The finalists for the Cybils—the Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards—are up, and here are the nominations in the graphic novels categories: Elementary/Middle Grade Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword, by Barry Deutsch Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists, by various authors Sidekicks, by Dan Santat Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick [...]
Each year the American Library Association sets one week aside to celebrate the freedom to read which has become known as Banned Books Week. Librarians are often at the forefront of censorship battles. But they are not the only ones affected. Most often it is children and ordinary citizens that suffer when their freedom to read is compromised. This year, just in time for Banned Books Week, First Second Publishers released a graphic novel that grapples with these topics. Originally serialized at Saveapathea.com Americus is now a published graphic novel .
Neal Barton hates most everything, except Apathea Ravenchilde, the imaginary heroine of a mega-popular fantasy book series. But when Neal’s best friend Danny gets caught by his mother reading the Apathea Ravenchilde series, she ships him off to boarding school and begins a campaign to remove the “evil” books from the Americus Public Library. Now [...]
It was sometime last year that Resistance by Carla Jablonski landed in my mailbox. To be honest, I fell into the old cliché… don’t judge a book by its cover. I just didn’t want to read it. For whatever reason, this didn’t appeal. I’m so glad I got over myself, because I would have missed a fabulous story. Then to my delight, I found out that Resistance wasn’t a one volume story. It was slated to be a trilogy. Part 2, Defiance, was released in July.
Sometimes, when you pick up a book, you aren’t sure what to expect. Is it supposed to be funny, serious, or spooky? Sure, it’s been well reviewed, but what’s it all about and is it really that good? When I finally picked up Anya’s ghost I was surprised to find a mixture of all three and yes, it really is that good.
Finished all the current Rick Riordan books? Looking for some more Greek Mythology to satiate you or your child’s curiosity? Then if you haven’t gotten lost in George O’Connor’s Olympian series, it’s only the start of August. There’s still a whole month left to summer vacation, so it isn’t too late!
Years ago Dave Roman and I would gripe about mainstream comic book companies’ lack of interest in attracting new young readers by creating books that were both appealing and suitable. I felt a kinship with Dave in his enthusiasm and passion for the potential of creating comics for kids that actually spoke to kids. Dave [...]
Ben Hatke’s brave sci-fi heroine Zita the Space Girl made her debut in Flight Explorer, an anthology of comics for kids, edited by Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the series Amulet. In a short comic titled “If Wishes Were Socks,” readers were introduced to the fun, humorous adventures of Zita and her companions. When Flight Explorer [...]
I’ll admit it, I’m a recreational reader. My favorite books are the ones that make me laugh or cry, but don’t require me to think much beyond what is on the page — much the same way most people watch television. Sure, when I’m reading to review or for committee work I read with eyes [...]
I grew up with a variety of heroes. Writers like Roald Dahl, Tamora Pierce, Andre Norton, Ray Bradbury, and Susan Cooper led me deep into the world of stories, speculative and wondrous. Itzhak Perlman, a virtuoso violinist, amazed me by playing so brilliantly with enormous hands. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly astounded me with their [...]
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