Graphic Novel Friday: Bayou Vol. 1 by Jeremy Love

It's Graphic Novel Fridays!!

But before I write about Jeremy Love's Bayou Vol. 1, I have to write about my day. Today is Spirit Day at the middle school. A time where we dress up in our school colors, have crazy hair and celebrate our school. This morning, I forgot to wake up. I think, I thought it was Saturday. I was lying in bed, dreaming and then I heard a knock on my door. Tall Guy got out of his car and walked up to my apartment and had to knock. I scrambled to find my glasses and then looked at the clock. It was flashing 6:40am. He picks me up at 6:30am. I threw on some clothes and washed my face and raced out the door. We still made it to campus in time!!! But I ended up having to buy a school hoodie for the occassion. So, now, I'm kind of out of it. This always happens when I wake up late. I end up having a weird kind of day - this time, it's being super tired and having vertigo hit me throughout the day...so now back to our regularly scheduled program!!!

What Did I Read: Jeremy Love. Bayou Vol. 1 Zuda Comics

Why Did I Pick It Up: I was going through Previews Oct 2010 and saw that Volume 2 is coming out soon. The cover was so beautiful that I had to check the website to see what it was about. I read part of Volume 1 online and honestly, it is one of the most beautifully covered and drawn comics I've ever read. I also found the story engaging. It was both realistic and fantastic. It is about about a girl coming of age as a slave in the South who must free her father and save a girl who betrayed her. She seems to be able to flit from one world, "the real world" to another, that is filled with monsters and all kind of creatures. It was a really wonderful story and I cannot wait for Volume 2 to come out.

Who Would I Recommend This To: I think a lot of people would enjoy this story.

Graphic Novel Fridays: "Asterios Polyp" by David Mazzucchelli

This GNF selection is David Mazzucchelli's Asterio Polyp. ISBN: 978-0-307-37732-6. New York: Pantheon Books, 2009.

What Caught My Eye: Asterios Polyp made the Top 10 list on Booklist for 2010 and I had read a couple of reviews that this is one of the top graphic novels to come out so I thought I would order it for the collection.

Why I Didn't Put It Down: The book opens up with a image of the cosmos, centered on the page. It continues with images of storm clouds and on a full page, lightning heading down into what looks like a city. There are images of an apartment, ransacks, dirty pots and dishes piled in a sick and a disheveled man watching dirty videos on a TV. From that moment on, I needed to see what brought this man, Asterios Polyp, to such a state of disarray and depression. We learn that he was highly regarded. That he was married once and that he was successful. But what happened? Mazzucchelli takes the reader on a wonderful journey about a man who has fallen and then eventually redeems himself. It is all about the journey and what he learns and who he meets along the way. The images are sometimes manneristic, abstract, conventional and are so expressive in their sometimes austere style. You just do not want to stop reading.

Who Would I Recommend This To: This is a very interesting novel, but there are some images of people have sex in it. I would say a mature 9th grader to adult would appreciate this story. I really hate that people take one part of a book out of context but that's why I had to mention it. It is a really amazing story about this character and how his life changes from good to bad to good to...who knows? it's just life.

After you've read it...read this great post by Scott McCloud on it.

Graphic Novel Friday: To The Heart of the Storm by Will Eisner

This Friday's selection is Will Eisner's To The Heart of the Storm.
As I've delved more and more into graphic novels/comics, Will Eisner is one of the persons we need to know. Read more about him here. Also, this week, Booklist featured their Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth in their newsletter. You can check it out here. I'm happy to report that our library has a majority of the items listed. And this week's Read Alert from Booklist showcases graphic novels.

What Caught My Eye: The continuing war in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Oscar win for the Hurt Locker, and next week's run of HBO's the Pacific, plus the fact that a lot of our kids pick up this book and read it during their free periods, really made me want to pick up this book.

Why I Couldn't Put It Down: This is 206 pages of a very engaging autobiographical story. This book covers the gambit - coming of age, tolerance, prejudice, anti-semitism, immigrant life, assimulation. You also gain a sense of Eisner's contribution to the genre, going beyond the superhero tales, to something "real."

Who Would I Recommend This To: Those interested in war stories, Will Eisner and those who have read Maus. It is really a remarkable story.

Graphic Novel Fridays: Pedro & Me by Judd Winick

When someone you love dies and

you're not expecting it, you don't lose

her all at once. You lose pieces over a

long time.

