Congressman John Lewis, his comics-obsessed staffer Andrew Aydin, and veteran graphic novelist Nate Powell have collaborated on a powerful new graphic novel memoir, March (Top Shelf Productions), that may well take its place among the greatest examples of that genre.

Elected to the House of Representatives in 1977 serving Georgia’s fifth district, Lewis is an icon of the American civil rights movement. As chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), he had a direct hand in the March on Washington in 1963; the voter registration drives of Mississippi Freedom Summer in 1964, and the integrated interstate bus rides through the South known as the Freedom Rides starting in 1961. Lewis was there on Bloody Sunday in 1965, the violent confrontation between marchers and Alabama state troopers on the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma—and has the scars to prove it. His is a remarkable story, ripe for retelling to inspire a new generation.

With the March trilogy, Lewis is doing exactly that. But it might not have happened without Aydin, who met Lewis while working on his 2008 re-election campaign. Growing up the son of a single mother in Atlanta (incidentally, Lewis’s district), Aydin had a natural affinity for underdogs, hence his love of comics—and politics. On the campaign trail, the team would share their personal stories, and Lewis, a gifted storyteller, contributed his own. When talk turned to what the staff members would do after the campaign, Aydin said that he planned to attend Comic Con, the annual comics conference. Teasing ensued. But Lewis came to Aydin’s defense, recalling that he and his friends drew inspiration from a 1956 comic, Martin Luther and the Montgomery Story.

Writing Lewis’s story

Aydin then approached Lewis and proposed that he adapt his life story as a graphic novel. Lewis agreed, on the condition that they work on the project together. Aydin joined Lewis’s staff and began developing the manuscript. He studied Lewis’s memoir Walking with the Wind (S & S, 1998) and interviewed the congressman whenever they could grab an opportunity. Lewis and Aydin submitted the finished manuscript to Top Shelf Productions. Now they had to find the right artist to bring it to life.

Enter Nate Powell, a recipient of the Eisner Award—the Oscars of the comics industry—who had just completed work on another graphic novel with a civil rights theme, The Silence of Our Friends (First Second, 2012). With a visual style that complemented Lewis’s story, Powell also demonstrated a capacity for period research. And he was eager to illustrate Lewis’s memoir.

It didn’t take long for Powell to win over Lewis and Aydin and gain their confidence. “Congressman Lewis and I spent a lot of time talking about what to include,” says Aydin. “But ultimately we had to trust Nate to do what he does best. He is so talented, with such a deep understanding of the comics medium, that at a certain point we had to just step back and let his work bring this story to life.”

Once Powell began breaking down the script, the trio realized that March would be much longer than they’d envisioned—about 500 pages. Aydin suggested a trilogy—a perfect fix, since the story was already neatly divided into three chapters.

Aydin’s narrative also had to be refined for it to shine in graphic novel form. “The most fundamental challenge is finding the line between an accurate representation of real people and their lives and a personal, emotionally expressive way of approaching the narrative visually,” says Powell. That “often requires ‘moving past’ the script entirely, seeing what else might be in the scene that’s not necessarily included in the script.”

This sensibility is evident throughout the book—perhaps nowhere more than in the prologue. In a preview of the Bloody Sunday conflict, the marchers, led by Lewis and Reverend Hosea Williams, apprehensively head over the bridge toward an ominous mob of policemen. A trooper with a bullhorn yells at the crowd to turn back—and moments later, orders an attack. All hell breaks loose. Multiple graphic strategies heighten the tension in the scene: the shifting perspectives; the size, shape, and placement of the panels; the lettering and speech balloons; and the stark black-and-white illustrations.

The chronology

March opens on the morning of President Barack Obama’s first inauguration. As Lewis prepares to attend the historic occasion, he has the opportunity to reminisce about the road that has led to this moment. Flashbacks take readers back to the congressman’s childhood, providing formative glimpses into the life of this Alabama sharecropper’s son. Memories of raising chickens quickly give way to images of racial injustice, early landmarks in the movement—Brown v. Board of Education, the murder of Emmett Till, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Lewis entered discussion with Ralph Abernathy and Martin Luther King, Jr. about integrating Troy State College in Alabama as an incoming freshman. But his parents objected and Lewis eventually entered a Baptist theological seminary in Nashville, TN, where the movement came to another critical juncture. “I have thought about that often. Not being admitted to Troy State, my parents not supporting the decision to try and enroll there, that was a blessing,” says Lewis. “If I had gone to Troy State, I would not have met individuals who injected into my heart, into my blood, into my DNA, the very spirit of nonviolence.”

Having embraced the ideals of nonviolence, a group of college students, including Lewis, instigate a 1960 sit-in. It leads to a confrontation on the steps of Nashville City Hall where the story closes. The second volume of March, anticipated for 2014, will carry the story to the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.

Early response

Meanwhile, the first volume—which bears an unprecedented jacket quote from former President Bill Clinton—had earned several starred reviews leading up to its publication on August 13. When Lewis, Aydin, and Powell made appearances at conferences including Book Expo America, the American Library Association Annual Conference, and Comic Con, it was abundantly clear that March’s message was resonating in the way that Lewis had hoped.

“I want young readers to understand that another generation of young people, who tasted the bitter fruits of segregation and discrimination, came to that point where they said, ‘We won’t take it anymore,’” Lewis says. “I would love readers to recognize that it was just ordinary people who believed so deeply that they were moved to act. And I hope they see what it took to be willing to speak up and speak out. They had raw courage, enough courage—literally—to put their bodies on the line. People were prepared to die for what they believed in.”

“I think, today, it is more important than ever for young people—and those not so young—to take a long hard look at some of the things going on around them and ask themselves, ‘What can I do?’” he continues. “Sometimes I feel like many of the things we fought for in the ’50s and the ’60s are being attacked again, and it is up to all of us to work together and keep fighting. We can’t go back. The only place for us to go is forward and each and every one of us has a contribution to make.”

Jonathan Hunt (hunt_yellow@yahoo.com) is a school librarian in Modesto (CA) City Schools. He reviews for Horn Book Magazine and blogs for SLJ at Heavy Medal.

Granted

The Kids in Need Foundation is calling for applications for its 2013 grants program. The awards range from $100 to $500 and must be used for classroom projects. To apply for the program, certified pre-K—12 teachers should visit the Foundation’s website by September 30, 2013 and complete an application. Winning teachers must have a project that makes “creative use of common teaching aids, approaches the curriculum from an imaginative angle, or ties non-traditional concepts together for the purpose of illustrating commonalities.” From 300-600 grants are given each year. Check out the guidelines before applying, and examine the sponsor list to select the application that is most relevant to your location, grade level, or preference. Sponsors include: Office Depot Foundation, Office Depot Star Teacher, Ready Steady Go!, Jo-Ann Craft & Fabric Stores (for preK only), Fred Meyer Fund, and VIA Credit Union. The Kids in Need Foundation is a non-profit organization that gives free school supplies to disadvantaged school children and teachers from under-funded schools.

For the Love of Reading

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund released Raising a Reader! How Comics & Graphic Novels Can Help Your Kids Love to Read, a free resource for educators and parents written by Dr. Meryl Jaffe, with an introduction by Jennifer L. Holm and art by Raina Telgemeier and Matthew Holm. The guide explains the skills that graphic novels offer kids, how to teach reading with comics, and more. Visit www.cbldf.org to download a copy for free.

“Comics are an incredible tool for helping create a genuine love of reading,” noted Holm. “With Raising A Reader!, we set out to create a resource all about what graphic novels offer kids that includes vital information about how to read comics, how to create reading dialogues with them, and how comics are important tools for 21st-century learners.

Día Programming Award

Applications for the 2013 Estela and Raúl Mora Award are now being accepted by REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking. The award recognizes exemplary programming that celebrates El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day, Book Day) or El día de los jóvenes! El día de los libros (Youth Day/Book Day). Día is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. Libraries, schools, colleges, museums, and other community organizations can apply for the award. The deadline is August 15, 2013.

The award was established in 2000 by author Pat Mora and her family “to honor their parents and to motivate libraries to celebrate Día.”

Awarded

Edie Parsons has won the first Karen and Philip Cushman Late Bloomer Award. The award is “for authors over the age of 50 who have not been traditionally published in the children’s literature field.” The award was established by the Cushman’s in association with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Karen Cushman published her first children’s book, The Midwife’s Apprentice (a 1996 Newbery Medal winner), when she was 53. Parsons is currently looking for a publisher for Mercury Sea, a middle grade fantasy. “The story takes place in a world where alchemy works, crystal ships sail the seas, and the industrial revolution never happened,” noted Parsons in a recent interview. Parsons will receive a $500 award and free tuition to attend any SCBWI conference.

CASTELLUCCI, Cecil. Odd Duck. illus. by Sara Varon. First Second. 2013. ISBN 9781596435575. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Theodora was content with her life and an interruption like her messy new neighbor could mean nothing but trouble. Chad is, after all, quite different. He is a crazy dancer who splashes when he swims. She keeps a teacup on her head during swimming to practice her posture. He hammers away at his yard art projects, while she quietly sips her tea. An injured wing keeps Chad from flying south for the winter, and Theodora prefers the quiet, so she never flies. Thrown together, the two neighbors become friends until they learn that one of them is an odd duck. Which one is it? Should it make a difference in a friendship? Readers will embrace these new characters embellished with Varon’s charming illustrations―no matter what their quirk.

COUDRAY, Philippe. Bright Ideas! Candlewick/Toon Bks. 2013. ISBN 9781935179221. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Benjamin Bear returns with his rabbit friend in one-page comic adventures about their world. Rabbit needs to cross the river, so Benjamin builds him a bridge. Instead of using the new structure, he jumps over the bridge and the river. In “Sharing,” rabbit and porcupine argue over the ownership of a ball. When it hits Benjamin in the nose during his nap, they generously give the ball away rather than own the ball that hit an angry bear. Humor fills every page of this easy reader graphic novel. Each story’s conclusion will keep readers pondering.

HOLM, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. Extreme Babymouse. Random. 2013. ISBN 9780375970962. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Babymouse wants to be like everyone else, so she begs her mom to go snowboarding. Learning to keep her balance, stopping with no brakes, and avoiding bumps leave her with pain more than anything else. Her coach advises listening to her inner voice. Peer pressure challenges her to ski the bigger hill and take the longest jump. Getting to the bottom of the mountain is more than a challenge. It’s extreme. Will Babymouse let her friends coerce her into poor decisions? Fans of the series will appreciate the humorous illustrations that often speak louder than words.

HOLM, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. Squish: Game On! Random. 2013. ISBN 9780307983008. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2–6).

“Just one more level,” is the cry of an avid gamer. Finding a stopping place is almost impossible, and Squish finds it difficult to stop for friends, food, and schoolwork. With a book report due, four school tardies, and no costume prepared for the Comic Convention, gaming has consumed his life. Can he stop his obsession? Will he find a balance in his life? Book 5 in the series leaves the reader laughing while learning an important life lesson.

KROSOCZKA, Jarrett J. Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain. Knopf. 2013. ISBN 9780307980809. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2–6).

Someone is stealing the technology at Thompson Brook School―and just before the new superintendent arrives for inspection. Lunch Lady is determined to find the culprit, while Hector runs for class president against his vote-buying competitor. When the boys do some investigation, it appears that the cyborg substitute teacher is back. How can that be when Mr. Edison is in jail? Is there a new villain in town? Can the Lunch Lady save the day while preventing the cafeteria from failing the inspection? A cliff-hanger conclusion will have fans of the series anticipating Book Ten.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

Based on a 1982 comic-book miniseries created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, the action is set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). Wolverine (aka Logan) travels to modern-day Japan, where he is reunited with a mysterious individual from his past. As events unfold, the tough-as-nails warrior finds himself able to experience true vulnerability for the first time ever. Driven to the edge both physically and emotionally, Logan clashes with deadly enemies, while also wrestling with his feelings about his own immortality. The cast also includes Hiroyuki Sanada as Japanese crime-lord Shingen Yashida; Tao Okamoto as his daughter, Mariko, a beautiful woman torn between her feelings for Logan and familial duty; Will Yun Lee as the katana-wielding Silver Samurai (and Shingen’s illegitimate son); Rila Fukushima as Yukio, skilled Shingen clan assassin; and Svetlana Khodchenkova as Viper, Wolverine’s toxic (and toxin-using) adversary. Teens can visit the official website for a video preview, photo gallery, and an assortment of downloads.

Graphic Novels

Movie fans will be clamoring to read more about the man who put the “SKINT!” into hand-to-hand combat. Consider enhancing your graphic novel collection about this plain-talking, hard-scrapping hero.

Marvel has re-published Claremont and Miller’s movie-plot-inspiring series in a single handsome volume. The cover sets the tone, with a portrait of a brash Wolverine (Marvel, 2013; Gr 8 Up), one hand raised with three razor-sharp claws extended and the other beckoning with a characteristically cocky “bring it” gesture. On hiatus from the X-Men, Wolverine’s story begins in the Canadian Rockies, a wilderness he calls as “stark an’ elemental as my soul,” where he scuffles with a giant grizzly gone berserk. Letters returned unopened take him to Japan, where he discovers that his beloved Mariko, honor-bound to follow the command of her crime boss father, has been married to a cruel man. When Lord Shingen humiliates a weakened Wolverine in front of Mariko during one-to-one clash—calling him “an animal cast in a semblance of human form”—the heartbroken hero sinks into despair…and into the arms of Yukio, a fearless assassin. Danger, betrayal, and self-doubt abound, as Logan fights to save the woman he loves, and to prove to himself that he is more man than beast. Unembellished and softly lilting, Wolverine’s first-person narrative spins the action while revealing frank emotions. The bright-colored artwork keeps pace with a combination of sinuous skirmish scenes and expressive close-ups. Teens will enjoy comparing the themes and characterizations in this gripping graphic novel with those found in the movie.

Wolverine: First Cuts (Marvel, 2013; Gr 8 Up) presents a roundup of comic-book tales featuring the film’s most important personages. An excerpt from the Claremont and Miller mini-series is featured here, along with Chris Yost and Mark Texeira’s 2009 origin tale (an electrifying illustrated look at Wolverine’s roots including the experiment that bonded Adamantium to his bones and recruitment into the X-Men), a 1963 story arc from The Uncanny X-Men that takes the mutant warriors to a besieged Japan where they tussle with villains (and Wolverine first meets Mariko), a 1983 selection starring Spider-Man that recounts the first alliance between movie villains Viper and Silver Samurai, and more. The tidbits are framed with brief introductions that provide context and refer readers to the appropriate volumes to continue reading. The back matter includes profiles of the major characters (detailed bios along with stats and power-rating charts) and a chronology of Wolverine epics. Teens can sample this eye-catching collection to find out more about the movie headliners and perhaps identify titles/series for further Wolverine reading.

