Booklists - Graphic Novels

One of my big projects for my practicum was to create some booklists for the teen services department at my library. The original topic list started at 4 themes, but the idea of being able to suggest books en masse to readers became too much of a temptation for me, and the topic list ballooned to 11 themes. And to make it even more detailed, they had me separate the lists by age of reader. So, periodically I will be sharing these lists with you. I have read most of these books, but even those that I haven't read have come highly recommended by other librarians and experts in the field of YA literature. Hope you enjoy!

Fiction Graphic Novels - High school readers

Life Sucks by Jessica Abel
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich
Water Baby by Ross Campbell
Crossing Midnight, vol. 1: Cut Here by Mike Carey
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
Elk's Run by Joshua Hale Fialkov, Noel Tuazon, et al
Death, The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale
As the World Burns: 50 Things You Can Do To Stay in Denial by Derrick Jensen
Two Will Come, vol. 1 by Kyungok Kang
Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms by Fuyimo Kouno
Batman: the Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
Promethea: Book One by Alan Moore
Watchmen by Alan Moore
Off Road by Sean Murphey
Goong, vol. 1 by SoHee Park
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Ring of Fire by Doug Petrie
Night Trippers by Mark Ricketts & Micah Farritor
Ranma 1/2, vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi
Runaways, vol. 1: Pride and Joy by Brian L. Vaughan
Dead High Yearbook by Ivan Velez, Shawn Martinbrough and others
Geisha by Andi Watson
Fray by Joss Whedon

Fiction Graphic Novels - Middle School Readers

Ultimate Spiderman, vol. 1: Power and Responsibility by Brian-Michael Bendis
Electric Girl by Michael Brennan
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey
The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
Breaking Up by Aimee Friedman
Oh My Goddess! 1-555-GODDESS by Kosuke Fujishima
The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman
Clan Apis by Jay Hosler
Castle Waiting by Linda Medley
Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind: Perfect Collection, vol. 1 by Hayao Miyazaki
Emma, vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori
Usagi Yojimbo: Grasscutter by Stan Sakai
Bone, vol. 1: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith
The Tale of One Bad Rat by Bryan Talbot
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Days Like This by J. Torres
Clubbing by Andi Watson & Josh Howard
Birds of Prey: Canary, Oracle by Chuck Dixon & Jordon Gorfinkel
Beowulf by Gareth Hinds
Mai the Psychic Girl by Kazuya Kudo

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Meyer, Stephanie. (2005). Twilight.

I realize that the Twilight series is officially over (excepting for Midnight Sun), and that this particular book is beyond old news, but I just finished it and I have to have my say. I didn't like it.

Now, I can explain. There are parts and elements of this story that I LOVED, but the plot of this story felt kind of half-assed. I decided to read this book because the library I am interning at had a Breaking Dawn party and discussion, so I felt I should be up on what can only be described as a phenomenon. The characters are interesting, Bella was pretty likable and reasonable, and yes, Edward is absolutely yummy. Their scenes together are riveting, even though for 95% of the book all they do is talk and stare. Adults, like in most YA novels, are superfluous, helpless and worthless to the story, often only serving as obstacles for the heroes.

Although the romance between Edward and Bella is the focus of the story, it feels like Meyer threw in some action sequences and the final chapters in order to meet some quota of pages or plot twists. I have a problem with the current trend of children's novels that inflate stories to epic proportions in a "mine-is-bigger-than-yours" kind of competition. This story could have benefitted from a few more edits, removing monotenous details of particular unimportant days and then skipping over months at a time. I have yet to read the sequels (and I will), but I expect more of the same.

My criticism isn't all negative. Girl can write! Meyer creates such tension between Edward and Bella, that during certain scenes I found myself furtively glancing around the coffee shop I was in, because I found my heart racing, pupils dilating, and my body fidgeting over something as chaste and simple as a kiss. But nothing between Edward and Bella is simple, or even entirely chaste. I was immensely impressed by Meyer's ability to create such sensuality without suffering from too much sexuality. I have yet to read a romance so believable merely from the author's ability to create real sexual tension and mutual attraction.

Overall, this book was an interesting read. I doubt it will be a classic like the titanic Harry Potter series (the writing, plot development, and characters are just too good to beat), but I can see why millions of copies of Breaking Dawn were sold in that first night. I am looking forward to seeing what has created the whole "Team Edward"/"Team Jacob" thing, because people are adamant!! :)

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

Napoli, Donna Jo. (1998). Zel.

