The Minish Cap

Where is this guy?

Himekawa, Akira. The Minish Cap. San Francisco, CA : Viz Media, 2009.

Plot: After being snubbed for a yearly swordsmanship competition, Link meets a bizarre but strong man. The character, later known as Vaati, releases a casket full of monsters by destroying a sacred sword and turning Princess Zelda to stone. Link must seek out the legendary Minish, tiny, helpful folk capable of reforging the sword. Early in his journey, Link rescues Ezlo, a talking, bird-like cap capable of wielding magic. Link finds himself on a journey through the entire land, discovering more about Ezlo, Zelda, and Vaati in the process.

Genre: Manga, Graphic Novels, Video Games

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Majora's Mask, Kingdom Hearts, Pokemon Adventures

Personal Thoughts: The title offers rapid action, creative illustrations, and believable diction. However, it falls a bit flat. As previously mentioned, a lot of video-game based graphic novels expand on the story offered by the original media. However, instead of making the world more comprehensible and believable, the title chooses to fall on clichés such as the misunderstood teacher, transformed guardian, and sympathetic villain. While none of these are bad by themselves, they effectively smudge much of the game's original charm. Most of the changes seem to occur merely to add drama instead of expansion. For example, a helper character in the game becomes a hostile one in the manga to add more conflict. Unfortunately, he still looks and speaks like a helper, so the behavior does not match the portrayal. Yet, several "boss" characters are excluded, even though they could supply the necessary situations. As a result, while the title is beautiful to read, it lacks many of the actions and characterizations of the original title, leaving the reader bewildered by the missing characters and conflicting characters.

Mal and Chad: Volume 1 - The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever!

Now in 3-D Action*

McCranie, Stephen. Mal and Chad: Volume I - The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever!. New York : Philomel Books, 2011.

Plot: Mal, a fourth-grade super-genius, refuses to reveal his intellect to anyone except his talking dog, Chad. While the two enjoy everyday adventures of trying dog food, going to school, and testing jetpacks, Mal still needs to take care of school business. His teacher wants him to write about what he wants to be when he grows up. With Chad in tow, Mal tries to be a scuba diver and a paleontologist. However, the time machine he uses to study dinosaurs goes awry, sending Chad's crush back in time. Mal needs to rescue her before the tear in the space-time continuum closes on them forever.

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 2-6

Similar Titles: Copper, Casebook: The Bermuda Triangle

Personal Thoughts: A well-written, nicely illustrated book, the title manages to offer a balance between the extraordinary and everyday. Chad makes rockets, jetpacks, and time machines, but he still deals with bullies, homework, and chores. His responses to such challenges reveal his positive qualities. Often, misunderstood genius characters rely on their social awkwardness to appeal to their audiences. Chad plays the stereotype, but then he overcomes it. He uses his genius to make Mal's dog food taste better. Despite his intellect, Mal still respects his teacher. He observes his classmates without belittling them. However, his greatest virtue is his display of what growing up means.

Like a lot of tweens, he starts the "what will I do when I grow up" assignment by focusing on a career. By the end of the title, though, he concentrates on what kind of person he intends on becoming. This change hit a nerve. Like a lot of graduates, I tend to spend a lot of time working towards a particular job. One of the hardest things I have learned is to focus on who I will be, instead of what I will do. This is a great lesson to learn early on, and the title offers it in a meaningful and entertaining manner.

*Not really in 3-D action.

Ozma of Oz

She wants the Nome King to win

Baum, L. Frank, Shanower, Eric, and Young, Skottie. Ozma of Oz. New York : Marvel Worldwide, Inc., 2011.

Plot: Dorothy unexpectedly finds herself in in Oz again. This time, she joins the Princess of Oz, Ozma, in her quest to free the Queen, Princesses, and Princes of Ev, a neighboring kingdom. The royal family is now in the power of the Nome King, who proves not to be as amicable as he appears. Still, with the strength of a princess, Kansas girls, yellow hen, lion, tiger, tin man, scarecrow, and the army of Oz, the heroes are bound to succeed. Right?

Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: The Marvelous Land of Oz, Delicate Creatures

Personal Thoughts:  A graphic novel interpretation of Dorothy's second adventure in Oz, the text captures the original spectacle of the book. Bright colors and loose lines give the cartoonish character designs a funky, Nightmare Before Christmas appeal. However, the text also stays true to the original tale, without adding or subtracting from Baum's story.

Monster High: Hopes and Screams: An Original Graphic Novel

Pay no attention to the Nutella in the background

Nuhfer, Heather and Howard, Josh. Monster High: Hopes and Screams: An Original Graphic Novel. New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2014.

Plot: The Gory Gazzette, Monster High's online newsletter, needs a  new editor. Frankie Stien rises to the occasion with the help of her best friends. Creating a good newsletter will require everyone's talents in creativity, consideration, and organization. Other obligations continue, though. The monsters must maintain their grades, friendships, and work habits to create a truly horrific product.

Genre: Graphic Novels

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Monster High: My Monster Life, Monster High: Fearbook

Personal Thoughts: The title is based on a popular toy line, so fans of the dolls will most likely appreciate the graphic novel. Compared to some of the other products of the toyline, though, the graphic novel seem a bit lackluster. For example, the online videos (accessible via YouTube) balance the characters, the action, and the morals a bit better. While they certainly venture into "cheesy" territory, particularly when subjects such as acceptance and tolerance are involved, they have enough humor and characterization to maintain interest. Much of the "lessons" in the graphic novel are the sole focus of the stories, making the plot feel forced and stiff. Still, the images are appealing and the characterizations are consistent, so the title may still be worthy of a review.

Smile

I am smiling

Telgemeier, Raina. Smile. New York : Graphix, 2010.

Plot: Raina's life takes a turn for the worst after she falls and damages her two front teeth. Instead of merely getting braces, she now has to have her entire mouth re-arranged over a series of several years. While undergoing braces, extractions, headgear, and root canals, she also grows up. Her interests, companions, and expectations change. As a result, some of the things she used to count on prove unreliable, as do some of the people she knows.

Genre: Graphic Novel, Growing Up, Family, Friends, Autobiography

Reading Level: Grades 9-12

Similar Titles: Drama, Big Nate

Personal Thoughts: Telgemeier's autobiographic struck a lot of nostalgia and realization. She and I grew up around the same time and witnessed many of the same events, such as the Northridge Earthquake and Disney's The Little Mermaid. Both of us also experienced tooth trouble due to a fall. However, one event in the text struck a nerve.

Toward the end of the book, Raina confronts her friends about their poor treatment of her. Much like her, I needed to learn the difference between someone who would hang out with me and someone who was a friend. Unfortunately, not all companions are beneficial. Some are actually cruel, but students (and even adults) often fail to recognize this. Many put up with mean or abusive behavior rather than risk being alone. Raina's confrontation is one I wished I participated in. Instead, I dealt with poor relations until I joined college. Texts willing to discuss the pressure of fitting in while acknowledging the need to break off bad relationships seem rare, so one that discusses it in an accessible, believable manner offers an amazing example and good story.

Big Nate Makes the Grade

I'm eating his hair!

Pierce, Lincoln. Big Nate Makes the Grade. Kansas City, Mo. : Andrews McMeel, 2012.

Plot: Nate is an eleven-year-old striving for survival in the crazy world of middle school. He manages to prank every teacher, fail every test, and visit the principle's office daily. Still, he enjoys popularity among his peers, even the insufferable Artur. However, some victories come with more effort than anticipated, and some never come at all. Prank Day makes it worthwhile, though.

Genre: Comics, Graphic Novels, Middle School

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Bad Kitty, Judy Moody

Personal Thoughts: The title offers a comedic look at middle school troublemakers. Nate manages to capture the confused, independent, needy, and intelligent aspects of the age group. Unfortunately, some of the comics become repetitive, particularly ones facing Nate against common antagonists such as Mrs. Godfrey or Gina. Still, a funny book is appreciated, especially during the craze that is Jr. High.

The Shark King

Teehee...forced perspective

Johnson, R. Kikuo. The Shark King. New York, NY : TOON Books, 2012.

Plot: After rescuing her from a dangerous bay, a handsome young man successfully courts a woman in a remote Hawaiian village. While they love each other dearly, the man eventually reveals himself to be the Shark King. Unable to stay with his love, he leaves her to care for their child. The boy, named Nanaue, proves to have an insatiable appetite. He eventually resorts to stealing from the local fisherman and inadvertently drives their quarry away. Once caught, he flees to the location prepared for him by his father.