Crisply told and adorned with bold, contemporary-looking artwork, Ben Acker and Ben Blacker’s Wolverine: Season One (Marvel, 2013; Gr 7 Up) provides a riveting origin tale that will appeal to readers meeting the hero for the first time in graphic novel format as well as comic-book devotees. While hiking in the wilderness, Canadian scientists Heather and James Hudson encounter a wild-eyed loin-cloth-wearing man who saves them from the lethal claws of the giant-size Wendigo. They take the injured stranger back to their cabin and watch amazed as his body begins to heal itself; when he awakens, he has no memories of his past or his identity. Recruited for the Canadian government’s mysterious Department H by the Hudsons, he is codenamed Wolverine and trained as an operative. However, the facility’s search for a Canadian super soldier has been characterized by unscrupulous experiments and dark secrets, some of which may hit close to home. Meanwhile, a Wolverine plagued by memory flashes struggles to determine if he is more man or beast, and to find a place to fit in. The script interweaves fast-paced action and hand-to-claw conflict with moments of introspection and well-delivered touches of humor. As subtle as a character’s eye-roll or as broadly stroked as a dynamic double-page mêlée, Salva Espin’s illustrations expand the story’s plot and emotional nuances with well-wrought details and fluid motion. A satisfying and suspenseful look at Wolverine’s pre-X-Men days.

Libraries that pride themselves on hosting the ultimate graphic novel collection might want to consider the pricey but spectacular coffee-table-size Wolverine: The Adamantium Collection (Marvel, 2013; Gr 8 Up). Included here are Claremont and Miller’s mini-series; Paul Jenkins and Andy Kubert’s precisely plotted Wolverine: Origin (originally published in 2001-02); Barry Windsor-Smith’s Weapon X (1991), a superbly illustrated, dramatically paced, and harrowing look at Logan’s Adamantium upgrade; and much, much more. Exploded out to fit the hefty volume’s 11.5″ x 15.5” trim size, the artwork is gorgeous and utterly riveting. The book ends with an “Evolution of a Character” portrait section and a gallery of variant covers along with artist profiles. A real stunner, this offering could be a centerpiece display item or a reference tome.

For Younger Teens

Marvel Universe Wolverine (Marvel, 2013, Gr 4-8), part of the “All Ages” series, showcases four adventures that represent an appealing array of storytelling and illustrative styles. In “Kingdom of No,” Canadian operative Logan is sent to a small fishing village to investigate a technological threat and proves that his arsenal of weapons includes smart thinking, while another tale places the hero in amidst a battle between the “emerald man-brute” Hulk and Canadian “woods-beast” Wendigo. An excerpt from Wolverine: First Class presents Logan in his role as professor to X-Men in training, as the persistent Kitty Pryde tries to cajole him into introducing her to her latest crush—Thor. In the final tale, Spider-Man is tasked with shadowing Wolverine for a day to verify his good-guy worthiness as a hair gel spokesperson, but unexpected surprises are in store for both of them. The stand-alone tales are fast-paced, easy-to-follow, and sprinkled with kid-friendly humor. Varying in tone and color palette, each entry’s artwork is appealing. While claws are deployed and bad guys are thwarted, the action remains on the tamer side. A great sampler for kids new to comics and those looking to read further in the Wolverine body of work.

YA author Barry Lyga’s delightful Wolverine: Worst Day Ever, originally published in 2009, has been reissued in a paperback edition (Marvel, 2013; Gr 5-8) with a new cover. Written in a blog format, the book is narrated by 13-year-old Eric Mattias, newcomer to Xavier’s School for Gifted Students. Surrounded by mutants and soon-to-be super heroes with all manner of amazing abilities, Eric’s special gift is, well, under-whelming: people just don’t notice him, even when he is screaming loudly, being tripped over, or sat upon (particularly unpleasant in a bathroom scene involving Colossus). Though this power is admittedly “lame,” it does allow him to move around unseen, and to follow Wolverine on an adventure that reveals much about this loner of a hero and also teaches Eric a few lessons about himself. The teen’s candidly expressed and relatable feelings of alienation are balanced with wry humor and succinctly described action. Comic-book panels “drawn” by Eric and posted on his blog add color and flavor. Fun to booktalk, this makes an appealing choice for reluctant readers, kids who usually seek their reading material on comic book shelves, and Wolverine fans.

Publication Information

CLAREMONT, Chris. Wolverine by Claremont & Miller. illus. by Frank Miller & Paul Smith. Marvel. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780785183839.

YOST, Chris & Chris Claremont. Wolverine: First Cuts. illus. by Mark Texeira, John Byrne, Frank Miller, & Sal Buscema. Marvel. 2013. pap. $19.99. ISBN 9780785184270.

ACKER, Ben & Ben Blacker. Wolverine: Season One. illus. by Salva Espin. Marvel. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780785166726.

MARVEL UNIVERSE WOLVERINE. Marvel. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780785167952.

Wolverine: The Adamantium Collection. Marvel. 2013. Tr $200. ISBN 9780785167891.

LYGA, Barry. Wolverine. “Young Readers Novel.” Marvel. 2013. pap. $7.99. ISBN 9780785167952.

SHEN, Prudence & Faith Erin Hicks. Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong. illus. by Faith Erin Hicks. 280p. First Second. 2013. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-659-6.
Gr 6-9–The next student-body president will decide if the school will fund cheerleader uniforms or a robotics competition, and the cheerleaders are forcing the basketball captain to run against his friend Nate, the robotics club president. The line between jocks and nerds begins to waver, however, when the two warring factions enter a robot rumble for the prize money. The robot death matches are suspenseful and, like much of this novel, effectively illustrated with cinematic paneling and few words. Hicks’s angular illustrations nod to manga and are wonderfully expressive: the haughty cheerleaders are truly chilling. Tweens, teens, and all robot fans should enjoy this good-humored play on the ongoing battle between jocks and geeks.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

YANG, Gene Luen. Boxers. 336p. ISBN 978-1-59643-359-5. pap. $18.99.
––––.Saints. 176p. ISBN 978-1-59643-689-3. pap. $15.99.
ea vol: illus. by author. (Boxers & Saints Series). further reading. First Second. Oct. 2013.
Gr 9 Up–Acclaimed graphic novelist Yang brings his talents to historical fiction in these paired novels set during China’s Boxer Rebellion (1899-1900). In Boxers, life in Little Bao’s peaceful rural village is disrupted when “foreign devils”–a priest and his phalanx of soldiers–arrive. The foreigners behave with astonishing arrogance, smashing the village god, appropriating property, and administering vicious beatings for no reason. Little Bao and his older brothers train in kung fu and swordplay in order to defend against them, and when Little Bao learns how to tap into the power of the Chinese gods, he becomes the leader of a peasant army, eventually marching to Beijing. Saints follows a lonely girl from a neighboring village. Unwanted by her family, Four-Girl isn’t even given a proper name until she converts to Catholicism and is baptized–by the very same priest who bullies Little Bao’s village. Four-Girl, now known as Vibiana, leaves home and finds fulfillment in service to the Church, while Little Bao roams the countryside committing acts of increasing violence as his army grows. Mysticism plays a part in both stories, and Yang’s spare, clean drawing style makes it clear that Vibiana’s visits from Joan of Arc and Bao’s invocation of the powerful Chinese gods are very real to these characters. The juxtaposition of these opposing points of view, both of them sympathetic, makes for powerful, thought-provoking storytelling about a historical period that is not well known in the West.–Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

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The following titles are reviewed in the July print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Elementary and Middle School

CLIFF, Tony. Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant. illus. by author. 170p. First Second. Aug. 2013. pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-813-2.

EATON, Maxwell, III. The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Mud-Slinging Moles. Bk. 3. ISBN 978-0-449-81020-0; ISBN 978-0-449-81019-4. LC 2012034046.
––––. The Flying Beaver Brothers: Birds vs. Bunnies. Bk. 4. ISBN 978-0-449-81023-1; ISBN 978-0-449-81022-4.
ea vol: illus. by author. 96p. Knopf. July 2013. PLB $12.99; pap. $7.99.

EMERSON, Sharon. SPF 40. illus. by Renée Kurilla. 128p. (Zebrafish Series). S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9708-5; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9709-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5034-9. LC 2012014883.

GUIBERT, Emmanuel. Just a Donkey Like You and Me. Bk. 1. tr. from French by Joe Johnson. illus. by Marc Boutavant. 124p. (Ariol Series). Papercutz. 2013. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-59707-399-8.

HARDMAN, John. Little Miss Daredevil: The Incredible Race! illus. by Bryan Beach. ISBN 978-1-4215-4072-6.

KENNY, Michael Daedalus. Mr. Strong: Good Thing I Came Along! illus. by Gabriel Corbera. ISBN 978-1-4215-4073-3.
ea vol: 80p. (Mr. Men Little Miss Series). Viz Media. 2013. pap. $6.99.

KREDENSOR, Diane. Ollie & Moon: Aloha! illus. by author. 48p. (Step Into Reading Comic Readers Series). Random. 2013. PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97131-0; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97950-6; ebook ISBN 978-0-375-98129-6. LC 2012019152.

LEMKE, Donald. The Invincible Boy-Bot. illus. by Douglas Holgate. 128p. (Zinc Alloy Series). Capstone. 2013. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-4342-4597-7.

ROMAN, Dave. Re-Entry. illus. by author. 192p. (Astronaut Academy Series). First Second. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-621-3.

SCHWARZ, Viviane. The Sleepwalkers. illus. by author. 96p. Candlewick. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6230-1. LC 2012947253.

SHELLEY, Mary. Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus: Assembled From the Original Text by Mary Shelley in Three Volumes. adapt. by Gris Grimly. illus. by adapter. 208p. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Aug. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-06-186297-7; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-0-06-223922-8. LC 2010046237.

TATULLI, Mark. Liō: Making Friends. illus. by author. 224p. Andrews McMeel/Amp! Comics for Kids Series. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4494-2558-6. LC 2012952343.

TENNAPEL, Doug. Tommysaurus Rex. illus. by author. 144p. Scholastic Graphix. 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-545-48382-7; pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-545-48383-4. LC 2012945113.

VANSANT, Wayne. The Graphic History of Gettysburg: America’s Most Famous Battle and the Turning Point of the Civil War. illus. by author. 96p. charts. diags. maps. Zenith. 2013. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7603-4406-4.

High School

CHEN, Wei Dong. The Family Plot. Vol. 2. ISBN 978-8-9942-0891-6.
––––.Revenge and Betrayal. Vol. 4. ISBN 978-8-9942-0895-4.
––––.To Pledge Allegiance. Vol. 3. ISBN 978-8-9942-0893-0.
ea. vol: illus. by Xiao Long Liang. 172p. (Three Kingdoms Series). maps. JR*Comics. 2013. pap. $9.99.

DURIEUX, Christian. An Enchantment. tr. from French by Joe Johnson.illus. by author. 72p. notes. NBM/ComicsLit. 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-56163-705-8. LC 2012950214.

LARSON, Hope. Who Is AC? illus. by Tintin Pantoja. 176p. S & S/Atheneum.2013. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6540-4; pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2650-4. LC 2011052616.

Warner Bros. Pictures reboots the character—and the film series—with Man of Steel (PG-13), slated to premiere June 14 in conventional, 3D, and IMAX theaters. Directed by Zack Snyder (Watchmen) and produced by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy), the movie presents a fresh take on Superman’s beginnings. Learning as a young boy that he possesses amazing powers and is different from everyone else, Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) wrestles with questions about where he came from and  what he was sent to Earth to accomplish. However, when the planet and all of mankind are threatened with total destruction, the role he is destined to play soon becomes crystal clear. The cast also includes Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Clark’s adoptive parents, Amy Adams as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as editor-in-chief Perry White, and Russell Crowe as Superman’s Kryptonian father. Played by Michael Shannon, the nefarious General Zod, another surviving Kryptonian and Superman’s equal in abilities, serves as antagonist. Send teens to the official movie website for video trailers, photos, downloads, and more, and suggest a stop at DC Comics “Superman Mini-Site” for a bio and links to comics and movies.

Look! On the Library Shelves! It’s Art! It’s Epic! It’s a Superman Graphic Novel!

Man of Steel will have teens flocking to libraries faster than a speeding bullet for comic book classics about this tried-and-true hero. Stock up on and display some of these Superman standards, guaranteed to grab the eye of YA moviegoers and graphic novel fans.

Part of a DC Comics series designed to re-launch legendary characters with a 21^st-century flair, Superman Earth One (2010; Gr 7 Up) offers a riveting and refreshingly contemporary take on the familiar origin tale. As the story opens, a 20-something Clark Kent arrives in Metropolis to seek his fortune and sets his sights on becoming a reporter for the Daily Planet. Tired of being an outsider, he wants a shot at fitting in and is determined to keep his powers carefully concealed. However, when a powerful conqueror arrives from outer space and threatens Earth with destruction unless the alien he believes to be hidden there reveals himself, Clark must make a difficult choice. J. Michael Straczynski’s script pays homage to the source material with traditional elements and punch-packing action while stirring the pot with unexpected twists, deftly explored coming-of-age themes, smart—often delightfully bantering—dialogue, and powerful characterizations. Sepia-hued flashbacks to scenes of Clark interacting with his adoptive parents and “downloads” revealing the last days on Krypton provide insight into the protagonist’s motivations and struggles to define his identity. Shane Davis’s finely detailed artwork balances gritty modern-day settings and volatile battle scenes with down-to-earth emotion. The adventures—and personal challenges—continue in Volume 2 (2012, both DC Comics).

Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu’s Superman Birthright (2004; Gr 7 Up) opens with the fiery final moments of a distant planet, as a desperate Lara and Jor-El place their beloved infant aboard a small starcraft. Twenty-five years later, the last son of Krypton has left his adopted home of Smallville, Kansas, to travel abroad, launch a journalism career, and figure out how he fits in. Filled with a sense of destiny and longing to use his abilities without causing fear among those around him, he decides to make his powers known, while hiding in plain sight behind the facade—and horned rim glasses— of a purposefully mousy Clark Kent. Superman strips off his button down shirt and makes his debut when unmanned military copters go rogue and endanger Metropolis. Not only is evil genius Lex Luthor pulling the strings behind the attack, but he’s also pushing the public into an anti-Superman hysteria. Sparkling with humor and heartfelt emotion, this origin tale flashes back to a teenage relationship between Clark and Lex, tackles themes of isolation and alienation, and headlines a wonderfully bossy, ballsy, and bright Lois Lane. Featuring a square-jawed Superman, the artwork blends stunning colors with strong lines and bold angles to deliver mythic-scale, kapow-worthy action. The otherworldly protagonist has an innocence and cornball candor that makes him endearingly human.

In Geoff Johns and Richard Donner’s gripping graphic novel, Superman: Last Son of Krypton (DC Comics, 2013; Gr 7 Up), treads new territory when a mysterious rocket crashes to Earth with a single passenger—a young boy identified as Kryptonian—and he steps into the role of parent. Things look dire when General Zod arrives, claiming the boy as his own and intending to transform a conquered Earth into New Krypton, but the child ultimately proves himself a pint-size hero. In a second adventure, Superman tangles with the terrifying Braniac, an artificial intelligence/cyborg bent on “collecting” specimens of species across the galaxy, miniaturizing entire cities, and destroying civilizations (and Earth is the latest target). Action-packed and vibrantly told, this volume includes appearances by Lex Luthor and Supergirl, and a visit to the extra-dimensional (and eerily illustrated) Phantom Zone. The dynamic artwork varies between large-size portraits and rapid-paced panels that illustrate events and add to characterizations.

