Review: Sisters

Sisters
by Raina Telgemeier
Graphix, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-54059-9

Raina is very excited to be a big sister.  She'll have someone to play with.  When her sister Amara is born, things don't go quite the way Raina imagined they would.  Amara is fussy, as babies usually are.  As a toddler, she is still cranky and expresses many a meltdown.  Raina has a hard time playing with her because Amara likes to do her own thing and be alone.  This dynamic doesn't change much as Raina and Amara get older.  By this time, they have a younger brother, Will.  On a road trip from California to Colorado to attend a family reunion, Raina and Amara must deal with each other (in very close quarters) and in doing so, figure out some way of getting along and accepting each other's differences.

This is a true story about growing up with a sister.  Anyone who has a sister can relate to this book.  I know I did.  It is a companion to Telgemeier's 2010 novel Smile, which was about her childhood experience with braces.  If you haven't read it, you must.  Sisters has the same humor and relatability of Smile.  What I liked about it was Raina's experience with her sister is a universal one.  Sisters squabble, they fight about petty things, they get on each other's nerves and push each other's buttons.  But, at the end of the day they are there for each other.  Raina details this in a way that is very real and not at all "sugar coated."  As I was reading this, I instantly thought of my younger sister and how we were growing up and I'm so glad I don't have to relive those years!  Raina's artwork is beautiful.  She uses a lot of bold colors and when Raina has "flashbacks" the pages are yellow, which is a great way to help the reader follow the story.  I love how expressive the characters are and how that emotion supplements and supports the plot.  I would recommend this to reluctant readers or to middle-grade kids looking for realistic fiction.

Page By Paige

By Laura Lee Gulledge. New York: Amulet Books, 2011.

Paige has just moved from Virginia to New York City. She is feeling a little lost - she misses Virginia, she is trying to get used to a new city, and she doesn't know where she fits in. Trying to adjust to her new life, Paige decides to pick up a sketchbook and tell her life. This coming of age story details Paige's journey to come out of her shell, as well as discovering who she is and deciphering her inner-most thoughts and feelings. She begins to make friends and goes out in the city, and in doing so, she finds herself and tries to put herself out there more than she ever did in the past.

This diary-graphic novel format works really well, allowing the reader to see into Paige's head. The drawings are very detailed and really represent her feelings. I think teens will relate to this story, as they struggle with discovering themselves and figuring out where they "fit in." I related to Paige and her shyness; the fear of putting yourself out there and not being accepted, but also not wanting to hide your true self. Paige is very real and her journey will resound with many teens.

Smile

By Raina Telgemeier. New York: Graphix, 2010.

Oh, the joys of middle school. If you're an adult, you've been there, and I'm sure you remember how it felt to be an awkward pre-teen, trying to fit in. If you're younger, you are experiencing this now. Don't worry, it gets better! I promise. If you don't believe me, read this book.

Raina is a sixth grader. One night, after Girl Scouts, she trips and falls, and knocks out her two front teeth. It's a bad accident, and it begins a rather long journey for her through the world of dentistry and braces. She has to have a root canal, braces, really embarrassing headgear and a retainer. It's alot to deal with, especially when you are navigating your way through middle school, and trying to fit in. Raina's ordeal with braces takes us with her into tenth grade, when she finally gets them removed. She learns about friendship, who she really is, and in the end, is finally able to really smile because she is happy in her own skin. As she describes it, "I realized that I had been letting the way I looked on the outside affect how I felt on the inside. But the more I focused on my interests, the more it brought out things I liked about myself. And that affected the way other people saw me!"

This book has such a positive message, but it doesn't knock you over the head with it. Raina's story is universal, and fun to read. I recalled my own experiences during middle school and high school, and let's just say, I wouldn't want to live through that again. But, it shaped me into the person I am today. Kids will really enjoy this story - the graphics are very colorful, and the facial expressions are spot-on. If you're looking for a graphic novel with a good message, try this one. It will make you smile!

Foiled

By Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mike Cavallaro. New York & London: First Second, 2010.

Aliera Carstairs is an awesome fencer. She rules the sport, but in high school, she is a nobody. She doesn't belong to any of the cliques, and doesn't have any friends. She spends the majority of her time at fencing practice, and spends her Saturdays at her Aunt Hannah's house doing role-playing games with her cousin Caroline. That all changes one day when new student Avery Castle begins to pay attention to Aliera. They become lab partners in Biology, and all of a sudden, Aliera is noticed...by a boy, no less! When Avery asks her out, Aliera is excited and also completely freaked out. She's never been on a date before! On top of that, her mother had just gotten her a new fencing foil with a mysterious jewel attached to its hilt and she had to bring it along on their date, because she will be coming straight from fencing practice. All of a sudden, mysterious and strange creatures try to steal the foil. What is going on? Will Aliera be able to keep her foil safe and will her date be completely ruined?

