Graphic Novel – Page 5 – Sneak Peek Books

Ghosts

Caterina doesn’t want to move. But moving to the coastal town Bahia de la Luna, with its cool, salty air, will help her little sister Maya’s cystic fibrosis. When the two sisters start exploring their new home, they meet their neighbor, Carlos. According to Carlos, Maya isn’t the only one that likes the cool, salty air—so do the ghosts who visit Bahia de la Luna.

As the town prepares for El Día De Los Muertos, Maya is determined to meet a ghost. But Cat doesn’t want to have anything to do with the celebration, and she certainly doesn’t want to meet a ghost. Will Cat be able to put aside her fears? Will Maya fulfill her dream of a ghostly encounter?

Ghost focus on Cat’s fear of losing her sick sister, who has cystic fibrosis. The story shows Maya’s treatments in a fun, illustrated format. Even though Maya is sick, she remains adventurous and inquisitive. Maya is curious about what will happen to her after death.

The beautiful color pictures help tell Cat’s story. Cat is also fearful of the ghost and wants them to leave her family alone. Cat doesn’t want to learn about the Día De Los Muertos or think about her sister’s illness. The illustrations portray Cat’s varied emotions—fear, worry, embarrassment, and love. Even though Cat’s fear is a central part of the story, the ghosts are not portrayed in a frightening manner.

This easy-to-read story gives readers a glimpse into the life of someone with cystic fibrosis. The traditions of Día De Los Muertos come alive through the illustrations. For readers who want to learn more, the end of the book contains more information about Día De Los Muertos and cystic fibrosis.

Ghost is a simple story told through both illustrations and text. Each page contains seven or fewer sentences. The easy vocabulary, simple sentences, and fun pictures make Ghost accessible to all readers. The story contains some Spanish words, but most readers will be able to understand the meaning through context clues. The message and the plot will be interesting for readers in elementary and junior high.

Sexual Content

Cat kisses a boy on the cheek.

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

“Oh my gosh” is used several times.

Supernatural

The story focuses on the Day of the Dead. “It’s a day to welcome back the spirits of the loved ones we’ve lost.”
The town’s mission is “a doorway to the spirit world.” Later in the story, someone takes Maya and her sister to the mission because “It’s where the ghosts’ world and ours most closely overlap. . . so heading up there is our best chance of making contact.”
When Cat and Maya see a ghost, the ghost hurts Maya because “ghosts just get a little overly excited by kids. Their energy is like a breath of fresh air.”
On the day of the dead, ghosts come to the town and interact with the living. “Some of them can speak, and some of them can’t.” One of the ghosts grabs Cat’s hand and flies her home.
A character thinks that “keeping seashells in your house is bad luck. . . unless you want to lure the discontented dead.”
At the end of the story, traditional Mexican foods magically appear on Cat’s family’s table.

Spiritual Content

None

According to Aggie

For 11-year-old Aggie, life is routine. She spends her time with her family and her best friend Fiona. When Fiona begins acting differently, Aggie isn’t sure what’s going on. They didn’t have a fight. Nothing has really changed, but Fiona isn’t spending time with her. Aggie wonders why Fiona is canceling plans and ignoring her. How should Aggie act around Fiona? Will she be able to make new friends?

Written in graphic novel format, younger readers will enjoy According to Aggie’s easy-to-read format and the cute colored pictures. The story has eight or fewer sentences per page, which makes the story accessible to even the most reluctant readers. Plus, readers will relate to Aggie’s fear that she will not be able to make new friends. Aggie is afraid that others won’t want to be her friend because they will think she is “weird” and “will catch the no-friend disease.”

All of the parents in the story are portrayed in a positive light and give different examples of healthy relationships. Three different mothers appear in the story, and although they make a brief appearance, they are clearly portrayed in a positive, caring light. Aggie’s mother helps Aggie work through her problems and suggests that Aggie write her feelings in a diary.

