Drawing From Memory

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DRAWING FROM MEMORY follows the story of artist Allen Say as he realizes that his dream is to become an artist, and the journey he took to get there. This story could be confusing for younger readers to follow, as the storyline does not follow a clear path from page to page. The story is a mixture of paragraphs, comic boxes, drawings, and captions. Readers will be interested in the culture of this artist, as well as how his choice to become an artist was viewed by his family.

This story shows aspects of the Japanese culture in the regional literature theme. Readers are shown how children are raised in this culture, as well as what is expected of them. School customs are also shown in this book. Since the story is a biography readers will get a true sense of life in this culture, from daily chores, food, and family relationships.

A book that is similar to this one is one that is also reviewed on this blog, THE HOUSE THAT BABA BUILT. This story also follows a young artist in his culture, but this one is about China. Students can compare and contrast these two stories and the cultures they represent. They can also compare and contrast their culture with the ones in the stories, creating a three part venn diagram. This could be a perfect time for students to share interesting points about their cultures and their dreams.
This book was reviewed by School Library Journal, an excerpt of the review follows:

This "journey through memories" uses a scrapbook format featuring the author's photographs, sketches, drawings, and comic-style panels. Say shares his love of comics and the important influence they have in his art. The book is a poignant tribute to his mentor, Japanese cartoonist Noro Shinpei.α(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.

Citation

Say, A. (2011). Drawing from memory. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Persepolis

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Author Marjane Strapi discusses her childhood growing up in Iran during a war. She discusses issues that she had growing up such as having to wear a viel during school, and not understanding why this would be required since she did not always have to wear one. She also discusses her parents participating in demonstrations to show their contempt for what is happening in their country. Strapi discusses feeling helpless when her country is being bombed and there isn't anything that she can do about it. During the whole story Strapi discusses what his happening in her country and with her country's army, including her's and her parents feelings on the matter and what was happening to her during these times. At the end of the story her parents send her away to France, reminding her to be true to herself.

This story is very powerful. This could be used to teach the effects of war on families as well as children. With the topics that are explored and some of the events of the story I would recommend that this book would be most applicable in a high school setting where the students would not only understand what all was happening, but be able to handle the details of the story.

Reading Persepolis made me realize that all children have different battles that they are going through. This book could be beneficial in teaching students that everyone has a different journey. In our textbook it talks about how culture is constantly changing and how everyone has a different culture that they grew up in. I think this describes this book perfectly.

Citation

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. France: L'Association.

El Deafo

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Author Cece Bell tells the story of the illness that caused her hearing loss when she was a little girl through a graphic novel with animal characters. One day Cece is playing like normal when she begins to feel sick. After she becomes worse her family ends up taking her to the hospital, where they find out that Cece will be permanently deaf. Now Cece will have to wear a hearing device to school and everywhere she goes. At first she is going to a school where there are other students who are like her. However, one day her family has to move so she has to leave her school behind and attend a regular school. Cece has to work through some difficulties including being self conscious of her hearing device and having people misunderstand her hearing loss. Many of the students at her new school think that for her to hear them they must yell. However, this does not help Cece understand. At times Cece has a hard time because children who are thinking they are being her friend are controlling her, but she is afraid to speak up because she does not want to be without friends. She also has to battle teachers not wanting to wear the device that will help her hear or mistreating her device. By the end of the story Cece has found friends that are good to her and she is beginning to know how to deal with her hearing loss through becoming El Deafo, the super hero who happens to have hearing loss.

This story teaches students that they can do anything that they set their minds to and that everyone is special in their own way. Also, teachers can use this story to discuss the fact that differences make us who we are and that differences need to be celebrated. This story is appropriate for many different age groups with the way that it is written and the material is appropriate for readers of all ages.

In my opinion reading graphic novels are perfect for aesthetic experiences. The pictures and organization of the story are beautiful and draw me in. However, some graphic novels are not only beautiful in their drawings, but are beautiful in how they introduce and develop topics as well as how they present information through word choice and symbolism. I felt this way when reading El Deafo by Cece Bell. The pictures were beautiful and eye catching with their wonderful colors and cute creatures but the way that she presents her struggles as a student with a disability struck me to my core. I laughed at the funny portions and my heart hurt for her when she was mistreated or when her teachers were unwilling to work with her and her hearing device.

Citation

Bell, C. (2014). El deafo. New York, NY: Amulet Books.

Lumberjanes

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One summer a Troop of Lumberjanes begins encountering supernatural animals on seemingly normal camp excursions. During some of these encounters the girls are presented with a puzzle and some clues. As they are trying to follow the clues they have to try to keep up appearances of a normal troop of campers. Their troop leader does not believe their assertions that they have been seeing the supernatural creatures, or that they have been being attacked either. In one occasion they are canoeing down the river when a crazy river monster come up and tries to attack. Their troop leader somehow is looking away and does not see the monster. Because of the attack the girls are thrown from the canoe into the trees. As they are trying to get back to their camp they find more clues. The troop of girls follow the clues to a secret lair with the help of a boy's scout troop, who they save from a crazy camp leader. At the end the girls return to their camp with even more questions than when they started, but they have some promising clues to follow. To the girl's and their leader's surprise, the camp leader not only believes the girl's account, she knows exactly what they are talking about and she is willing to let them continue on their quest.

