Book Themes: Graphic Novels #2

Kristi's Book Nook is sharing graphic novels that will keep your young readers engaged and turning pages. These fun titles can be found at your local library or neighborhood bookstore.

Reviews courtesy of the Johnson County Library.


The Serpent's Shadow
The Graphic Novel
Collar, Orpheus
When Apophis, the chaos snake, threatens to plunge the world into eternal darkness, siblings Carter and Sadie Kane plan to use an ancient spell to destroy the snake, but first must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician.

Poppies of Iraq
Findakly, Brigitte
Book – 2017
"Poppies of Iraq is Brigitte Findakly's nuanced tender chronicle of her relationship with her homeland Iraq, co-written and drawn by her husband, the acclaimed cartoonist Lewis Trondheim. In spare and elegant detail, they share memories of her middle class childhood touching on cultural practices, the education system, Saddam Hussein's state control, and her family's history as Orthodox Christians in the Arab world. Poppies of Iraq is intimate and wide-ranging; the story of how one can become separated from one's homeland and still feel intimately connected yet ultimately estranged. Signs of an oppressive regime permeate a seemingly normal life: magazines arrive edited by customs; the color red is banned after the execution of General Kassim; Baathist militiamen are publicly hanged and school kids are bussed past them to bear witness. As conditions in Mosul worsen over her childhood, Brigitte's father is always hopeful that life in Iraq will return to being secular and prosperous. The family eventually feels compelled to move to Paris, however, where Brigitte finds herself not quite belonging to either culture. Trondheim brings to life Findakly's memories to create a poignant family portrait that covers loss, tragedy, love, and the loneliness of exile."—

Roller Girl
Jamieson, Victoria
Book – 2015
"A graphic novel adventure about a girl who discovers roller derby right as she and her best friend are growing apart"—

Pax
Pennypacker, Sara
Book – 2016
"After being forced to give up his pet fox Pax, a young boy named Peter decides to leave home and get his best friend back"—

Wires and Nerve
Volume 1
Meyer, Marissa
Book – 2017
The first graphic novel from #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marissa Meyer!
In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new,action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold.When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity.With appearances by Cinder, Cress, Scarlet, Winter, and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.
Spill Zone
01
Westerfeld, Scott
Book – 2017
"Three years ago an event destroyed the small city of Poughkeepsie, forever changing reality within its borders. Uncanny manifestations and lethal dangers now await anyone who enters the Spill Zone. The Spill claimed Addison's parents and scarred her little sister, Lexa, who hasn't spoken since. Addison provides for her sister by photographing the Zone's twisted attractions on illicit midnight rides. Art collectors pay top dollar for these bizarre images, but getting close enough for the perfect shot can mean death--or worse. When an eccentric collector makes a million-dollar offer, Addison breaks her own hard-learned rules of survival and ventures farther than she has ever dared. Within the Spill Zone, Hell awaits--and it seems to be calling Addison's name" –

This One Summer
Tamaki, Mariko
Book – 2014
Rose and her parents have been going to Awago Beach since she was a little girl. It's her summer getaway, her refuge. Her friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had, completing her summer family. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and Rose and Windy have gotten tangled up in a tragedy-in-the-making in the small town of Awago Beach. It's a summer of secrets and heartache, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other.


Comments