One of my favorite styles in fiction is the alternating perspectives. In this retelling of the Rapunzel story, the narrative is shared by Zel, her witch mother, and the Duke's son - Zel's love interest. Set in 16th-century Switzerland, this story begins with a pre-adolescent Zel happily on her way into town with her beloved mother. Though Zel is ecstatic to be around the thriving marketplace, the longer they spend in town, the more nervous and edgy her mother gets. When left alone for a short amount of time, Zel meets the aristocrat, Konrad, and both are instantly mesmerized by each other. Eventually, they are separated and Konrad begins a tireless search for the interesting girl with warm brown eyes.

Throughout the story the reader gets a sense of how desperately Zel's mother loves and craves the company of her daughter. She does everything in her (substantial) power to limit Zel's contact with other people. The story quickly becomes a battle of wills between Zel and her mother, Konrad and the witch, and eventually, Zel and herself as she deals with the forced isolation of her tower room.

I have to admit that I have a fondness for retold fairy tales. As a child, I voraciously read the stories of the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, and Charles Perrault. Retold fairy tales are a way for those of us who have read the traditional tales one too many times, to rediscover characters and stories and fall in love again with the stories of our childhood. Donna Jo Napoli is one author who enlivens this new genre. Her prose is lyrical and reminiscent of the patterns and rhythms of the traditional fairy tale. I have big plans to continue reading her versions of these stories, including The Magic Circle - the story of Hansel & Gretal, but in the perspective an unwilling witch; Breath - a tale of the aftermath of the Pied Piper and the curse of Hamelin, and Beast - the story of Beauty & the Beast, set in the beautiful deserts of Persia.

Kissing Kate

Myracle, L. (2003). Kissing Kate.

Kissing Kate tells the story of best friends Lissa and Kate, who on a drunken night at a party, passionately kiss, changing everything. Lissa confused by the interaction, wants to talk about the kiss, but Kate will have nothing of it. In order to understand what is happening to her, Lissa starts to explore her feelings by a new age dream therapy which includes some heavy metaphors that may go over they heads of some readers. This story chronicles Lissa journey as she comes to terms with her own sexuality and their friendship together. Although Myracle develops a believable and sympathetic character in Lissa, the authenticity of her friendship with Kate is questionable. From the start, the author emphasizes the complete differences between the two, but never really offers a reason as to why they have been friends for four years. Overall, a nice, light coming-out story. Not recommended for those wishing to read something with more substance, but entertaining nonetheless. Suitable for high schoolers.

101+ Great Ideas for Teen Library Web Sites

Doyle, M. (2007). 101+ Great Ideas for Teen Library Web Sites.

Doyle offers an excellent how-to for library professionals who are serious about recreating their teen webpages with teens in mind. In fact, this is Doyle's thesis for the book: teen library web sites are for the teens, so their input must be included in order to have a successful website. Doyle outlines the steps needed to create a website from scratch, focusing on analyzing the time and budget needed to create and maintain your website goals. She includes sections that outline getting the word out about your webpage, getting feedback, adding access to library services, and of course pages devoted explicitly for the teens. Throughout this concise manual, are visual and textual examples from real-life school and public library websites, both good and bad. Doyle emphasizes that these pages must informative, but just as important, they must be fun and interactive. The author also includes a section of current resources on building teen library websites in multiple forms. This is an essential resource for young adult librarians, and other librarians can benefit from Doyle's clear prose. Experienced and novice web designers.

Flipped

Van Draanen, Wendelin. (2001). Flipped.

Flipped tells the story of two kids who meet in the second grade and have very different opinions of that meeting. Julianna falls in love with Bryce the instant she sees his pretty blues eyes. Bryce, on the other hand, find Julianna extremely pushy and annoying. Throughout the years this remains the constant, until the 8th grade when Bryce starts to notice something different about Julianna. However, once he starts to develop feelings for her, Julianna's opinion of Bryce have taken a 180 degree turn. Though the tone of this novel is quirky and fun, it is touching coming-of-age story as both kids question their perceptions and start to look at life, love, and their own feelings. An excellent read for all teens or adults who like to reminisce.

You Remind Me of You

Corrigan, Eireann. (2002). You remind me of you: a poetry memoir.

Corrigan recounts her experiences in and out of treatment facilities for her eating disorder through honest, sometimes harshly so, poetry. The author's trials did not end at that. Her boyfriend attempted suicide by placing a shotgun between his eyes. Corrigan was dating another boy at the time, but raced to her damaged friend's side once she heard the news. In this retropsective, Corrigan details the struggles, schemes, and shocks of dealing with a distorted self-image and a suicidal ex-boyfriend. Although the poet's experiences are an extreme, she touches on the insecurities and problems that many teens face on a daily basis. This book would be best for teens aged 13 and up.