The Caldecott Honor of 2015

It's on everyone's minds: HOW did a graphic novel get a Caldecott Honor? This is nothing like when Hugo Cabret won. That could be justified, but a graphic novel? A YA book no less? How was that possible?

I don't know, but what I do know is that there is going to be discussion about it for months to come.

This Horn Book blog post from Calling Caledcott raises great points and a lot of points I considered: Wednesday Morning Quarterbacking: the Process Edition.  (HT Twitter Julie Jurgen @himissjulie).

When I mentioned to my husband that there will be discussion (and crazy discussion at that) he brought up the Sandman by Neil Gaiman, issue 19 caused a bit of a stir for winning a Short Story Award:

At the 1991 awards, comic book The Sandman issue #19 "A Midsummer's Night Dream" scripted by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess, won the Award for Best Short Fiction.^[3] The widely circulated story that the rules were subsequently changed to prevent another comic book from winning is not entirely true. The official website states: "Comics are eligible in the Special Award Professional category. We never made a change in the rules."^[4] Gaiman and Vess, however, won the Award under the Short Fiction and not the Special Award Professional category.

From Wikipedia: World Fantasy Award 

I suspect the Caldecott rules will change after this. This One Summer will be harder to explain to parents. I'm surprised it's considered a 14 and under title. I'd put it in high school range, but that's just because of the topics dealt with in the book. It is a darker story.

So this raises a bunch of questions: who is the Caldecott for? Will more graphic novels be included or will the rules change? Have graphic novels always been included? Or will it change nothing and we'll go back to the usual picture books for the next few years until the next oddball? Time will tell.

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.

The Undertaking of Lily Chen

Title: The Undertaking of Lily Chen
Author: Danica Novgorodoff
Illustrator:  Danica Novgorodoff
Publisher:  First Second (:01)
Copyright:  2014
Price: $29.99
ISBN: 978-1-59643-586-5
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Deshi's brother Wei has died and it was partially Deshi's fault. The biggest problem with Wei's death? He died unmarried. To make up for the death, his parents send him out to find Wei a wife to be buried with. Thus begins Deshi's quest to find a body.

On the flip side. Lily needs to get out of town. She's stuck on her father's farm and they need money. Lily needs an out and a ride to Beijing. A chance encounter at night has Lily following Deshi, unaware that he sees her as a potential wife...for Wei. The only problem is, she's alive.
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Recommended Audience: Adults.
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Things to be aware of: sex, some violence
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Further Thoughts:  Ok. Here's a weird one. If you or your patrons like weird, off the wall stories, take a look at this one. It's a bit unnerving.

Deshi is weak as a person. Lily is strong but naive and innocent. It is by her hand that they travel together and for Deshi, it's a small chance at soul searching for him. Most of the story is "will he or won't he" and "why did he make that choice?" For Lily, the story is what lies beyond her small world?

The art is interesting. I liked the interspersing of water colors, but occasionally, I couldn't figure out who the ghost faces were or what I was looking at. The cover is a great example of what you'll find in the story: images overlapping into other images, watercolor. I'm not so sure about how the characters are drawn though. Lily is pretty (it's an obvious sort of thing when you look at the art). Deshi is awkward. Everyone else is a caricature of something. It works but in some ways rubs the wrong way. I can't put my finger on it.

The basis of the story is interesting. The idea of "ghost marriages" where two dead bodies are married is at once creepy and interesting. It is or was actually a thing and thanks to Wikipedia, here's the full article quoted in the beginning of the story. It's interesting how you know that this is what Deshi is up to, but Lily has no idea.

Overall feeling: Not a must have, but one that is certainly different and worth adding if you have the extra funds.

