Showing posts with label middle grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label middle grade. Show all posts

Book Review: The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall is the first book in a middle grade series by Ali Standish. What if young Arthur Conan Doyle really went to a secret school for extraordinarily gifted children called Baskerville Hall? When a mysterious man with a pipe notices young Arthur’s incredible deductive skills, Arthur’s offered a spot at the esteemed Baskerville Hall and a chance to lift his family out of poverty. There Arthur makes quick friends with Irene Eagle, a girl who boldly strides into any adventure and Jimmie Moriarty, a boy whose brilliance rivals Arthur’s own. But he makes enemies, too, who want Arthur expelled, or worse. Soon Arthur and his friends (and enemies!) are invited into a powerful secret society called the Clover. In order to be accepted into the illustrious social club, they must pass three tests, but along the way, Arthur uncovers a mystery that will lead to grand adventure and even greater danger. Arthur will need all the help he can get to solve the puzzle and keep a shocking truth from falling into the wrong hands. Meanwhile, he will finally meet the man who becomes his greatest mentor: Professor Sherlock Holmes. 

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall is an engaging start to a new series. There have been make takes on young detectives over the years, but I am excited to see where this one goes. I thought the blending of historical truths, universal feelings of looking for your place, and mystery about just what might be going on at Baskerville hall blend together seamlessly and make this a fun read. I was concerned for Arthur at many points, and I love the little group that he finds. I also enjoyed the use of names and tidbits of Sherlock lore that are woven into the story, that just might lead younger readers to discover the references for in Doyle's works. I think this is a great read for those that love a good mystery, and those that can still get caught up in the doubts and fears many of us face when trying to find our path and our people. 

Early Book Review: Nothing Special, Volume One Through the Elder Woods (A Graphic Novel) by Katie Cook

Through the Elder Woods is volume one of the Nothing Special graphic novel series by Katie Cook, which is currently scheduled for release on March 5 2024. The first season of mayhem, magic, vegetables and adventure from Katie Cook's beloved Webtoon, Nothing Special, is collected in this gorgeous graphic novel, which also features exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

In the grand scheme of the worlds at large, Callie thinks she's nothing special. Sure, she's friends with the ghost of a radish and her dad owns a magical antique shop--but she's spent her life in the human world. Her dad won't let her join him on his collection trips in the magical realm “for her own protection”, so she’s only caught glimpses of that world through the gates of the town where her father’s store is. On her seventeenth birthday, Callie goes home with her friend Declan to find her home in disarray and her dad missing. Signs of a struggle point to the portal to the magical realm and when there are signs, you follow them. Now it's up to Callie, Declan, and Radish to band together and bring him home. As they face creatures good and bad, and all sorts of adventure, Callie and Declan may just find out that they are both special in their own ways after all. 

Through the Elder Woods is an entertaining read, and one that I enjoyed on several levels. First, and with graphic novels very important, I love the art style. The artwork captures the emotion of the characters, gives subtle clues to the larger story, and also has a sense of fun and whimsy to it. It matched and complimented the story perfectly, and I enjoyed the book as a whole. I thought the character development and slow reveal of the world building was very well done. I loved getting to know Callie as she was figuring it out for herself. I loved getting to see her relationships bloom, and while there is romance and the dreaded love triangle hint in there, that part of the story never overshadowed the adventure and figuring out just who she was and what she wanted. That made me very happy. I think the fact that even when the adventure and danger got serious, there was still a light hearted whimsy to the overall story is what really captured me with this book. I will be eagerly awaiting book two, and perhaps finally exploring Webtoon for more as well. 

Through the Elder Woods is a fun and engaging graphic novel. I only wish I had discovered it sooner. 

Book Review: The Witching Hour (Secrets of Camp Whatever) by Chris Grine

The Witching Hour is the third (and final) graphic novel in the Secrets of Camp Whatever trilogy by Chris Grine. I would definitely recommend reading this series in order.
After former camp leader Clarence P'sketty Tooter is freed from a hypnosis spell, he remembers everything, including that pesky pre-teen Willow and her scrappy friends. But most importantly, he remembers the ancient mystery surrounding Nowhere's sleep-away camp. Now, Tooter seeks revenge against Willow and her friends, and inadvertently awakens a long-dormant evil which seeks to destroy the world.