The way the mail stops coming and

her scent fades from pillows and even

from the clothes in her closet and

drawers.

Gradually, you accumulate the parts

of her that are gone forever...

There comes another day

and another specifically

missing part.

- John Irving

What Caught My Eye: I think this was the last season of the Real World I watched. It was in San Francisco, it had great people on the show, and after last Friday's terrible accident, I just needed to read something about friendship, love and grieving and celebrating a person's life.

Why I Didn't Put It Down: Honestly, I really liked watching this season of the Real World, it might be the last time that show was actually "real." Pedro Zamora exposed the world to the human side of HIV/AIDS. I think, I just also needed something that celebrated an amazing person's life. It was also interesting seeing a side you didn't seen on the television screen. It is a wonderful and powerful story about tolerance, opening your self up to new experiences and finding people who will change your life if you keep an open heart and mind.

Who Would I Recommend This To: People who have lost someone in their life. People who remember watching the Real World San Francisco. It is a great story and the quote from John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany really did help me.

Graphic Novel Friday: Hatter M: Mad with Wonder v.2 by Frank Beddor

"Love is Merely Madness" - William Shakespeare

Today's GNF selection is Volume 2 of the Hatter M Series (a spinoff (sorry I'm not quite sure what the right word is...) of the Looking Glass Wars series by Frank Beddor. This comic was written by Frank Beddor and Liz Cavalier and art is by Sami Makkonen.

What Caught My Eye: First, I read the Looking Glass Wars and listened to the audio of Seeing Red so I was alread a fan of the series. I really love the character of Hatter Madigan with all his millinery glory and our students are real fans of this series as well so I thought I should add it to the collection since we are trying to build up our graphic novel collection.

Why I Didn't Put It Down: Like I mentioned above, it's Hatter Madigan!!! He is Alyss Hart's, the young heroine of the LGW series, bodyguard. In the book, she falls into the "real" world and Hatter follows her. In volume 2 of this spinoff, he is continuing his quest to find Alyss and is following "the glow" that represents intense imagination that Alyss would possibly being giving off if he found her. It is civil war in the United States and Hatter must maneuver his way through this alternate world where he, of course, is faced with challenges that prevent him from staying on the path of finding Alyss Hart. There is so much action in this graphic novel that you really cannot put it down. Sam Makkonen's images are intense and dark just like the story. The scenes feel like they are taking place behind a dust cloud (this is a good thing for this type of story). Also, there is an interesting amount of civil war references that I did not really expect.

Who Would I Recommend This To: To those of us who really enjoy the Looking Glass series as well as someone looking for a good action packed comic series to read. Also, more mature middle school readers who aren't too shocked by comic violence. It's intense and for me, not too graphic. At one point, Hatter gets stabbed but it wasn't as graphic as other GN's that I've read. Again, if you are worried about how your community would react, take a look at your local comic shop first before adding it to your colleciton.

Graphic Novel Friday: "Isadora Duncan: a graphic biography" by Sabrina Jones

What Caught My Eye: I love the fluidity of the dress. Also, I really do admire Isadora Duncan. I took an American Studies course in Santa Cruz and that is the first place I heard about her. Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham - two of the most amazing dancers in history.



Why I didn't Put It Down:

"She looked pink. Talked Red. Acted Scarlet."

- American reporter describes Isadora Duncan.

Lori Belilove, founder of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation and Company wrote the introduction and talks about how this is a way to introduce people to Isadora Duncan, who is the Mother of Modern dance. She also mentions the authenticity of the biography even though it is a graphic novel. Isadora Duncan was so free and self-assured and confident and it is illustrated wonderfully by Sabrina Jones fluid pen/brush strokes. Also, on page 29, Jones includes Duncan's manifesto on dance which you can read a version of it here.

the dancer of the future will not revive the antique dance,

she will not dance as a nymph, fairy, or coquette,

but as a woman in her purest expression...

- Isadora Duncan

Who Would I Recommend This To: Students interested in dance, students with a biography project, people looking for a story about a very independent inspiring person.

Graphic Novel Friday!! "One Hundred Demons" by Lynda Barry

What Caught My Eye: My friend, Donald, over at CCA in Oakland, introduced me to Lynda Barry. We used to take a moment out of our day to read the latest Marly's comic in the SF Weekly, laugh out loud and then move on with helping art students in the library. The cover is a mish-mash of colors and images and just makes you wonder "what's in here?" Or as one of my students asked "100 demons? What kind of demons?"