Bounding from witty to jubilant and movingly tragic, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman (DC Comics, 2011; Gr 7 Up) offers an imaginative, thoughtful, and satisfying take on the “Man of Steel” mythos. Exposed to a lethal dose of solar radiation during a rescue mission, the seemingly invincible Superman faces death. Resolved to use his remaining time wisely, he reveals his secret identity to his ladylove Lois Lane (she doesn’t believe him), gifts her with a potion that allows her temporary superhero status, writes his last will and testament, and saves the day (several times). Meanwhile, Lex Luthor, who is on death row, still manages to sit pretty and engineer evil plots galore. Perfectly paced, the 12 episodes describe individual storylines, with all of the elements and themes interconnecting in clever ways. Moments of introspection and candid emotion are balanced with high-flying antics and humor. The precisely detailed artwork is aglow with luminous hues that augment both action and emotion.

Part of DC Comics’ recently rebooted “New 52” lineup, Morrison’s Action Comics: Superman and the Men of Steel (DC Comics, 2012; Gr 7 Up) features a T-shirt (yes, it’s blue and the symbol is still there), worn jeans, and work-boot-wearing novice who eagerly takes on gangsters and performs valiant rescues. Meanwhile, the loathsome Lex Luthor advises an uneasy military on ways to control what he deems a “powerful and parasitic alien organism.”  However, the real battle is on when Braniac arrives and Earth is in the cross-hairs. Flashbacks and imaginative strokes complete the origin tale of this just-getting-his feet-wet hero, as he tests his abilities, wins the heart of Metropolis, and defines his future role. A fresh and contemporary re-envisioning, illustrated with explosive and muscle-bound artwork.

Superman’s World

Daniel Wallace’s Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel (DK, 2013; Gr 7 Up) provides a comprehensive overview of the character and his ever-evolving comic-book oeuvre. Illustrated throughout with vibrant and crisply reproduced comic book artwork, two-page entries treat Superman’s 1938 origins, costume, powers and weaknesses, home world and Earth locales, allies and enemies, and much more. Perspective is provided on changes and themes associated with different comics eras (from Golden Age to the New 52) with reference to historical events and cultural trends. Key issues are highlighted throughout with backgrounds and plot summaries. Dazzling artwork and lively writing make this a fun-to-browse treat and go-to reference for graphic-novel fans and movie viewers who want to know more.

Publication Information

STRACZYNSKI, J. Michael. Superman Earth One. Vol. 1. illus. by Shane Davis. DC Comics. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781401224684; pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781401224691.

_____. Superman Earth One. Vol. 2. DC Comics. 2012. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781401231965.

WAID, Mark. Superman Birthright. illus. by Leinil Francis Yu. DC Comics. 2004. pap. $19.99. ISBN 9781401202521.

JOHNS, Geoff & Richard Donner. Superman: Last Son of Krypton. illus. by Adam Kubert, Gary Frank, & Jon Sibal. DC Comics. 2013. pap. $19.99. ISBN 9781401237790.

MORRISON, Grant. All-Star Superman. illus. by Frank Quitely. DC Comics. 2011. pap. $29.99. ISBN 9781401232054.

_____. Action Comics: Superman and the Men of Steel. illus. by Rags Morales & Andy Kubert. DC Comics. 2012. pap. $16.99. ISBN 9781401235475.

WALLACE, Daniel. Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel. DK. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781465408754.

From a scratchy nib pen to splatter from a toothbrush, author illustrator Matt Phelan describes the special quality he derives from using traditional media in this clip recorded at School Library Journal‘s Day of Dialog. Featured alongside fellow panelists Lizi Boyd, Oliver Jeffers, Chris Raschka and David Weisner, Phelan described his process for creating a graphic novel in a session on visual storytelling. The May 29 event was held at Columbia University in conjunction with BookExpo America.

CUNNINGHAM, Darryl. How to Fake a Moon Landing: Exposing the Myths of Science Denial. Abrams ComicArts. April 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781419706899.

Gr 7 Up—A great choice for skeptics and the science-minded, this book examines the myths behind seven different cases of bad science, from chiropractic to global warming denial, and ties it all up with a thoughtful essay on the scientific method.

LARSON, Hope. Who Is AC? illus. by Tintin Pantoja. S & S/Atheneum. April 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 9781442426504.

Gr 7 Up—An ordinary girl in a small town suddenly becomes a Sailor Moon-style superhero—but her new role has plenty of complications. This graphic novel feels like the beginning of a series: the characters are solid, and the book has an intriguing premise, with the characters’ online lives taking on physical form, but many plot points, including the shadowy deus ex machina, are left unexplained.

JOHNSON, Mike. Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness. illus. by David Messina. IDW Publishing. April 2013. pap. $17.99. ISBN 9781613776230.

Gr 7 Up—Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the Enterprise crew face off against a former Enterprise captain who is involved in a civil war in this prequel to the recently released movie Star Trek: Into Darkness. Like the movie, this graphic novel (which was originally released as a four-comic miniseries) features the young versions of the original cast. The plot is classic Star Trek, mixing moral dilemmas with clever twists, and the clear-lined, colorful art is easy to follow.

OTTAVIANI, Jim. Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas. illus. by Maris Wicks. First Second. June 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781596438651.

Gr 7 Up—Ottaviani, who is well known for his non-fiction graphic novels about the history of science, tells the story of the three well-known women, all students of Louis Leakey, who went into the wild to study primates in their natural habitat. The story focuses on the women and their lives as scientists, living in their subjects’ natural habitat but also dealing with human obstacles, such as poachers and, occasionally, the unwanted attentions of Leakey himself.

SHEN, Prudence. Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong. illus. by Faith Erin Hicks. First Second. May 2013. pap. $16.99. ISBN 9781596436596.

Gr 7 Up—It’s the robotics team versus the cheerleaders in a battle for funding—until they team up against the grownups and set out to win the money they need in a battle-robot contest. Like the TV show Glee, this book explores the different tribes in a high school and the ways they interact, with plenty of comedy and a few poignant moments as well.

AMANO, Shiro. Kingdom Hearts, Final Mix, Vols. 1 and 2. Yen Press. May 2013. pap. $12.00 each. ISBN 9780316254205 (vol. 1), 9780316254212 (vol. 2).

Gr 8 Up—This manga is one of several series set in the world of the Square Enix/Disney game Kingdom Hearts; it was originally released (in a different format) by TokyoPop. The story, which is complete in these two volumes, revolves around a young boy, Sora, who is searching for his missing friends. In a parallel story, Goofy and Donald Duck search for their king, Mickey Mouse, who has disappeared from the Disney Castle.

NISHIDA, Masafumi. Tiger & Bunny. illus. by Mizuki Sakakibara. Viz. April 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781421555614.

Gr 8 Up—Superheroes compete against one another not only to fight the bad guy, but also to score points in a reality show in this manga, which is based on the anime of the same name. The title characters are an aging superhero and a newcomer who are tossed together as a team by their bosses, despite the fact that they can’t stand each other.

MEYER, Stephenie. New Moon, Vol. 1. illus. by Young Kim. Yen Press. April 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780316217187.

Gr 11 Up—The Twilight saga continues as Bella and Edward face new obstacles in this graphic adaptation of the second novel in the series. This is the first of a two-volume set, with the second volume due out in July 2014.

SOULE, Charles. Strange Attractors. illus.by Greg Scott. Archaia. Tr $19.95. May 2013. ISBN 9781936393626.

Gr 11 Up—A graduate student becomes the disciple of an aging mathematician who is convinced he is keeping New York City from descending into chaos by making small changes, basically manipulating the Butterfly Effect. The authors come up with some imaginative scenarios that will ring true to any New Yorker, and it all comes together in an exciting climax. It’s a good choice for readers who appreciate the “aw, cool!” aspects of science, and the real-world setting makes it accessible to those who might otherwise shy away from science fiction.

The zaniness started in Zero Gravity continues in Astronaut Academy: Re-Entry. It’s springtime and love is in the air. Hakata Soy literally loses his heart—yes indeed, someone is stalking the halls and stealing the hearts of the crushes of the aspiring astronauts! Soy and his fellow classmates have got to get to the bottom of this, and fast. Falling in love has been banned at the academy, and that’s just not right. Visit the Astronaut Academy website now to hear more about the book and to enter the contest. Winners will be drawn at random on May 21.

Shane Black takes over duties as director from Jon Favreau, who helmed the first two Iron Man offerings, who serves here as executive producer, and continues his recurring role as steadfast bodyguard and chauffeur, Happy Hogan. Also returning are Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Stark Industries CEO and Tony’s one true love, and Don Cheadle as Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Stark’s trusted friend, liaison to the U.S. Air Force, and pilot of the War Machine armor suit (newly upgraded and emblazoned in red, white, and blue).

Still reeling from events depicted in The Avengers and struggling to define his identity as Iron Man, Stark comes face to face with a new foe. Not only does this malevolent leader of an extremist terrorist organization threaten the nation, but the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) also strikes at those Tony holds dearest. Meanwhile, the mysteries surrounding the Extremis virus, a serum that imparts incredible strength and healing abilities to human subjects, grow deeper. With his world in tatters, Tony must rely on his innate talents and inventiveness to regroup and rebuild, search for those responsible, and seek out retribution. The cast also includes Guy Pearce as Aldrich Killian, head of a private organization tasked with developing Extremis, and Rebecca Hall as Dr. Maya Hansen, one of the virus’s creators.

Send teens to the official movie website to check out video trailers and featurettes, browse a gallery of photos, and access character bios and downloads. Those looking for a more in-depth preview of the action can download a “Production Notes” PDF (in the “About” section) for behind-the-scenes insights from the filmmakers and actors. Fans can also jet over to the Marvel website for the latest Iron Man 3 news, including a look at Stark’s stash of sleek new armor suits, a series of revealing interviews with movie producer Kevin Feige, and Q&As with cast members.

Books

Beef up your selection of tales about the Golden Avenger with offerings sure to appeal to teen movie—and comics—fans.

Movie Tie-in Graphic Novel

Displaying colorful film photos on both front and back covers (with more movie images inside), Iron Man 3: Prelude (Marvel, 2013; Gr 7 Up) will get readers geared up for the latest installment. The book opens with a graphic novel adaptation of Iron Man 2, which recounts the movie’s plot particulars. As the fast-moving events unfold, Tony is pressured by the U.S. government to turn over his technology, makes contact with Nick Fury and the folks at S.H.I.E.L.D, and repeatedly encounters a brawny and brilliant enemy from his family’s past. It all comes down to a dramatic showdown, made worse when Rhodey’s weapons-laden battle suit prototype (War Machine) is co-opted by the bad guys.

Next up is “Prelude,” an original story that serves as precursor to the new film. Tony presents Rhodey with an improved War Machine suit and tasks him with holding down the hero fort while he completes work on Stark Tower. Kept busy fighting terrorists (who are eventually revealed to be minions of the Mandarin), Rhodey is on the other side of the globe just as Iron Man and his super-powered allies deal with “a situation” in New York City (i.e., the climactic scene in The Avengers movie). Focusing mostly on Rhodey’s escapades, the story establishes War Machine as a courageous, quick-thinking, front-and-center hero, and foreshadows several of the movie’s plot elements. In both stories, clear scripting, bright-hued artwork, and a whirlwind of explosive exploits keep pages turning quickly. The book ends with an excerpt from Iron Man Extremis (see below).

An Extremis Makeover

While the Mandarin is based on a comic book super villain who has taunted Iron Man for decades, other elements of the new movie’s plot find their inspiration in a more recent graphic novel. First published in a six-issue story arc in 2005 and now reissued in a single volume, Warren Ellis and Adi Granov’s Iron Man Extremis (Marvel, 2013; Gr 8 Up) offers an innovative revamping of the armored hero. Struggling with guilt and regret, Stark tries to move beyond the consequences of a past spent designing and selling arms to and define a different sort of future. Meanwhile, a small-time terrorist gets his hands on Extremis, a “super-soldier” solution that hacks into the brain to rewrite—and rev up—the subject’s DNA. Now possessing incredible strength, impenetrable skin, and a knack for breathing fire, Mallen goes on a killing rampage.

When Maya Hansen, the serum’s creator, calls on her old friend Tony for help, Iron Man finds himself woefully outgunned. Gravely injured, Tony is brought back to Maya’s lab and risks taking the only remaining dose of Extremis. He emerges totally healed, fully upgraded (with the ability to store his armor’s undersheath in the hollows of his bones, control it with his thoughts, and access electronic systems worldwide), and ready to rumble. Flashbacks recount Iron Man’s origins and other pieces of the past. Done in graphite grays and deep jewel tones, the detailed artwork has a photorealistic feel that adds nuance to the characters, depicts the fiery (often bloody) action, and suits the story’s ambiance[SD1] . Themes such as taking responsibility for one’s actions, the relevancy and role of the man behind the armor, and the function of technology in the future are deftly incorporated into the breathless battle action.

Marie Javins has written a prose adaptation of Ellis’s graphic novel. Graced with an eye-grabbing cover, Iron Man Extremis (Marvel, 2013; Gr 7 Up) follows the plot basics of the original, while also mixing in bits and pieces of Downey’s signature portrayal of the character and elements from the movie universe. Basic incidents and dialogue are more fleshed out, and the author adds numerous scenes and interactions, including glimpses at Tony’s relationship with Pepper (who does not appear in the graphic novel and remains offstage here) and several escapades that highlight the view from within the suit. Touches of often irreverent humor are sprinkled throughout the narrative, which explores many of the same themes as Ellis’s work. The book’s climax is a bit more spun out, with an emphasis placed on the importance of striving to bring about positive change and the value of second chances. This novel offers a change of pace for comics devotees and an inviting read for movie fans.

Written by Kieron Gillen with art by Greg Land, Iron Man: Believe (Marvel, 2013; Gr 8 Up) kicks into gear when Tony receives an urgent message. Kidnapped and forced to reconstruct Extremis for sale on the black market, Maya Hansen manages to contact him before she is killed. Well aware of the potential danger, Iron Man is determined to track down—and shut down—each of the Extremis enhanciles (the doses contains a hidden and traceable power signature).

Storyline flashbacks and present-day action combine, as the hero’s quest leads him to a malignantly misguided modern-day King Arthur cult. The adventure continues in the home of a Colombian drug kingpin who has a surprisingly compassionate plan for utilizing the virus, then goes under Paris and into the Catacombs for a creepy encounter with hideous homemade demons. Iron Man reaches new heights in a vessel orbiting around Earth where an old friend plans to use Extremis to adapt the human body for deep-space travel. While bad guys abound, so do themes about dreaming big, envisioning the future, and taking on new challenges. The script is sharp and filled with intelligent dialogue as well as one-line zingers, and the slick artwork depicts a self-confident, suave, and square-jawed Stark along with an arsenal of spectacular armor suits, each with its own amazing capabilities

More Ironclad Epics

Set in Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, Nathan Edmondson and Matteo Buffagni’s Ultimate Comics: Iron Man (Marvel, 2013; Gr 8 Up) blasts into vibrant action right from page one, as the hero stops a weapons heist by halting a speeding train. The pace never slows as Tony tangles with the Mandarin (in this alternate realitya shrouded-in-mystery industrial group) and control of dangerous Stark defense satellites hangs in the balance. Flashbacks reveal details of Tony’s relationship with his father, gradually teasing out deep-buried secrets. Reckless and brazen, Tony drops witty remarks as he battles both foes and inner demons. The artwork’s dazzling colors and clean lines keep in step with the non-stop action. Film fans will enjoy a visit to this universe, where iconic characters are re-imagined.

