under siege. Cartoonist Josh Neufeld depicts seven extraordinary true stories of survival in the days leading up to and following Hurricane Katrina. Here we meet Denise, a counselor and social worker, and a sixth-generation New Orleanian; “The Doctor,” a proud fixture of the French Quarter; Abbas and Darnell, two friends who face the storm from Abbas’ s family-run market; Kwame, a pastor’s son just entering his senior year of high school; and the young […] Read More
A Treasury of XXth Century Murders series
Author/Illustrator: Rick Geary Publisher: NBM Publishing Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12, Higher Education Subject: History/Social Studies Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Biography/Autobiography Special Attractions: Nonfiction, Social issues, For adults too Synopsis: New Brunswick, New Jersey, Thursday, September 14, 1922. Reverend Hall and Mrs. Eleanor Mills take a stroll in the town’s park in the evening. Shots are heard. 2 days later, their bodies are found laying on the ground very neatly next to each other with her hand on his thigh, love letters strewn around them, the scarf on her neck covering up the deep bloody slit in it. Reverend Hall, himself married, was in an […] Read More
A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return
Author/illustrator: Zeina Abirached Publisher: Graphic Universe Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12 School Subject: History/Social Studies Genre: Biography/Autobiography, Political Special Attractions: Nonfiction, Female Lead Characters, Child Lead Characters, Multicultural Lead Characters, Social issues, For adults too Synopsis: When Zeina was born, the civil war in Lebanon had been going on for six years, so it’s just a normal part of life for her and her parents and little brother. The city of Beirut is cut in two by bricks and sandbags, threatened by snipers and shelling. East Beirut is for Christians, and West Beirut is for Muslims. When Zeina’s parents don’t return from a visit […] Read More
Fallout
Author/Illustrator: Jim Ottaviani, Janine Johnston, Steve Lieber, Vince Locke, Bernie Mireault, Jeff Parker, Chris Kemple, and Eddy Newell Publisher: G.T. Labs Grade levels: 9-12, Higher Education Subject: Science, History/Social Studies Genre: Biography/Autobiography Special Attractions: For adults too, Nonfiction, Social Issues Synopsis: The lives of scientists J. Robert Oppenheimer and Leo Szilard offer a cautionary tale about the uneasy alliance between physicists, the military, the government, and the beginnings of “big science.” Comics Worth Reading review Comic Book Galaxy review Diamond Bookshelf review Discover Magazine review Publisher’s book page Study Guide
Dignifying Science: Stories About Women Scientists
Author/Illustrator: Jim Ottaviani, Donna Barr, Mary Fleener, Stephanie Gladden, Roberta Gregory, Lea Hernandez, Carla Speed McNeil, Linda Medley, Marie Severin, Jen Sorensen, Anne Timmons, and Ramona Fradon Publisher: G.T. Labs Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12, Higher Education Subject: History/Social Studies, Science Genre: Biography/Autobiography Special Attractions: Female Lead Characters, Nonfiction Synopsis: Dignifying Science is the second in a series of books done in comics form telling true stories about scientists. This book features famous women scientists including Marie Curie, mathematician Emmy Noether, physicist Lise Meitner, DNA researcher Rosalind Franklin, biologist Barbara McClintock, primatologist Birute Galdikas, and Hedy Lamarr. Yes, that Hedy Lamarr…her story will surprise […] Read More
Bone Sharps, Cowboys, & Thunder Lizards
Author/Illustrator: Jim Ottaviani and Zander Cannon, Kevin Cannon, Shad Petosky, and Charles R. Knight
Templar
Author/Illustrator: Jordan Mechner, LeUyen Pham & Alex Puvilland Publisher: First Second Grade levels: 9-12, Higher Education Subject: History/Social Studies Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Political Special Attractions: Social issues Synopsis: Martin is one of a handful of Templar Knights to escape when the king of France and the pope conspire to destroy the noble order. The king aims to frame the Templars for heresy, execute all of them, and make off with their legendary treasure. That’s the plan, anyway, but Martin and several other surviving knights mount a counter-campaign to regain the lost treasure of the Knights Templar. Note: Book One of Templar was previously published in […] Read More
The Silence of Our Friends
Author/Illustrator: Mark Long, Jim Demonakos, & Nate Powell Publisher: First Second Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12 Subject: History/Social Studies Genres: Historical Fiction, Biography/Autobiography Special Attractions: Social Issues Synopsis: As the civil rights struggle heats up in Texas, two families—one white, one black—find common ground. This semi-autobiographical tale is set in 1967 Texas, against the backdrop of the fight for civil rights. A white family from a notoriously racist neighborhood in the suburbs and a black family from its poorest ward cross Houston’s color line, overcoming humiliation, degradation, and violence to win the freedom of five black college students unjustly charged with the murder of a […] Read More