Why I Didn't Put It Down: Because Lynda Barry is incredibly hilarous and she knows about the aswang!!! I love her drawings. You can just relate to the dysfunctional and entertaining family and Barry is a great storyteller and her images are just as enjoyable as her words.

Who Would I Recommend This To: Anyone with a great sense of humor. Young, old...it's for Everybody!!!

Graphic Novel Fridays : Britten & Brulightly by Hannah Berry

For today's GNF selection, I picked up Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry. This GN had received some good reviews in Booklist and PW so I thought I would check it out.

What Caught My Eye: Well, a number of things - (1) good reviews (2) my coworker read it first and gave it a thumbs up (literally!) (3) I love film noir and this cover as well as the rest of the GN is noir-y. (is that a word? nope..but I'm going to use it!)

Why I Didn't Put It Down: The images and text really do play well off of each other in Berry's book. The movement of the images the placement of certain phrases make this one of those GN's that you do not want to put down. Also, there's a talking teabag (yup..a bag of tea) in this...guess who it is? I loved the way colors are laid out as well - greys, blacks, whites, a tinge of blue, a pop of red - it's very beautifully illustrated.

Who would I recommend this to: Those of us who love noir and noir-y things. Those who like a good detective story. WARNING: the "F" word occassionally pops up in this GN. Not a lot (maybe twice) but if you are worried about parents, administrators and easily offended people (like the Dictionary Banners!) then you should probably head to your local comic/gn shop and check it out first. I did not think it was too risque or shocking so it's in our collection there really are worse things...like dictionaries!!! (ok, I'll stop..but seriously, banning the dictionary - seriously people? there's other more important issues - Yemen, Iraq, war, genocide, Haiti, people straving in America - let's focus on that instead of the definition of Oral Sex in Merriam-Webster...)

Graphic Novel Friday: Peter & Max by Bill Willingham

I know, this isn't a graphic novel but it is a spin-off (?) off of Bill Willingham's Fables series, which all my friends rave about and I have yet to read. I know, I'm shunned now! Anyway, I thought, this work, Peter & Max which is amazing, qualifies for GNF since people do know the Fables series and may or may not know that Willingham and Steve Leialoha have "a (F)(a)(b)(l)(e)(s) Novel". Also, you do not need to have any knowledge of (F)(a)(b)(l)(e)(s) to enjoy this book. It's a great "stand-alone" work in the parlance of librarians.

I seem to have a theme going this week with the books I've chosen to read. I recently finished Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry.

What Caught My Eye: I seem to have a bare branches silhouette thing going this week. Also, the Pied Piper hovering over those branches with the moon shining behind him. It looks magical and eerie. I also liked the typeface. I leafed through the pages and was struck by Leialoha's illustrations as well. What is this scene? What's happening here? Why the raven?

Why I Finished It: Because I couldn't put it down. I am still working on the 2010 Sleep Challenge proposed by Arianna Huffington and I am trying to not stay up nights reading but honestly, I did not want to put this book down and the last couple of nights I just slept with this book by my head because I just didn't want to stop reading. It's full of adventure and incredible worlds, war, music, magic, love, suspense, fear, and practically all emotions that make this one of my favorite reads for this year so far.

Who Would I Recommend This To: Everyone!!! I would read this aloud to young kids, who I know who are not easily frightened. I would share it with my middle schoolers (oh wait! It's part of the school collection). I would pass it on to adults who like fairytales and folklore and also just love a good read.

Graphic Novel Friday: "Aya" by Marguerite Abouet & Clement Oubrerie

For this friday's graphic novel selection, I picked up Aya by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie. Aya was on a lot of "best of" lists, including lists from the School Library Journal, Booklist and The Washington Post.

Remembering her childhood in Abijian, located on the Ivory Coast, Marguerite Abouet presents a side of Africa that we rarely if ever get a glimpse of. Normally, we see images of starving children or people in hospitals or war and violence but we do not really see the joy and life that is there as well. Being placed on all those "best of" lists and being nominated for so many awards is well deserved, Aya is a wonderful graphic novel. The illustrations by Clement Oubrerie really bring Aya's story alive. Aya is a 19 year old who wants to do better and not get stuck in the the "C-series" (in high school, students are placed in tracks and Abouet plays off that with her reference to the C-series "combs, clothes and chasing men."). Her friends are off having fun, dancing, having sex, and being young adults, while Aya is trying to study and become a doctor. Abouet portrays how life just is - some people drink, some people get married, some people get pregnant, some people are rich, some not so rich - there is no glamourizing her childhood. Aya is just real life. It is a wonderfully engaging graphic novel that does cover some sensitive issues but not in any uncomfortable way.

