So, you’re at a get-together of some kind, minding your own business, when someone asks you a reader’s most dreaded question:
“What’s your favorite book?”
As if we can name just one! Honestly, it’s hard enough to narrow it down to one genre sometimes, or one format, or one author, let alone just one title! And the answer changes depending on your age, mood, situation, how the planets align, etc. So, really, the question is just plain impossible.
That being said, I do have one constant preference: I love graphic novels. Not every single one I read, necessarily, but, on the whole, they are one of my favorite kinds of books. Many of my favorite books are graphic novels, as well.
I still haven’t been able to pick just one favorite graphic novel from 2018, though, so I decided to write reviews for several. I hope you enjoy!
Peter and Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable
Age Range: 6 – 10
Peter and Ernesto are the best of friends who do everything together in their tree. They eat, sleep, and look at the sky. Until one day, Ernesto comes down with a case of wanderlust that scares Peter to the core: he wants to see all of the sky. Promising to tell Peter all about it upon his return, Ernesto rushes off to have adventures. Peter waits for him as long as he can (which is not that long) before fears for his friend’s safety force him to follow, albeit much more slowly. They manage to have completely different journeys, despite their partially overlapping trails, and at the end are overjoyed to be reunited. This is a funny, simply-drawn book with depth, perfect for kids who are starting to get the hang of reading. The artist’s ability to convey emotion with just a few lines is staggering, and the plot moves quickly without being predictable. Just about perfect for any young reader.
Mr. Wolf’s Class by Aron Nels Steinke
Age Range: 7 – 10
It’s the first day of fourth grade, and Mr. Wolf’s first day of teaching EVER! This delightful, slice-of-life novel follows Mr. Wolf and his students through their day, from getting ready for school to riding the bus home. Some of the characters include Penny, a pig, who is desperate to get some sleep because her baby sibling kept her up all night; Margot, a rabbit, who just moved to town the day before; Sampson, an energetic frog, whose day is simply not going to plan; and more! While this story is definitely a gentle read, there are some plot twists: a student gets lost! Rats steal lunches! Did another teacher steal Mr. Wolf’s stapler? An excellent portrayal of an average school day that students will easily see themselves in: a low-key win and fun series starter for kids who prefer easy-going plots.
The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell
Age Range: 8 – 12
A multi-authored ode to individuality, imagination, friendship, and summer. It starts with just one brother-sister pair (the Sorceress and the Imp), making alter-ego costumes out of cardboard and craft supplies, and spreads like wildfire to every kid in their neighborhood. Pretty soon they are joined by the Knight, the Huntress, Beast Boy, Big Banshee, the Mad Scientist, an evil robot and more, all with skin tones, cultures, and backgrounds as diverse as their characters. Each episode lasts a few pages, with plots ranging from the humorous to the heartfelt, and together they tell the story of how the kids come to make a team by summer’s end. A crowd-pleasing favorite – not to be missed.
City on the Other Side written by Mairghread Scott, illustrated by Robin Robinson
Age Range: 8 – 12
Isabel loves her city, San Francisco, and longs to see more of it first hand. Her high-society mother, however, has different ideas, and sends the girl to live with her artist father in the countryside for the summer. Little do the humans realize that a war between the Seelie and Unseelie fairy courts is coming to a dangerous head, and Isabel’s about to walk right into the thick of things! Can Isabel and her new-found friends (including an animate mushroom and a Filipino boy named Benjie) complete their quest and save the city they love? The gorgeous, detailed illustrations immediately immerse readers in a complex world full of fascinating magical creatures from around the globe, and the fast-paced plot keeps the pages turning. Fantasy and adventure lovers will eat this up!
Mega Robo Bros by Neill Cameron
Age Range: 8 – 12
Brothers Alex and Freddy aren’t completely certain where they came from, but they DO know that they are the most advanced robots in the world. Or are they? Strange attacks keep occurring all over the city, clearly planned by some kind of mastermind, and they seem to be centered on the boys.
An action-packed series starter, starring two of the most realistic kids in comics today. Alex and Freddy squabble, go to school, and fly around a beautifully diverse future London, growing up and making hard choices along the way. The family dynamic between the boys and their human parents is one of the best parts of the story, but the plotline never lags, either. Perfect series starter for a high-energy reader.
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
Age Range: 10 – 14
Russian-immigrant Vera doesn’t seem to fit in no matter where she goes. Her single mother is in school to make a better life for the family, but it has left them short on funds, meaning Vera sticks out like a sore thumb in their affluent neighborhood. When all of the other girls start talking about summer camp, Vera is struck with an idea: she could go to Russian summer camp, with other immigrant kids! It takes some scheming, but her mother agrees. Sadly, it doesn’t go as planned. Just as a start, Vera is stuck in a bunk with much older girls, the boys are mean, and the toilettes are dreadful. How will she survive the summer alive? Will she ever make a friend? Based off the life experiences of the author and her siblings, Be Prepared is funny, well-drawn, insightful, and emotionally authentic. We’ve all felt like outsiders at one time or another, and this book will resonate with practically everyone.