After reading this book I would recommend the other books in the Lumberjanes series and Nimona. Nimona is written in a similar style to this book and if you enjoyed one you would enjoy the other. In Nimona the reader follows a spunky girl as she tries to be the sidekick to the villain of the kingdom. As it turns out she and the villain become best friends and she has some special powers of her own.

Right now graphic novels and comic books are all the rage, as are interesting combinations of supernatural being and creatures. Knowing this I have already recommended Lumberjanes to many of my students and they are loving the eye catching drawings and interesting creatures that are in this graphic novel.

Citation

Stevenson, N., & Ellis, G. (2015). Lumberjanes vol 1: Beware the kitten holy. Los Angeles, CA: BOOM! Box.

Shark King

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A young boy wants to learn more about his father. But as normal as that sounds here is where the normal part stops. This young boy is wanting to find out more about his father who is the Shark King. This well written graphic novel will take young readers through interesting scenes as the young main character embarks on a journey of discovery. For readers who enjoy folklore this book is perfect. This is also a great book for young readers to begin reading graphic novels.

Resources

Johnson, R. K. (2012). The shark king. Somerville, Massachusetts: Toon Books.

Shark king. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Shark-King-TOON-Level/dp/1935179608/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449251132&sr=1-1&keywords=the+shark+king

Adventures in Cartooning

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Interested in creating comics of your own? This very interesting graphic novel will help readers of all kinds on this journey. As the reader progresses through this book a lovable little elf is guiding them through all of the aspects of cartooning and comics. He provides insight and advice for some different settings and characters in comics and cartooning. The reader will learn about showing not telling and they will also learn about how to create different special details. This fun book will draw in and interest many different readers.

Resources

Adventures in cartooning. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Cartooning-Turn-Doodles-Comics/dp/1596433698/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449249408&sr=1-1&keywords=adventures+in+cartooning

Strum, J., Arnold, A., & Frederick-Frost, A. (2009). Adventures in cartooning. New York, New York: First Second.

Ball

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Everyone loves a story about a kid and their dog. This graphic novel tells this story beautifully, and without using any words. Well, that is not completely true, it uses one word, Ball. Readers will fall in love with this little girl and her puppy. They will see how things are thought of from a dog’s point of view. These things range from playtime, to when his owner leaves for school, to what happens while she’s gone, and to how he feels when she gets home. This lovable story will entertain readers of all kinds.

Resources

Ball. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Mary-Sullivan/dp/0544313615/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449246012&sr=1-1&keywords=ball

Sullivan, M. (2013). Ball. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Children.

Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs

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This graphic novel is more informational than most. However, there is still some entertainment value. As the reader progresses through the book learning about different Egyptian gods and pharaohs there is a hilarious character following along who makes the learning fun by cracking jokes and asking funny questions. No matter how much the reader knows about Egyptian gods and pharaohs they will enjoy reading and learning alongside these lovable characters.

Resources

Ancient egypt: Tales of gods and pharaohs. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Egypt-Tales-Gods-Pharaohs/dp/0763663158/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449245369&sr=1-4&keywords=egyptian+gods+and+pharaohs

Williams, M. (2011). Ancient Egypt: Tales of gods and pharaohs. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

Fairy Tale Comics

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Everyone knows and loves the traditional fairy tales. Some people even know and love the fractured fairy tales and different versions of these tales. People like these will love the Fairy Tale Comics. Many different classic fairy tales, as well as some not so well known tales, are given a special twist and then are told in comic style. Each tale is told by a different author and the mixture of styles creates a wonderful book that would be appealing to many different readers.

References

Duffy, C. (Ed.). (2013). Fairy tale comics. New York, New York: First Second

Fairy tale comics. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tale-Comics-Extraordinary-Cartoonists/dp/1596438231/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449239784&sr=1-1&keywords=fairy+tale+comics

Comics Squad: Recess!

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While many different authors contribute to the stories within this book each of them create a very notable style and amazingly relatable characters. In one of the stories the reader is joined by well known main character, Baby Mouse. This character, even though she is a mouse, participates in and experiences many of the same things as many students today. The style of the different authors comes through in each story. They create stories that are relevant to children today. Recess exploits that many would love to experience, even though many of these stories are exactly the same as real life. Other things that fit the style criteria include the pizza monsters and the ninja club.

Resources

Comics squad: Recess! Retrieved November 6, 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Comics-Squad-Jennifer-L-Holm/dp/0385370032/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446838476&sr=8-1&keywords=comics+squad+recess

Holm, J. &. M., Krosoczka, J., Santat, D., & Telgemeier, R. (2014). Comics squad: Recess!. New York, New York: Random House Children's Books.