The Witching Hour is a solid conclusion to this trilogy and wraps everything up nicely. There is a lot more going on in this volume than the blurb mentions, but I would hate to spoil anything for fans of this series so I will not go into detail. I do think that there was less character growth in this installment, and I wanted a little bit more from our crew of teens reconnecting and figuring things out, although admittedly with everything else happening in the story there was not really time built in for that. I love that the art was consistent, and that there were some really fun twists and turns. I also liked the inclusion and introduction of a variety of creature. I think that this is a must read for those that have read the two previous books, but it was not as attention grabbing or keeping as the previous installments for me. 

Early Book Review: School for Extraterrestrial Girls #2 Girls In Flight by Jeremy Whitley, Jamie Noguchi

School for Extraterrestrial Girls, Volume 2, Girls In Flight, written by Jeremy Whitley and illustrated by Jamie Noguchi, is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on November 28 2023. The extraterrestrial girls are back! With their former school compromised, exposing Tara, Misako, Summer, and Kat, to possible danger from unknown alien forces, they all must relocate to a new hidden school--The School for Extraterrestrial Boys! Located on a hidden island in the arctic north, the new campus has a mysteriously warm summer climate, a beautiful lake, and dozens of sinister mysteries! The girls are staying in what appears to be summer cabins on the lake while going to school in the mysterious castle where the boys stay. This is all under the watchful eye of the boys' headmaster, Headmaster Stokes—an arrogant man with an unknown agenda and an obsession with Tara's people. They may still be in school, but this will be a semester full of blossoming romances, learning to love themselves, and trying to survive the mysteries of both this terrifying island and boys! Romance, magic, and near-death experiences are all part of a regular school day at the School for Extraterrestrial Girls.


Girls In Flight starts with a recap, which honestly I needed. I remembered enjoying the first volume of the story, but the details I was a bit hazy on. I was glad for the little catch up, which I think most readers will agree on. I was glad to read this next chapter of Tara and her circle's adventures and thought it was well planned out and executed. I thought the artwork was well matched to the story, and conveyed a great deal of emotion and action to make the story come alive. There were multiple story lines woven through each other, and it was neat to see threads that I had put to the back of my mind pop up and play an important roll in the story. My only complaint is one I often have with serials like this, and that is I was just feeling like I was deeply invested in the story and had a grasp on all the moving pieces when the volume ended. I am eager to get volume three in my hands. 


Book Review: Shipwrecked! Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler

Shipwrecked! Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler is scheduled for release tomorrow, October 31 2023. Most of the world’s ocean floor remains to be discovered. In fact, it’s estimated to be home to over 3 million sunken vessels and countless treasures of the past. This enthralling and adventure-filled nonfiction book for young readers recounts some of the most captivating shipwrecks from history, ranging from the Shinan, a Chinese merchant ship laden with riches from the 14th century, to the the HMS Erebus and Terror, two polar exploration ships that mysteriously disappeared in the early 1800s. Combining new research, stunning archival material, and vivid storytelling, Shipwrecked! dives deep into the world of marine archaeology and shows young readers what each discovery reveals about the world before our time.

Shipwrecked! is an interesting introduction the topic of shipwrecks and their discoveries. I think that this book is for young readers that already have an interest in the subject matter, and adults that are looking for a solid introduction. I have always been fascinated with archeology, and marine archeology is fascinating although not the  specialty I wanted to explore back in the day. The book focused on the history of the ships and their owners, not just the wrecks and salvage. I was engaged while reading the book, and I learned a great deal. However, I think younger readers might loose interest if this is not something they are already interested in. Sometimes it read a bit dry, and I could see some losing focus. I was disappointed in the lack of maps, but I was very appreciative of the index, brief notes on other shipwrecks, bibliography, and other back matter.