In Iron Man: Season One (Marvel, 2013; Gr 10 Up), Howard Chaykin and Gerald Parel provide an updated version of the hero’s origin tale. Rather than the Cold War backdrop that defined the character’s 1963 comic book debut, or the deserts of the Middle East depicted in the movie franchise, this re-envisioning sets the cataclysmic events in the late 20^th century in a war-torn nation somewhere on the Asian subcontinent. Injured during an on-site visit to Chardistan, the defense industry mogul is kidnapped by terrorists (lead by Maouad Khouri, an old college friend) and forced to work with Professor Yin Sen to build a weapon. Of course, they come up with the Iron Man suit and an audacious plan for escape instead, one that leaves the encampment in ruins and, tragically, results in Yin Sen’s death.

As Tony slowly makes his way home, Stark Industries is besieged by corruption from within, placing the ever-honest Pepper in danger, and Khouri comes back from death’s door, missing several limbs but boosted up with his own armored suit and an insatiable hunger for vengeance. Chaykin strips away more romanticized versions of the protagonist to reveal a troubled, hard-drinking Stark, who gradually begins to feel guilt and remorse over the deadly consequences of his actions, develops a true sense of accountability, and experiences a moment of stunning clarity that sets his course for the future. Like the story, the artwork tends toward darker tones, with sepia hues and soft edges that mix gritty realism with brightly lit epiphanies. Compelling, contemporary, and multifaceted, Season One presents fresh insights into the character while reiterating the timeless qualities that have made Iron Man a decades-enduring hero.

For Younger Teens

Part of Marvel’s “All Ages” lineup, Iron Man (ABDO 2013; Gr 4-8) collects together five tales of the Golden Guardian’s capers told with a lighter touch. Spanning from Fred Van Lente’s “Heart of Steel” (an origin story telling how Iron Man is forged when Tony is captured by the terrorist group A.I.M.) to an adventure that pits the hero and other Avengers against the Mandarin and his incredible rings of power (and an immortal giant-size ant), the brisk-reading offerings are fueled by a satisfying blend of suspense and humor. Zippy dialogue abounds, as do comic beats. The skirmishes are vibrantly depicted in the clean-looking artwork, with plenty of fist-flinging, laser-lobbing, building-decimating action (but no blood). If you’re looking to fill out your graphic novel collection, “Heart of Steel” and a selection of other Iron Man tales in the “Marvel Age” series are available in durable, single-volume library editions from ABDO/Spotlight. Great choices for kids who like their comics heavy on humor, action, and imagination.

Publication Information

GAGE, Christos, et al. Iron Man 3: Prelude. illus. by Ramon Rosanas et al. Marvel. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-6551-4.

ELLIS, Warren. Iron Man Extremis. illus. by Adi Granov. Marvel. 2013. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-8378-5.

JAVINS, Marie. Iron Man Extremis. Marvel. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-6518-7.

GILLEN, Kieron. Iron Man, Vol. 1: Believe. illus. by Greg Land. Marvel. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-6833-1.

EDMONDSON, Nathan. Ultimate Comics: Iron Man. illus. by Matteo Buffagni. Marvel. 2013. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-6617-7.

CHAYKIN, Howard. Iron Man: Season One. illus. by Gerald Parel. Marvel. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-6670-2.

VAN LENTE, Fred, Jeff Parker, Paul Tobin, et al. Iron Man. illus. by Scott Koblish, James Cordeiro, et al. Marvel. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-6794-5.

ALICE, Alex. Siegfried. Vol. 1. illus. by author. 144p. photos. Archaia. 2012. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-9363-9345-9.
Gr 6 Up–After the death of his parents, Siegfried is raised by Mimé, a dwarf who has been ordered to raise him but not teach him about the gods. Siegfried therefore grows up wild and in a tumultuous relationship with a nearby wolf pack, the alpha male of which considers him alien or enemy. As he grows to adulthood, he is destined to take the steps necessary to help Odin steal gold from the dragon Fafnir, but first he must reforge the broken sword of his parents that is his secret legacy. The first of three volumes freely adapting the source material of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, Alice’s version actually follows Wagner’s lead of altering the myth to suit his needs. For those unfamiliar with the story cycle, the book could feel derivative of disparate works, as its presentation here echoes both Tolkien and Kipling, even though its source predates most literature. The illustration is lush and dramatic, with powerful shifts in perspective and storytelling technique. However, the amount of story told is actually quite slim, and half of the book is back matter, featuring interviews with the artist about his relationship with the source material and his work on a possible film adaptation. Bold and attractive, it remains odd that such a small sliver of the epic work is presented here, when all three volumes are available in Europe. For greater fidelity, compare this to P. Craig Russell’s adaptation (Dark Horse, 2002).–Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

ALLISON, Rachel Hope. I’m Not a Plastic Bag. illus. by author. 88p. charts. photos. Archaia. 2012. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-936393-54-1.
Gr 3-6–Who would have thought that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch could evoke readers’ sympathy? Allison personifies the floating accumulation of trash into a being filled with loneliness and longing. Among the plastic bags, bottles, and other debris, a used tire and windblown umbrella appear as eyes. Shifts in the floating morass open “mouths” that reveal words such as “come in” or “hello,” the story’s only text. Extensions from the edges of the garbage monster appear as overgrown hands, sometimes reaching down to a giant squid and other times pointing to the various messages. Meanwhile, more trash arrives from sea and sky, including the carcass of an albatross, dead after ingesting plastic. The puzzling ending has the entire mass rising skyward, followed by the monster’s face shining in the night sky. The images themselves are arresting, providing multiple perspectives from above, below, and on the surface of the floating mass of trash. Allison’s work might serve as a discussion starter to lead in to the information pages about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, endangered species, and ways individuals can help reduce ocean pollution. Environmentalist Jeff Corwin’s introduction explains the problem’s magnitude. Loree Burns’s Tracking Trash(Houghton, 2007) explains how scientists study ocean currents and the movement of debris and includes photos of garbage patches. Ted Kooser’s Bag in the Wind (Candlewick, 2010) combines text and illustrations to follow the multiple owners and uses of a single plastic bag.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

CHEN, Wei Dong. Heroes and Chaos. Vol. 1. illus. by Xiao Long Liang. 176p. (Three Kingdoms Series). maps. JR*Comics. 2013. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-89-94208-89-3; PLB $29.27. ISBN 978-89-94208-90-9.
Gr 5-9–Lots of information and lots of fight scenes are packed into this compact book, which will definitely be educational for readers, if a little overwhelming in terms of the scope of this adventure. Based on the 14th-century novel The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the story focuses on three brothers, Bei Liu, Yu Guan, and Fei Zhang, who turn the tide of some of China’s most epic battles. The line between literature and history is not always a clear one–the story is based on a novel, but the novel was based on history, so Western readers may be confused about which parts of the story are fact or fiction. Heroes and Chaos reads in part like a textbook, with an overview of the story and maps at the beginning of each chapter, followed by the next portion of the story told in graphic-novel form. The illustrations are colorful and filled with action, using an eye-catching mix of panel shapes and sizes that will help readers follow the story. This is definitely an ambitious series, comprising 20 volumes, and it will probably be most useful for educators looking for ways to make Asian history and culture come alive.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

 COUDRAY, Philippe. Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas! illus. by author. 32p. Toon Bks. 2013. RTE $12.95. ISBN 978-1-9351-7922-1. LC 2012022895.
K-Gr 2–Each page is a new comic-book adventure with hilarious Benjamin Bear, his companion Rabbit, and many other forest friends. Kids will laugh out loud at Benjamin as he solves problems in zany, often misguided, ways. Sure to get a giggle: Rabbit bets him that he can’t bring him a squirrel so Benjamin uproots the whole tree and carries it to his friend. The artwork was created using India ink and colored digitally to excellent effect; the animals’ expressions are perfectly rendered and the pictures are sometimes the whole story, in a couple of wordless comics. A funny, smart little book that is definitely interesting enough to hold the attention of reluctant readers.–Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL

DE BONNEVAL, Gwen. William and the Lost Spirit. tr. from French by Anne & Owen Smith. illus. by Matthieu Bonhomme. 160p. Graphic Universe/Lerner. 2013. PLB $30.60. ISBN 978-0-7613-8567-7; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0807-4; ebook $22.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0979-8. LC 2012008115.
Gr 7 Up–At first glance, the action-packed cover illustration of a boy and a goat riding a gryphon, escaping from a fierce green monster, seems at odds with the peaceful-sounding title. But in fact, the spirit of the art captures the spirit of the book. As William sets out to find his father (who might be dead, or lost, or both), he is joined by a knight, a troubadour, and a very unusual goat. Soon he enters a mysterious world that is populated with an amazing cast of characters, including Prester John, dog-faced men, and headless people whose faces are on their chests. The story is enhanced by Bonhomme’s realistic illustrations that mix sepia tones with flashes of brilliant color, and his skillful interpretations of the magical creatures that populate this world will help to fix those creatures in readers’ memories. The book is most remarkable in its layers–it is a magical adventure story, it is the story of a boy trying to find his father, and it is the story of a boy who learns difficult lessons and matures while on his journey. Many teens will be intrigued by this title because of the eye-catching cover and illustrations, and thoughtful readers will be captivated by William and grow with him as he explores his world.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

FRENCH, Renée. Barry’s Best Buddy. illus. by author. 32p. Toon Bks. 2013. RTE $12.95. ISBN 978-1-9351-7921-4. LC 2012022896.
K-Gr 2–When an excited Polarhog wakes Barry up from his peaceful slumber in his boring gray house, promising a surprise, Barry is not impressed. The two friends meander through the woods and past the hat shop, where Polarhog is determined to find the perfect hat for his bird buddy. Throughout the story, ants are seen carrying all kinds of objects that leave a trail for young readers to find Barry’s surprise. This funny story has plenty of jokes to keep reluctant readers’ interest. A few higher vocabulary words like “tragedy,” “bliss,” and “decorate” are sprinkled throughout and add to the richness of this excellent little comic book. The whimsical artwork adds subtle humor to the story. Barry’s expression when he is wearing his hat is perfectly captured, and the tear in his eye when his surprise is finally revealed is poignant and sweet.–Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL

GULLEDGE, Laura Lee. Will & Whit. illus. by author. 192p. Abrams/Amulet. 2013. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0546-5.
Gr 7 Up–Sixteen-year-old Will is afraid of the dark, so she creates light. More specifically, she creates things that emit light: lamps. Since her parents died in a car accident about a year earlier, she’s busied herself with her craft in addition to helping her aunt with the family business, Foxxden Antiques. When a storm comes to town (the titular Whit) and causes a blackout, Will is forced to deal with her greatest fear without the benefit of her most important coping mechanism. How she chooses to do so enables her to redefine herself with courage and hope in the light of her tragic loss. The most striking feature about Gulledge’s second graphic novel is the organic nature of the layouts. Action and dialogue flow smoothly from panel to panel, barely acknowledging their confines. Thick, sumptuous lines separate characters from richly detailed backgrounds, and this is all done in black and white. Gulledge populates her story with unique and likable characters who relate easily and naturally to one another. Will and Whit is a big step up from Page by Paige (Abrams, 2011), showing a little more narrative range and, perhaps, a taste of things to come.–J. M. Poole, Webster Public Library, NY

NAGPAL, Saraswati. Draupadi: Fire-Born Princess. illus. by Manu. 112p. (Campfire Mythology Series).Campfire. 2013. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-93-80741-09-3.
Gr 6-8–Draupadi was a legendary Indian princess marked for a tragic and powerful destiny at a time when gods and mortals existed on Earth together. With the help of her friend Krishna, she navigates a marriage to five husbands, a fight to keep control of her kingdom, a 13-year exile, and, finally, a terrible battle between her husbands and their cousins. The colorful illustrations are drawn with bold lines in a stiff, though realistic style. The story is full of jealousy, passion, and violence, but the formal, portentous language and the details of Draupadi’s intricate family tree may discourage some readers. A family tree at the beginning, explanatory notes throughout the text, and additional information at the end help with comprehension. This informative and unique graphic novel should help to balance collections that have an emphasis on Western mythology.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

OTTAVIANI, Jim. Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas. illus. by Maris Wicks. 144p. bibliog. First Second. June 2013. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-865-1.
Gr 7 Up–This engaging graphic novel (part story, part group biography) introduces readers to three unique women whose different personalities and lives intersected because of their love of primates. They would never have met without the guidance of Louis Leakey, an anthropologist who believed that women were better at studying animals in their native environment because they were more patient and perceptive than men. Over a period of several years, he recruited and inspired these women to study chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and orangutans. The book jumps back and forth among the different narrators, so that each of the women and even Leakey are sharing their views about their work and about one another. In the afterword, Ottaviani explains how he and Wicks wanted to create a story rather than a textbook, and so they combined the facts with some imaginative fictionalizing. While this might not be the best resource for homework assignments, it is an enjoyable and informative read. The illustrations are lively and cartoonish, using a natural palette of browns and greens to tell the story. Overall, the graphic-novel format makes what could be a dry subject more appealing for young people. The story of how each of these women loved primates and lived among them to study their behavior is compelling, and might inspire a whole new generation of scientists to follow in their footsteps.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

TEITELBAUM, Michael & Lewis Helfand. Martin Luther King Jr.: Let Freedom Ring. illus. by Naresh Kumar. 88p. (Campfire Heroes Series). chron. Campfire. 2013. pap. $11.99. ISBN 978-93-80028-69-9.
Gr 5-9–This book covers most of the high points of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and explains his role in shaping American history. However, some information has been omitted, such as the fact that he was not “Martin Luther” at birth but was given that name as a child when his father renamed both of them at the same time. Kumar’s photorealistic illustrations are colorful, but his use of shadowing is sometimes excessive to the point of being distracting. The book would be most useful for reluctant readers who would like to learn more about King’s life and understand why he is considered a hero. A foldout time line called “From Chains to Freedom: Black Emancipation in America” runs from slavery in the 1600s to the beginning of Barack Obama’s presidency in 2009.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

High School

CASTRÉE, Geneviève. Susceptible. illus. by author. 80p. Drawn & Quarterly. 2013. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-77046-088-1.
Gr 9 Up–Susceptible is, in many ways, a challenging book. Readers who look at the front cover may take a longer pause than usual before opening it, as they face down the eyes of a child glaring out at them from underneath her unkempt bangs. The story itself is told using tiny cramped script, forcing readers to tightly focus on the small but powerful words. The character of Goglu has the potential to both attract and repel readers; they can sympathize with her problems dealing with the adults in her life while feeling disappointed with the way she turns to drugs as a coping mechanism. Both the story and the artwork will appeal to fans of Lynda Barry’s Marlys comics–Susceptible also tells the story of a dysfunctional family and introduces many different characters with unappealing appearances and who engage in ugly actions. The black-and-white watercolor illustrations seem simple at first, but the more readers explore this story the more they will start to appreciate the use of shadowing, the unframed empty spaces, and the word balloons that surround and bend around the characters like living things. Long after they have finished reading this book, teens will find themselves thinking about Goglu and the choices she made.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

