46. Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch (Amulet Books, 2010)

GRAPHIC NOVEL: FANTASY (ages 8-12)

Brief Description: The title and caption on the cover say it all - This graphic novel is the story of how 11-year-old Mirka, a troll-fighting Jewish girl, got her sword. Through a series of strange encounters, Mirka ends up conversing with a witch living in the woods even when her stepmother strictly forbade her from doing so. It was through the witch's advice that Mirka eventually outsmarted the troll to obtain her sword through a strange knitting competition; her dream is to be a dragon-fighter, so the sword will presumably help her in her journey.

Awards: Sydney Taylor Book Award; MANY nominations

Personal Opinion: I was surprised by the odd combination of knitting, religion and fantasy in this interesting little graphic novel. Mirka is a fantastic heroine who respects her Jewish traditions but also dares to step outside the boundaries on occasion. In the end, I enjoyed the book, especially the Yiddish and the helpful translations, and the quirky and fun character of Mirka. As I read, however, I just kept focusing on how strange the book was! Regardless, it has been circulating nicely at our library. Ultimately, I think it's wonderful to have a bit of religious culture mixed with fantasy!

Curriculum/Programming: This would be a fun book to include in a study of religious culture, especially as an introduction to some Jewish customs. Also, as an example of Manga, this would be good for a specific book group on manga drawing, although it seems to have some different characteristics in style than most Manga (I think!)

39. Zita The Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (First Second, 2011)

GRAPHIC NOVEL: SCIENCE FICTION (ages 8 - 12)

Brief Description: Zita zips her friend Joseph to another planet when she pushes the red button on a contraption she found in a deep hole- harry legs reach out and simply grab him away. Despondent, Zita pushes the button again to follow him. On her quest to find Joseph, she accumulates a motley crew of creatures to help her along. After a betrayal, and perilous danger, will Zita be able to escape back to Earth?

Awards: None

Personal Opinion: Zita is a spunky and clever kid who takes the bull by the horns in this charming science fiction story. I loved the graphic novel for the unique creatures and plot line, and the illustrations are wonderfully drawn with characters who are full of expression. As with many of these books, the end truly is the beginning of the next installment in a series - but it's a good one!

Curriculum/Programming: I would definitely include this book in an after school library program for Manga drawing. I think kids would enjoy the story and could try to recreate the images for themselves. Some basic Manga drawing instruction would be good, and a hired artist would be great to lead the group. I also like the idea of taking one of the helping creatures and have students create a spin-off story about how that character came to meet Zita and what happened with the character after the end of this story.

17. Bone: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith (Scholastic, 2005)

GRAPHIC NOVEL (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: Three bone cousins from the town of Boneville, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, are on the run, banished from Boneville. They become separated and face mysterious dangers including rat creatures with large red eyes. Luckily, they are saved by Thorn, a lovely human, and her grandmother. The end of volume 1 leaves the reader hanging, and, presumably, wanting more. The mystery of the cloaked figure, though, does add an element of mystery and suspense.

Awards: Several Eisner and Harvey Awards

Personal Opinion: Not too crazy about this sometimes silly, but largely dark and fantastic story of the Bone cousins. I just couldn't relate to the characters, wasn't crazy about the art work, and just didn't care about the story! The only real intrigue, for me, anyway, was the cloaked figure - who is it? why is he/she pursuing the Bone cousins? With that said, this first volume is hugely popular in my library where it circulates constantly.

Curriculum/Programming: This would be a great supplement to an art class on manga and other graphic novel drawing; I think the style, which is simple, may be easily adopted and copied by kids. Another idea might be to have kids create their own continuation of this story describing who the cloaked figure is and what role he or she plays in the story.

7. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan O'Malley (Oni Press, 2004)

GRAPHIC NOVEL: (ages 13+)

Brief Description: 23-year-old Scott Pilgrim is dating a high-school girl named Knives Chau who’s 17. When he begins dreaming of a groovy roller blading girl, and then sees her "live" in the library and at a party, Scott begins his obsession with the elusive Ramona Flowers, Amazon.ca delivery girl. When he tries to introduce himself, he fumbles, and she rolls her eyes, so he orders from Amazon to get her to deliver. She does, and they eventually begin dating, sort of. Scott must fight all Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends to actually earn the right to officially date her. This book illustrates the fight with the first ex at a gig in which Scott’s self-proclaimed crappy band is scheduled to play a set.

Awards: Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent for Scott Pilgrim, nominated for three Harvey Awards (Best New Talent, Best Cartoonist and Best Graphic Album of Original Work)

Personal Opinion: Oddly, I enjoyed this fun though often irreverent story of Scott Pilgrim. The language is perfectly tuned to youth with its casual dialogue and realistic characterizations. I was puzzled by the fight scene with the first ex-boyfriend as it seemed like a different story with a shift in pacing. Still, I find myself interested to see what happens in the next installment. I liked Scott’s gay roommate Wallace Wells who offers a fun sense of humor, and the feisty fellow band member Kim Pine.

Programming Idea: Pair this book with a manga drawing class and book discussion as part of a manga and anime club.

5. Go with Grace by George Alexopoulos (TokyoPop, 2006)

GRAPHIC NOVEL (ages 13+)

Brief Description: Opening with two black pages and the written words: NO MORE, the depressing and cheerless stage is set as this graphic novel begins; the next illustrations show a girl slitting her wrist. Grace is a tragic figure crippled physically by an unknown disease. When she attempts physical exertion, she grows increasingly more ill and is ultimately bedridden. She begins to hallucinate and she "meets" a cute blond boy who visits with her and claims he is a ghost. He coaxes her from her room on several occasions, but this leads to hospitalization. Grace is surrounded by even more depression; her step father is cruel and heartless, her mother is dead, apparently from the same disease, and only her perky half-sister Ashley brings any light to this morosely dark tale. The ending features a mixed bag of delight and sadness.

Awards: None Found

Personal Opinion: I really disliked the alarming scene of suicide in the beginning, but continued to read in one sitting as I had to find out what would happen to Grace. This story had hints of the Demi Moore/Patrick Swayze “Ghost” to it, but it departed dramatically in that Grace was clearly suffering from major depressive disorder. For a while, her journal writing held her in the realms of reality, but when she began seeing Andy, the charming blond ghost, she literally left her room and ended up even more sick, and she left her sense of reality as well. Her abusive step-father was pretty over the top having a distinct disregard for Grace’s well-being. Her caring doctor attempted to work with the father to observe Grace and determine the cause of her problems, but he wouldn’t budge. Ultimately, Grace opts to “go with grace” in an unsatisfying ending. I sympathized with her sister Ashley who obviously loved and wanted to help her sister. Again, I was drawn into the story out of morbid curiosity, and I can’t say I was very happy about it! Other reviews touted this as a “romantic ghost story.” I just couldn’t get past Grace’s all-encompassing depression to see the romantic piece, although she did have moments of happiness with Andy.

Programming Idea: High school aged kids might discuss this book as part of a health unit on depression and other psychological disorders. I can’t see a direct application to the public library setting, and probably wouldn’t attempt to hand-sell the book except to those kids who enjoy graphic novels and/or tales of angst and hardship.