Book Review: Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu (Volume 1) by Natsuya Semikawa, Virginia Nitouhei

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu (Volume 1) is a manga style graphic novel written by Natsuya Semikawa, with art by Virginia Nitouhei. A Japanese style pub called “Nobu” exists in a back alley of the fictional medieval European city of Eiteriach. Its customers? A pair of slacker soldiers, a spoiled heiress, an uptight tax collector, and more. When the citizens of this strange world sit down to enjoy some unfamiliar Japanese cuisine, their troubles simply melt away. The curtain rises on this otherworldly eatery and the gourmet fantasy about to unfold within!
Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu is a well drawn and fun read. It is light hearted and quick to read. There was a good variety of characters, and I liked the undercurrent of mystery. Just where did this shop come from, and how do they get their ingredients? There is good character description and development for the each member of the rotating cast. We get deep insights into a cast of very different characters, more than you might expect in such short chapters.  I look forward to more from this series, because I want to know more about the pub, its two person staff, and its regular patrons. 

Early Audiobook Review: The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead; Wendy Mass, Narrated by Christopher Gebauer; Jennifer Blom; Rob Dircks

The Lost Library
 is a middle grade book 
by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is currently scheduled for release on August 29 2023. The audiobook is narrated by Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks. When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change. Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself. Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).

The Lost Library is a delightful listen, and I really appreciated that the three narrators of the story each literally had their own voice. It made the story come alive, and made it easier to remember who we are with if we need to pause in the middle of a chapter and come back later. I also enjoyed how interwoven the different parts of the story were, and how everything came together. The mystery of the library fire was very well done, but was not the only mystery in the book. While some of the mysteries I suspected the answers to before they were revealed, I thought everything was very engaging and that readers of all ages could connect with one or more of the characters in the story. 

The Lost Library is a well rounded and engaging read that I suspect will become a fast favorite for many. 

Early Book Review: The Gender Book: Girls, Boys, Non-binary, and Beyond by Cassandra Jules Corrigan

The Gender Book: Girls, Boys, Non-binary, and Beyond by Cassandra Jules Corrigan is currently scheduled for release on August 21 2023. Ellie and Casey  talk about gender! In this illustrated guide to gender identity, you'll meet demiboys and demigirls, agender people, greygender people, those who are AFAB and AMAB, and many more as Ellie and Casey guide curious children through the world of people who don't identify as their assigned gender at birth. This book can be an invaluable resource for parents, classrooms and children alike.
The Gender Book: Girls, Boys, Non-binary, and Beyond is an accessible and straight forward guide to the terminology surrounding gender, gender identity, and more. As someone that has made an effort to understand the terminology I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the main terms. I was glad to have confirmation on some, and to learn some new terms and concepts. I really found the book, and the included glossary to be informative and helpful. I think this would be a great read for anyone, of any age, that is questioning their own gender identity, as well as those that want to support or understand those that have come out as not cis. 

Book Review: The City of Ember (The Graphic Novel) by Jeanne DuPrau, Niklas Asker

The City of Ember (The Graphic Novel) written by Jeanne DuPrau and illustrated by Niklas Asker is being republished in 2023, the original graphic novel adaptation was done in 2012. As the lights begin to flicker, Lina finds a message from the past that she's sure holds the secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must race against time to decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever!

I was glad to be reminded of The City of Ember, which I remember fondly as my time working with children's book in a public and elementary school library. I was happy to explore the graphic novel version, and spend some time with it. I thought the art and story come together very well to tell the story of how society can feed and ignore corruption in turn, and that sometime the curiosity, innocence, and hope of a few can trigger needed change.  The story and the art hold up well, and I think it was well done in both regards. This middle grade adventure is one that I think young readers, and us not so young, readers can still enjoy and get something from. If you loved this book the first time around, or might enjoy discovering it for the first time, it is very much worth the read. 


Early Book Review: Ghost Book by Remy Lai

Ghost Book by Remy Lai is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on July 18 2023. July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren’t real. So she pretends they don’t exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it's Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He’s a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth—for William to live, July must die.