DE LA CRUZ, Melissa. Blue Bloods: The Graphic Novel. illus. by Alina Urusov. 112p. Hyperion/Disney. 2013.RTE $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3446-6; pap. $11.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3447-3. LC 2011053237.
Gr 8 Up–The first volume in this popular vampire series is now available in graphic format. The story begins with a flashback to a handwritten 1620 diary, chronicling the arrival of vampires with Myles Standish and the early Mayflower colonists. It quickly segues to a contemporary club scene in New York City. Readers meet 15-year-old Schuyler and her classmates from an elite prep school, as well as Bliss, newly arrived from Texas. The girls begin to experience unusual symptoms, including blue veins that form intricate patterns just below the surface of the skin. Schuyler discovers that she and her glamorous young friends are Blue Bloods, a form of fallen angels or vampires. She learns that something is hunting them, even killing some of them, and she is determined to stop their annihilation, even if she must contend with the vampire hierarchy. Graphic devices help readers keep track of the frequently changing scenes and multiple characters. Small black boxes with white lettering provide introductions to the numerous characters, and boxes shaded in pale blue give time and location information. Occasionally the artist uses changes in color palette to signal scene changes. The numerous abrupt changes create a reading experience that is often disjointed, constantly fluctuating among the various characters’ story lines. Realistic art highlights the glamorous lifestyle of these upper-class young “immortals,” and the graphic images of blue-blood veins are particularly effective.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

KOUGA, Yun. Loveless. Vol. 1 & 2. tr. from Japanese by Ray Yoshimoto. illus. by author. 438p. Viz Media.2012. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-4990-3.
Gr 10 Up–After the death of his brother, 12-year-old Ritsuka meets a mysterious college student, Soubi, who claims he will protect him from Septimal Moon. Soubi is devoted to Ritsuka and expresses his love of the younger boy through gifts, acts of ritual devotion, and combat matches where the two are psychically linked as “fighter” and “sacrifice.” This bond overwhelms all other relationships, including the nascent friendship between Ritsuka and bubbly blond Yukio, and Soubi and fellow artist Kio. Children and virgins are drawn with cat ears, while adults are not. This helps fetishize Ritsuka as a pet–the psychic combat literally manifests a collar and chains on him–while also muddling the dominance-tinged way in which Soubi feels obligated to help Ritsuka. Kio goes so far as to call him Ritsuka’s slave. Soubi is further positioned as both a brother figure and a parent substitute, making the lingering sexual tension between the two convoluted in a manner more messy than complex. However, the author illustrates emotional interplay between the two in such a way that readers are meant to think that this is a meeting of soul mates. Other characters play the critical surrogate and express discomfort with the relationship, but their concerns are brushed aside as irrelevant compared to the repeated drawings of Ritsuka and Soubi yearning for each other. This is nothing so much as a jagged piece of emotional wish-fulfillment and sadomasochism disguised as a combat series.–Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

SHINJO, Mayu. Demon Love Spell. Vol. 1. tr. from Japanese by Fetsuchiro Miyaki. illus. by author. 200p. (Shojobeat Series). Viz Media. 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-4945-3.
Gr 10 Up–Miko’s family has the ability to see ghosts and demons. Her powers first manifest themselves when she discovers Kagura, a demon at her school who has been breaking the hearts of her friends while feeding off their sexual energy. Kagura’s presence unearths other, more powerful demons, and Miko must decide if she can trust him to help her fight them. Full of spells, romance, goofy humor, and haunting supernatural sequences, this book has high appeal. Uncluttered panels and clean, bold illustrations heighten the story’s drama. Fans of manga romance should appreciate Kagura’s angular, androgynous good looks, and the love-hate relationship between him and Miko. Though the subject matter is spicy, this is quite clean, consisting mostly of cheeky innuendos and a few abstract dream sequences in which sex is insinuated but not graphically depicted.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

SMITH, Cynthia Leitich. Eternal: Zachary’s Story. illus. by Ming Doyle. 160p. Candlewick. 2013. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5119-0. LC 2012942385.
Gr 9 Up–Whereas Smith’s novel Eternal (Candlewick, 2009) focuses on the character of Miranda and her introduction into the culture of the vampires, called “Eternals,” this graphic-novel companion depicts the same set of events from the perspective of Zachary, Miranda’s depowered guardian angel. Given this forced perspective, the plot and pacing are often confusing because they require knowledge of events that occur in the novel. That this story is formatted as a graphic novel only serves to emphasize these issues, as passages of time are often inexplicable, secondary character motivations are impossible to decipher, and backstory is nonexistent. Doyle’s illustrations are the standout feature here. Her black-and-white ink work is detailed and uses shading to provide clear depth. Furthermore, the framing of each illustration helps to provide a cinematic feel, especially through the use of extreme close-up to highlight facial expressions and character reactions. Overall, this graphic novel cannot break free of its shortcomings and often seems to cram as many supernatural tropes into as few pages as possible. Purchase if students are looking for this specific title after reading the novel.–Ryan F. Paulsen, New Rochelle High School, NY

ALSC Notable Children’s Books

Younger Readers

Drop down to YA Fiction

BARNETT, Mac. Extra Yarn . illus. by Jon Klassen. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-195338-5.

BELL, Cece. Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover. illus. by author. Candlewick. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5475-7.

BINGHAM , Kelly. Z Is for Moose. illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-079984-7; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-079985-4.

BUZZEO, Toni. One Cool Friend. illus. by David Small. Dial. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3413-5.

COAT, Janik. Hippopposites. illus. by author. Abrams/Appleseed. BD $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0151-1.

DACOSTA , Barbara. Nighttime Ninja. illus. by Ed Young. Little, Brown. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20384-5.

DAVIES, Nicola. Just Ducks! illus. by Salvatore Rubbino. Candlewick. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5936-3.

FLEMING, Candace. Oh, No! illus. by Eric Rohmann. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84271-9; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94557-1.

FOGLIANO, Julie. and then it’s spring. illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-624-4.

HALE, Christy. Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building. illus. by author. Lee & Low. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-651-9.

HENKES, Kevin. Penny and Her Doll. illus. by author. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208199-5; PLB $14.89. ISBN 978-0-06-208200-8.

HEST, Amy. Charley’s First Night. illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4055-2.

HOSFORD, Kate. Infinity and Me. illus. by Gabi Swiatkowska. Carolrhoda. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6726-0; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-58013-997-7.

JEFFERS, Oliver. This Moose Belongs to Me. illus. by author. Philomel. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-16103-2.

JOHNSON, D. B. Magritte’s Marvelous Hat. illus. by author. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-55864-6.

KHAN, Hena. Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors. illus. by Mehrdokht Amini. Chronicle. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-08118-7905-7.

KLASSEN, Jon. This Is Not My Hat. illus. by author. Candlewick. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5599-0.

LITWIN, Eric. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. illus. by James Dean. HarperCollins/Harper. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211058-9; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-211059-6; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211061-9.

LOGUE, Mary. Sleep Like a Tiger. illus. by Pamela Zagarenski. Houghton Harcourt. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-64102-7.

LONG, Ethan. Up, Tall and High! illus. by author. Putnam. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25611-0.

LOW, William. Machines Go to Work in the City. illus. by author. Holt. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9050-5.

PATENT, Dorothy Hinshaw. Dogs on Duty: Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond. Walker. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-80272-845-6; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-80272-846-3.

PINFOLD, Levi. Black Dog. illus. by author. Candlewick/Templar. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6097-0 .

REYNOLDS, Aaron. Creepy Carrots! illus. by Peter Brown. S & S. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0297-3; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5309-8.

SCHAEFER, Lola M. One Special Day: A Story for Big Brothers & Sisters. illus. by Jessica Meserve. Hyperion/Disney. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3760-3.

SCHMIDT, Gary D. Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert. illus. by David Diaz. Clarion. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-61218-8.

SEEGER, Laura Vaccaro. Green. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-397-7.

SPRINGMAN, I. C. More. illus. by Brian Lies. Houghton Harcourt. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-61083-2.

STEAD, Philip C. Bear Has a Story to Tell. illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-745-6.

SUTTON, Sally. Demolition. illus. by Brian Lovelock. Candlewick. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5830-4 .

WILLEMS, Mo. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems. illus. by reteller. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210418-2.

WILLEMS, Mo. Let’s Go for a Drive! illus. by author. (Elephant and Piggie Series). Hyperion/Disney. RTE $8.99. ISBN 978-142316482-1.

Middle Readers

APPLEGATE, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. illus. by Patricia Castelao. HarperCollins/Harper. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199225-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210198-3.

BURLEIGH, Robert. George Bellows: Painter with a Punch! Abrams. RTE $18.95. ISBN 9781419701665.

BYRD, Robert. Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. illus. by author. Dial. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3749-5.

CHIN, Jason. Island: A Story of the Galápagos. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-716-6.

CLOSE, Chuck. Chuck Close: Face Book. Abrams. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0163-4.

COLE, Henry. Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad. illus. by author. Scholastic. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-39997-5.

DECRISTOFANO, Carolyn Cinami. A Black Hole Is NOT a Hole. illus. by Michael Carroll. Charlesbridge. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-783-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-073-7.

FREEDMAN, Russell. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship. Clarion. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-38562-4.

GIDWITZ, Adam. In a Glass Grimmly. Dutton. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42581-6.

HOOSE, Phillip. Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95. Farrar. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30468-3.

HOPKINSON, Deborah. Titanic: Voices from the Disaster. Scholastic. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-11674-9.

JENKINS, Steve. The Beetle Book. illus. by author. Houghton Harcourt. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-68084-2.

JOHNSON, Rebecca L. Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead. Millbrook. RTE $30.60. ISBN 978-0-7613-8633-9; ebook $22.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0125-9.

KNOWLES, Jo. See You at Harry’s. Candlewick. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5407-8.

LIN, Grace. Starry River of the Sky. illus. by author. Little, Brown. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12595-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21553-4.

MCKAY, Hilary. Lulu and the Duck in the Park.
Bk. 1. illus. by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-4808-0.

MCPHERSON, Stephanie Sammartino. Iceberg, Right Ahead!: The Tragedy of the Titanic. 21st Century Bks. PLB $33.26. ISBN 978-0-7613-6756-7; ebook $24.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8048-1.

OBED, Ellen Bryan. Twelve Kinds of Ice. illus. by Barbara McClintock. Houghton Harcourt. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-618-89129-0.

PALACIO, R. J. Wonder. Knopf. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86902-0; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96902-7; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89988-1.

RAPPAPORT, Doreen. Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller. illus. by Matt Tavares. Hyperion/Disney. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7868-0890-8.

ROSE, Caroline Starr. May B: A Novel . Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-58246-393-3; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-58246-412-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-58246-437-4.

RUSCH, Elizabeth. The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity. (Scientists in the Field Series). Houghton Harcourt. RTE $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-47881-4.

SCHLITZ, Laura Amy. Splendors and Glooms . Candlewick . Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5380-4; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6246-2.

SHEINKIN, Steve. Bomb: The Race to Build–and Steal–the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon. Roaring Brook/Flash Point. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-487-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-861-3.

STEAD, Rebecca. Liar & Spy. Random/Wendy Lamb. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73743-2; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90665-4; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89953-9.

TURNAGE, Sheila. Three Times Lucky. Dial. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3670-2.

VERNICK, Audrey. Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team. illus. by Steven Salerno. Clarion. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-38557-0.

WOODSON, Jacqueline. Each Kindness. illus. by E. B. Lewis. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24652-4.

Older Readers

ABIRACHED, Zeina. A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return. tr. from French by Edward Gauvin. illus. by author. Lerner/Graphic Universe. PLB $29.27. ISBN 978-0-7613-8568-4; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-57505-941-9; ebook $21.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0047-4.

BLUMENTHAL, Karen. Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different. Feiwel & Friends. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01557-0; pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01445-0; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01461-0.

DE GRAAF, Anne. Son of a Gun. tr. from Dutch. Eerdmans. pap. $8. ISBN 978-0-8028-5406-3.

HARTMAN, Rachel. Seraphina. Random. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86656-2; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96656-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89658-3.

LEVINSON, Cynthia. We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March. Peachtree. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-627-7.

LOWRY, Lois. Son. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-88720-3; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-92851-7.

MANZANO, Sonia. The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. Scholastic. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-32505-9; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-46958-6.

MONTGOMERY, Sy. Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-44315-7.

MURPHY, Jim & Alison Blank. Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis and the Never-Ending Search for a Cure. Clarion . Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-618-53574-3; ebook $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-82268-6 .

PITCHER, Annabel. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece. Little, Brown . Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-17690-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20185-8.

RAPPAPORT , Doreen. Beyond Courage : The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust. Candlewick . Tr $22.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2976-2.

SÁENZ, Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. S & S. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0892-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0894-4.

TELGEMEIER, Raina. Drama. illus. by author. Scholastic/Graphix. Tr $23.99. ISBN 978-0-545-32698-8; pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-545-32699-5.

VOORHOEVE, Anne C. My Family for the War. tr. from German by Tammi Reichel. Dial. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3360-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-1015-7521-5.

All Ages

COOMBS, Kate. Water Sings Blue. illus. by Meilo So. Chronicle. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7284-3.

FARRAR, Sid. The Year Comes Round: Haiku Through the Seasons. illus. by Ilse Plume. Albert Whitman. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-8129-2.

FROST, Helen. Step Gently Out. photos by Rick Lieder. Candlewick. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5601-0.

LEWIS, J. Patrick, ed. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! National Geographic. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-1009-6; PLB $28.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-1054-6.

ZULLO, Germano. Little Bird. tr. from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. illus. by Albertine. Enchanted Lion. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-118-6. YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

(Starred items represent the ‘top ten’ picks in the category)

ANDERSON, Jodi Lynn. Tiger Lily. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200325-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211461-7.

ANDREWS, Jesse. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Abrams/Amulet. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0176-4; ebook $16.95. ISBN 978-1-6131-2306-5.

BACIGALUPI, Paolo. The Drowned Cities. Little, Brown. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-05624-3.

BARDUGO, Leigh. Shadow and Bone. Bk.1.(The Grisha Trilogy). Holt. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9459-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9710-8.

BARNABY, Hannah. Wonder Show. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-59980-9; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-547-59981-6.

BARNES, Jennifer Lynn. Every Other Day. Egmont USA. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-169-3; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-267-6.

BARRACLOUGH, Lindsey. Long Lankin. Candlewick. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5808-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6108-3.

BRAY, Libba. The Diviners. Bk. 1. Little, Brown. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12611-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21464-3.

BRENNAN, Sarah Rees. Unspoken. Bk. 1. (The Lynburn Legacy Series). Random. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87041-5; PLB $21.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97041-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98918-6.

CALAME , Don. Call the Shots. Candlewick. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5556-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6185-4.

CAMERON, Sharon. The Dark Unwinding. Scholastic. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-32786-2; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-46964-7.

CAREY, Janet Lee. Dragonswood. Dial. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3504-0.

CARLTON, Susan. Love & Haight. Holt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8097-1.

CASHORE, Kristin. Bitterblue. Dial. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3473-9.

COATS, J. Anderson. The Wicked and the Just. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-68837-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-68883-1.

CRONN-MILLS, Kirstin. Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Flux. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7387-3251-0.

CROSS, Sarah. Kill Me Softly. Egmont USA. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-323-9; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-324-6.

CROWLEY, Cath. Graffiti Moon. Knopf. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86953-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96953-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98365-8.

DAMICO, Gina. Croak. Houghton/Graphia. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-60832-7; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-547-82256-3.

DANFORTH, Emily M. The Miseducation of Cameron Post. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-202056-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210196-9.

DERTING, Kimberly. The Pledge. S & S. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2201-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2203-2.

DOLLER, Trish. Something Like Normal. Bloomsbury. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-844-1.

