Ares: Bringer of War (Olympians)

 
Title:  Ares: Bringer of War
Author: George O'Connor
Illustrator:  George O'Connor
Publisher:  First Second (:01)
Copyright:  2015
Price: $
ISBN: 9781626720138 (paperback)
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Ares. God of War. It is time for his story and instead of using a traditional myth, O'Connor highlights the Trojan War. Ares and Athena go head-to-head, using the humans to act out their battle to determine which side should win.
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Recommended Audience: middle/high school
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Things to be aware of: Violence
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Further Thoughts: If you don't have these books already, what are you waiting for? This is by far one of THE most popular graphic novels in my library. I actually debated writing a review, except I skipped a volume or two and I wanted to point out, this is a popular series.

It's Ares turn now to tell his tale and instead of a myth, O'Connor continues the Trojan War story line he introduced in Aphrodite (how cool is that?). Athena and Ares have it out, arguing and deciding which side should really win. Both try the patience of the other Gods and Goddess. There is a fantastic set of panels where you see them wandering away from the map and Zeus getting agitated over it. Ultimately, a side has to win, but which side?

As usual, the colors and illustrations are strong. That's partially the appeal. I think the other part is probably Percy Jackson-related. My favorite part of this series though is that O'Connor introduces the Greek Gods and Goddesses in a new light, for a new audience, and introduces kids to The Trojan War. This in my mind, opens the doors for connections down the line, like remembering they already read about it when they actually begin studying it or reading something like the Iliad. O'Connor includes a great discussion at the end (as usual) and it is eye opening.

Overall feeling: Do you have this? NO? Go get the hardcovers/library-bound now. They last. The kids love them and the people I've given this to as reader's advisory want more.
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Source: Netgalley

The Glorkian Warrior Delievers a Pizza!

Not the coloring my copy had

Title:  The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza
Author: James Kochalka
Illustrator:  James Kochalka
Publisher:  First Second (:01)
Copyright:  2014
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 978-1596439177
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Super Backpack wants to go on an adventure! Glorkian Warrior wants  an adventure...on the couch...napping. The phone rings and, after The Glorkian Warrior realizes he has a phone, he answers the call...to deliver a pizza. It must be destiny! But wait...he doesn't have a pizza, or does he? Yes, the pizza in his fridge will do. Despite adventures like crashing his Glorkian Super Car to meeting with Gork to an alien abduction attempt, The Glorkian Warrior will deliver the pizza to...wait...
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Recommended Audience: Elementary kids
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Things to be aware of: ?
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Further Thoughts:  If you find the summary odd, that's how I found this book: odd. It's not quite on par with A.L.I.E.E.E.N (which has a different author, is very strange, and not a kids book). The Glorkian Warrior Pizza book is slapstick, cartoonish humor. The Glorkian Warrior never gets a name and he just wants to deliver the pizza from the mysterious phone call. I, personally, would not want some random guy's pizza.

It's a strange book. For kids, it's a story involving a mundane task which becomes an epic adventure. The Warrior makes friends and avoids danger. He pretty much bumbles his way into saving the day. Normally, I like the bumbling hero, but I'm not so sure about this guy.

Basically, it has what kids would like (I think?). There's bad grammar, bad jokes, and cartoon illustrations. Silly humor and silly adventure.

My issue was that it was hard to get into. Everything that could go wrong, did. The Glorkian Warrior is pretty oblivious. What I did enjoy was the cyclic story and the adorable alien that adopts him. But, I'm still left with this feeling that something is off. Honestly, I can't figure out what I find off about this book.

Overall feeling: Hard to say. It seems like kids would love this. If you need more random humor graphic novels, go for it.
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Source: Library/Review

Andre the Giant: Life and Legend

 

Title: Andre The Giant: Life and Legend
Author: Box Brown
Illustrator:  Box Brown
Publisher:  First Second (:01)
Copyright:  2014
Price: $17.99
ISBN: 978-1596438514
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Andre the Giant was a wrestling legend in his time. Due to a condition, Andre grew and grew over time, which made him world-famous and the loveable giant in The Princess Bride. It also gave him constant pain. Box Brown writes a graphic novel biography that showcases Andre the Giant's Career and life.
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Recommended Audience: high school/adults
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Things to be aware of: drinking, wrestling
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Further Thoughts:  My first exposure to the name "Andre the Giant" was when I watched The Princess Bride with a relative. It was after 7th grade, the movie was awesome and I watched it a few times. When the giant came on, the relative said "Isn't that Andre the Giant?" I was like "I don't know."

