The Color of Heaven

Kim Dong Hwa
320 pages

This is the sequel to The Color of Earth and The Color of Water, which is a trilogy about a young Korean girl maturing to adulthood and finding true love.  At the beginning of this book, Duksam boards a train to become a fisherman in the south so he can save enough money to marry Ehwa.  Ehwa and her mother comfort each other as both must wait long days and weeks for the men they love.  Ehwa and her mother have a beautiful relationship, and Ehwa's marriage is definitely bittersweet for her mother.

The Color of Water

Kim Dong Hwa
320 pages

Ehwa is a teenage girl living in a traditional Korean village sometime during the past.  Ehwa is at an age where her friends are beginning to marry.  When she meets a wrestler named Duksam, she thinks she may have found the one.  However, many obstacles stand in their way.

I love the relationship that Ehwa has with her mother.  In fact, I would say that's one of my favorite things about this book.  I hope that both Ehwa and her mother finally get married in the next book.

"Uglies: Shay's Story" by Scott Westerfeld, Devin Grayson, and Steven Cummings

208 pages

In Uglies, Tally was led by her friend Shay to the Smoke, a place far outside the city where people stay Ugly instead of getting the operation that makes them not only Pretty but also dim-witted and compliant. This graphic novel tells the story from Shay's perspective: how she met the Crims, befriended Tally, and traveled to the Smoke.

As I was reading Uglies, I was really interested in Shay. I thought she was one of the most intriguing characters. I wanted to know how she developed her independent spirit while growing up in such an oppressive society. I didn't get as much of that background info that I wanted, but I did enjoy hearing her version of the story. I like the artwork and it seems to fit the story well. Overall, a nice addition to the Uglies series.

Three Men in a Boat

by Jerome K. Jerome (original novel), Nidhi Verma (adaptation), K.L. Jones (art), Prince Varghese, Vikash Gurung, and Debu Payen (color), Bhavnath Chaudhary (letters), (Amit Tayal (cover art), Pradeep Serawat (cover color), 71 pages

Three bored Englishmen and one fox terrier go for an eventful float along the Thames in this rather awkward graphic adaptation of Jerome K. Jerome's comedy classic.

For more details, please see my full review at NoFlyingNoTights.com!

Pride and Prejudice: graphic novel

by Nancy Butler and Jane Austen Illustrated by Hugo Petrus        120 p.

           When I found we had comic book versions of Jane Austen's works I had to check them out. It was okay, but as Austen is such a psychological-social writer it loses a lot in mostly pictures. However it could be a nice introduction to Jane Austen for younger readers. I also thought despite being in Georgian style clothes the Bennet sisters look very modern with their haircuts and lots of makeup.

"Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found" by Sophie Blackall

128 pages


This book is exactly what it looks like. Blackall took real missed connections from Craigslist and drew illustrations for them (If you don't know what "missed connections" are, google it. You can thank me later). Some are sad, and a lot are funny. The illustrations are perfect--fun but sort of whimsical as well. On the other hand, I don't think Blackall did as well at picking the ones she featured. A few were hilarious, but most weren't any more entertaining than ones I see on Craigslist when I log on. Still, the book is a great idea and I enjoyed it. 

"21: The Story of Roberto Clemente" by Wilfred Santiago

200 pages


This graphic novel begins with Clemente's childhood in rural Puerto Rico and follows him through his rise in Major League baseball. It depicts his awe-inspiring career as a right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the prejudice he faced, and his humanitarian mission. 


It took me a while to get into this story because it doesn't introduce new characters very well; it just jumps in and it's hard to keep up. However, I did get really interested about a third of the way in. The illustrations are fun and creative, and the book does a great job of covering all aspects of this incredible man's life. 

"The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt" by Caroline Preston

228 pages

Frankie begins her scrapbook as a high school student. As she grows up during the 1920s, she adds to her book, preserving her memories of going to college, falling in love, having her heart broken, moving to Paris, and chasing her dream of being a writer. Each page is filled with photos, captions, and memorabilia from her life and the time period in general. This is a unique, interesting way to tell the story, and I enjoyed each and every page. The story itself isn't earth-shattering, but the fun format makes it worth reading.

"Chopsticks" by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

272 pages

This is basically a scrapbook of photos, letters, text messages, and more that tells a story. And what an interesting story it is. After her mother died, piano prodigy Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her with a rigid schedule and a lot of pressure to be the best. Now, as we learn in the first few pages, 17-year-old Glory is missing. From there, readers flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, which include a whirlwind romance with the boy who moves in next door.

"Chopsticks" is one of the most interesting books I've read in a while. Obviously, the format is unique and fascinating in itself. There's lots to look at on almost every page, and the items shown facilitate a lot characterization despite the lack of words. The pages just make you feel Glory's emotions: loneliness, happiness, depression, etc. Furthermore, clues to the mystery surrounding Glory's disappearance are hidden among the pages. When I got to the end, I thought about it for a long time. I couldn't quite put all the pieces together on my own, but after talking to some friends about it, I've got some interesting ideas about what went down. I don't want to put any spoilers here, but I'm looking forward to hearing what other people think of it and what they think happened!