ELLISON, Kate. The Butterfly Clues. Egmont USA. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-263-8; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-268-3.

FAMA, Elizabeth. Monstrous Beauty. Farrar. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37366-5; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-429-95546-1.

FARISH, Terry. The Good Braider. Amazon. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-6267-5; ebook $7.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-6268-2.

FFORDE, Jasper. The Last Dragonslayer. Bk. 1. (Chronicles of Kazam Series). Houghton Harcourt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-73847-5; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-93542-3.

FITZPATRICK, Huntley . My Life Next Door. Dial. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3699-3.

GAGNON, Michelle. Don’t Turn Around. HarperCollins/Harper. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210290-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-210292-8.

GAUGHEN, A. C. Scarlet. Walker. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2346-8.

GRANT, Michael. BZRK. Bk. 1. Egmont USA. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-312-3; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-313-0.

GRANT, Michael & Katherine Applegate. Eve & Adam. Feiwel & Friends. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-312-58351-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-250-02648-4.

GREEN, John. The Fault in Our Stars. Dutton. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47881-2.

HALPERN, Julie. Have a Nice Day. Feiwel & Friends. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-60660-2; ebook ISBN 978-1-466-82753-0.

HAND, Elizabeth. Radiant Days. Viking. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01135-3; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-101-56704-3 .

HARRINGTON, Hannah. Speechless. Harlequin Teen. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-373-21052-7.

HARTMAN, Rachel. Seraphina. Random. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86656-2; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96656-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89658-3.

HIAASEN, Carl. Chomp. Knopf. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86842-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96842-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89895-2.

JOHNSON, Angela. A Certain October. S & S. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-689-86505-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-1726-7.

JORDAN, Dream. Bad Boy . St. Martin’s/Griffin. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-54997-8.

KAGAWA , Julie. The Immortal Rules. Bk. 1. (The Blood of Eden Series). Harlequin Teen. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-373-21051-0; ebook $14.99. ISBN 978-1-459-22704-0.

KINCAID, S. J. Insignia . HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209299-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209301-1.

KINDL, Patrice. Keeping the Castle. Viking. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01438-5.

KING , A. S. Ask the Passengers. Little, Brown. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-19468-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-21453-7.

KNOWLES, Jo. See You at Harry’s. Candlewick. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5407-8.

KOKIE , E. M. Personal Effects. Candlewick. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5527-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6203-5.

KONTIS, Alethea. Enchanted. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-64570-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-82235-8.

LACEY, Josh. Island of Thieves. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-547-76327-9; ebook $15.99. ISBN 978-0-547-82232-7.

LACOUR , Nina. The Disenchantments. Dutton. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42219-8.

LAFEVERS, R. L. Grave Mercy. Bk. 1. (His Fair Assassin Series). Houghton Harcourt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-62834-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-82241-9.

LAKE, Nick. In Darkness. Bloomsbury. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-743-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-820-5.

LANAGAN, Margo. The Brides of Rollrock Island. Knopf. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86919-8; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96919-5; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98930-8.

LARBALESTIER, Justine & Sarah Rees Brennan. Team Human. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208964-9; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208966-3.

LEAVITT, Martine. My Book of Life by Angel. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-35123-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-374-35124-3.

LEE, Y.S. The Traitor in the Tunnel: A Mary Quinn Mystery. Bk. 3. (The Agency Series). Candlewick . Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5316-3; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-763-65959-2.

LEVEEN, Tom. Zero. Random. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86921-1; RTE $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96921-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98932-2.

LEVINE, Kristin. The Lions of Little Rock. Putnam. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25644-8.

LEVITHAN, David. Every Day. Knopf. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-307-93188-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97111-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97563-8.

LYGA, Barry. I Hunt Killers. Little, Brown. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12584-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20174-2.

MAAS, Sarah J. Throne of Glass. Bloomsbury. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-695-9; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-939-4.

MACCOLL, Michaela. Promise the Night. Chronicle. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7625-4.

MCCORMICK, Patricia. Never Fall Down. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-173093-1; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-173094-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211442-6.

MCDONALD, Ian. Planesrunner. Bk. 1. (Everness Series). PYR. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61614-541-5.

MACKALL, Dandi Daley. The Silence of Murder. Random/Alfred A. Knopf. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86896-2; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96896-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89981-2.

MCQUERRY, Maureen Doyle. The Peculiars. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0178-8; ebook $16.95. ISBN 978-1-6131-2308-9.

MAGOON, Kekla. Fire in the Streets. S & S/Aladdin. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2230-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2232-2.

MARCHETTA, Melina. Froi of the Exiles. Bk. 2. (The Lumatere Chronicles). Candlewick. RTE $18.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4759-9; ebook $18.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5966-0.

MARILLIER, Juliet. Shadowfell. Bk. 1. (Shadowfell Series). Knopf. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86954-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96954-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98366-5.

MATSON, Morgan. Second Chance Summer. S & S. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9067-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4391-5752-7.

MAZER, Harry & Peter Lerangis. Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am. S & S. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-3895-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4990-9.

MEYER, Marissa. Cinder. Bk. 1. (Lunar Chronicles Series). Feiwel & Friends. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64189-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4668-0011-3.

MICHAELIS, Antonia. The Storyteller. tr. from German by Miriam Debbage. Abrams/Amulet. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0047-7.

MIÉVILLE, China. Railsea. Del Rey. Tr $18. ISBN 978-0-345-52452-2.

MYERS, Kate Kae. The Vanishing Game. Bloomsbury. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-694-2.

NELSON, Vaunda Micheaux. No Crystal Stair: A Novel in Documents, Based on the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller. illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Carolrhoda Lab. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6169-5; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8727-5.

NEWMAN, Lesléa. October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard. Candlewick. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5807-6.

NIELSEN, Jennifer A. The False Prince. Bk. 1. (The Ascendance Trilogy). Scholastic. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-28413-4; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-39249-5 .

NIX, Garth. A Confusion of Princes. HarperCollins/Harper. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-009694-6; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-009695-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-221356-3.

OPPEL, Kenneth. Such Wicked Intent. Bk. 2. (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein).
S & S. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0318-5; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0319-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0320-8.

PEARCE, Jackson. Purity. Little, Brown. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18246-1; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20198-8.

POBLOCKI, Dan. The Ghost of Graylock. Scholastic. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-40268-2.

PRATCHETT, Terry. Dodger. HarperCollins/Harper. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200949-4; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-200950-0; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-0-06-219015-4.

QUICK, Matthew. Boy 21. Little, Brown. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12797-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-19314-6.

RIVERS, Karen. The Encyclopedia of Me. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-31028-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-46951-7.

ROSSI, Veronica. Under the Never Sky. HarperCollins/Harper. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-207203-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-207205-4.

RUBENS, Michael. Sons of the 613. Clarion. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-61216-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-544-08044-7.

SÁENZ, Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. S & S. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0892-0; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0894-4.

SCHREFER, Eliot. Endangered. Scholastic. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-16576-1; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-47001-8.

SCHREIBER, Joe. Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-57738-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-547-67763-7.

SCHUMACHER, Julie. The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls . Delacorte. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73773-9; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90685-2; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98571-3.

SELFORS, Suzanne. The Sweetest Spell. Walker. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2376-5.

SHERMAN, Delia. The Freedom Maze. Big Mouth House. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781931520300; ebook $9.95. ISBN 9781931520409.

SONNENBLICK, Jordan. Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip. Scholastic. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-32069-6; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-39311-9.

STIEFVATER, Maggie. The Raven Boys. Bk. 1. (The Raven Cycle). Scholastic. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-42492-9; ebook $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-46979-1.

SUMMERS, Courtney. This Is Not a Test. St. Martin’s. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-65674-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-250-01181-7.

TREGAY, Sarah. Love & Leftovers. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-202358-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209935-8.

VIVIAN, Siobhan. The List. Scholastic/PUSH. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-16917-2.

VOLPONI, Paul. The Final Four. Viking. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01264-0.

WASSERMAN, Robin. The Book of Blood and Shadow. Random/Knopf. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86876-4; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96876-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89961-4 .

WEIN, Elizabeth. Code Name Verity. Hyperion/ Disney. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-5219-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-5325-2.

WOODSON, Jacqueline. Beneath a Meth Moon. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25250-1.

WOOLSTON, Blythe. Catch & Release. Carolrhoda Lab. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-7755-9; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8725-1.

ZETTEL, Sarah. Dust Girl. (The American Fairy Trilogy). Random. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86938-9; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96938-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98318-4.

Great Graphic Novels for Teens

(Starred items represent the ‘top ten’ picks in the category)

Nonfiction

ABIRACHED , Zeina. A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return. tr. from French by Edward Gauvin. illus. by author. Lerner/Graphic Universe. PLB $29.27. ISBN 978-0-7613-8568-4; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-57505-941-9; ebook $21.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0047-4.

BACKDERF, Derf. My Friend Dahmer. illus. by author. Abrams. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0216-7; pap. $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0217-4.

FETTER-VORM, Jonathan. Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb. illus. by author. Hill and Wang. Tr $22. ISBN 978-0-809-09468-4.

GOODWIN, Michael. Economix: How and Why Our Economy Works (and Doesn’t Work), in Words and Pictures. illus. by Dan E. Burr. Abrams. pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8839-2.

HALE , Nathan. Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy. illus. by author. Abrams/Amulet. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0396-6.

LAMBERT, Joseph. Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller. illus. by author. (The Center for Cartoon Studies Series). Hyperion/Disney. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1336-2.

O’CONNOR, George. Hades: Lord of the Dead. Bk. 4. illus. by author. (Olympians Series). First Second/A Neal Porter Bk. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-434-9; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-761-6.

QUINN, Jason . Steve Jobs: Genius by Design. illus. by Amit Tayal. Campfire. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9789380028767.

Fiction

AZZARELLO, Brian. Wonder Woman: Vol. 1: Blood. illus. by Cliff Chiang & Tony Akins. (The New 52!). DC Comics. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781401235635.

BENDIS, Brian Michael. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man. Vol. 1. illus. by Sara Pichelli. Marvel Comics. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-5712-0.

BENDIS, Brian Michael. Ultimate Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man. illus. by Mark Bagley. Marvel Comics. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-5274-3.

BERMEJO, Lee. Batman: Noël. illus. by author. DC Comics. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781401232139.

BROWN, Tom & Nimue Brown. Hopeless, Maine Vol 1: Personal Demons. illus. by Tom Brown. Archaia Entertainment. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-936393-57-2.

CAREY, Mike. Sigil: Out of Time. illus. by Leonard Kirk. Marvel Comics. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-07851-5622-2.

COSBY, Nate. Cow Boy Vol. 1: A Boy and His Horse. illus. by Chris Eliopoulos. Archaia Entertainment. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-936393-67-1.

COSTA, Mike & Jon Armstrong. Smoke and Mirrors. illus. by Ryan Browne. IDW. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-61377-402-1.

DEFILIPPIS, Nunzio & Christina Weir. Avalon Chronicles: Once in a Blue Moon. Vol. 1. illus. by Emma Vieceli. Oni Pr. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-934964-75-0.

GAULD, Tom. Goliath. illus. by author. Drawn and Quarterly. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781770460652.

GIALLONGO, Zack. Broxo. illus. by author. First Second. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-551-3.

GRAHAM, Brandon. King City TP. illus. by author. Image Comics. pap. $19.99. ISBN 9781607065104.

HATKE, Ben . Legends of Zita the Spacegirl. illus. by author. First Second. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-806-4; pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-447-9.

HICKS, Faith Erin. Friends with Boys. illus. by author. First Second. pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-556-8.

INZANA, Ryan. Ichiro. illus. by author. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-547-25269-8.

ISAYAMA, Hajime. Attack on Titan 1. illus. by author. Kodansha. pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-1-61262-024-4.

JEON, Hey-jin. Lizzie Newton: Victorian Mysteries Vol.1. illus. by Ki-ha Lee. Seven Seas. pap. $11.99. ISBN 9781935934806.

KASHYAP, Keshni. Tina’s Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary. illus. by Mari Araki. Houghton Harcourt. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-618-94519-1. ebook. $18.95. ISBN 978-0-547-60786-3.

KOVAC, Tommy. The Royal Historian of Oz. illus. by Andy Hirsch. SLG Publishing. pap. $14.95. ISBN 9781593622169.

KWITNEY, Alisa, et al. A Flight of Angels. illus. by Rebecca Guay. Vertigo. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781401232009; pap. $17.99. ISBN 9781401221478.

L’ENGLE, Madeline. A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel. adapted by Hope Larson. illus. by adapter. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-374-38615-3.

LEPP, Royden. Rust Vol 1: Visitor in the Field. illus. by author. Archaia Entertainment. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-936393-27-5.

LONG, Mark & Jim Demonakos. The Silence of Our Friends. illus. by Nate Powell. First Second. pap. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-618-3.

MEREY, Ilike. a + e 4ever. illus. by author. Lethe Press. pap. $18. ISBN 978-1-59021-390-2.

MORRISON, Grant. Joe the Barbarian Deluxe Edition. illus. by Sean Murphy. Vertigo. Tr $29.99. ISBN 9781401229719.

MURAKAMI, Takashi. Stargazing Dog. illus. by author. NBM/ComicsLit. pap. $11.99. ISBN 978-1-56163-612-9.

NEEL, Julien. Secret Diary. Bk. 1. tr. from French by Carol Klio Burrell. illus. by author. (Lou! Series). Lerner/Graphic Universe. PLB $27.93. ISBN 978-0-7613-8776-3; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8868-5; ebook $20.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0099-3.

PETTY, JT. Bloody Chester. illus. by Hilary Florido. First Second. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-100-3.

PHAM, Thien. Sumo. First Second. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-581-0.

RIOUX, Jo. The Golden Twine. Bk. 1. illus. by author. (Cat’s Cradle Series). Kids Can. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-636-8; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-637-5.

ROZUM, John. Xombi. illus. by Fraser Irving. DC Comics. pap. $14.99. ISBN 9781401233464.

SHINKAI, Makoto. 5 Centimeters per Second. tr. from Japanese by Melissa Tanaka. illus. by Yukiko Seike. Vertical. pap. $18.95. ISBN 978-1-932234-96-1.

SIMONE, Gail. Bat girl Vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection. illus. by Ardian Syaf. (The New 52!). DC Comics. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781401234751; pap. $14.99. ISBN 9781401238148.

SMITH, Mark Andrew. Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors. Vol. 1. illus. by Armand Villavert. Image Comics. pap. $15.99. ISBN 9781607061151.

SNYDER, Scott. Batman Vol. 1: The Court of Owls. illus. by Greg Capullo. (The New 52!). DC Comics. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781401235413.

TELGEMEIER, Raina. Drama. illus. by author. Scholastic/Graphix. Tr $23.99. ISBN 978-0-545-32698-8; pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-545-32699-5.

TENNAPEL, Doug. Cardboard. illus. by author. Scholastic/Graphix. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-545-41872-0; pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-545-41873-7.

THUNG, Diana. August Moon. illus. by author. Top Shelf. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-60309-069-8.

TOMA, Rei. Dawn of the Arcana. Vol. 1. ISBN 978-1-4215-4104-4.
_____. Dawn of the Arcana. Vol. 2. ISBN 978-1-4215-4105-1.
ea vol: tr. from Japanese by Alexander O. Smith. illus. by author. Viz Media. pap. $9.99.