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Source: Review/Library Copy

Sisters by Raina Telgemeir

Title: Sisters
Author: Raina Telgemeir
Illustrator:  Raina Telgemeir
Publisher:  Graphic (Scholastic)
Copyright:  2014
Price: $24.99
ISBN: 978-0545540599
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Raina and Amara do not get along. Amara was not at all what Raina had in mind when she wished for a sister. Fast forward to the summer before high school. Raina, Amara, their brother, and mom are road tripping across states to visit family in Colorado. Camping and sightseeing should be fun, but not when everyone is cramped in a van and there is an "incident" with the front seat. It's a summer of realizations and growing for Raina.
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Recommended Audience: Tweens and up.
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Things to be aware of: None.
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Further Thoughts: Sisters is just what it is about: Raina's relationship to her sister. As a child, Raina makes the wish to have a sister and like any young child is so certain it'll be awesome. Sadly, she's confused when it isn't awesome. It'll probably prompt kids to ask what they might have been like when a brother or sister was announced. Readers will also understand the conflict of having that annoying sibling. Raina tells it like it is, but with wit and animation.

The art is boldly colored with strong lines. I love her art. It's animated, bright, and colorful. The story seems to move like a cartoon while dealing with life issues. At this point, if she illustrates it and writes it, I'll probably read it, which I know a lot of readers do too after how popular Smile was.

One thing I found interesting is how well this story holds up despite the story definitely taking place in the late 80s or early 90s (That make-up! The hair! A Walkman!). I'm sure readers will have some questions such as "why doesn't the van have a DVD player?", but overall, I hardly noticed those details. It was more about the family dynamics more than the time. The time period just helped showcase the family dynamic.

On the other hand, it felt slim for the size of the book. As in the story, which happens over a few weeks in summer with a ton of explanation flashbacks, seemed kind of slim. If you just wrote the text, it'd probably be a small book. I might have wanted a little more and I know for a fact, I'm not as crazy about this as the kids are. I can't explain why.

**SPOILER...kinda, sorta...**
What I'm most worried about is, if there is more, it'll be about her parent's divorcing. The end just felt like it was heavily foreshadowing it. It's like "I will probably read it, and it'll be handled well, but I just don't know if I want to read that."
**End Spoiler**

Overall feeling: If you haven't gotten this, what are you waiting for? The kids eat this up and love it.
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Source: Library

Through The Woods, Stories by Emily Carrol

Title:  Through The Woods
Author: Emily Carroll
Illustrator:  Emily Carroll
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry Books (imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division)
Copyright: 2014
Price: $21.99
ISBN: 978-1442465954
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Five stories. Five haunting stories about the woods, monsters, and fears unspoken. Each story takes you to a different time and to a different fear. The first story, "Our Neighbor's House" is in the later part of the 19th Century. Three sisters are left alone while their father goes out. When the red sun sets, the middle sister knows her father is dead. One by one her sisters meet a man with a wide-brimmed hat and disappear. The second, "A Lady's Hands Are Cold," tells of a lady in the 1700s who marries a man. She hears voices and destroys their house to find the parts of the first wife. The third story, "His Face All Red," is in an unknown time period. A younger brother saw his brother die, so why is his brother back and why won't he meet his eye? The fourth story, "My Friend Janna," involves two girls: one who sees ghosts and the other who doesn't. They fake seances together until one girl is haunted. The last story, "The Nesting Place," in the 1920s, involves a monster and I'll leave it there. Some people lived, and some people...well, did they live or die? That is the question. The connecting thread to the stories are the intro and epilogue about the reader (maybe author?) and the fears she had while reading stories at night.
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Recommended Audience: teens and older
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Things to be aware of: gore
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Further Thoughts: CREEPY, but delightfully so. The only story that really freaked me out was "The Nesting Place." When I first glanced through it, I thought there was no way I could read the story, it would give me nightmares. I started the book and kept reading and found myself skimming over "The Nesting Place."

Emily Carroll utilizes colors and images wonderfully. Each story has a pervading color, but all stories have a strong red that weaves in and out of the stories.  The colors are striking in the story "A Lady's Hands Are Cold," where there is blue, yellow, and red splashed against black. The rest of the stories use brown and some blue, with the bold red. The art is probably what makes the stories all the more haunting.

For me, this reminds me of a book I have from Dame Darcy (I don't remember the title) and the stories written by Angela Carter. Haunting, and ending on just the right note to make you question what you read. It is a haunting, satisfying horror read. I know I'll think of it every so often (like Angela Carter's stories and Dame Darcy's work). If I personally owned it, I'd pull it from my shelf to read it occasionally.