Missed Connections

by Sophie Blackall, 128 p.

You know the infamous Missed Connections page on Craigslist? These are some of the best that Sophie Blackall found.  They're beautifully illustrated and quirky and so very imaginative.  It was a wonderful escape just to read this book.  If only I'd had a nice Missed Connections (and not a creepy one...)

Habibi

by Craig Thompson, 655 p.

This was so beautiful and terrifying that I'm not even sure where to begin.  It's the story of Dodola and Zam trying to survive in a world so tied to ours yet so very far away.  It's intricate, moving, and brilliant - everything I've come to love about Craig Thompson.

It's quite the behemoth at 655 pages, but the story flows so smooth and quick.  It was impossible to put down.

Bake Sale

by Sara Varon, 160 p.

The mixture of my love of comics and baked goods collided when this hit my desk.  I literally can't get enough of Cupcake and Eggplant and their lovely adventures in the world of NYC bakeries.  Best part? The recipes for Cupcake's baked goods are included in the book and are beautifully illustrated (take that, Food Britannia).

Oh, how I want to see more adventures of Cupcake and Eggplant!!!

"The Kite Runner Graphic Novel" by Khaled Hosseini;

136 pages

In this graphic novel, which is adapted from the bestselling book of the same title, Amir grows up in Afghanistan in the closing years of the monarchy and the first years of the short-lived republic. His most faithful friend, Hassan, is the son of his family's servant. One day, when Hassan is assaulted by bullies, Amir witnesses the attack but is too stunned and frightened to do anything to stop it. Overwhelmed by guilt, he doesn't want to be around Hassan anymore, as his friend reminds him of his betrayal. He shuns Hassan, leaving his friend wondering why Amir is angry with him. Then Amir´s relatively priviledged life in Kabul comes to a sudden end when the communist regime comes to power and his father takes him to the U.S. There Amir grows up, finishes school, and gets married. Through it all, he never forgets Hassan or lets go of regret for the way he left things with his childhood friend. After his father's death, Amir receives a letter from his father's most trusted business partner with news that makes him go back to Taliban-dominated Afghanistan in search of redemption.

"The Kite Runner" is one of my favorite books, so I had to grab this graphic novel when I saw it on the shelf. I love it when books I like come out in graphic novel format because they're a way for me to experience the story in a different way and to get a refresher in a time-efficient manner. This book definitely didn't disappoint me. I wasn't particularly impressed with the artwork, but that didn't bother me at all in this case. The story is so fantastic that I really didn't notice that the art isn't spectacular; in a way, the plain drawings allow the story to take center stage. And while some graphic novel adaptations lose something in the abbreviated format, this book sums up the plot of the original novel very well.

"Scenes From an Impending Marriage" by Adrian Tomine

40 pages

At the request of his fiancee, Adrian Tomine set out to create a wedding favor for their guests that would be more fun and more personal than the typical chocolate bars and picture frames. What started out as a simple illustrated placecard soon grew into a comic book. These short strips chronicle the often ridiculous processes involved in planning a wedding, including hiring a DJ, location scouting, trips to the salon, suit fittings, dance lessons, registering for gifts, and managing parents' demands. I think they're really cute and funny! When I was planning my wedding, I kept thinking Why are we doing this, again? when it came to some ritual or tradition. Tomine illustrates these moments perfectly. The drawings are super-cute, too!

Bake Sale by Sara Varon

2011/160pgs

I really enjoy Sara Varon's books and her art style (even if Robot Dreams made me a bit sad!)

Bake Sale is an adorably funny book about friendship. Cupcake has a pretty great life-his bakery is doing well, he's in a band, and he has a great friend in Eggplant. But lately he's been struggling to bake. When Eggplant suggests that Cupcake join him on his trip to Turkey. It turns out Eggplant is old family friends with Cupcake's hero, Turkish Delight and Cupcake is sure that Turkish Delight has the answer to his baking woes.

Cupcake ends up not being able to make the trip and instead discovers that he didn't need to travel far to find the answers he was searching for. The artwork is adorably cute and the story of friendship is a nice one. The ending comes a bit quickly which may leave young readers wanting more, but it's a nice addition to graphic novels for older tweens.

Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

2011/96pgs



Being an amoeba is tough! Not only do you have school and friends who want your lunch money, but the school bullies are big and try to eat you! Squish is a short funny graphic novel from the creators of Babymouse. I would give this one to young tweens and graphic novel fans. There's lots of humor to entertain young readers.

Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun and post your link below.

Volume 1-2008/208pgs
Volume 2-2009/224pgs
Volume 3-2010/208pgs
Volume 4-2011/224pgs

Emily and her friends think they’ll find the help they need in Cielis, but something isn’t right.  Streets that were once busy are deserted, and the townspeople who are left live in fear.  Emily is soon escorted to the Academy, where she’s expected to compete for a spot on the Guardian Coucil, a group of the most powerful Stonekeepers.  But as the number of competitors gets smaller and smaller, an awful secret is slowly uncovered – a secret that, if left buried, means the certain destruction of everything Emily fights for.

Sarah Teenlibrarian Says: I first came across the Amulet series when I first started working in the library. I noticed lots of tweens checking out the first book and coming in begging to know when book two would be released. I was curious to know what had them so interested, so I read Amulet for myself and I was hooked. This is a graphic novel fantasy/science fiction blend of epic proportions.

The characters are wonderful! Emily is a strong main character and you want to see her succeed on her journey. Emily, her brother Navi, and their mom find themselves in a strange new world (a bit like Narnia meets Gregor the Overlander) and Emily is supposedly the one who will help save them from the evil elf king.

The supporting cast is fantastic! Emily and Navin discover that their great-grandfather created all sorts of creatures/robots and each one is unique and has a personality all their own. These supporting characters are all richly developed and we meet new characters in each volume. I'm really loving the introduction of Vigo, an elderly stonekeeper who may become a strong ally and mentor for Emily, in volume four. Each volume brings a new adventure and new characters and the story becomes even more layered.

And of course, being a graphic novel, you have to mention the artwork, which is absolutely stunning!!

Each page draws you in and you can easily get lost in the rich details of the artwork. The fight sequences are packed full of action and it's easy to envision the whole thing playing out in front of. Sometimes the artwork makes me feel as though I'm watching a Miyazaki film-it's that detailed and beautifully animated.

Each book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts, so our adventures with Emily aren't quite over yet. Readers will have to stay tuned for the next volume, but I don't think they'll mind going back and pouring over the previous books while they wait. The series has a little bit of something for everyone-it's a nice science fiction/fantasy blend. There's magic, but there's also technology and robots. There's talking animals, elves, curses, flying ships, good creatures and bad, a new cute dragon-ish friend (another new favorite from volume four!), mysterious cities-really there's so much packed into this series the action never end! There's also a nice layer of humor, especially with a couple of the robot sidekicks, which helps the text from getting too bogged down in the drama and action.

Overall, I'd say Amulet has a Star Wars/Lord of the Rings/Howl's Moving Castle feel to it, so if you have fans of any of those, give them the Amulet series. I would even suggest this as a must have for libraries looking for great graphic novels to add to their collection-I doubt it will stay on your shelves for long!

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

I really liked this graphic novel (and I'm not a big reader of graphic novels) about a young girl of Russian heritage who feels sort of alienated from both her family and the other students at her private school.  Then she falls into a hole and meets a ghost named Emily, who befriends her....or does she?  You'll find out if you read Anya's Ghost.
Kim F
pp221

"iZombie: Dead to the World" by Chris Roberson and Mike Allred

144 pages

Gwen Dylan is a 20-something zombie. About once a month she must eat a human brain to keep from losing her memories and turning into your traditional lumbering, flesh-craving monster. Fortunately, she got a gig as a gravedigger in an eco-friendly cemetery so she's got access to plenty of sustenance. She spends her free time hanging out with her best friends: Eleanor, a swinging ghost from the '60s who is young and beautiful but a little behind on the times; and Scott, a were-terrier who has a crush on her and is a bit insecure about turning into a friendly dog rather than a fierce wolf during the full moon. One problem is that when Gwen eats a corpse's brain, she obtains some of the memories of the person the body belonged to. This is, obviously, distracting, and as it so happens, can be dangerous. When she eats the brain of a young man who was murdered, she becomes determined to use the victim's memories to find the killer. With the help of her buddies, she sets out to put the pieces together and solve the mystery.

I loved every page of this thing--I wish it were longer! It's refreshing to have a story where the zombies and other supernatural creatures are the protagonists rather than the villains. Gwen, Eleanor, and Scott are fun, likable characters who made me laugh and the artwork is creative and interesting. There are supposed to be at least two more volumes of the iZombie series, and I can hardly wait for them to get here.

"Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer and The Great Puppet Theater" by Van Jensen and Dusty Higgins

166 pages

No, your eyes do not deceive you: our favorite killer puppet is back in this second volume of "Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer." He's still hunting down vampires to get revenge for the death of his beloved Geppetto. His wooden nose comes in pretty handy during his quest, as all he as to do is lie to access an unlimited supply of wooden stakes. Now, in this installment, he is joined by his "brothers and sisters"--the magical puppets of the Great Puppet Theater. They, too, are thirsty for vampire blood. That's the good news. The bad news is that Master Cherry was killed and turned into a vampire. Fairy's magic is able to keep him in his right mind--but Pinocchio can't accept him in his bloodsucking state. Finally, the tension explodes and chaos ensues. In the midst of all that, Pinocchio's woman gets kidnapped by pirates. How will Pinocchio get out of this mess?

I enjoyed this second volume of "Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer" even more than the first, and that's saying something. The story takes some interesting turns and cracked me up on almost every page. I can hardly wait for the third book to come out!