Because the story is told from Aggie’s point of view, the reader will understand her confusion and fear. The illustrations do an excellent job of portraying Aggie’s emotions. Even though the story focuses on Aggie’s internal struggle, there is enough action to keep readers interested. According to Aggie uses delightful illustrations and an interesting story to teach about the struggle to make friends.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

News Prints

As a newsie, Blue can sell just as well as the boys in her town of Nautilene. Living in a home with other newsies, Blue feels safe even though her homeland, Goswing, is fighting a war. But Blue is afraid that danger isn’t just lurking in the shadows of her war-torn country. She’s afraid that others may discover her secret—Blue is not a boy.

When Blue is offered a job as an apprentice to a scientist named, Jack, Blue is excited to learn new skills. While working with Jack, Blue meets Crow, a reclusive boy, who has secrets of his own. The two instantly become friends, and together, they help each other to become their true selves.

Beautiful color illustrations combine the newsies era to life. Unlike many graphic novels, News Prints illustrations include vibrantly colored cityscapes and backgrounds. The amazing artwork will keep readers turning the pages.

News Prints is a combination of steampunk and historical settings. Even though the story has old friends, conspiracy, and interesting inventions, the story is not original. Blue disguises herself as a boy, which requires her to answer questions about her identity. Her new friend’s crow also has a secret about his identity. The theme is clear: people should not make assumptions about others and people should have the freedom to be their true selves.

Although the artwork is stunning, younger readers may be confused because the basic story lacks important background information about the setting. Even though the illustrations help tell the story, some scenes were confusing. The frantic pacing allows the story to skip over information that may have made the scene’s action clear.

Blue comes to realize that even though the war has torn families apart, strangers can come together to make their own family. The story also shows how the media is not always truthful and how the government bends the news to lie to people. In today’s world, this is a theme worth exploring.

News Prints is told from Blue’s perspective, which allows the reader to connect with her. Blue is honest, loyal, and compassionate. She doesn’t back down from causes that she believes in. Younger readers may be confused because of the lack of background information, but for strong readers who have already jumped into reading graphic novels, News Prints will entertain.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

Blue and other newsies fight. Someone knocks Blue down.
The military shoots down a flying machine. No one is injured.

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

Blue said “goose butts” several times.

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

The Great Pet Escape

Guinea pig George Washington thinks that being a second-grade class pet is like being in prison. He dreams of escaping and leading his two friends to freedom. When he finally escapes, he goes to find his friends, Barry and Bitter. George Washington is shocked to find out that his friends like being classroom pets.

George Washington convinces his friends to leave with him. A mouse named Harriet and her many mouse minions stop the three friends from escaping. Will George Washington be able to battle his way out of this terrible mess?

The Great Pet Escape is an outrageously silly story told from George Washington’s point of view. The graphic novel format will keep younger readers entertained. Although the story is written for those ready for chapter books, they may not understand all of the humor. For example, one of Barry’s former partners in crime has turned into a yoga-loving, herbal tea-drinking, pacifist. Even though some of the humor may not be understandable, readers will still fall in love with the class pets.

Readers will giggle when Harriet’s mouse minions fight George Washington and his friends. The colorful pictures are adorably funny and bring the action to life. Readers will want to read the story again and again, not only to enjoy the illustrations but also to relive the food fighting action. The Great Pet Escape is a unique, ridiculously silly story that will capture reader’s hearts.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

The animals have a food fight. They throw fish sticks, fruit, vegetables, and pasta at each other.
Two animals have a sword fight with uncooked spaghetti.
During the food fight, Jell-O is used as a holding cell.

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

One of the characters thinks he wants to get his friends and “get the heck out of here.”
Someone calls a hamster a “moron.”

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Tales from a NOT-SO-Friendly Frenemy

Nikki thinks this school year will be better because her arch nemesis MacKenzie Hollister now attends North Hampton Hills (NHH). But Nikki’s luck is about to run out. As part of a student exchange week, Nikki will spend a week at NHH. How will she survive a week at the same school as her enemy?

Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy’s conflict revolves around all the drama in Nikki’s life. At one point in the story, Nikki makes a homemade facial cream hoping the cream will give her flawless skin. Instead, the cream turns her face neon blue. The story contains many such silly scenes, which may make readers giggle.