I flew through this book! I was completely engrossed by Aliera, and I loved the aspect of fencing as a plot focus. I will admit, there are some parts that are a little choppy, but the overall story prevails, so be patient. The ending is very abrupt, but I checked Jane Yolen's website, and there is a sequel planned, so hopefully everything will be answered! The graphics are awesome - the black and grey drawings are so expressive, and when the colored panels emerge, they are so vibrant and just pop off the page. Anyone who wants an interesting, fast read, should check this out!

Missing the Boat

By Justin Shady, Wayne Chinsang, Dwellephant

I picked up this graphic novel because of the cover (and let's face it, that's one of the main draws of a book, and publishers know it). It did not disappoint! This is one of the funniest graphic novels I've read in a while. It may have to do with the unusual tale. It tells the fictional story of the Churamane, a species that lived long ago and are now extinct. It focuses on a husband and wife, George and Gladys, who find out they've won a free 40-day and 40-night cruise trip on Noah's Ark. As many of you are aware from the Bible story, while the animals are on board, the entire earth will be under water. The plan is when the flood is over, the animals will have to repopulate the planet with their species. The only problem is, George and Gladys like to nap...A LOT! One of the characteristics of the Churamane is they are very lazy. So, George and Gladys sleep through the date they were supposed to be on board the "cruise ship." They eventually get to the ark, but are locked out! And Noah won't let them get on! Needless to say, that is the story of how the Churamane became extinct.

This story is hysterical, I absolutely loved it! George and Gladys are perfectly suited to each other in their laziness and love of napping. Noah is a hoot, as well! The humor and silliness is matched in the illustrations. This graphic novel is perfect for children and adults. Prepare yourself for lots of laughter!

Giddy About Graphic Novels

In case you haven't noticed, I love reading graphic novels for kids! I know I review alot of them, but that's because I really think these books are fabulous. They are quick reads, so they are perfect for kids who may be daunted by long chapter books. Also, they are packed with hilarious, snappy dialogue, which makes kids (and let's face it, adults!) laugh. They also have really great graphics, which are part of the overall story. I've gotten alot of kids who "hate to read" hooked on this genre, which makes me a happy librarian. Here are some recent picks of mine, which I think you'll really love!

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, Volume 1

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians, Volume 2

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Hector, Dee and Terrence have always wondered what their school Lunch Lady does outside of the cafeteria. Little do they know, she along with her sidekick Betty are serving up more than chicken nuggets...they are serving justice! In the first volume, Lunch Lady becomes very wary of the new substitute math teacher. She decides to follow him home one night, the same night Hector, Dee and Terrence decide to follow Lunch Lady to see what she does when she's not at school. Lunch Lady discovers the substitute teacher is a robot! And the kids discover Lunch Lady is more than just your average lunch lady. In the second volume, Lunch Lady and the kids think something fishy is going on with the school librarians. Instead of being friendly and helpful, they have closed the library and become very secretive. Will Lunch Lady serve justice to the cyborg substitutes and league of librarians? You'll have to check out these books to find out!

Salt Water Taffy: The Seaside Adventures of Jack and Benny
A Climb Up Mt. Barnabas, Volume 2
by Matthew Loux

Jack and Benny are back for another adventure on Chowder Bay in Maine, where anything can happen. In this volume, Jack and Benny decide to hike up the very steep mountain, Mt. Barnabas in search of Barnabas, the Great Golden Eagle, who also has a wee problem with stealing hats. After their father's favorite cap was stolen, the boys head out to tackle the mountain. Along the way, they encounter Dan, the talking wolf, a giant rock-climbing turtle, and of course, the talking lobsters from Volume 1 (The Legend of Old Salty). Hey, I said anything can happen in Chowder Bay! Will the boys ever make it to the top and will they get their dad's hat back? Check out this series for some fun and silly adventures!

Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom

By Eric Wight

FICTION (ages 7 and up)

When you were a kid, what was your least favorite chore? If you were anything like Frankie Pickle it was cleaning your room. Franklin Lorenzo Piccolini is a kid who loves video games and action figures. He has a very vivid imagination and along with his trusty side-kick, his dog Argyle, he goes on many adventures. One day, his mom told him he had to clean his room, but Frankie argued why, since it's just going to get dirty again. His mom said okay, he didn't have to clean his room since it was his space, but he was responsible for whatever happened to the room. So laundry piled up, toys got lost under piles of trash, and the Dryer Sheet Fairy (a.k.a. Mom) didn't visit his room again. Pretty soon, things got stinky, especially Frankie. One night, something smelled so horrible that Frankie couldn't take it anymore and so off he went to fight dirt and the dreaded Bacteria Breath (a moldy salami and relish sandwich). This book is a combination of a graphic novel and chapter book format. It is wonderful for reluctant readers and the graphics fit in nicely with the text. Whenever Frankie goes on an adventure a la Indiana Jones, you get the comic book format. This book is hilarious and will be enjoyed by children and parents too! You'll never look at cleaning your room as a boring chore again!

