Whip Cracking Wednesday

Flight Explorer Volume 1, Villard, 2008

I really want to like this book. I am always on the hunt for interesting and original graphic novels that would work well in elementary school libraries It looks wonderful with full color panels and original stories. There are four volumes which is a real plus, gotta love a series.

I like the short story format. After years of playing Mario Brothers, I enjoyed "Copper: Mushroom Crossing" by Kazu Kibuishi. "Fish N Chips" is the story of a superhero goldfish in a bowl who saves the planet from a collision with an asteroid.

I was ready to give it gold stars for an elementary library when Missle Mouse, the space faring hero from the cover, yelled, "Holy Crap!" Now to be fair he was battling a killer satellite and later a mechanical octopus-like creature, and, on the list of obscene and untoward swear words, it is fairly tame. Graphic novels do use vivid language. Still, it seemed out of place and incongruous coming from a cute little space mouse with a blaster.

Honestly, I am NOT finicky about "language" in children's and YA books. Most of the time I do not even notice it or care because it fits into the story line.

I was asked once about the "language" in Mike Lupica's Travel Team and I had to scratch my head. I did not remember any strong, moderate, or even mildly provocative language. I did recall a compelling story with some unforgettable characters.

Which brings me to "Missle Mouse: the Guardian Prophecy." D' Arvit! This is science fiction/fantasy. Why the frak wouldn't Jake Parker use some kind of creative blasphemy instead of a mundane vulgarity? As FireflyWiki.Org so eloquently puts it, "Da-shiong bao-jah-shr duh la doo-tze!" " Ai ya! "

Rapunzel's Revenge

Entling no. 2 looks at me and says, "You have too many books."

This from the kid who had so many books in her apartment when we packed her up that I decided the laws of physics must have been suspended at those map coordinates. That many books could not possibly have fit into that tiny abode. They are all here now. She does have all of her books on shelves.

My book stacks of reproach are groaning so I've asked her if she wanted to lend a hand with some reviews.

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale, Bloomsbury, September 2008

I don't typically share my entmother's enthusiasm for kids' lit. It's not that these books aren't amazing stories; it's just that my preferred reading genres are sci-fi and fantasy, with the occasional supernatural thriller thrown in here and there just to shake things up a bit. Every now and then, though, Mother comes to me and practically shoves the book into my hands, eyes aglow as she gushes over the brilliance of the book.
The latest of these was Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale. I'd read Hale's "Princess Academy" sometime earlier and had enjoyed the independent, can-do attitude of her main character, so I looked forward to more of the same independence. And I wasn't disappointed.
The Rapunzel in this book is a strong character, out to do what's right. Traditional fairytales and Western tall tales are interwoven throughout the story, creating a rich background.
The original story of Rapunzel features a patient princess awaiting her Prince Charming to save her from the tower. This Rapunzel isn't waiting around, twiddling her thumbs. She takes matters into her own hands and doesn't let anyone else take the reins of her life.
With her loyal sidekick Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and his pet goose at her side, Rapunzel embarks on a quest to save her mother from the slave mines of "Mother" Gothel, a witch who's magic has stripped most of the land of all life. As Rapunzel and Jack travel to the heart of the land where Gothel lives, they encounter a wide cast of characters, some ordinary townsfolk, the others familiar figures from fantastic tales of yore.
And who doesn't enjoy a new twist on an old story?
-Entling No. 2

BookMoot adds:

Brava to Shannon Hale for adding depth and richness to yet another fairy tale. Rapunzel can snap her amazingly long braids like Indiana Jones can use a bull whip.

Elementary school librarians are keen to add graphic novels to their collections and this is a title that will be a great fit for elementary libraries and up. It is beautifully drawn, kuddos to Nathan (with a name like that you have to be good) Hale, and the storyline will appeal to guys and girls.

Getting Graphic for Elementary School

In case you haven't heard, graphic novels are somewhat popular.

This past weekend, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the top grossing movie at the box office. 300, another movie based on a "comic book" has held that spot for some previous weeks. My recent sojourn at the local high school saw a steady and heavy circulation of graphic novels. A few years ago when I started adding them to my elementary library, the selection was more limited but publishers are finally understanding the demand and bringing elementary school friendly talent to the market.



Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm and Matt Holm - Sublime, divine! Brilliant writing, visual humor and it is PINK! If you do not have this series in your collection add it now. The books are available in library bindings. This series has achieved "classic" status and is a "gotta have it."

Babymouse website

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Mail Order Ninja by Joshua Elder, vol. 1-2, 2006
This elementary-friendly series has humor and the manga look which kids love.

Timothy James McAllister is the victim of school bullies. Felicity Dominique Huffington, the Versacci/Armaani clad rich girl at L. Frank Baum Elementary rules the social order until Timothy wins "exclusive exploitation rights" to legendary ninja Yoshida Jiro for one year. Now protected from school thugs and popular because of his ninja body guard, Timothy wins the election for student body president. Volume 1 ends with Felicity vowing revenge and acquiring the services of a ninja of her own, Jiro's deadly enemy, Hakuryuu Nobunaga.

In volume 2, Felicity takes over the school and the town when Nobunaga defeats and captures Jiro. Promoting herself to Queen, Felicity is a typical evil overlord who controls the adults through Mind Controlling Nutrient Paste breakfast cereal. Unlike the previous book, where Timmy's success is totally due to his ninja protector, this time the kids and citizens of Cherry Creek have to save themselves.