Readers will enjoy the format of the story, which uses lists, quote boxes, emoji’s and text talk such as “BFF and R U kidding me?” Cute black-and-white illustrations show Nikki and the others in stylish clothes. Since the story is written in diary format, most paragraphs consist of one to two sentences and much of the text is stereotypical preteen talk.

Because the story is written in diary format, Nikki’s thoughts are recorded. However, her thoughts are often mean, such as when she thinks, “Listen, Tiffany! I have to go to the bathroom! So while I’m there would you like me to pee and poop for you too?”

Another negative aspect of the story is the way teachers are portrayed. When Nikki first gets to NHH, a student goes through the list of teachers and explains their negative attributes. For example, the student says, “Mr. Schmidt is a senile old dude who loves ranting about when he attended NHH as a kid during the stone age.”

The students are NHH are portrayed in a stereotypical way. The beautiful, fashionable girls are mean and cruel to the boys in the science club. Most of the main characters look similar, and there is little diversity among the students. The stereotypical characters might give younger readers the wrong idea about what junior high is actually like.

Overall, Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy is an easy-to-read story that could lead to a good discussion about how people should act. The story is humorous, but the characters have many qualities that parents will not want their children to emulate. Although this fun story will entertain readers, it misses the opportunity to teach valuable lessons.

Sexual Content

Nikki has a crush on Brandon. In class, they “started to text message and blush. Then we stared at each other and blushed. All of this staring and blushing went on, like, FOREVER!”

Violence

MacKenzie shoves Nikki.

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

Nikki thinks Mackenzie is a “sicko.”
Tiffany calls someone a “clumsy idiot” and says, “You science club geeks are so pathetic!”
OMG is used often.
Heck is used once.
Darn is used once.
Someone says they are a “cruddy cook.”
Nikki uses the phrase “I threw up in my mouth” several times.

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

Nikki was “praying she’ll [a teacher] select me to go to Paris.”
When Nikki is late to class, she “took off running and prayed that I’d get there before it was too late.”

Tales from a NOT-SO-Perfect Pet Sitter

Nikki is excited that mean girl MacKenzie is no longer going to her school. She thinks MacKenzie is out of her life for good, but she is wrong. By accident, Nikki finds out that MacKenzie is telling her new friends all kinds of lies. Should Nikki tell MacKenzie’s friends the truth?

Then Nikki and Brandon find Holly and her seven puppies outside of Fuzzy Friends, a dog shelter where Brandon volunteers. The shelter is full, and Brandon is worried because “Not all places in the city have a no-kill policy like we do.” The friends think about hiding the dogs in the shelter even though it’s “a serious violation that could get us shut down.” When MacKenzie overhears Nikki and Brandon’s plot, they decide to take care of the dogs themselves.

Nikki lies to her mother, telling her that, “due to a family emergency, a good friend of mine needs a pet sitter for his dog.” Since Nikki’s mother said she didn’t want a dog in the house, Nikki decides to hide Holly and her puppies. Nikki’s friends help her come up with a plot to keep Nikki’s parents out of the house. When her mom unexpectedly stays home, Nikki and her friends try to hide the dog at the school, which requires more lies and plotting. When Nikki involves her friends and another girl in her schemes, she says, “I felt like a snake. A dishonest, manipulative, and very desperate snake!” That is an accurate description of Nikki’s character.

The conflict of hiding Holly and her puppies would be sufficient to keep readers entertained. Adding the character MacKenzie simply brings out the worst in Nikki and turns her into a mean girl. At one point, Nikki thinks the mean girl MacKenzie is like a disposable baby diaper because, “they’re both plastic, totally self-absorbed, and full of poop!!” However much like MacKenzie, Nikki’s treatment of MacKenzie and her sister makes Nikki come across as self-absorbed and snotty.

Dork Diaries is written in the form of a diary, which contains lists, quote bubbles, emoji’s and text talk such as “BFF and OMG.” The cute black-and-white illustrations show Nikki and the others in stylish clothes. Since the story is written in diary format, most paragraphs consist of one to two sentences and much of the text is stereotypical preteen talk.