Overall feeling: If you have fans of horror, or even fans of Gothic Literature, this is a must have. Actually, I just highly recommend this. It's delightful, in a creepy way.
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Source: Library

Hidden by Loic Dauvillier

Title: Hidden
Author: Loic Dauvillier (Translation by Alexis Siegel)
Illustrator: Marc Lizano & Greg Salsedo (colorist)
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2014
Price: $16.99
ISBN: 978-1596438736
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Little Elsa wakes up in the middle of the night. Just before she returns back to bed, she realizes someone is up. In the room, she finds her grandmother, Dounia Cohen looking through old photos and thinking of a different time. Innocent Elsa asks her grandmother to tell her what's wrong because maybe talking about it will help. Dounia is hesitant, but decides to tell Elsa the truth of her childhood, starting with the yellow star sewn onto her jacket.
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Recommended Audience: Upper elementary and up.
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Things to be aware of: N/A

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Further Thoughts: When this first came out to my shelves (through the Junior Library Guild selection program), I thought "no way this was a children's title. Anything about that time is definitely for older kids."

I was wrong. Dauvillier gets it. The pacing of the story is appropriate for that of a younger child who might not understand everything being told to her. Elsa, is a realistic child from her giggling at grandmother's childhood crush to gently prompting Dounia to continue. Dounia tells the story to her grandchild appropriately for Elsa's age using age-appropriate terms (i.e. "wee-wee") and explaining her feelings gently (with Elsa not understanding but knowing it was bad). The text alone is lovely.

The people with big heads and tiny bodies are perfect for this story. It makes the story real, but distant. It provides great opportunities to zoom in for full face panels. The best time this style for the characters work is the full page of Dounia's mother when she returns from the camp. It's haunting, scary, but not in a "I can't continue this it's too gross" way. More like a "wow...I can't believe that happened." Here is a story that the art just enhances the text and paints a bittersweet story of a girl having to grow up and recognize the world of the time.

What we have here is a wonderfully done tale of the 1940s about a child in France who had to wear the Yellow Star, whose parents were arrested, and who escaped to grow up and have children of her own. It is easily appropriate for children and even a classroom. It probably would even be useful in middle or high school classrooms.There is a very brief afterword that helps put context to the story and reminds readers that this happened and that we should continue to fight injustices.

Overall feeling: I definitely have this on my library shelf. It is a story that needs told and a different perspective.

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Source: Library

Recommended Core Collection Is Here!

Are you starting to develop your graphic novel collection? Wondering why circs are down? Maybe you just need a few new titles but have no idea what to add.

Allow me to present my Recommended Core Collection page on this blog. This page is going to be a list of all the graphic novels I've seen stand the test of time and are referenced again and again. In time, I hope to equally represent heroes and authors with the best works. When I have a review available, there will be a link to my review. Eventually, I hope to add recommended age tags to the titles.

Don't have a lot of money? No problem. Look for the ones with the *. These are ones I think a library absolutely cannot live without.

Check out what is there now. Do you have some of these all ready? See a few classic GN authors you missed?

Enjoy!

Side note: This list is, at the moment, DC heavy. I know. DC sent out this great Essentials catalog a few months back and they really knew which of their titles have stood the test of time. I used it to add new titles to my collection recently. I'll talk about that soon (I hope and assuming I can find my home copy). Also, full disclosure, I tend toward DC more than Marvel. Manga will be updated in due time. I know a few titles all ready that are cornerstones, but I have to really look at what was a cornerstone when I was a teen and now (some overlap exists). Manga generally goes regardless of the title, but there are a few titles you should really have.

Odd Duck

Title: Odd Duck
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrator: Sara Varon
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $18.50
ISBN:  978-1596435575
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Theodora is a very particular duck. She wakes up, exercises in the pond with an object on her head (generally a tea cup), and goes about her errands. She does everything a good duck is supposed to do from eating the right food and reading the right book. She does add a little something odd to her errands though, but she doesn’t think this makes her strange. Her life is perfect and she hopes it remains that way.

