Want Nonfiction Graphic Novels? Look for the new sticker!

Some people have asked a very legitimate question about the graphic novels in the library: "I only want comics about real stuff.  How do I tell which are which?"  This is not always easy to tell at first glance.  To solve this problem, we have now added red "Nonfiction" stickers across the top of every nonfiction  graphic novel.  So if you want your comic to be based around real events and people just look for the red sticker at the top. 

LC

Dive into Nonficton Graphic Novels

More than just superheroes and manga, there are a whole slew of graphic novels about real people and events.

Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes

With a shout of farewell, Harry Houdini jumps into the icy waters of a Boston river, with both hands and feet handcuffed while a crowd of people look on.  But Houdini never did an escape act completely alone.  His wife and hired men helped him to cement his reputation as the greatest escape artist of all time.  Follow one of Houdini’s escapades from practicing his escape to carrying it out.

Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean by Sarah Stewart Taylor

In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean.  Taking off from Newfoundland and landing in Ireland, her trip won her national fame.  But it is her quiet determination and persistence that make her a star.

Around the World by Matt Phelan

Three very different people have the same dream; to travel around the world.  They did it for fame, for money, for adventure, and to prove that they could.  Whether traveling by bicycle, foot, or boat nothing stopped these three from finding their way.

No Girls Allowed: Tales of Daring Women Dressed as Men for Love, Freedom, and Adventure by Susan Hughes

Once upon a time the only way for women to have a job and control what they did was to dress up as a man.  The lives of female kings, warriors, pirates, and doctors are described in seven short tales, each featuring a different woman.  Crossing different time periods and cultures, No Girls Allowed shows how guts and a can-do attitude will let any girl fulfill their dream.

-Lauren C.

Doodle Dee Do!

There are different ways to tell a story.  Some books use words.  Other books use pictures.  Some of my favorite books use both.  Recently, a friend shared Doodlebug with me, a novel that is told with doodle pictures and words.  I thought it was so unusual - not exactly a graphic novel like Squish by Jennifer and Matthew Holm, and not exactly a journal like Amelia's Notebook by Marissa Moss.  Instead, the author/illustrator Karen Romano Young illustrates even the words - just like the cover on the left - to tell the story, filling each page completely. 

If you like to make up stories with words or pictures or both, don't miss Doodle Dee Do - a Write On! creative writing workshop for kids third through fifth grade.  We'll meet two afternoons next week to work on our own books and learn how Karen Romano Young creates her doodle stories.  You can register by calling 367-4069 or going to the library's e-calendar .  Hope to see you there!  -Elaine B.

Superheroes and African American Authors

We have two new guides to great reads on our website: Superheroes and  Books by African American Authors.  Superheroes leads the reader through some of the best graphic novels, novels and non-fiction featuring superheroes in our department.  You may be interested in the classic Amazing Spider-Man comics for kids and Superman: the Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel.  Or you may be more interested in new superheroes like Buzzboy: Trouble in Paradise by John Gallagher, Archvillain by Barry Lyga, and Sardine in Outer Space by Emmanual Guibert.  If you get inspired to make your own heroes, you can even visit Heroes!: Draw Your Own Superheroes, Gadget Geeks, and Other Do-gooders. Books by African American Authors leads the reader through great fiction books by African American authors. Younger readers may be interested in Kadir Nelson's He's Got the Whole World in His Hands or Melanie Turner-Denstaedt's The Hat that Wore Clara B.  Older readers may be interested in Sharon Flake's The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street or Dwayne J. Ferguson's The Werewolf of P.S. 40.
-Elaine B.

Graphic Novel Explosion

If you think graphic novels are still just superhero books think again. There has been a huge increase in the types and number of graphic novels that are being published for kids. Our graphic novel collection is hugely popular with our patrons, including those kids who normally complain about reading. Graphic novels are no longer tailored just for boys either. An excellent book for girls who would like a female heroine is Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale (the cover of the book is pictured to the right).

There are now historical graphic novels like The 1918 Flu Pandemic by Katherine Krohn. Popular series that first appeared in regular book form are being turned into graphic novels like the Time Warp Trio Series by Jon Scieszka, Nancy Drew based on the series by Carolyn Keene and Warriors by Erin Hunter. These join the graphic novel bookshelves with popular series that are only in graphic novel format like Babymouse by Jennifer Holm and Bone by Jeff Smith. So bring home a handful of graphic novels along with regular books to tempt your picky readers or to intrigue your book devourer. There are plenty of great titles to choose from and they are all together, near the easy to read shelves. Happy Reading! --Rachel V.