The fun story will entertain readers. However, Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter shows Nikki being dishonest and still being rewarded. In the end, Nikki’s parents never learn of her deception, and her parents decide to bring home the exact puppy that Nikki had wanted. Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter is an easy-to-read, fun story, but the main character has many qualities that parents will not want their child to emulate.

Sexual Content

Nikki has a crush on Brandon. They go to a cupcake shop and “then we just stared at each other and blushed. All this staring, gushing, and blushing went on like, FOREVER!” While there, “dozens of butterflies started fluttering in my stomach. It made me feel very giggly and a little queasy. All at the same time. Like I wanted to. . .vomit. . . rainbow-colored. . . CUPCAKE SPRINKLES!”
MacKenzie interrupts an almost kiss between Nikki and Brandon.
MacKenzie flirts with Brandon. When talking to him, she was “batting her eyelashes all flirtylike as she twirled her hair around and around her finger in a blatant attempt to hypnotize him to do her evil bidding.”
Makenzie starts a rumor that Brandon, “had kissed her on a bet just to get free pizza.”

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

OMG is used often.
Brandon tells MacKenzie that, “I don’t hang out with sociopaths!”
“Oh crud” is used once.
MacKenzie calls a group of kids “idiots.”
Nikki uses the phrase “I threw up in my mouth” several times.
Nikki thinks that her little sister is “bratty.”
When Nikki meets her friend’s uncle, she thinks, “I’d much rather spend the weekend with a pack of wild dogs than her whiny, slightly nutty, germophobic Uncle Carlos.”
When MacKenzie sees her sister talking to Nikki’s sister, MacKenzie yells, “I told you never to talk to that little BRAT or her PATHETIC sister again!”

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Noise: Based on a True Story

An introverted girl who just wanted to be left alone. A talkative little boy with a very important wish. Based on a true story, Noise is the heartwarming tale of finding joy in unexpected places. Short and sweet, the full-color comic book is for both children and adults alike.

Cathryn sits in the back of the bus because she wants to be alone. But a talkative fourth grader just keeps asking questions. Cathryn finally blows up and yells at the inquisitive boy. Later, Cathryn apologizes to the boy and gives him a balloon. The boy happily takes the balloon, and tells Cathryn how the balloon is important because “you can’t send mail to heaven without a balloon.” After that revelation, Cathryn takes the time to befriend the boy.

A short, powerful graphic novel, Noise uses colorful pictures to illustrate the story. Each page has six or fewer short sentences. Despite the lack of words, the story shows the importance of being present. Despite the powerful message, many readers will be able to finish the book in just a few minutes and might be left wanting more. At only 26 pages, Noise is perfect for struggling readers or as a discussion starter. More advanced readers will find the cute story too short and it will be quickly forgotten.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

None

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Roller Girl

Ever since second grade, twelve-year-old Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. When Astrid’s mother takes her and Nicole to a roller derby event, Astrid decides she wants to be just like roller derby girls and signs up for a roller derby summer camp. Astrid assumes Nicole will sign up with her, but Nicole signs up for ballet instead. This starts a conflict between the two friends and is the start of a difficult summer for Astrid.

At first, Astrid seems like an angry, bratty character who chases her best friend away. However, as the story progresses, the reader begins to see deeper into Astrid’s mixed emotions. Astrid struggles with the idea that Nicole wants to spend time with other people, including boys. When Astrid eavesdrops on one of Nicole’s conversations, she is upset that Nicole doesn’t stand up for her and reacts in anger. Like many preteens, Astrid must learn the difficult task of navigating friendships, but, in the end, she learns some valuable lessons including how to control her anger, how to forgive, and how to put other’s needs first. Another positive aspect of Roller Girl is that Astrid shows that through hard work and perseverance, a person can improve their skills and contribute to their team.

Readers will be drawn to Roller Girl because of the colorful cartooning that excels at showing the characters’ emotions. They will continue reading because of the fast-paced plot that covers many issues that preteens deal with: friendship, boys, parents, honesty, and feeling like a failure. The conclusion is heartwarming because Astrid changes from an angry girl into a supportive friend.