Wrestling for me has always been on the fringes. I knew Hulk Hogan simply by name. Some friends were into it. I wasn't sure I could get into it, but I think it was one of the things we weren't allowed to watch. When my husband saw this on my review pile, he was like "read it!" Why? 1.) It's Andre the Giant. 2.) Box Brown is local to us.

So imagine my surprised when I enjoyed this book. I'm not a sports fan (except baseball), but Box Brown tells this story with humor, emotion, and insight all with the use of black and white and shadows. Brown also did his research. There is a huge bibliography and a great introduction to the wrestling scene. He took artistic liberties as needed, but I don't think it detracts from the history (I say this not knowing anything on Andre the Giant).

By the end of the book, I wanted to know more about Andre the Giant. I was surprised at who he was. In some ways, he lived up to the Giant in The Princess Bride. In other areas, he was a jerk, but overall, Brown shows that Andre was human, which is what I come away with after reading this biography.

Overall feeling: Have it for Princess Bride movie fans. Have it for wrestling fans. As far as non-fiction/biography graphic novels go, this is a strong one. I'd get it for my library and personal collection.

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Source: Library/Review

Best of the Best Reading 2014

Source: OpenClipart.org

Normally, I don't do "Best of" lists but after seeing a few other librarians saying that they're reading them or just trying to expand on their reading, I decided to join in as well. Why? Mainly because I tend to believe I should read what I find interesting, not what everyone else thinks is cool. I do admit that if a book becomes wildly popular, it is very hard for me to read it during the hype. I have to get to it either before the hype or way, way after the fact.

On the flip side, I'm missing out on a lot of great stuff. Just looking at some Best of lists for Youth books, I've done ok in YA but missed a lot of chapter books and picture books (remember, I'm a Youth Librarian by day). I'm generally aware of what's getting the hype, but don't always read it or I save it for later. So enter my reading the Best of Lists.

Youth

For Youth, I've selected the Notable Children's Books of 2014. It's short and sweet with about 6-10 books in each section. I can do that.

After that, I'm going to try School Library Journal's Best of 2014 list. At 70 books, that seems like a lot, but I'm hoping some ground has been covered in the first list.

Graphic Novels

I really hate to admit I have no idea where to start in finding a "Best of 2014 Graphic Novels List." That's not good and won't do. In the spirit of being a better resource (because if this week showed me anything, it's that people see me as a resource), I started to seek out lists.

To make it easy on myself I've started with these since they cover a lot of the same ground and are sources that the average person might use:

• Publisher's Weekly Best of 2014 Comics List - at 5 books, this should be easy.
• The AV Club's Best Comics of 2014 List - This is their Graphic Novels and Archival list. It's a little more hefty but at a glance, seems to cover some good ground. Plus, Husband is always reading AV Club so...I may have just picked them from name recognition.
• GoodReads Choice Awards: Best Graphic Novels & Comics 2014 - I vote in it. You probably do too. I missed a bunch in their list (as usual). This covers a slightly different ground but a lot in common with the above. Plus I've already read a few! Yay!

Now, if I really feel up to it, I might poke at this list from ComicsAlliance. It looks fun with all their "Best of Categories" but it was originally 5 parts and is a hefty list. I don't want to
overwhelm myself (a bad habit I have) so I'm listing it for you to check out. I will also look at ALA's list for teens when it comes out at the end of the month and will probably grumble about half of it like I usually do.

EDIT (1/13/15): Here's another list to consider: IGN's Best of Comics List.

Will there be reviews of graphic novels? Maybe. It depends. Some I do have on hand because I was already supposed to review them for the county library sysem. If you want to see reviews, let me know either in person on in the comments.

Thursday Morning Musings

Good morning! I realized that my Twitter account is separate from here. I've been retweeting a lot of good stuff. In the next few days, I'll add the widget back with my account. Eventually, I'm hoping to create an RSS feed account where you can see when I updated. All of this is eventually.