Ghost Book is a middle grade graphic novel with inspiration from Chinese mythology. I thought the artwork and color choices were well done, and did a good job of telling and expanding on the story. I liked the blend of spooky, mythology, and kid angst. The family, school, and friend level conflicts felt very on point and realistic. I also thought that that Chinese mythology was explained nicely for newcomers to the subject, while not leaving those with some understanding of it feeling bored or talked down to. I enjoyed this book on a number of levels and think it will have a wide middle grade to middle school audience. 

Book Review: Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (Volume 1) by Osamu Nishi

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (Volume 1) by Osamu Nishi is a manga format graphic novel. Hopeless pushover Iruma Suzuki has found himself in a devil of a predicament. His trashy parents have sold off his soul, and he now has to live and attend school in the Netherworld. But with his unique survival skills and doting demon grandfather’s support, Iruma will surely make it through this hellish experience. He’ll just need to subjugate rival classmates, summon familiars, and more, all while never revealing that he’s human. Easy as aleph, bet, gimel, right?
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is a fun read. I liked the set up and the twists of humor that run through the story. It does have some aspects that felt familiar, but anyone that reads enough manga or watches enough anime is likely to find some of the same aspect familiar. I honestly got a kick out of how innocent and bumbling our hero is, and watching things turn out well for him against all odds and common sense was highly entertaining. I look forward to reading the second volume of this story and think a wide range of readers will agree. 

Early Book Review: The Dog Knight by Jeremy Whitley, Bre Indigo

The Dog Knight by Jeremy Whitley and Bre Indigo is a middle grade graphic novel currently scheduled for release on May 16 2023. Frankie knows who they are. They’re a drummer, they’re nonbinary, and they’re… the Dog Knight? One day Frankie is a relatively normal middle schooler, with relatively normal challenges, like finding the perfect outfit to wear during their drum solo during the upcoming band concert. The next, they save a friendly golden retriever from bullies and suddenly find themselves in a giant magical doghouse, with a funny looking helmet, talking to a group of dog superheroes called the Pawtheon about a job offer. If Frankie can prove that they possess the six dog virtues of loyalty, kindness, honesty, justice, stubbornness, and smell, they will be named the Dog Knight and be given the power to fight alongside the Pawtheon and save the world from the forces of chaos. Maybe there is more to Frankie than they thought?

The Dog Knight takes on some serious topics, nd I think that many middle school readers will relate to much of the book. Frankie is non-binary and just trying to figure out what clothes, sports, friends, and so on really make them happy and feely fully themselves. Even as a fully grown adult, I still change up my style and am always looking for things that make me feel more me, and I know most kids are spending a good deal of their thought and energy trying to figure all that out for the first time. Add in the fantasy, danger, and adventure of a secret dog society and gremlins and you get a read that will keep young readers (and adults) engaged and eager to see how everything turns out. The aspects of bullying, friendship, and family relationships are very well done in this book, but more than anything I love that at the heart of it the whole story is about Frankie being the best Frankie they can be, and continuing to work at being the honest and loyal person that they want to be. I look forward to continuing this series and think it has great potential to be a favorite for many. 

The Dog Knight is a well written, ad beautifully illustrated, graphic novel that I found to be engaging and enjoyable to read. 

Early Book Review: Squire & Knight by Scott Chantler

Squire & Knight by Scott Chantler is a middle grade graphic novel currently scheduled for release on May 9 2023. A young squire tackles mysteries, monsters and magic, but the inept knight he serves takes the credit. Every time. Squire is brainy, bookish, and terribly under-appreciated by the brawny, inept knight Sir Kelton, who somehow always gets all the glory. So when the two mismatched heroes find themselves in a cursed village plagued by a demonic dragon, Kelton rides off to slay it and Squire stays behind to catch up on some reading. But Squire starts to notice that something isn’t quite right about this town. Can he uncover its strange secrets?