It is great for a middle school, high school and also for adults. But depending on where you live, you might have a community that is a little more conservative so you should take a look at it. I did not think there was anything objectionable in it at all but after reading some listservs one never knows.

Another great plus with Aya are additions in the back! There is a great glossary "for better understanding the story". Recipes!!! (and you know I love food). Also there are instructions/illustrations for how to use a pagne and a tassaba (a long or short fabrics used for a wrap). I will have to try out the recipes - Ginger Juice and Peanut Sauce - soon and I'll let you know how that goes! Happy Friday!

Also, to read more about Marguerite Abouet, visit the Bookslut, who interviewed Abouet in 2007.

Book Drops: Graphic Novel Fridays

I am a little late in writing this post because it is the last day before winter break and there are a ton of things to finish up before leaving the library for 2 weeks.

1) need to put the plants in plastic tubs filled with water so they won't die. I used to take them home but that is just too much work.

2) the Library Queen ordered lunch in so you know, i had to be sociable and partake..I just HAD too!

3) there are a lot more cookies and treats that i need to eat so ..yeah, I had to partake in that as well

4) Oh, I also had to drive off campus and pick up the lunch that i had to eat

5) there are books that need to be covered, shelved, and read...

6) I also had to wipe down all counters and surfaces because the kids are super snotty and I AM NOT getting sick before I leave for vacation.

7) Sent 2 of my friends home because 1 was sick and the other is so stubborn he'll stay here and suffer and bleed all over the place before going home...

so here I go:
This week I am featuring Hansel and Gretel: the graphic novel retold by Donald Lemke and Sticks and Stones by Peter Kruper.

I have not read Hansel and Gretel since elementary school so it was great rereading this classic fairy tale. The illustrations are very gothic and from the cover you can tell that the characters have very giant eyes like Margaret Keane paintings but also a bit like some of the characters in Miyazaki's Spirited Away. It was a great retelling and the library binding edition contains a book discussion questions, writing prompts and also a page for an internet site to visit. I am not sure if a little kid would particularly enjoy this version because the images are so dark and it is a frightening tale but it would be fun to use as a read-aloud book.

Book 2 was Sticks and Stones. Peter Kruper is also a political cartoonist some of his works appears in Time and also the Nation. This graphic novel contains absolutely no words but words were not necessary to convey the story. There is commentary on the affects of industry, war, rebellion, power, greed, etc. It was very powerful. There are mixed reviews on this work but I found it very thought provoking and I loved Kruper's illustrations.

Book Drops: Graphic Novel(s) Friday

I am going to attempt again to put some order to my entries...wish me luck!

Anyway, since, I am the de facto graphic novel "expert" (har har) here at the library, I thought I should starting writing little blurbs here so that I remember what I read and why I like them...

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka. - Opps. This is not really a graphic novel...But I'll just say that it is a hilarious collection of stories about Jon Scieszka's life. Who is this guy? Well, Jon Scieszka is a writer a lot of hilarious children's books, like the recently published Robot Zot and The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Fairy Tales. Knucklehead is a collection of stories from his childhood that had me laughing out loud in my tiny studio. Highly enjoyable!

Stitches by David Small. David Small is a writer and illustrator who won the Caldecott Medal in 2001 for So, You want to be President. Stitches is mentioned a lot on various book review publications and I thought I would give it a go. An honest and intense memoir of Small's childhood in Detroit. (a side note: it's kind of random that both Scieszka and Small are from Michigan) The illustrations are dark and brooding and convey the unhappiness of his youth. His mother had secrets, his father never talked, his grandmother had mental health issues. It ends on hope and is definitely worthy of any graphic novel collection.

French Milk by Lucy Knisley. For some reason, we have this under "Fiction," however, it is not a fiction book. It's actually a travelogue of the month when Lucy Knisley and her mother went to live in a Paris apartment for a month. It's a wonderful journal about her time in Paris, her obsession with French milk and also Oscar Wilde. It's funny, sad, and sweet. Great read and also made me want to live and eat my way through France. Here's a little animation video she made: