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
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
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
Teen Titans Go! Series
Author: Merrill Hagan, Sholly Fisch, J Torres Illustrator: Jorge Corona, Lea Hernandez, Ben Bates, Todd Nauck, Larry Stucker Publisher: DC Comics Grade levels: 4-5, 6-8 Genre: Superhero, Humor Special Attractions: Teen Lead Characters, Multicultural Lead Characters, Social Issues Synopsis: Based on the hit new TV show, feast your eyes on this all-new, all-ages comic book series! Join Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Cyborg and Raven as they display their unique brand of hijinks, mayhem and justice! But giant pizza monsters aren’t the only dastardly and delicious villains on the menu…so dig in, Titans! Titles in this series: • The first incarnation of Teen Titans Go! ran for 55 issues, […] Read More
Teen Boat
Author/Illustrator: Dave Roman, John Green Publisher: Clarion Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12 Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Humor Special Attractions: Teen Lead Characters, Social Issues Synopsis: High school can be a time of terrible angst, Fs on tests, bullying jerks, broken hearts, and late-stage puberty are just some of the potential issues that all teen boys face. But what about the issues facing a Teen Boat? In this hilarious send-up of teen story tropes, the best-selling author Dave Roman and the cartoonist John Green deliver high school and high seas drama with a boatload of laughs. Books YA Love review In the Next Room review School […] 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
The Reasons for Dragons
Author/Illustrator: Chris Northrop & Jeff Stokely Publisher: Archaia Grade levels: 6-8, 9-12 Genres: Fantasy, Adventure Special Attractions: Teen Lead Characters Synopsis: The Reason for Dragons, by Chris Northrop and Jeff Stokely (Fraggle Rock), tells the story of Wendell, a high school outcast who lives a lonely, suburban existence, losing himself in books in order to avoid his distant, motorcycle-riding stepfather, Ted. When the school bullies convince Wendell to venture into the forest around their neighborhood and explore the long-abandoned Renaissance Faire grounds they all believe to be haunted, Wendell is surprised to find a man living in the barn—and even more surprised by the […] Read More
Smile
Author/Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier Publisher: Scholastic Graphix Grade levels: 4-5, 6-8 Genre: Biography/Autobiography Special Attractions: Female Lead Characters, Teen Lead Characters, Social Issues Synopsis: Family, Friends, Boys . . . Dental Drama?! Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. (from the […] Read More