Enter a new neighbor. Chad is almost the complete opposite of Theodora. He has ruffled feathers, swims crazily, and considers himself an artist. At first, she rebels at the idea of getting to know him, but one night, she finds him stargazing like her and they immediately hit it off. A friendship blossoms and they do a lot together. One day someone exclaims how odd the new duck is. Who is it though and will Chad and Theodora’s friendship survive this comment?

A colorful tale of friendship is told in this hybrid (part comic, part book). Ultimately, this book sends the message of being true to yourself and the importance of friendship in a simple work that goes sweetly with the perfect cup of tea (or not when it comes to kids).
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Recommended Audience: elementary and up.
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Things to be aware of: Nothing. Kid friendly
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Further Thoughts: Adorable! Sweet! Cute! All of these words describe this simple hybrid book. Theodora is very particular and you know that something is going to upend her perfect world. Chat couldn’t be farther from her style, but they hit it off becoming close friends (although, it looks like more than friends in this kid tale). It is a great friendship tale, even if it is a very familiar tale.

The art is probably what helps this stand out and ducks. It’s about ducks who are similar to humans, but they still eat bland duck pellets. Theodora and Chad and the other ducks come to life in the art. There is lots of color and each duck seems different from the next. I also enjoy their curving, cartoony arms. It’s perfect for kids.

I suspect there will probably be more. I could see a story involving Chad teaching Theodora how to fly (or to overcome her fear only hinted at in this work), but maybe not. Maybe, they are just going to have this tale and be done (but I doubt it).

My only quibble with this book is a small thing. Theodora and Chad are friends, but they are awfully touchy-feely. They hug a lot and for the errands portion of the story they are linked, which, considering preschoolers having boyfriends and girlfriends, kids will latch onto it and believe there is more to this than the story lets on. On the other hand, I do enjoy the idea that you can be anything as long as you have a friend who cares about you. Theodora was so sure of herself at the beginning of the story and continued to stay that way. Chad came after and neither wanted to change the other. These are positive role models of friendships, and possibly romantic relationships geared perfectly for children.

Make room for this one on your children’s graphic novel shelf. So cute.
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Source: Netgalley Request

A Match Made in Heaven (My Boyfriend is a Monster 8)

Title: A Match Made in Heaven (My Boyfriend is a Monster #8)
Author: Trina Robbins
Illustrator: Xian Nu Studio (and others)
Publisher: Graphic Universe (imprint of Lerner)
Copyright: 2013
Price: $29.27
ISBN: 978-0761368571 (library bound)
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Morning Glory Conroy is a social outcast at her San Francisco high school. Everyone is in a clique and everyone has to come up with some spin on her name. If she had her way, she’d call her parents “mom” and “dad” and stay home to work on her manga. She is an aspiring manga artist. Someday, she’ll show off her work. Maybe at the upcoming comic-con.

Gabriel is a new student who walked out of who-knows-where. Glory and her only friend decide to help him because he is cute and so obviously confused about life. As Glory and Gabriel fall for each other, they meet opposition first from his unseen uncle and then from his cousin, Luci (with a heart over the ‘i’) who is determined to destroy what Gabriel loves. Amongst all of this drama, Glory’s best friend is having problems with her step-father. Oh, and Gabriel turns out to be an angel.
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Recommended Audience: high school
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Things to be aware of: mild violence, crude humor
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Further Thoughts: Something about this volume did not sit well with me. After I read it, I was like “huh.” I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but something about it was…off and I think it was something to do with the angel portion (mind you, my knowledge of angels is limited so I might have missed a lot) or how Gabriel acted.