TOMORI, Miyoshi. A Devil and Her Love Song, Vol. 1. tr. from Japanese. illus. by author. Viz Media. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4215-4164-8.

WAID, Mark. Daredevil. Vol. 1. illus. by Paolo Manuel Rivera & Marcos Martin. Marvel Comics. pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-5238-5.

WESTERFELD, Scott & Devin Grayson. Uglies: Shay’s Story. illus. by Steven Cummings. Del Rey. pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-0-345-52722-6.

WILSON, G. Willow. Mystic: The Tenth Apprentice. illus. by David Lopez. Marvel Comics. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-5608-6.

WOODING, Chris. Pandemonium. illus. by Cassandra Diaz. Scholastic/Graphix. Tr $22.99. ISBN 978-0-545-25221-8; pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-439-87759-6.

YANG, Gene, Michael Dante DiMartino, & Bryan Konietzko. Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Part 1. ISBN 978-1-59582-811-8.
_____. Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Part 2. ISBN 978-1-59582-875-0.
ea vol: illus. by Gurihiru. Dark Horse. pap. $10.99

Tarry a While in Oz

Grant Curtis’s The Art of Oz the Great and Powerful (Disney Editions, 2013; Gr 6 Up) sets the scene by introducing the life and work of Baum in a chapter sprinkled with quotes from the Oz series, archival photos, and W. W. Denslow’s original illustrations. Lengthy sections replete with commentary from the film’s creators delve into the details of the production design, costumes and characters, makeup, visual effects, and casting. The author makes clear how these various elements interrelate and contribute to the overall storytelling, creating a production that strives to remain true to the source material while fashioning a unique and fresh interpretation and ultimately answering screenwriter Mitchell Kapner’s burning question: “How did the Wizard become the Wizard?” The behind-the-scenes tidbits are fascinating and the pages are packed with stunning large-size images including photos (film stills, candid close-ups, and on-set shots), concept designs, and production paintings (many stretching across double spreads). A fun-to-browse volume for film fans and Oz lovers.

Movie viewers may want to read or re-visit the original work that inspired this prequel film and perhaps continue on with the series. If you need to spiff up your holdings, consider new reissues of Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz (both Disney, 2013). These handsome volumes feature cloth spines, elegant gold leafing, and cover images from the original illustrators, Denslow for the first title and John R. Neill for the second, both colorfully repainted. Introductions by the film’s Oz, James Franco, and screenwriter Mitchell Kapner appear respectively, and a full-color movie concept painting graces each back cover.

Provide your readers with a fresh take on Baum’s beloved realm by recommending an enchanting series of graphic novel adaptations penned by Eisner Award-winner Eric Shanower and illustrated by Skottie Young. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (2009), The Marvelous Land of Oz (2009), Ozma of Oz (2011), and Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (2013, all Marvel; Gr 5-9) are currently available, with more entries to come. Brimming with madcap charm, these fast-reading retellings pair well-written scripts with exuberant, bright-hued artwork to capture the whimsy and adventure of the original tales. Baum’s magical places and quirky characters explode off the pages.

Step Through a Portal to Another World

Like Oscar Diggs, these books feature protagonists who are transported from our own familiar world to another realm, where they encounter exhilarating adventures and come face to face with conundrums that challenge their perceptions and abilities, uncover hidden aptitudes, and help them learn about themselves.

Travel to Fantastical Lands

Bored with her ho-hum life in WWII-era Omaha, 12-year-old September readily accepts an invitation from the Green Wind to visit Fairyland, and climbs out of the kitchen window and onto the back of a flying leopard. Her expectations for a grand adventure are soundly met, as she makes new friends (including an amiable Wyverary—offspring of a dragon and a library); takes on the evil Marquess (a fickle foot-stamping girl who rules over everyone with tyrannical cruelty); and ultimately discovers the courage and can-do attitude needed to set things right. Catherynne M. Valente’s The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (2011; Gr 5-9) mixes once-upon-a-time magic with droll wisdom, and Ana Juan’s playful sketches depict the nonstop action with fairytale flair. The book’s vibrant storytelling, densely layered wonders, and astute epiphanies will appeal to a broad age range. Look for the sequel, The Girl Who Fell beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (2012, both Feiwel & Friends).

Like September, Candy Quackenbush abandons an unhappy existence in Chickentown, MN, when she passes through a derelict lighthouse and leaps into the Abarat (HarperCollins, 2002; Gr 7 Up), a mystical archipelago consisting of 25 islands, one for each hour of the day, plus the mysterious Twenty-Fifth Hour. Suddenly, Candy finds herself caught in a power struggle between the frightening magic-using Lord of Midnight and the callus technology-obsessed leader of Commexo City. Navigating one tumultuous adventure after another, Candy is gradually and convincingly transformed from insecure school girl to resourceful heroin ready to embrace her destiny. Clive Barker’s lyrical writing and atmospheric full-color paintings introduce a spectacularly detailed and gloriously imagined realm peopled with an assortment of breathtakingly bizarre creatures—villains and allies alike. Coming-of-age themes as well as thought-provoking reflections on the real world are interwoven with intricate plot twists, political intrigue, and a cavalcade of close scrapes. The first in a series, this tale will appeal to readers who enjoy digging into epic-scale fantasy.

Dubbed a “late bloomer” by his mother, Perry Eckert is sent off to summer camp to interact with other kids and discourage his obsession with the role-playing game, Creatures and Caverns. However, when the 15-year-old follows what looks to be a real-life character from the game into the woods, fantasy suddenly becomes reality. Following the instructions of the mysterious Mortin Enaw (a red man with a tail), the teen travels (rather creatively, by simultaneously touching a car battery and a mushroom) to the world of The Other Normals (Balzer & Bray, 2012; Gr 7-10), a place inhabited by humanoids and fantastical hybrid creatures. Here, he discovers that the resident princess has been captured by “a horrific mutant beast… with a hundred ten eyes and poison fangs” and can only be saved by Perry’s ability to obtain his first kiss. Many entertaining plot twists and humorous moments later, Perry, buoyed up by the attention of a smart and attractive local girl named Ada, begins to realize that in this world, he’s more Galahad than geek, and that his newfound heroism just might be transferrable. Revved up with RPG terminology and a spot-on dweeb perspective (and lots of adolescent testosterone), Ned Vizzini’s lively first-person narration is antic-filled and laugh-out-loud funny.

Go Down the Rabbit Hole with Alice

A. G. Howard’s Splintered (Amulet, 2013; Gr 9 Up) shakes up the traditional Lewis Carroll tale with a contemporary skater-girl heroine, loads of eerie imagery and nightmarish happenings, and a fervent dose of romance. Alyssa, 16, the great-great-great-granddaughter of the famous Alice Liddell, has the perplexing ability to hear the thoughts of plants and insects. Her family has long been plagued by mental illness, and she fears that she will end up institutionalized like her mother. However, things change when she’s visited by Morpheus, the dangerously magnetic and darkly handsome netherling who has long haunted her dreams. He invites her to step through a mirror into Wonderland, set right the wrongs that were perpetuated long ago by Alice, and end the family curse of madness. Filled with much more menacing versions of Carroll’s well-known characters, this realm is frightening and volatile, and Alyssa can’t figure out whom to trust. Though she has inadvertently brought along her overprotective best friend Jeb (hottie extraordinaire and her secret crush), she soon discovers that she must rely upon her own abilities and take charge of her fate. Set against a backdrop that’s at once familiar and startlingly original, Alyssa’s transformation is mesmerizing and empowering. Satisfyingly sensual, delightfully dark, and absolutely riveting.

In QuinRose’s Alice in the Country of Hearts (Yen Pr., 2012; Gr 9 Up), a manga based on a Japanese video game and illustrated by Soumei Hoshino, the dozing protagonist is abducted from her garden by a handsome young man with rabbit ears. Arriving in Wonderland, the somewhat-dazed but gutsy-as-ever Alice soon discovers that she has landed in the middle of a bewildering “game” with undisclosed rules. Meanwhile, hunky humanoid versions of the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and other Wonderland denizens vie for her affections. Simultaneously intriguing and inscrutable, alluring and alarming, they tote firearms, which they use with ruthless abandon, and are engaged in a violent mafia-style turf war. It’s a rollercoaster ride of events and emotions as Alice tries to sort through the many mysteries of Wonderland and find her way home. The costumes and settings have a funky tea-party-chic meets steampunk aura, and the script is wryly funny, seductively sinister, and a tad risqué. This manga series is presented in three omnibus editions, and spinoffs are also available.

Cruise the Multiverse

Everett’s world is thrown off kilter when his physicist father, Tejendra Singh, is kidnapped right before his eyes from a London street. The 14-year-old soon receives an email from his dad containing a sophisticated computer program, dubbed the Infundibulum, and employs his own math genius to unlock its secrets and create a map of an infinite number of parallel earths. It’s all been kept hush hush, but Everett finds a way to locate the Heisenberg Gate that Tejendra helped to build and follow his father’s trail to an alternate earth—a steampunk-style England that runs on electricity. However, intimidating bad guys from a plentitude of universes are hot on his heels and looking to grab the Infundibulum for themselves. Everett’s luck changes when he finds an ally in the street-savvy Sen Sixsmyth, an Airish girl and adopted daughter of the captain of the magnificent dirigible Everness. Smart and infinitely readable, Ian McDonald’s Planesrunner (2011; Gr 7 Up) is set in an elaborately imagined universe and stars a cast of compelling and unique characters. Cutting-edge scientific concepts are blithely blended with the heart-pumping action. Embellished with tech-speak, the exotic flavors of Punjabi cuisine, and bantering dialogue in a secret Airish language (glossary appended), the narrative unfurls with both humor and honest emotion. The world-spanning adventures continue with Be My Enemy (2012, both Pyr).

After purchasing a mysterious black jade ring from an outdoor vendor, a Chinese-American high school student walks through the St. Louis Arch and is astounded to discover that she has passed through a Gateway (Viking, 2009; Gr 7-10) to another “iteration” of her world. In this alternate universe, the majority of people in the area as well as members of the ruling class are Han (Chinese), with other races making up the poor lower classes. Confused and frightened, Daiyu is greeted by a handsome young man, a cangbai (Causasian) named Kalen, and taken to safety. She learns that she has been brought to this world to accomplish an important mission: she must send the Prime Minister—a dimension-spanning traveler who has wormed his way into power and is determined to release havoc on Jia—back to his own iteration. However, Chenglei is disconcertingly charismatic, and Diayu is unsure if what she’s been told is true. And the prospect of her return trip home becomes more complicated when she finds herself falling for Kalen. Sharon Shinn’s fast-reading fantasy is propelled by political intrigue and heart-soaring romance.

In Emily Hainsworth’s Through to You (Balzer & Bray, 2012; Gr 9 Up), 17-year-old Camden Pike is devastated by the death of his girlfriend, Viv, in a recent car wreck, and feels as though it should have been him. Emotionally unstable, he can’t believe his eyes when he meets a shadowy apparition during a visit to Viv’s memorial. Nina, in fact, isn’t a ghost, but a girl who has traveled through a gateway at the site of the accident from a parallel world, one in which Cam is dead and Viv is still alive. Just how far will Cam go to be reunited with his beloved? However, things are not quite the same in Nina’s realm, and as dark secrets are revealed, he must make a heartrending choice before the door is closed forever. Cam’s first-person narrative believably portrays his emotional melt-down and poignant revelations (and is strewn with strong language and mature situations). Featuring an inter-dimensional love triangle and lots of heady romance, this thriller will keep readers swiftly turning pages.

Publication Information

CURTIS, Grant. The Art of Oz the Great and Powerful. photos. by Merie Wallace. Disney Editions. pap. $40. ISBN 978-142317091-4.

BAUM, L. Frank. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. ISBN 978-142317126-3.

_____. The Marvelous Land of Oz. ISBN 978-142317127-0.

Ea vol: Disney. 2013. Tr $16.99.

SHANOWER, Eric. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 2009. Tr ISBN 978-07851-2921-9; pap. ISBN 978-07851-4590-5.

_____. The Marvelous Land of Oz. 2010.  Tr ISBN 978-07851-4028-3; pap. ISBN  978-07851-4087-0.

_____. Ozma of Oz. 2011. Tr ISBN 978-0785142478; pap. ISBN  978-

07851-4248-5.

_____. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz. 2013. pap. ISBN 978-0-7851-5555-3.

Ea vol: illus. by Skottie Young. Marvel. Tr $29.99; pap. $19.99.

VALENTE, Catherynne M. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. illus. by Ana Juan. 2011. Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64961-6; pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781250010193; ebook $6.99. ISBN 9781429923132.

BARKER, Clive. Abarat. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 2002. pap. $8.99. ISBN 9780060596378; ebook $8.99. ISBN 9780062044013.

VIZZINI, Ned. The Other Normals. Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-207990-9; ebook $11.99. ISBN 978-0-06-207992-3.

HOWARD, A. G. Splintered. Amulet/Abrams. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0428-4.

QUINROSE. Alice in the Country of Hearts. Vol. 1. ISBN 978-0-316-21269-4.

_____. Alice in the Country of Hearts. Vol. 2. ISBN 978-0-316-21272-4.

_____. Alice in the Country of Hearts. Vol. 3. ISBN 978-0-316-21268-7.

Ea vol: illus. by Soumei Hoshino. Yen Pr. 2012. pap. $18.99.

MCDONALD, Ian. Planesrunner. Pyr/Prometheus. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61614-541-5.

SHINN, Sharon. Gateway. Viking. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01178-0; ebook $14.99. ISBN 9781101148839.

HAINSWORTH, Emily. Through to You. Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209419-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-209421-6.

The Legend of Zelda

Published by Dark Horse Comics in North America, in conjunction with Nintendo, Hyrule Historia features concept art, the official history of the world of Hyrule and the work of a pair of Japanese manga artists, who go by the pen name of Akira Himekawa. Their combined previous manga works include The Dragon Dreams of Twilight (2011), Astro Boy (2003), The Legend of Zelda manga adaptions, and more. This title will be considered the bible for Zelda fans and provides a great foundation for a costume/gaming night program for your teens—and it’s also bound to inspire fan fiction and art contests.

Twelve months ago, when we chose 2011’s best graphic novels, we predicted that this year’s list would be even better—and we were right.

More and more creators of graphic novels for kids are really starting to hit their stride, including Raina Telgemeier, Doug TenNapel, Chris Schweizer, and Faith Erin Hicks, whose most recent works appear on our 2012 list. And there’s always room on our top 10 list for a promising newcomer: Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin’s “Princeless” series nabbed two nominations for an Eisner Award (the equivalent of an Oscar) in 2011, when it was published in single issues, and we were bowled over by this year’s graphic novel version.

What’s happening in the wider world of comics? Licensed graphic novels remain red-hot, as young readers continue to flock to familiar entries such as the “Ninjago” series (Papercutz), which follows the escapades of four martial-arts-loving Lego ninjas. And now that graphic novels for kids have been around for a while, some older series are being revived, including full-color editions of Ted Naifeh’s “Courtney Crumin” (Oni) and a stunning black-and-white collection of Tania del Rio’s manga-style “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (Archie).