Genre: Folktales, Animals, Graphic Novels

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: The Shark God, Punia and the King of the Sharks: A Hawaiian Folktale

Personal Thoughts: A surprisingly light-hearted retelling a Hawaiian folktale, The Shark King combines bright drawings and classic storytelling to create a pleasant title.

Giants Beware!

No monsters were harmed in the telling of this book

Aguirre, Jorge and Rosado, Rafael. Giants Beware!. New York : First Second, 2012.

Plot: Claudette, proud daughter of the village blacksmith, longs to gain a hero's glory. Determined to earn it through an act of giant-slaying, she convinces Gaston, her cowardly brother, and Marie, a princess wanna-be, to join her quest. Through unexpected talents, weapons, and plans, they manage to escape the wrath of a forest witch and hostility of a river king. However, the giant proves less than malicious. She still must prove herself when the amicable giant is threatened by the town's irate soldiers.

Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novels

Reading Level: Grades 3-6

Similar Titles: Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things, Hildafolk

Personal Thoughts: The book is a fairly typical "modern" fairy tale. Each of the characters serves as an expected foil for their archtype (the aggressive girl, the active damsel, and the cowardly boy, for example). Still, it manages to provide enough variation to appeal to the reader. Additionally, it touches on topics not often addressed in such stories, like the emptiness of seeking glory for glory's sake.

However, it falls into a flaw frequently facing fantasy girl protagonists. Like several other stories, including Jane and the Dragon and The Paper Bag Princess, the story attempts to make a hero out of a girl, which certainly is not a bad thing. Girls, like boys, need to know they can be heroic. The problem arises, as in the other tales, at the end of the story. The main antagonist simply is not antagonistic. It seems like the tales seek to prove women can be great, but refuse to allow them to face genuine peril. In the stories, the heroines ultimately talk their way out of danger, instead of actively addressing it. Certainly, a willingness to compromise and an intellect to manipulate a negative situation are to be honored, but it frustrates me when a story promises to prove girls are as good as boys when the girls are not allowed to conquer real danger. The girls can play at adventure, but not actually face a villain. Perhaps this is why I like Brave so much. True, Meredeth shows expert speaking skills to the other clans. However, she and her mother do not hesitate to attack a foe that cannot be reasoned with. When Mordu threatens them, they do not shirk away from a necessary fight. As such, they are heroic, both on an intellectual and active level. By making the ultimate foe something that will not be fought, it destroys a very appealing part of a fantasy: that dragons, while unreasonable, can ultimately be beaten.

Babymouse 11: Dragonslayer

Dragons may not care for the title

Holm, Jennifer L. and Holm, Matthew. Babymouse 11: Dragonslayer. New York : Random House Children's Books, 2009.

Plot: After failing another math test, Babymouse's teacher offers her a chance to improve her grade. Babymouse must join the school's mathlete team and compete in the math olympics. While the mathlete's teacher seems confident and her team counts on her, Babymouse feels overwhelmed. The mathletes speak of one with the pure heart who will redeem the school's honor from the dreaded Owlgarthims. Hoping for the legendary hero, the team captain asks if she is the one. Then the team sees her test. Babymouse must face math and conquer the creature she fears most (besides Felicia Furrypaws).

Genre: Animals, School, Graphic Novels

Reading Level: Grades 4-6

Similar Titles: Uncle Scrooge: Around the World in 80 Bucks, Fangbone series

Personal Thoughts: Like many readers, I have some "dragons" of my own to slay. While I have graduated from test fears, I still struggle against some concepts, pressures, and challenges. Much like Babymouse, the trials I face seem overwhelming. However, like the ink heroine, I need to realize that, while I may never excel in specific talents, I do not need to be terrible at them, either. Such is the real power behind books, even casual, graphic-novel titles. Like G.K. Chesterton noted, such stories "are more than true: not because they teach us dragons exist, but because they teach us dragons can be beaten." While some may mock the title for its silly characters or predictable outcome, it still brings a needed reminder: readers can conquer their fears, even if their fears are greater than they are. I will be purchasing this title.