Glory is a typical teenager in that she believes the world is against her and everyone, but her best friend, hates her (which annoyed me at first, but thinking on it is a very teen thing to do). She lets herself get trampled on by everyone and teased. She comes to terms with it by the end of the book, but possibly not in the best manner (is snapping back really the answer?). Glory is definitely still a “go-getter” in many ways, but not in the ones that matter to her. She’s afraid to share her manga, but it is ultimately Gabriel who helps her out. Thanks to him, her dreams come true. (While his support is nice, should the actual legwork be done by him? Um…)

The side story in this is with Glory’s best friend and her family drama. Her step-dad has crossed a line and her mother has kicked him out. He wants his biological daughter back, but is forced to stay away. This is what causes the drama in the book. It is also this that gives Glory the opportunity to chase after Gabriel and ultimately fall for him. He’s sweet in his naïveté, in a way, but…there is something not quite right here.

Barry and James are back and it is Barry’s reaction to Gabriel that makes me really want to know what is ultimately going on. Mr. James is back to his grouchy self and we hardly see anything of them later in the book. Bummer after how volume 7 went.

Basically, get this to keep the series going. I suspect teens would relate to this (I know I would have hooked into Glory’s view, but maybe not go for Gabriel), but overall, it left me feeling “meh.”
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Bonus: Ok, here’s another publication date issue (number 7 was just as confusing). Netgalley says May 1st and so does Kirkus, but Amazon says the paperback, at least, is available now. What?

Source: Netgalley Request.

YALSA Book Lists: A Rant

I'm late to this. I know I am because I kind of hoped it'd blow over when I actually wanted to see the lists again. As it should be semi-public knowledge here, I normally pick on the "Great Graphic Novels for Teens" lists that YALSA puts out. I like them. They can be a good start, BUT there's just some stuff on there that doesn't hold a teen's interest (Prime Baby [my review] is a prime example). I've tried to be involved, but only learned last year that I can actually suggest stuff. I have one to suggest for this year actually...

Well, today, I finally ran into YALSA's "block." Basically, if you have been under a rock, when you decide to take a look at YALSA's lists, you see a "Thanks for your interest blah-blah give us your information or skip all this and sign in."

I hate signing in. Mainly because for some dumb reasons my passwords hate me. Or the system hates my password. I also don't always remember my user name and/password and ALA Connect and Member Services have still left a bad taste in my mouth (basically, I asked recently why we can't get invoices. The state library association gives me one right off the bat AND I can access it for say, when I want to print it off for taxes. I asked if this could be consider and got a "no"). As if ALA doesn't get enough of my money right now.

Yeah, I could just end my membership there, but if I didn't like YALS so much, I would.

Ok, so why did I finally run into this block? I wanted to add the book lists to my resources page because it looks somewhat sparse and I haven't started looking for stuff to add yet. My first thought was "Let's check to see if that block is there."

Yes it was. What the hell?

Now read this post on the YALSA Blog.

Read it? Did you take a look at the comments?

Here we go. First, all the information about the awards is available outside of the wall, EXCEPT the actual list themselves. So, I can nominate a book without actually signing in or giving them my information (except in the process). That means non-members could try to nominate books. In certain cases, I understand that, but I'd think that should be more behind the wall than it is. I can also learn all I want about the award, see nominations (WHAT?), but not actually see what won. That is messed up logic.


"Members who want to access the lists on reference desk computers or other non-personal computers and don’t want to login with personal information can also bookmark the links for the lists and awards. These URLs are now posted in the “Members Only” section of the website." That's kinda nice, but something about this irks me. That is also somewhat messed up logic. If I want to book mark the link, am a non-member, but need it to do my job, I have to get a membership to get special links? Um...

"Fourth, several people have raised the question about whether it is worth it to ask for this information. The answer is we’re not sure yet, but we think it might be." Ok, you've been at this since February to when this was posted on May 30. Frankly, you should know whether or not this is working. I'm not impressed with the statistics.

"Fifth, some members have indicated that they are against this change because they feel that YALSA is restricting or putting up barriers to information. In fact, YALSA is doing the same thing that most of you do every day in your own libraries..." Yes, but when I want e-books from my library or want to browse my library or any library collection, I don't have to log in to do it. While I get the database analogy, it doesn't fly because it isn't true of every database or even the catalogs. I also can get that library card for FREE (the majority of the time) in order to access the information. In order to get access to these lists, I have to do what Facebook's apps basically do: get my information to enjoy it or pay a lot of money for a list.