Without further ado, here are our favorite comics of the year:

1. Drama by Raina Telgemeier. There’s plenty of drama both on and off stage in Telgemeier’s new middle grade graphic novel. Callie is crazy about the stage, but unfortunately, that’s not where her talent lies. Still, she’s content to work backstage, and there’s no shortage of drama there, including romantic interests, best-friend woes, and classmates who are grappling with their sexual identities. Telgemeier’s playful, passionate, and boisterous artwork fits the text perfectly. And like her previous title, Smile (2010, both Scholastic Graphix), the new one is bound to be a big hit with her target audience, since it captures the agony and ecstasy of those tumultuous middle school years.

2. Cardboard (Scholastic) by Doug TenNapel. Mike is a single father who’s out of work, and the only birthday present he can afford to buy his son, Cam, is a cardboard box. But this is no ordinary box: it comes with its own set of rules. When Mike and Cam use the box to create a cardboard man, it comes to life. But when they break the box’s rules and attract the attention of the spoiled rich kid next door, things begin to get wonderfully out of control.

3. CROGAN’S LOYALTY (Oni) by Chris Schweizer. The latest installment in the “Crogan Adventures” series features two brothers on opposite sides of the Revolutionary War. Loyalist Charles and rebel William must decide what’s more important: their respective causes or their family ties. The narrative’s nonstop action, humor, and, yes, politics will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and there’s also an important lesson to be learned: just because somebody’s a Tory doesn’t automatically mean he’s a bad guy!

4. FRIENDS WITH BOYS(First Second) by Faith Erin Hicks. Maggie McKay is about to leave her sheltered life as a homeschooler for the scary world of high school. Although she’s still got her dad and big brothers to lean on, things haven’t been the same since her mom left home. Alone and friendless, Maggie is struggling to make friends and fit in. And then there’s the not-so-small matter of the ghostly spirit that’s been haunting her.

GIANTS BEWARE! (First Second) by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado. When scrappy Claudette hears about a baby-feet-eating giant, she convinces her younger brother, Gaston, and her friend Marie to accompany her on a quest to slay the monster. After overcoming scads of magical threats, they finally find the giant, who turns out to be not quite what they’d expected. Readers who love fairy tales will enjoy how this story defies stereotypes and is loaded with boundless wit and slapstick humor.

6. HEREVILLE: HOW MIRKA MET A METEORITE by Barry Deutsch. To avoid a huge falling meteorite, a witch transforms it into a clone of Mirka, our favorite 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish heroine—and that’s only the beginning of this kooky, captivating tale. The meteorite cleverly creeps into Mirka’s life, convinced it’s a better Mirka than Mirka herself, and the original Mirka must figure out a way to win back her life. This title—a sequel to Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword (2010, both Amulet)—is not to be missed.

7. LEGENDS OF ZITA THE SPACEGIRL by Ben Hatke. In this clever follow-up to Zita the Spacegirl (2011, both First Second), Zita is enjoying the life of an intergalactic celebrity. But when her fame becomes overwhelming, she swaps places with a robot double who decides to make the switch permanent. Stranded and on her own, Zita must seek out friends, expose the doppelgänger, and—oh, yeah—save another planet from a hostile space invasion.

8. NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES: BIG BAD IRONCLAD (Abrams) by Nathan Hale. If only all history books could be this entertaining. Hale, the author, uses Nathan Hale, the historic figure, to tell the story of the creation of the Confederate and Union navies, the building of the U.S.S. Merrimack and, most awesomely, the true-life exploits of William Cushing, a prankster who became a forerunner of today’s Navy Seals. The story’s laugh-out-loud humor makes it easy to remember this time in history.

9. PRINCELESS (Action Lab Comics) by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin. Princeless features a dragon, a princess who’s trapped in a tower, and a dramatic rescue. In the end, however, it’s the princess—not the prince—who saves the day. This title playfully skewers gender stereotypes and classic fairy tales, and older children and younger teens will find it a hoot to read. Plus, its main characters are people of color—a rarity in comics.

10. THE SECRET OF THE STONE FROG (Toon) by David Nytra. This short graphic novel is a lovely coming-of-age story that’s a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. Nytra creates a wonderful world for Leah and her brother, Alan, to discover that’s filled with giant rabbits, foppish lions (dandy lions, maybe?), talking buildings, and a subway station for deep-sea creatures. This tale is highly recommended for fans of Lewis Carroll and exquisitely drawn comics.

For more great titles, visit Brigid Alverson and the “Good Comics for Kids” gang.

ABIRACHED, Zeina. A Game for Swallows. Graphic Universe, 2012. ISBN 9780761385684. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Based on her grandmother’s story, Abirached tells the tale of one long night in Beirut, when the parents of two children cross the line between East and West and get caught in a bombing. Told with simple black-and-white illustrations, in the tone of Persepolis, the children are comforted by their neighbors in their building’s foyer while the world is crashing down all around them. This beautiful story illustrates Florian’s words: To die to leave to return / It’s a game for swallows.

ANTHONY, Jessica and Rodrigo Corral. Chopsticks: A Novel. Razorbill, 2012. ISBN 9781595144355. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—If there was ever a book that didn’t fit into any particular mold, it’s Chopsticks. More of a mixed-media novel, the story is told through photographs, ticket stubs, postcards, and other ephemera, with a little text in-between. Glory is a child prodigy―a pianist of amazing talent. Her teacher and father books a European tour after she becomes romantically involved with Franco, the new boy next door. As Franco begins to fail out of school, Glory begins to descend into what appears to be madness as she interrupts her playing with “Chopsticks.” In a hauntingly ambiguous ending, readers will have to decide for themselves what really happened in the disappearance of Glory. What is reality? What is madness?

MCCLINTOCK, Norah and Mike Deas. I, Witness. Orca, 2012. ISBN 9781554697892. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Being a teenager is hard enough, but when you witness a murder and the next thing you know your best friend is killed in a drive-by shooting, life gets really complicated. Boone’s friends begin to drop like leaves as the dead bodies pile up around him. Thinking that it’s better to keep his mouth shut, he walks into another situation that makes him think twice about not getting involved.

Blood-red ink is used to highlight the mostly black-and-white graphic novel, and with all of those deaths, there’s a fair amount of red. Canadian novelist McClintock enters the teenage world and mixes it with violence and conscience-driven actions. Teens will wonder what they would do if they knew more than they wanted to know.

PETTY, J.T. and Hilary Florido. Bloody Chester. First Second, 2012. ISBN 9781596431003. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Petty’s young adult graphic novel debut is a mix of horror, mystery, and the Wild West. Filled with coarse language (and racial slurs), the story tells the tale of a teenage boy who grasps at the chance to start over. Called Bloody Chester (because he constantly gets a beating), Chester must burn down a plague-ridden ghost town in order to earn his salary. It seems, though, that it’s much more complicated than that. He falls for a girl who’s still in town because her crazy, holed-up, treasure-hoarding father won’t leave. Then there are the ghosts or zombies or plague-ridden souls that haunt the town. Chester is determined to do his job and discovers that no one seems to be telling the truth.

From humor to horror, Petty and Florido create an interesting tale with full-color illustrations. A few sketches of the work in progress are also included. There’s even a bit of reflection in the story’s secrets that will cause the reader to ponder.

PHAM, Thien. Sumo. First Second, 2012. ISBN 9781596435810. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—When his chance for a career in pro football is eliminated and a long-term romance ends, Scott chooses to start over in Japan as a sumo wrestler. Though it’s harder than he expects, his past experiences help him give it his best shot.

Using color to indicate the time and setting, Pham tells a powerful three-part story that builds until the final wordless conclusion. Readers may be able to read it quickly, but will want to reread to absorb the brilliance of the telling.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild (JLG) is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, JLG’s book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit them at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

GREY-WILBURN, Renee. Volcanoes! Capstone. 2012. ISBN 9781429676069. JLG Level: CK2 : Series Nonfiction: Science K-2 (Grades K-2)

In chapter book format, this volume in Capstone’s “First Graphics” series brings science to our youngest readers. Beginning with an explanation of volcanoes and moving into how scientists study eruptions, readers will learn basic facts in a controlled vocabulary. The text also features nonfiction support including an index, bibliography, and a glossary.

HAYES, Geoffrey. Benny and Penny in Lights Out!  Toon Bks. 2012. ISBN 9781935179207. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2-6)

It’s time for bed, but Benny is not ready to go to sleep. His sister, Penny, is rattled by his attempts to stall bedtime. When Benny slips out to look for his pirate hat, Penny tries to be brave and look for him. They have an adventure that is just scary enough for the intended reader.

With additional support material on the publisher website, teachers can easily use their document cameras or interactive whiteboards to share award winning graphic novels for their emerging readers.

LAMBERT, Joseph. Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller. Disney/Hyperion. 2012. ISBN 9781423113362. JLG Level: GM : Graphic Novels Middle (Grades 5-8)

Already a Booklist Top 10 Biography Book for Youth 2012, Lambert’s graphic novel format does more than retell an already familiar story. Alternating the past and present, readers learn more about Annie Sullivan’s background. Readers will also learn about a controversial story that Helen wrote. Authorities questioned whether Helen really wrote the story, as it was very similar to a published story. Through this retelling, readers will discover even more about the powerful bond between a teacher and her student.

L’ENGLE, Madeline. A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel. Adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson Bks. 2012. ISBN 9780374386153. JLG Level: FM : Fantasy/Science Fiction Middle (Grades 5-8)

For fifty years, readers have worn out copies of Newbery-winning A Wrinkle in Time. Larson’s graphic novel version stays true to the original. Using black and white with blue accents, L’Engle’s voice comes through, so readers will not be disappointed. The tome is nearly 400 pages long, allowing Larson the freedom to use plenty of text, but also giving an opportunity for action to happen in the illustrations. Though readers may want to read the book in one gulp, chapters provide good stopping places. Teachers and librarians may want to use this version as an introduction to the classic and lovers of the classic will need no introduction.

NYTRA, David. The Secret of the Stone Frog. Toon Bks. 2012. ISBN 9781935179184. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Nytra’s crowquill pen-and-india-ink drawings lend a mysterious tone to this Alice in Wonderland-themed graphic novel for middle elementary grade readers. Leah and Alan wake one morning to find themselves in an enchanted forest. Brother and sister learn to depend on each other when their adventures take them farther and farther from the path that leads to home.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

Laverne Mann, branch manager at the Piscataway Public Library, piqued some interest during her panel presentation on Foolproof Graphic Novel Collection Development when she announced an upcoming beta test for a new digital comic product ComicsPlus; Library Edition, by iversemedia. ComicsPlus will offer ebook versions of graphic novels and comics to libraries via subscription.

Two other NJ-based librarians, Emily Weisenstein of Boonton Holmes Public Library and Joseph Gasparro of Montville Public Library, discussed the use of superheroes in promoting library programming. Weisenstein warned the audience that the use of trademarked characters, which includes most superheroes, is not permitted for the promotion of library programs. So teens in her library created their own. They include Dr. Holmes, a superhero librarian, who will debut at the end of October. But NYCC attendees were treated to a preview as Weisenstein transformed herself into Holmes for a mini in-character performance.

Bearing tattoos and spiked hair, high school English teacher Justin DeVoe from Newark, NJ, discussed video games in a panel on Games and Learning. He emphasized that by using games he’s fostered an “interactive” classroom. Meanwhile, Malcolm Bauer, a research scientist at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) addressed ETS’s efforts to develop game-based student assessments. With its Assessment Game Challenge, ETS is soliciting input from the public.

The annual NYCC, second in size to the Comic Con International conference in San Diego draws more than 100,000 attendees to the four-day event. They included Betty H. Lee, library associate for young adults at Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Libraries. Lee said she enjoyed the exhibits from familiar names in publishing, such as Abrams, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette Books in addition to smaller publishers such as Kill Shakespeare whose books have appeared on the YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens list.

GIALLONGO, Zack. Broxo. First Second. October 2012. pap. $16.99. ISBN 9781596435513.

Gr 5 Up—Tough-talking Princess Zora arrives in a strange land hoping to negotiate with the local tribe and unite them with her kingdom. But the tribe has been reduced to man-eating zombies, and Zora must team up with the sole survivor, a boy named Broxo, to fight them—and assorted other monsters.

ROSCA, Madeleine. The Clockwork Sky, vol. 1. Tor. September 2012. pap. $10.99. ISBN 9780765329165.

Gr 6 Up—A feisty girl teams up with a robot policeman to solve the mystery of a spate of missing children in a steampunk version of 1890s London. Rosca, the creator of Hollow Fields, has a knack for creating convincing characters—and machines.

YOLEN, Jane. Curses! Foiled Again. Illustrated by Mike Cavallaro. First Second. January 2013. pap. $15.99. ISBN 9781596436190.

Gr 8 Up—In Foiled, fencing student Aliera Carstairs was swept away into a fantasy world when she put on her mask in Grand Central Station. In this sequel, she’s off on more adventures, this time with her wheelchair-using cousin Caroline by her side.

NORDLING, Lee, et al. Once Upon a Time Machine. Dark Horse. October 2012. pap. $24.99. ISBN 9781616550400.

Gr 7 Up—An anthology of traditional stories such as John Henry, Snow White, and The Last Leaf, retold in a sci-fi setting by an array of up-and-coming creators.

MACK, Stan. Taxes, the Tea Party, and Those Revolting Rebels. NBM. September 2012. Hardcover. $14.99. ISBN 9781561636976.

Gr 7 Up—An accurate but irreverent retelling of the American Revolution and the events that led up to it. Mack’s colonists talk like real people—with attitude—which helps bring the facts of history down to earth in a way modern readers can relate to.

POMPLUN, Tom, ed. Halloween Classics. Eureka Productions. October 2012. pap. $17.95. ISBN 9780982563052.

Gr 7 Up—Scary stories from Washington Irving, Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and H. P. Lovecraft, plus a comics adaptation of the silent film The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari, adapted by a variety of creators and tied together by a narrator who’s straight out of EC Comics. This is volume 23 of the Graphic Classics series of anthologies.

RUSSELL, Gary, et al. Doctor Who Omnibus, vol. 1. IDW. January 2013. pap. $29.99. ISBN 9781613773482.

Gr 7 Up—This 420-page omnibus collects several story arcs that have appeared as individual comics and in trades, all featuring the Tenth Doctor: “Agent Provocateur,” “Through Time and Space,” and “The Forgotten.”

SUENOBU, Keiko. The Limit, vol. 1. Vertical. October 2012. pap. $10.95. ISBN 9781935654568.

Gr 8 Up—The Limit has the look of traditional shoujo manga, but the story is closer to Lord of the Flies: A busload of high school children goes over a cliff, killing most of them and upending the social order. It’s a dark book with quite a bit of violence, but it’s also an unsparing look at bullying and cliques. Suenobu is the author of Life, a manga that dealt with cutting and was published by Tokyopop.

YAZAWA, Ai. Paradise Kiss, vol. 1. Vertical. September 2012. pap. $19.95. ISBN 9781935654711.

Gr 11 Up—A group of fashion students recruit a dutiful, overworked high school student to be their model, and she begins to question her choices in life. Tokyopop released this as a five-volume series in the mid-2000s; Vertical’s three-volume edition has a larger format and a new translation. Sexual situations and innuendo make this a better choice for older teens.

RICE, Anne. Interview with the Vampire: Claudia’s Story. Ill. by Ashley Witter. Yen Press. November 2012. $19.99. pap. ISBN 9780316176361.

Gr 11 Up—A retelling of Rice’s classic vampire novel Interview with the Vampire through the eyes of Claudia, one of the characters in the original, who has an adult personality but is trapped in a child’s body.