Today’s featured blogger review takes a closer look at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels finalist When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, and Iman Geddy: This book just gobsmacked me. It’s a powerful tale of two brothers in a refugee camp. Born in Somalia at the onset of a civil war, Omar, the eldest, watched his father get killed. …
REVIEW: Shadow of the Batgirl
Today’s featured review looks at Young Adult Graphic Novels nominee Shadow of the Batgirl by Sarah Kuhn, illustrated by Nicole Goux: I was obsessed with watching this furtive, skittish girl warm up to the two women in this story who could help her so much if she gave them a chance. And of course I loved the library setting for …
REVIEW: InvestiGATORS
Our featured review for today looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels nominee InvestiGATORS by John Patrick Green, the first in a series about a super spy alligator duo: The book reminds me of Richard Scarry’s Great Pie Robbery mysteries, and would probably be appropriate as a read-aloud for a similar age, perhaps 4 or 5 year olds. The full review, …
REVIEW: Almost American Girl
Today’s featured review is from the Young Adult Graphic Novels category–Almost American Girl by Robin Ha, a memoir about the experience of immigrating from South Korea: This is the story of a young girl transitioning from life in Korea to life in Alabama in America. Chuna gives herself the American name Robin as an effort to fit in. Still she …
REVIEW: Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier
Today’s featured review looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels nominee Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks, both veterans of the science graphic novel genre. There are some great and hilarious anecdotes throughout, and [astronaut] Mary Cleave’s love for space exploration and science comes through, making me hopeful that this book will inspire many, many …
Review: The Tea Dragon Festival
We’re looking at the elementary/middle grade Graphic Novel finalist The Tea Dragon Festival (Amazon, IndieBound) today. Our reviewer is round one panelist Elizabeth, who blogs at, The Dirigible Plum. She wrote: The art is eye-poppingly beautiful, of course, and this sequel is just as gentle and inclusive as the first book. Read the whole review here.
REVIEW: Kiss No. 8
Today’s review of Young Adult Graphic Novel Kiss No. 8 (Amazon, IndieBound) comes from Graphic Novel chair Mel Schuit, who usually blogs at Let’s Talk About Picture Books. For this review, however, Mel guest hosted The Children’s Book Podcast, talking with the authors Colleen AF Venable and Ellen T. Crenshaw. About the book, Colleen said: I realized there were big …
REVIEW: Operatic
Today’s review comes from Graphic Novel round one panelist Elizabeth, who blogs at The Dirigible Plum (which is an awesome blog name!). She’s reviewed middle grade graphic novel nominee Operatic (Amazon, IndieBound), writing: A new Kyo Maclear title is always cause for celebration. Operatic is quiet and delicate but powerful. Read the full review here.
REVIEW: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me
Today we’re looking at Young Adult Graphic Novel nominee Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (Amazon, IndieBound). Junior/Senior High Nonfiction judge Anne, who blogs at My Head is Full of Books, reviewed it over the summer, writing: Tamaki is a genius at understanding people, specifically teens. Read the full review here.
REVIEW: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy
Today’s review comes from Graphic Novel Round 1 panelist Stephanie who blogs at Lispy Librarian and vlogs (!) here. She reviewed middle grade graphic novel nominee Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy (Amazon, IndieBound). About the graphic novel she said: It’s super cool; I loved it! It took me two days to read it because it’s super emotional […] I’m so …