The storyline and Erich Owen's artwork should make this a hit with kids. The story is well drawn and Owen's design showcases the action. Jiro and Nobunaga's back story is revealed through flashbacks and a "newpaper article" included at the end of Book 1. I think graphic novels support readers who do not see the "movie" in their imagination as they read. These books do that wonderfully.

Elder's sense of humor will resonate with all ages. I like his use of music and alternative lyrics: "Everybody loves Ninja Fighting" (to the tune "Kung Fu Fighting") and Jiro's turn as John Travolta in "Ninja Guy" (to the tune of Stayin' Alive) at the school dance.

There are literary devices aplenty, (in case your library must justify a graphic novel collection.) Onomatopoeia clangs, whams, ka-chings and booms. Literary and visual allusions abound. Street signs at one intersection read "Orwell" and "Huxley" while banners with Queen Felicity's picture proclaim "Big Sister is Watching You!"

Mail Order Ninja website

Also reviewed at Big A little a

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The Adventures of Commander Zack Proton series by Brian Anderson
The Adventures of Commander Zack Proton and the Red Giant, 2006
The Adventures of Commander Zack Proton and the Warlords of Nibblecheese, 2006

Hand Zack Proton to your Captain Underpants kids, please, your readers need to find these books!

In book 1, Zack Proton finds himself adrift in space when he opens the wrong door while looking for the restroom. Omega Chimp rescues him and they go on to battle the red giant, Big Large. Book 2 begins when the pair respond to a Class two-B distress signal which means a school bus of second graders is in danger. They rescue a group of captured teachers, defeat some warlording mice and get a parking ticket for leaving their spaceship in a no-floating zone.

Anderson's writing is fast paced and full of humor. Effie(FE-203), the malfunctioning droid sings "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true" and Zack remembers an incident at the Klaatu Memorial Test Facility. Mouse warriors are led by General Algernon who bears a striking resemblance to The Brain and threatens to "cut off their tails with a carving knife"

I really like Doug Holgate's book design as it moves the reader between traditional text and comic book format. The story is also interspersed with helpful tips for young space heroes, a quiz "Is that really your teacher? Don't Be Too Sure" and a maze, shades of Highlights magazine. Along with the allusions and onomatopoeia, there are alliterations and metaphors ("You are space toast!")

This is entirely light hearted and entertaining reading. To become better readers, kids need to practice reading and Zack Proton will keep the text flowing under their eyes.

Commander Zack Proton website

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City of Light, City of Dark by, Avi, illustrated by Brian Floca 1993

I read this book several years ago but was unable to purchase it for my collection because it was out of print. I see Scholastic has now reprinted the title.

Avi and Floca were ahead of their time when they created this story as a graphic novel in 1993. Carlos and Sarah and a magic subway token have until winter solistice to save NY City from a deep freeze. Much of the dialog is English and Spanish.

I have some more elementary titles to review but I think I will post these quickly in case I have another "blogger" moment.

Mouse Guard, please!

So many of my kidlitosphere friends point me towards books I love.

Fuse#8 found a copy of Mouse Guard at Comic.con. She talks about them here. I r-e-a-l-l-y want to see these graphic novels!

Mouse Guard website

To Dance

To Dance: a ballerina's graphic novel, a memoir by Siena Cherson Siegel with artwork by Mark Siegel, 2006

Bluebonnet award winner, Mark Siegel has teamed with his wife Siena Cherson Siegel and created an exquisite and tender graphic novel that honors dancers everywhere.

Siena began her dance journey in San Juan, Puerto Rico when she was diagnosed with flat feet. She started dance classes and fell in love with the art form. The story follows her family as they move to Boston where she sees the Bolshoi Ballet perform for the first time. She dreams of ballets.

At the age of 11 she auditions and wins a spot in the School of American Ballet and begins to work in earnest. She sees George Balanchine and Baryshnikov, Suzanne Farrell, and Gelsey Kirkland in the halls. Being fitted for her first toe shoes, winning a spot in her first performance and partnering class are all milestones in her life at SAB. Family life is difficult as her parents' marriage fails. As a teenager there are boyfriends and schoolwork and worry about the shape of her body.

Plots of ballets are seamlessly woven into the story as we see the excitement and glamor of performance balanced with the hard work of practice and the heartbreak of not being chosen to perform. Her memoir also allows the reader an inside look at the grief and sorrow that overwhelmed the company when Balanchine died.

Mark Siegel draws the story with detail and love. To depict a story like this in graphic novel form allows the reader to move through the years with Siena. The reader notes the change of color of her leotard as the years pass, each color representing a higher level at SAB. Her painful injuries and aching toes from hours of dancing are communicated without words.

One scene where young Siena is reading the book A Very Young Dancer by flashlight is typical of the care and detail the Siegels have included. I think every school library has that book as it is a favorite with young dancers. Like the girl on the cover, Siena will wear the green leotard.

Siegel opens the story with little Siena dancing on a beach. He ends it on a beach too and it brought tears to my eyes. This is sophisticated storytelling at its very best.

Words to describe this book: Brilliant, fascinating, informative, original, beautiful, a must have for all ballet students, dancers, and fans of ballet

This copy is already being covered in Christmas wrap for the dancer in our family. I just HAD to read it first.

Now, off to the post office to mail it.