Benny and Penny: Just Pretend

By Geoffrey Hayes

GRAPHIC NOVEL (all ages)

Benny and Penny are brother and sister. Benny is pretending to be a swashbuckling pirate and his little sister Penny wants to play with him too. But Benny doesn't want Penny tagging along after him, so he tells her "No! Pirates are brave, and you are a cry-baby." But their mom makes him, so he decides to play hide-and-seek, and hides her in a box. After a while of playing pirate on his own, he goes looking for her, but can't find her where he left her. He discovers he doesn't enjoy playing on his own as much. Eventually he finds Penny and he apologizes, and they both play pirate together. This a great book that depicts the eternal "battle" between older and younger siblings (I remember those squabbles well) regarding playtime. The illustrations are sweet and colorful and realistically portray the emotions of Benny as he goes from an annoyed older brother to a loving and sharing brother. This is another great choice for beginning readers as the text is simple and repetitive. Look for the second book in this series, Benny and Penny: The Big No-No, currently in processing at our library!

Johnny Boo: Twinkle Power

By James Kochalka

GRAPHIC NOVEL (all ages)

This is the second volume in the Johnny Boo series; the first book is The Best Little Ghost in the World. You don't have to read the first one to understand what is going on in this story, but both are absolutely silly and charming. Johnny Boo is a little ghost who has a best friend, Squiggle, who is an even littler ghost. Johnny Boo has a special power, Boo Power. Poor Squiggle doesn't have a special power, but he loves the stars in the sky because they have Twinkle Power. He decides to go off into space to find some for himself. While he is gone, Johnny Boo runs into his other friend, Ice Cream Monster. Ice Cream Monster wants to learn how to say "BOO" but ends up saying "EEK" instead. Squiggle hears the "EEK" and thinks Johnny Boo is in trouble, so he swoops in to save the day now that he has his very own Twinkle Power. You just can't help smiling while you read it. It is perfect for young children, especially those learning how to read because the text is simple and repetitive. The graphics are very expressive, even in their simplicity. After you read this, I dare you not to be wiggly!

Salt Water Taffy: The Seaside Adventures of Jack and Benny

By Matthew Loux

GRAPHIC NOVEL (ages 7 and up)

I'm planning a summer trip to Bar Harbor, Maine, so when I saw this graphic novel on our library shelf, I thought I'd give it a try to get into the summer holiday mood. It surely did! It's full of action and is very fast-paced. The illustrations are in black and white with a lot of bold lines, which give the characters energy. This story is about two brothers, eleven-year old Jack and eight-year old Benny. Their parents decide to take them (kicking and screaming) on a summer-long vacation to Chowder Bay, Maine, a tiny coastal town in the middle of nowhere. There is no TV...gasp! The batteries went out in the Gameboy...NOOOOOO!!! Now what are the brothers going to do? Thankfully, they meet Angus O'Neil, a local fisherman and he regales them with a tale about Old Salty, an enormous, elusive lobster (think Loch Ness Monster, only not a loch, but an ocean) who Angus tangled with back in the day. The boys are then thrown into a mystery - Dr. True's Salt Water Taffy Shop has been robbed! Not a piece of taffy remains, but why are there taffy wrappers along the beach? Will the boys solve the mystery? Will Angus prove Old Salty exists? You'll have to read this book to find out!

Owly: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer

By Andy Runton

GRAPHIC NOVEL (all ages)



This is the perfect novel for someone who has never read a graphic novel, but was wondering what they were all about. Owly is a kind-hearted owl who knows the meaning of friendship. This graphic novel has two stories. In the first story, Owly saves a little worm, appropriately named Wormy, from a terrible rainstorm. Wormy has lost his family in the storm, so Owly helps Wormy find his home. Owly and Wormy both find out what it means to be a friend. In the second story, Owly and Wormy have a wonderful summer when they befriend two hummingbirds. But, they are very sad when the weather gets colder and their friends have to fly south. This book is very heartwarming and Owly is drawn with such expression, that you can't help but fall in love with him and the story. This graphic novel is wordless, but the illustrations portray the character's emotions perfectly. This is a wonderful story!

Jellaby

By Kean Soo

GRAPHIC NOVEL (Ages 8 and up)

Let's face it - we have all had moments in our life where we've needed a large purple monster as a friend. I sure have! Well, Portia is also having those moments. She has just moved to a new neighborhood with her mom and is having problems adjusting to life without her father. She is pretty smart, but find school boring and her classmates don't seem to want to be friends with her. That all changes one night when Portia goes exploring the woods behind her house and finds a shy, sweet-natured purple monster. She decides to name him Jellaby. Jellaby doesn't talk, but Portia discovers he is lost. Along with her school-mate Jason, they go on a journey to discover Jellaby's true home. I absolutely loved this graphic novel!! Jellaby is such an endearing monster - he has a big heart. The drawings are absolutely wonderful - Kean Soo portrays the characters with emotion and such expression. My only complaint is I have to wait until the next volume to find out what happens (fair warning...the book leaves you hanging)! You will fall in love with Jellaby!