Squire & Knight is a fun graphic novel that has fantasy, mystery, and character growth. I was glad to read in the author comments that the squire and knight in the story were inspired by T.H. White's 'Wart' and his brother from Sword in the Stone, because that was the vibe I got from the pair as I was reading. I enjoyed getting to follow the squire around as he explores the town and investigates what is happening and how the problems could be solve while the knight goes off ready to fight at a moment's notice. I thought the art and story were perfectly matched and I really liked the art style. I think this graphic novel will appeal to a wide range of readers, from elementary school age readers through adults. It is well balanced in the adventure and mystery, and I enjoyed every moment of the story, and think that others will as well. 

Squire & Knight is a well written and drawn story that had me entertained and engaged the entire read. I am looking forward to more.

Book Review: The Ojja-Wojja by Magdalene Visaggio

The Ojja-Wojja
, by Magdalene Visaggio and Jenn St-Onge, is a middle grade graphic novel. Welcome to Bolingbroke. It's a small town just like any other . . . or so eighth graders Val and Lanie think. They’re the best of best friends—they love the same comics, they watch the same shows, and they’re always there for each other. Which is important when you’re queer, like Lanie, or on the spectrum, like Val, and just don’t seem to fit in anywhere. When a school project about their hometown’s supernatural history leads to a for-real ghost sighting, Val and Lanie realize Bolingbroke might not be as boring as they’d always thought. But after a run-in with the resident middle school queen bee (who also happens to be Lanie’s former friend), they decide to take things to the next level and accidentally summon the Ojja-Wojja, a demonic presence connected to a slew of mysterious tragedies throughout Bolingbroke’s sordid history. Now all heck has broken loose. With the whole town acting weird and nowhere left to turn, it’s going to be up to Val, Lanie, and their small group of friends to return things to normal—if “normal” is even something they want to return to.

The Ojja-Wojja is a well balanced graphic novel. First off, the art is fantastic and gives a great deal of detail and mood to the story. There were several times when small details appeared in the artwork to hint of the actual action or things to come that the characters in the story seem to miss. The art and story were seamless, as they should be in a graphic novel. I loved the story and how well developed the main characters became. I thought the character and world building was very well done. Laine and Val each have aspects that are seen as different by others, and I love that readers get to see how these characters feel and hopefully they might see someone like themselves in one of the pair, or the other residents of the town. Seeing yourself in books is important, as is better understanding how those who are different than you might be thinking or feeling. This book covers a little of both without feeling like it is trying to teach a lesson or feeling preachy. I loved that no character was all good or bad, sometimes pain and confusion can trigger actions that are easily seen as evil or mean. I can see so much room for more character growth and interesting developments in the small town of Bolingbroke as this series continues. 

The Ojja-Wojja is a visually and emotional engaging graphic novel with a perfect balance of action and heart.

Early Book Review: The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill

The Moth Keeper
 by K. O'Neill is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on March 7 2023. Being a Moth Keeper is a huge responsibility and a great honor, but what happens when the new Moth Keeper decides to take a break from the moon and see the sun for the first time? From the author of the beloved Tea Dragon Society comes a must-read for fans of the rich fantasies of Hayao Miyazaki and the magical adventures of Witch Hat Atelier. Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. Her village needs the flower to continue thriving and Anya is excited to prove her worth and show her thanks to her friends with her actions, but what happens when being a Moth Keeper isn’t exactly what Anya thought it would be? Night after night, it is lonely in the desert, with only one lantern for light. Still, Anya is eager to prove her worth, to show her thanks to her friends and her village. But is it worth the cost? And yet something isn’t right. When Anya glimpses the one thing that could destroy what she’s meant to protect, her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences.

The Moth Keeper is a coming of age graphic novel for middle grade and older readers. First off, I loved the artwork and thought it did a wonderful job of capturing the emotion and details of the story. I thought the book shared a wonderful story of self exploration, community, and friendship as well as how we sometimes put more expectations and duty on ourselves than others would. I liked the world building and that we got to see pieces from a variety of lives in the story- although I would have liked more of everything since I enjoyed it all so much.  I will admit that there were a couple pages that I had to look at more than once to get exactly what was happening from, and I did still have some questions about Anya's past and the other characters when I finished the book. I will honestly be thinking about these characters and the book for awhile now that I have finished it, which is unusual for me. I think many other readers will experience the same.  I think the story will speak to a wide range of readers.