I practically live on Twitter. I've had a lot to muse on this morning and wanted to share some of it.

First, yes, it is cold and if you're in the south eastern portion of PA, you should follow these guys. Generally, they are spot on with weather predictions. Then occasionally they have stuff like this:

MEGA ALERT BREAKING WEATHER NEWS: It's winter and it's going to be cold. Cue flashing graphics and icons with tag team meteorologists!
— PhillyWx.com (@phillywx) January 7, 2015

Next, a comic artist I follow on Twitter muses about her library experiences as a page and in an awesome pop culture library I did not realize exists. Star Trek Memorabilia? YES!

I Was a Librarian http://t.co/JjZUdcg5hp
— Kelci Crawford (@KelciDCrawford) January 8, 2015

I manage 2 nonprofit Facebook pages (my library and another) and I admit, I haven't actually sat down to read this yet, but it looks intriguing. I like 99u for their inspirational posts.

A day in apps: The social media manager’s edition. http://t.co/f6tmW3Rbwa
— 99U (@99u) January 8, 2015

Remember Ferguson Library? They are still doing awesome work.

Now Trending on Twitter: Public Libraries http://t.co/gEYTl6dKDx
— Publishers Weekly (@PublishersWkly) January 7, 2015

I love reading Questionable Content. Lately, he's been having a lot happen in the library with characters...but including some interesting commentary on libraries. Take a read here: First part and a follow up. I could go in-depth on this, but just enjoy the humor and how Marten and Claire (intern) and Tai (the head librarian) have their opinions of the [academic] library.

Last, Story Time Underground has this neat blog prompt called "Resolve to Rock." I first heard about it through Laura at Literacious (who is awesome). I may do this just for myself. I know it's time to set my vision and goals for the coming year so this might help me focus professionally.

Anything you found interesting so far this week? Want to discuss something? Share in the comments.

Nick Bertozzi's Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey

Title: Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey
Author: Nick Bertozzi
Illustrator:  Nick Bertozzi
Publisher:  First Second (:01)
Copyright:  2014
Price: $16.99
ISBN: 978-1596434516
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: This is Ernest Shackleton's last great expedition across the Antarctic in the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration." Shackleton's great idea was to cross the South Pole with his crew and explorers and finish out on the other side. Like all great plans, this did not exactly happen. The ship become entrenched in ice and eventually sank. Men lost beloved items and supplies ran low. This is the story of Shackleton, his crew, and the miraculous story of how all the men survived.
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Recommended Audience: Middle & high School
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Things to be aware of: minor vulgarity; animals are eaten
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Further Thoughts:  First, I was disappointed this was not the expedition that involved the mummies I was partially obsessed over in 4th grade. That was the Terra Nova Expedition, I think. Either way, Bertozzi includes in the opening of the story a very detailed listing of all the expeditions to get to the true South Pole.

Next, I'm still really confused by this book. This is another graphic novel where I started to read it, but it took me until a quarter to about half of the way through to realize how the author paced it. Instead of an overall "novel" it's more like vignettes where it's a page to two pages and a snippet of the story. Until I realized that was going on, the story itself didn't mesh well for me. After I realized it, bam!, I could read it, but still, I'm left with this overall feeling, "I don't get this story."

Mind you, it wouldn't normally be my first pick for a graphic novel for me to read. I can easily see Philosopher Musician (aka my husband) getting more out of this than me. I can see how educators would go for this and recommend it as part of a unit on Shackleton.

The art was interesting. Bertozzi uses his panels well, breaking out of the frame and twisting the frames around. For example, when the ship sinks, the panels shift, fall, and twist like the ship. My favorite panel might have been on page 75 where Shackleton is dreaming that the noise on the ice is all the various sea monsters under the water.

But, this book lost me, quite a bit. When they ate the dogs because rations were low, I was uncomfortable. I get that it happened, but alas, anything that happens to animals like that leaves me feeling sad. It was a rough journey. It was a tale of survival.

It was one I just could not get into, despite all the accolades it is getting (Junior Library Guild, Kirkus Star).

Overall feeling: Great from an educational perspective. Great for history buffs. Not for me.
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Source: Library/review copy

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Reviews will start back up next Tuesday and post weekly!


Be sure to check back!