Rapunzel's Revenge

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Many people know the story of Rapunzel and many would think that this story would fit the mold as well. But they would be mistaken. In this story readers will be pleasantly surprised by the plot and characters in this re-imagined story of Rapunzel in the tower. The plot is very interesting, following Rapunzel through creating her own adventure. She saves herself, and teams up with another well know character, Jack. The characters follow the characteristic stories of westerns, trying to save their family from dastardly villains.  These characters definitely fit both the traditional western story, while staying true to the traditional fantasy stories.

Resources

Hale, S. &. D. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. London, England: Bloomsbury Publishing, Plc.

Rapunzel's revenge. Retrieved November 6, 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Rapunzels-Revenge-Shannon-Hale/dp/1599902885/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1446838228&sr=1-1

Amulet

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The very beginning of this adventurous graphic novel begins with tragedy. Our main character, Emily, and her parents are driving over to pick up her little brother on a dark, cold night. As Emily, her mother, and her brother try to pick up the pieces of their broken life, Emily’s mother decides to move their family to a new house. Well, new to them. As they settle into the house Emily finds a curious Amulet. As Emily’s family is plunged into an unwelcome adventure Emily learns more about her family and herself than she ever knew possible.

Resources

Amulet: The stone keeper. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Stonekeeper-Amulet-1-Kazu-Kibuishi/dp/0439846811/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449250930&sr=1-1&keywords=stonekeeper

Kibuishi, K. (2008). Amulet: The stonekeeper. New York, New York: Graphix.

Zita the Spacegirl

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At the beginning of this graphic novel the reader meets the spunky main character, Zita, and her best friend Joseph. In a clearing Zita and Joseph stumble upon what looks like a meteor. Upon inspection Zita discovers within the meteor, what looks like a square piece of metal with a red button in the center. Zita, being the spunky kid she is, wants to push the button, Joseph however, being ultra cautions, has some reservations. Zita with no thought whatsoever, hits the button. To her disappointment, nothing immediately happens. So, being impatient, she begins repeatedly pushing the button. To hers and Joseph's dismay, a portal appears and tentacle like objects take Joseph away. At first, Zita is terrified and she takes off running. But when she stops to think she realizes that she must save her friend. When Zita gets the button to work again she travels to the new world that Joseph has been taken to. From her the reader follows Zita on an adventure filled quest to save Joseph from the monster with the tentacle like objects. Along the way Zita makes many friends and in the end she learns the true meaning of sacrifice and friendship.

References

Hatke, B. (2011). Zita the spacegirl. New York, New York: First Second.

Zita the spacegirl., 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Zita-Spacegirl-Ben-Hatke/dp/1596434465/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441244937&sr=1-1&keywords=zita+the+spacegirl

-Naomi Emory, The Bookish Educator

Babymouse: Queen of the World!

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In the first Babymouse installment we meet our lovable, attitude filled Babymouse. All Babymouse cares about in this simply drawn, pink, black, and white graphic novel, is becoming friends with the cool crowd. Through comedy and daydreams the reader, and Babymouse, learn that hanging out with the cool crowd is not all it is cracked up to be and having true friends is really the way to be Queen of the World.

References

Baby mouse: Queen of the world., 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Babymouse-Queen-World-Jennifer-Holm/dp/0375832297/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441244425&sr=1-1&keywords=baby+mouse+queen+of+the+world

Holm, J. &. M. (2005). Baby mouse: Queen of the world!. New York, New York: Random House Children's Books.

*First reference for cover art.

-Naomi Emory, The Bookish Educator

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

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What do the school lunch ladies do when they are not making or serving your lunch? In this yellow accented black and white graphic novel three young students find out the answer to this question of questions. With creatively imagined secret agent tools made out of everyday cafeteria objects our lunch lady heroine saves the school from the evil cyborg substitute, with help from her sidekick and fellow lunch lady, as three adventurous friends watch on. Check out this fun graphic novel to see who the true culprit is.

References

Krosoczka, J. J. (2009). Lunch lady and the cyborg substitute. New York, New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Lunch lady and the cyborg substitute., 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Lunch-Lady-Cyborg-Substitute/dp/0375846832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441244645&sr=1-1&keywords=lunch+lady+and+the+cyborg+substitute

*Second reference for cover art.

-Naomi Emory, The Bookish Educator

Bake Sale

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In this colorful and beautifully illustrated graphic novel, the reader is greeted by lovable food characters. The characters range from a cupcake to a bag of sugar to an eggplant. The main character, Cupcake, owns a bakery that everyone loves to frequent. When he finds out that his friend, Eggplant, will soon be traveling to Turkey, he becomes very excited. Eggplant’s family in Turkey knows Cupcake’s idol, Turkish Delight. Cupcake saves his money for months in order to be able to have enough to get a ticket. But as the trip approaches Eggplant cannot go because he has been laid off. Being a good friend Cupcake pays for Eggplant’s way to Turkey. Depressed Cupcake begins to let his business go. Will Cupcake become himself again? When Eggplant returns he hatches a plan for Cupcake.

References

Bake sale., 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Bake-Sale-Sara-Varon/dp/1596434198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441244209&sr=8-1&keywords=bake+sale

Varon, S. (2011). Bake sale. New York, New York: First Second.

*First reference for cover art.

-Naomi Emory, The Bookish Educator