The Moth Keeper is an engaging graphic novel that I think will become a favorite for many. 



Early Book Review: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat is a middle grade memoir in graphic novel format currently scheduled for release on February 28 2023. Dan's always been a good kid. The kind of kid who listens to his teachers, helps his mom with grocery shopping, and stays out of trouble. But being a good kid doesn't stop him from being bullied and feeling like he's invisible, which is why Dan has low expectations when his parents send him on a class trip to Europe. At first, he's right. He's stuck with the same girls from his middle school who love to make fun of him, and he doesn't know why his teacher insisted he come on this trip. But as he travels through France, Germany, Switzerland, and England, a series of first experiences begin to change him—first Fanta, first fondue, first time stealing a bike from German punk rockers, and first love.

A First Time for Everything is a entertaining, engaging, and relatable book. As a fellow member of Gen X, I also remember the crazy things we got away with and the independence that we were encouraged to explore- even though I would never encourage my kids to do the same at the same ages. I think the heart of the book, the explorations of being yourself and dealing with trying new things and figuring out who you want to be is something every reader can relate to. As always, Santat's artwork is just as engaging as the text and overall story. I think this is a great great for middle grade and older readers- including adults. This will hit home for many readers, and I enjoyed getting to know more about someone whose work I have always admired.

Early Book Review: Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith, Gilles Roussel

Bea Wolf, written by Zach Weinersmith and illustrated by Gilles Roussel, is a  modern middle-grade graphic novel retelling of Beowulf currently scheduled for release on February 21 2023. The story features a gang of troublemaking kids who must defend their tree house from a fun-hating adult who can instantly turn children into grown-ups. Somewhere in a generic suburb stands Treeheart, a kid-forged sanctuary where generations of tireless tykes have spent their youths making merry, spilling soda, and staving off the shadow of adulthood. One day, these brave warriors find their fun cut short by their nefarious neighbor Grindle, who can no longer tolerate the sounds of mirth seeping into his joyless adult life. As the guardian of gloom lays siege to Treeheart, scores of kids suddenly find themselves transformed into pimply teenagers and sullen adults! The survivors of the onslaught cry out for a savior—a warrior whose will is unbreakable and whose appetite for mischief is unbounded. They call for Bea Wolf.

Bea Wolf is a well written and highly entertaining graphic novel, that does a great interpretation of the Beowulf tale for children, and adults alike. I think the choses about what to keep, and how to keep the story all ages, were thoughtfully made and resulted in a poetic and engaging story. I also really enjoyed the art style, and thought it was not only very well done but perfect for the story and characters. The shading and detail work were phenomenal. As a reformed english major, one that focus on works in middle and old english, this retelling entertained me and almost made we want to go back and reread the copies of Beowulf that I have in my collection. Almost. I absolutely love that at the end of the book the author takes the time to include information on the story and how it came to be so well known today, and a bit about old english as well. I love when authors include these bits of context and information. 

Bea Wolf is a highly entertaining and accessible take on the Beowulf story, and I think it will be enjoyed by readers from a wide variety of ages and interests. 

Book Review: The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, Alina Pete

The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, and Alina Pete is a graphic novel and the fifth volume of the “Cautionary Fables and Fairytales” anthology series. I have not seen the previous volumes, but I will be on the lookout for them.  Loup Garrou, trickster rabbits, and spirits with names that can’t be spoken — the plains and forests of North America are alive with characters like these, all waiting to meet you in this collection of folklore from tribes spanning the continent retold in comics.

The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories is a lovely collection of stories. I thought the artwork was a great pairing with the stories and did a wonderful job of telling the stories. I had heard or read a few legends that touched on the same ideas, but I had never seen these exact tales before, which always makes me happy. I thought that there was much respect and honor tied into the stories, which is not always the case in folklore or legend collections. I thought the variety of tales, and the skill they were told with were fantastic. My only complaint is that I wanted more, which I can partially solve by finding the other volumes of this series. 