Sexual Content
• When Astrid sees her friend with a boy she thinks, “Was she on a DATE with Adam? I don’t know why this made me feel so weird . . . but it did.” As her friend walks away she wonders, “Was she going to hold hands with Adam? Was she going to KISS him?”

Violence
• In one of the pictures, siblings are shown hitting each other.
• When Astrid overhears her best friend talking to someone else about how to stop being friends with Astrid, she feels angry and throws soda at them. “I don’t know why I did it. I didn’t mean to hit them—I just meant to throw my soda at their feet.”
• Astrid is learning roller derby, which has pushing, shoving, and blocking. At practice, Astrid is thinking about hitting Nicole and hits someone else instead.

Drugs and Alcohol
• A girl tells Astrid’s friend that Astrid is “probably on drugs or something.” Astrid does not do drugs.
• When Astrid’s mother finds out Astrid has been lying to her, she says, “. . . and you’re going to be a teenager soon. How do I know you won’t lie to me about smoking, or skipping school, or doing drugs?” Astrid wonders, “Why does everyone think I’m doing drugs?”

Language
• Several characters call others names including “jerk”, “moron”, “rat-faced jerk”, “weirdo”, and “losers.”
• “OMG” and “OHMYGOD” are used as exclamations.
• “Crud” is used once.
• A character calls her siblings “turd buckets.”
• Astrid talks about how other kids call her “Ass-turd.”

Spiritual Content
• None

Tales from a NOT-SO-Popular Party Girl

Middle school can be traumatizing for any girl. But for Nikki, middle school is a nightmare. Nikki dreams about going to the Halloween dance with Brandon, but so does popular mean girl MacKenzie. Then in a strange turn of events, MacKenzie resigns as the dance chairperson and so do all of the cool kids, leaving Nikki and her two friends in charge. Now Nikki and her friends must decide if they should cancel the dance or if they can plan it all on their own.

To add to the drama of Nikki’s life, her little sister has a tooth fairy phobia that has become Nikki’s problem. Her parents drag her to a funeral where she has an uncontrollable fit of hiccups. And to cap it all off, she has to dress as a rat at a little kid party and paint faces—on the same night of the Halloween dance.

Dork Diaries is written in the form of a diary, which allows Nikki’s thoughts and feelings to take center stage. The diary contains a lot of text talk such as BTW and OMG. Plus, there are many references to pop culture stars such as Jessica Simpson and Tyra Banks. Although Nikki’s days are filled with funny events, the books show a stereotypical junior high full of mean girls, boy drama, and cool kid drama.

Throughout the book, there are cute drawings that add to the storyline. Because the story is written in diary format, most paragraphs consist of one to two sentences and the vocabulary is typical of a preteen. Although the story is entertaining, there is no educational value.

Sexual Content

When Nikki thinks Mackenzie is going to the dance with Brandon she says, “She was buying a new lip gloss JUST for Brandon. I knew what THAT meant.”

Violence

When Nikki was embarrassed she thinks, “I was so angry I wanted to grab them both by their necks and squeeze until their little heads exploded.”
A cool girl purposely bumps Nikki’s food plate, which splashes chocolate onto Nikki’s dress.

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

The narrator uses words like crud, craptastic, dagnabbit, darn, OMG and what the . . .”

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

One Dead Spy

Nathan Hale is standing on the gallows, waiting to die. As he awaits death, he tells the story of the Revolutionary War. Nathan explains how the rebels were able to defeat an army that was bigger than they were. His story is full of narrow escapes with danger and acts of heroism. Nathan, a teacher who turned into a spy, tells how the British were able to capture and execute him.

The Revolutionary War and America’s fight for independence comes to life in the form of a graphic novel. Although the story revolves around war and the death of soldiers, the pictures are not graphic or gory. As Nathan tells his story, the image of the rope hanging from a tree appears repeatedly. The executioner and the British soldier seem excited to end Nathan’s life. However, at the end of the book, Nathan lives to tell another story in book two.