YALSA, you are "putting up barriers to information" especially in a time of budget crunches and closures. I'm thinking of city librarians who just want to promote reading or justify the need to purchase books. The time strapped librarian who doesn't have time to fill out forms and forgets when s/he gets home because of how tired the person is.

I'm also looking at this fact, which is wrong, absolutely wrong:

• The Newbery and Caldecott List is public, but the Printz is not. And don't get into the fact that these are different divisions. I recognize that, but they are also respected awards and I find the Printz equivalent to that. If other divisions can do this, so can YALSA. Put other stuff behind the walls. Stuff that people would be glad to pay for.

By the way membership is down 3.7% according to the President's Report



Disclosure: This is a rant. I may not know all of the details and may not have read up on all of the details leading to this decision on YALSA's behalf. It may not be prudent to take this discussion out onto my blog, but honestly, others are doing it too and I restarted the discussion on twitter. I'm very annoyed about this and am just using this as a way to vent. There are great blogs out there and a very nicely written post,with more comments and links, was done by Liz B of A Chair, A Fireplace, and A Tea Cozy (link to her reaction to the update from June 5)

Things Discovered...after the majority of this was written

• The Philosopher Musician thinks that as a patron and person, lack of access to the links is uncool and that the basic list itself should be available freely as it is very basic information...SO
• He just discovered the Printz List is available on Wikipedia. To be honest, I'm kind of embarrassed that I didn't think of this first and am sorry if YALSA forces it to come down after this information comes to light.
• Also, kudos to whoever is maintaining that Wikipedia page.

Introducing My Mother.

HI MOM.

My mom got a blog. Oh noes. Not really. I'm part of the reason why she has it: to talk about romance novels and libraries. Frankly, like me, she knows a lot on that genre. She's been reading romance since I can remember and for the last 5 years or so has been seriously studying it. If you bookmarked her old page, please update it, because due to a Google Hiccup, she had to start over so...

Romancing Your Library - What your patrons wish you knew. Romance fiction for librarians.

And if we sound similar, it is seriously because I am her kid. I think we sound similar online anyway...

Chopsticks: A Novel

Title: Chopsticks: A Novel
Author: Jessica Anthony
Illustrator: Rodrigo Corral
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin Group)
Copyright: 2012
Price: $19.99
ISBN: 978-1-59514-435-5
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Piano prodigy Glory Fleming is bored, lonely, and tired of being forced into something she is not. She just wants to be a teenager, especially when she falls for the mysterious neighbor boy, Frank. As the two grow closer together, Glory’s playing falls apart. She stops mid performances and often finds herself breaking into themes and variations of “Chopsticks.” Essentially, readers work through Glory’s world before her disappearance and you are left to wonder what was real and what was not.
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Recommended Audience: high school
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Things to be aware of: nudity (drawings); swearing
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Further Thoughts: I know. This is not a graphic novel, but oddly enough, I could picture libraries placing this in the graphic novel section because the library just wasn’t sure how and where to catalog it. So, I read it and here’s my review:

It is a pretty work, but I’m confused and this book unsettled me.

I know I’m supposed to recognize that Frank was a figment of her imagination, but I’m so confused because of the evidence presented. I saw the overlaps easily in school logos and timing in regards to things that involved him and her, but still, I find myself confused by something. I think it is because he was actually presented as a physical person. I look at spreads to see the clues and I do, but my mind can’t process it like I think I’m supposed to. There are lots of positive reviews out there and I must admit I was interested in reading it. The only thing that makes sense to me is that she plays “Chopsticks” when she wants to imagine him or think of him because of the mention of notes F and G.

This is not a graphic novel. It is a scrap book and I suspect that the library copy I have has it in the right spot: Fiction. I think a professional journal called it a graphic novel while another called it fiction. I feel the photos and the lack of a comic book feel is what tips the scales for me regarding this book.

Overall, this is a pretty book, but I suspect it might need some reader’s advisory help in order to go out. It might appeal to the reluctant reader, or the artist, but overall it confused this reader.

