Captured by Pirates

Title: Twisted Journeys--Captured by Pirates
Authors: Justine & Ron Fontes
Publication Date: September 2007
ISBN 13: 978-0822562023

This book combines the graphic novel format with the choose your own adventure story  in the context of an exciting historical period when Pirates prowled the seas following the Spanish defeat by the Royal Navy.  The options vary widely and lead to death or safety.  The writing is copious enough to satisfy even the most voracious reader.  Whether you choose sign the oath to become a pirate, or avert your eyes to the inequality of life on the seas, whatever you decide is sure to give you enjoyment.  But be forewarned, appearances aren't always what they appear. 

Shake Rattle & Turn That Noise Down!

Title: Shake Rattle & Turn That Noise Down--How Elvis Shook Up Music, Me and Mom
Author: Mark Alan Stamaty
Publication Date: January 2010
ISBN 13: 978-0375846854

A very quick and funny read.  This memoir reveals one boys' love of rock and roll music and how that love helped him succeed as a cartoonist, helped him outperform his fears, and helped him to meet the President Bill Clinton.

Told in a graphic novel format, this book chronicles the true story of a boy who uses his love of Elvis, and rock & roll music, to help him overcome fear and shyness.  His interest in Elvis music also helps to propel him from local fame to national celebration.  A very entertaining book, that not only reveals Elvis' role along a continuum of transformational figures in the history of rock, but also delivers the information in a dynamic and current manner.  An excellent choice for any library serving tweens or teens!  An ALA Notable Book.

Boy, Girl Die in Gangland Killings

Title: Yummy: the Last Days of a Southside Shorty
Author: G. Neri
Illustrator: Randy DuBurke
ISBN 13: 978-1584302674

This realistically illustrated novel tells the true story of Robert Sandifer, AKA Yummy.  Yummy lived in the south side of Chicago, an urban area terrorized by gangs and drugs.  At a very young age, Yummy set out to prove himself as a "tough shorty."  He began committing crimes for a tough local gang.  It wasn't long before he was going in and out of jail just like his drug addicted mom.  His father was serving a lifetime sentence in prison, and everyone had reason to believe that soon, Yummy would be too.

Then a terrible and heart-breaking thing happened.  11-year-old Yummy killed an innocent 14-year-old girl in his neighborhood.  Police didn't find him for days.  When they finally did, they found him shot to death by the gang he served. 

In a graphic novel with haunting illustrations that are true to life, Neri succeeds in telling a very disturbing but necessary story.  Told through the eyes of a young male protagonist, this story poses questions that might easily facilitate important classroom discussions.  Appropriate to young teens, Yummy explores consequence in the context of circumstance and delineates the tragic and conflated influences that have led to these, and many other senseless deaths like them.  An ALA Notable Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor book.

Naruto--the best of the shojen manga

Title: Test of the Ninja--Naruto Vol. 1

Author/Illustrator: Masashi Kishimoto

ISBN 13: 978-15669319000

Naruto is the first manga style comic book I've ever read.  It was very interesting.  I was really surprised that so much character development, emotion, and plot line could be entailed in a graphic novel format, told mostly through dialogue (both external and internal) where the characters exhibit extreme sentiments through their exaggerated facial expressions.  It was great! 

Naruto is hell bent on causing trouble.  His pranks are unscrupulous and constantly undermine his desire to become a venerable Shinobe (ninja).  Only his Master truly believes in him.  After he finally passes the test to become a ninja, Naruto earns a disciple, immediately swears him off as arch-enemy, is teamed up with the school's hottest babe and her biggest crush, and has to survive a new teacher.  Ninja academy is really tough!

Dragonbreath: Curse of the Were-weiner

Title: Dragonbreath: Curse of the Were-Weiner
Author: Ursula Vernon
Publication Date: September 2010
ISBN 13: 978-0803734692

Danny Dragonbreath wakes up one morning with fearful forebodings that something is wrong.  When his best friend Wendel gets bitten by his hotdog, a were-weiner from Transylvania, Danny's inarticulate fears come to pass.  It isn't long before other kids at school begin to exhibit the same symptons as Wendel.  Danny knows it's up to him to kill the were-wiener.  Can he face his fears and save his friends? 

Vernon's illustrations are great if the conversation is, at times, a little lacking.  She is liberal in her use of neologisms and does a fair job of capturing coloquial speech.  Both funny, and a little frightening, this book might be recommended to fans of Babymouse or Captain Underpants.

Mirka Kills a Troll

Title: Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword
Author: Barry Deutsch
Publication Date: November 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0810984226

Wow!  Hereville is the first graphic novel I've ever read, and I must admit, I really liked it!  Mirka is an 11-year-old girl who lives with her blended Jewish family in the Orthodox town of Hereville.  When she inadvertently offends, and then protects a witch's pig, she is given the chance to take the first step towards becoming the fearless dragon slayer she envisions herself to be.  She gets to try to kill a troll! 

The illustrations in this book are of the highest caliber and do an amazing job of depicting the full spectrum of human emotions.  Two scenes, in particular, set the tone for the work.  In one image, an angel assumed to be Mirka's biological mom intercedes when Mirka's life is in danger.  She comes to Mirka at the bottom of a lake and pacifies Mirka's obstinacy in a scene that exudes peace.  In another frame, Mirka receives the Shabbat blessing from her step-mom.  Love and respect emanate from this frame.  These two pictures set the tone for the story without using any words.  A book about family, imagination, and magic, Hereville is essential to any library serving tweens!  Well done!