Fall 2007--Volume IV, Issue 2

Graphic novels offer curriculum support

Abdo's new Magic Wagon division has a new brand with the slogan: “Many Worlds, One Planet--Graphic Planet.” Highly talented, award-winning writers and illustrators--Rod Espinosa being one of them--have been assembled to create original fiction and nonfiction graphic novels based on stories and events from around the world. Topics have been chosen to support curriculum for intermediate and middle grade readers. Each full-color, library-bound book has many additional features, including a glossary and current Web sites to facilitate even more curriculum connections. The Graphic Classics and Graphic Horror selections include author bios and lists of additional books by the original work's author. Bio-Graphics and Graphic History titles have an index, further reading suggestions, and historic speeches and quotes included in the dialogue. Maps and diagrams are also included in the history titles. Each book has 32 pages and provides an exciting entrance into the world of history and literature for young readers. See complete reviews for Moby Dick and Lewis and Clark in the Delving into the Shelves section and a complete list of all Graphic Planet titles in Quicklists.


Pure reading entertainment compliments of Twisted Journeys and Spotlight graphic novels

For readers who want to read a whole book but not every page or for those who just like to design their own thrilling action, Lerner's Graphic Universe imprint has added a series of new titles called Twisted Journeys with Escape From Pyramid X being one of the first four titles. In each story, the reader becomes the hero with choices to make and fates to embrace. At the end of each chapter, there are several possibilities for the continuation of the storyline, resulting in dozens of plot twists and turns that will guarantee reading satisfaction. All titles are action-packed in full-color and available in library binding or trade paper.

Spotlight, a division of Abdo Publishing, provides library editions of previously published popular graphic novel titles. There are scores of titles for both guys and gals in grades 3-6. Included are:
  • Marvel Age superhero titles, 24 pages each, with the newest being the Runaways title The Pride.
  • Archie Digest Library titles, 80 pages each, including Family Photos.
  • Select titles from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys series, such as Demon of River Heights and Ocean of Osyria.
  • Eight Puffin Graphics favorites like Black Beauty and Time Soldiers graphic novels, including Arthur.
  • Six titles from the G. I. Joe Sigma 6 series, 24 pages each, based on the all-new, popular television series with Depth being the first.


    2007 Eisner Award Winners

    The prestigious Eisner Awards were announced this past July at Comic-Con San Diego and several titles are very appropriate for your YA collections.

    American Born Chinese, by Gene Yang, won Best Graphic Album.

    All Star Superman, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, won Best Continuing Series.

    Batman: Year 100, by Paul Pope, won Best Limited Series.

    Mouse Guard, by David Petersen, won the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award. This is a favorite of mine, which was reviewed in the spring issue of K-12 MediaShelf and found very suitable for all ages.


    Hook manga fans on Shakespeare--or vice versa

    Manga Shakespeare published by HNA, an Abram's imprint, has released its first two titles, Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet. Although written in the Western left-to-right format, this should not turn off manga fans, but rather draw in new readers. The original texts of the plays are used but have been adapted to fit certain plot changes. For instance, Hamlet is set in a future cyber-world of Denmark, and Romeo and Juliet is set in modern-day Tokyo. Such changes should prevent readers for substituting these for the original plays, but the modernizations flow nicely. These adaptations will excite readers, heighten interest in Shakespeare, and make great comparison studies. Rest assured that the action and love scenes are portrayed without graphic violence or sex and are strongly recommended for all YA readers.

    Read manga! Build vocabulary!

    Kaplan Publishing joins forces with Tokyopop to create Kaplan's SAT/ACT Vocabulary-Building Manga Series. As the number of students preparing for college entrance exams continues to grow, new, unique, and engaging sources are now available to help build their vocabulary skills. This new series features an assortment of highly popular Tokyopop graphic novels: Psy-Comm, Van Von Hunter, and Warcraft: Dragon Hunt. Each non-abridged version appears in authentic Japanese back-to-front format and uses more than 300 vocabulary words most frequently seen on the SAT and ACT highlighted throughout the text with definitions included on the facing page. A word pronunciation guide and an index for easy reference are included. Volumes are a trim 6x9, easy-to-carry size and retail for $9.99.