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Source: Library copy.

What can you expect in my reviews?

I'm experimenting. I'm trying to write more, especially since I'm reminded of Ray Bradbury on this sad day. Also, my other blogging gig has been revealed.

Simply put, this is my explanation about my reviews here and over there.

1. Currently, I get GNs that are of interest to me or I feel I should read because everyone is talking them up. Mainly, the talking up bit is because, well, I should know about it and generally I have to wonder, if the librarians are talking it up, is it really that awesome (lately it has been 50/50)?
2. I get books from the library, Netgalley, purchasing them (wish I had more funds for that...I miss my manga habit) and if people give them to me for free (ARCs, friends, etc).
3. I will not hesitate to rip into a book (aka give it a negative review). If you want to know what I mean, please find the review on Marvel's Pride and Prejudice. I cannot stop talking about how much that book irked me and yet it got such high praise.
4. Since I sometimes give negative reviews, please look at it as another voice out there and not that I hate your book. I truly believe that books have their readers and places and that we can't all love the same books. If we did, life would probably be boring. On the other hand, I will make every effort to find some sort of positive in the book, be it that it is suited better to school librarians, adult readers (see Prime Baby as an example), etc, or that the art is pretty or the plot was pretty good but not for me. Negative reviews should exist and I find it my duty to tell you my thoughts on the book.
5. I'm writing from both a professional stance and that of a graphic novel reader. My main reading habits include the following: comics, graphic novels, manga, young adult books, and non-fiction for grown-ups. I dabble in chapter books and picture books (but picture books are so easy to read in a few minutes and so much fun). I will probably post YA once in a while, but like non-fiction for grown-ups, it is mainly pleasure reading and to improve my RA skills. Huzzah!
6. If you want a completely professional stance, visit The Graphic Classroom. They have great professional reviews and that is where you can find my "professional voice."
7. If it looks like I have a DC slant, I do and openly admit to the fact I love Batman. He is my favorite hero and have read a lot about him (and Catwoman). I will read other comics though. Believe me. I will read almost everything in a comic format (excepting gore. No. Way. Not my style.).
8. Not every comic/graphic novel I read will get reviewed. I gotta have my mind candy and truly pleasure reading. 
9. This blog exists mainly as a place to tell my friends and family (Hi Mom!) about what graphic novels to get for their libraries since I'm seen as some expert because I read comics. Go figure.

Ok. I think that's it regarding the "Important Stuff You Should Know" about my reviews. One of these weeks I'll get into:

• Why I don't read book blog book reviews.
• Why I tend to blog only reviews and very rarely other stuff.
• Why I love webcomics and eventually web comic reviews (or web comic book reviews)
• And other mysteries as I feel I have to explain them.

Batten Down the Hatches

So...Hurricane Irene. We've prepped, we keep prepping (Me: "Hon, what if we lose water?" Him: "Dear, we'll probably be ok."), and I know we'll reach a point where we can't prep any more. We aren't in a spot where we'll have to evacuate (I think), but there is a shelter opening up tonight. The closest river is on the other side of the county city, which is a few miles and up a bit of a bank. We have a pond nearby but I think the ground is graded enough and we're on the second floor.

We have a radio. We have books. I have crafting (a treadle sewing machine of all things!). I'm trying not to panic, but the last 24 hours or so, I've surprisingly been panicked. "Don't panic. Always travel with a towel." (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).Why does this make sense in a hurricane all of a sudden?

I do have a plan though should power go out for more than about 2 or 3 days: Mom's, which is about 2 hours west and should be ok. When I was in middle school and Dad lost power due to that Hurricane, we kids eventually wound up there ("Mom has running water! And power!"). Although, that is also dependent on work.

At this time, it is dark for 7:30 PM (I think), which means that more of the Hurricane is here. We're probably not going to have any major problems, but seeing as this is my first one on my own, I'm still a little panicked. There has been a surprising amount of panic here. I've seen so many pictures of empty bread shelves (good thing I'm g-free and don't care) and hearing about how stores don't have milk and eggs (which is useless people, if the power goes out for more than a day) and how there's no bottled water (what about using water pitchers and bottles at home? We've filled everything we can find and then some. Thank you water filter pitcher).