One Dead Spy turns history into an easy to read, entertaining format. The book ends with short biographies of other important historical people.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

The narrator of the story, Nathan Hale, is sentenced to death. “The prisoner, Captain Nathan Hale, was caught spying . . . he is sentenced to hang by the neck until he is dead.”
The story includes facts about the Boston Massacre, when the British killed men for throwing rocks. “They shouldn’t have thrown rocks at armed soldiers!”
When 2,000 British soldiers charge, “there were 1,000 rebels sniping at them from the hilltop.” The rebels flee when they run out of ammo.
The rebels are starving. When they see a cow, they are excited. But the cow is killed by the enemy.
Through the novel, Nathan Hale describes the Revolutionary War battels. Although there are pictures of the armies and the dead soldiers, the pictures are not bloody. Sound effects are added. “BLAM CRACK BOOM POW POW FWAM.”
Nathan Hale and another man are on a scouting mission when the enemy’s scouts shoot at them. Nathan gets a “little war tattoo” when he holds his musket too close to his face. Nathan’s companion then explains that a red badge is a bullet hole.
When the British capture enemy soldiers, many are hung. Others are put on prison ships. The prisoners, “spend months chained, floating in New York Harbor. Many die there from disease and starvation.”

Drugs and Alcohol

After a battle, the soldiers “liberated the fort, they found the liquor storage and liberated that too.”

Language

Damn is used. Ethan Allen tells someone, “Go now and complain to that damn scoundrel, your governor!”
Several times someone calls the enemy, “Damn dirty rats.”
One of the characters yells, “Poppycock!”

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content

None

Alamo All Stars

Nathan Hale tells the tale of the Texas Revolution. In the early 1800s, Texas was a dangerous place. The Mexican government, Native Americans, and settlers from the United States fought over the land. The tale begins when “land pirates” began moving to Texas. It also covers the Alamo and the victory over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.

The tale includes Stephen F. Austin, who led the charge to settle the frontier. Other interesting characters who make an appearance include the following: Patrick Jack, William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie, and David Crockett. Readers will learn about politics, military action, and prominent people. At the end of the book, maps and biographies give more historical insight.

Designed for reluctant readers, Alamo All-Stars brings history to life. Because Texas history is complex and full of battles, readers may have a difficult time keeping all of the names straight. Alamo All-Stars details many different battles. Although the pictures are not graphic, there are many battle scenes and a lot of death.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

James Long travels to Texas in the hopes of making Texas its own republic. He is killed. “He was shot dead by a prison guard.” A picture of Long lying in a pool of blood is shown.
Mexico goes through a string of emperors. One is killed by a firing squad.
Jim Bowie and Norris Wright get into a fight. “Wright blasted him square in the face.” The pistol misfires, so Bowie is uninjured.
During a duel, a fight breaks out and several people are killed. Jim Bowie is injured. “I see two bullet holes, one in the leg, one in the lung, seven sword slashes, one through the left hand, and a serious bludgeon wound on the scalp.”
Jim Bowie and a group of men get in a battle with Indians. Several people are injured.
General Santa Anna takes an army of 3,500 to attack and slaughter rebels in the town of Zacatecas. After the battle, Santa Anna tells the soldiers, “Do whatever you want. Take whatever you want. Kill whomever you want.”
The people of Texas do not want Santa Anna’s soldiers to be in Texas, so they resist. The end of the book tells of battle after battle. One picture illustrates a sharpshooter falling out of a tree after being shot. In other battles, dead soldiers are shown but not in gory detail.

Drugs and Alcohol

After being captured and then released, Travis says, “Bring me a barrel of whisky. . . . whisky for everyone! Even the soldiers who held me prisoner!”
David Bowie is drunk in a bar.

Language

During a pistol fight, one of the men says, “Damned rascals killed me.”
David Crockett goes to the Alamo. When he introduces himself he says, “I was knocked down and dragged out in the world of politics . . . so I told them all to go to hell and I would go to Texas.”

Supernatural