Audiobook Review: Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting by Roseanne A. Brown, Narrated by Soneela Nankani

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting
 is a middle grade novel by Roseanne A. Brown. The audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani. For most kids, catching fireflies is a fun summer activity. For twelve-year-old Serwa Boateng, it's a matter of life and death. That's because Serwa knows that some fireflies are really adze, shapeshifting vampires from the forests of Southeastern Ghana. Adze prey on the blood of innocents, possessing their minds and turning them into hulking monsters, and for generations, slayers like Serwa and her parents have protected an unknowing public from their threats. Serwa is the best adze slayer her age, and she knew how to use a crossbow before she could even ride a bike. But when an obayifo (witch) destroys her childhood home while searching for a drum, do Serwa's parents take her with them on their quest to defeat her? No. Instead, they dump Serwa with her hippie aunt and cryptic-obsessed cousin in the middle of Nowheresville, Maryland "for her own safety." Now, instead of crossbows and battle armor, she's dealing with mean girls and algebra, and for the first time in her life she doesn't have to carry a staff everywhere she goes, which is . . . kind of nice, actually. Just as Serwa starts to get the hang of this whole normal girl who doesn't punch vampires every day thing, an adze infiltrates her school. It's up to her to whip some of her classmates into monster-fighting shape before all of them become firefly food. And when she uncovers a secret that upends everything she thought she knew about her family's role in the slayer vs. adze war, Serwa will have to decide which side of herself--normal girl or slayer--is the right one. After all, seventh grade is hard enough without adding vampires to the mix.

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting is a wonderful middle grade adventure with a solid foundation in Ghanaian folklore. I was very happy to learn more about legends I only knew a bear minimum of, and was very glad that I listened to the audiobook version so that I had the correct pronunciations rather than looking them up and still getting them wrong. I thought the balance between magic and the realities of trying to fit into a new environment and dealing this prejudice and preconized notions was very well done, and I felt for Serwa through out the book and was wholly engaged in the story the entire time. I thought the twists and turns of the story were well handled, and while some I suspected long before they were revealed, I think they might take younger readers by surprise, as intended. I will say that I felt a bit like this installment of the series could have ended at an earlier point, and the last few chapters been the start of the next book, but since I do not know the full plan for Serwa and her future adventures there is likely a very good reason for moving forward the way it was. I enjoyed the read, and look forward to what will come next in the series. 

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting is a great start to a new series that will appeal to a wide range of readers. 


Book Review: Dreams Factory by Jerome Hamon, Suheb Zako, and Lena Sayaphoum

Dreams Factory is a graphic novel by Jerome Hamon, Suheb Zako, and Lena Sayaphoum. It was translated from French by Jeremy Melloul. The story is set in London, 1892. Like most children in the working-class town where she lives, Indira works the coal mines every day without protest. But when her little brother Eliott disappears, nothing matters anymore. She embarks on a desperate quest to find him and discovers that he is not the only child to have mysteriously disappeared. All clues seem to point to the same person: Cathleen Sachs, the wealthy owner of the coal mines. But why would she kidnap these children? 

Dreams Factory is a highly engaging story. First off, the art is simply splendid, and well worth a look all on its own. I did like the story, and the sibling devotion and complications are many layered and very well done. I thought the more fantastic elements could have used a bit more explanation or fleshing out however. I know the mystery of exactly what is happening is part of the suspense of the story, and it did have me at the edge of my seat. But I do have to admit that the last few pages had me a little confused and I am not at all sure of the particulars of what happened there. Maybe I am just not understanding, but I looked at the ending several times and still have some questions. Perhaps I still missed something, or am not putting the pieces together correctly and it will come to me later. I think expanding on the world and character building in the story would have made it even better. That being said, I still enjoyed the read and will be on the look out for more from this creative team and think the book will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers. 

Dreams Factory is a well written and beautifully illustrated story. It captured my imagination and held my attention well past the time I finished reading it despite some flaws.