I'm actually planning to get away from this computer and all the Hurricane Irene coverage in order to calm down. The Philosopher Musician made pudding but I'm so stressed I'm afraid to eat it. I know this is stress because I made it to PAYA today, despite the weather. I was relaxed and had fun. I love seeing this event happen, but am sorry about the timing (of the Hurricane that is). I think more librarians stayed home and a slew of authors didn't come out. I only stayed an hour so I could get home earlier to wait the storm out. All that time, I felt fine and even ate my lunch. Now home, I'm stressing and panicked.

Here's the plan though: I have a ton of books to read and surprisingly I've decided to reread a series I devoured as a teen, and my first manga: Mars. It is interesting to read it now as a 20-something in a relationship instead of a single, never-been-kissed, semi-outcast teen. I am looking out for the idea of rape culture, bloated ideals, and the idea that "he'll be there to save her." Rei, the male lead, was not there for Kira, the female lead, when the popular girls threw out her shoes in the first volume. He does take her home though (on his motorcycle. Oh bad boy). I'm wondering what adult me will have to say about the series, while teen me was like "OH OH I want to read the next volume! Why do I have to WAIT? GAH. SO ROMANTIC!" (Or how adult me is feeling about Bride of the Water God and Chi's Sweet Home, minus romance in that one.) So far, the bits I have reread (out of order) has me saying "that's convenient" to a lot and "that's romantic."

All in all, I guess we're as prepared as we'll be. Most of the hurricane will pass through while we're sleeping so tomorrow morning will definitely be interesting. I have stuff to do, with or without power. Our cats are being cute and trying to comfort us or me (one cat is sleeping so beautifully on the couch with me) and I am thankful I'm at home with my family (The Philosopher Musician and the cats). Here's hoping my friends are safe and we'll be safe.

UPDATE: I ate some of the pudding as The Philosopher Musician proofed this..

Response to "Using the Living Dead to Teach Information Literacy" from Librayr Journal

From my own Twitter Account: “Good idea. Poorly excuted(sic): TOTAL disregard for Zombie Lore. (1st broken rule: building w/windows) http://bit.ly/feNhlm ”

Library Journal: Using The Living Dead to Teach Information Literacy



The McPherson College's Miller Library (Kansas) has created a Zombie Apocalypse “graphic novel” to introduce students to the library. While a great idea (commendable, really), it is poorly executed, mainly in that the story has disregard to Zombie Apocalypse Lore. With this in mind, I shared this doozy of a graphic novel to some friends the other night to get their opinion to make sure my opinions were valid. They agreed.

The issues I have with this:

Trying to hard. The introduction says WAY to much about librarians and not enough about students. The introduction is one of those things that makes me cringe for librarians. It is at moments condescending (librarians are information literate people, not you) and these are the kinds of words that turn freshmen (or those not associated to libraries) off of libraries. Don’t explain WHY you did it (although, the last bit about saving the day is good). Just publish the damn novel and see what happens or just say “This guide is for you. Enjoy!”

“Comic Book” NOT “GRAPHIC NOVEL.” (The Philosopher Musician cringed as I read this sentence aloud, after he saw bits of it the other night). 23 pages of zombie apocalypse goodness is actually print comic book-length. The comic itself is even smaller than that.
The overall dialogue. At moments it flows, at others it doesn’t. Right off the bat, it seems forced and…odd…(what is the bit about “state college?” As a PA person, I think about State College, PA). The dialogue sounds like a bad movie, but really bad, not cheesy-bad. “Oh you silly kids…” (p. 4) reminds me of Scooby Doo and readers will drop it then. After this outburst, the whole comic turns into a comic infomercial.

The librarian is psychotic. He doesn’t care that his student workers are dead (p.5)? He’s more interested in finding books about voodoo. Great. Librarians are heartless.

Breaks in Zombie Apocalypse Lore:

STAY AWAY FROM GLASS BUILDINGS. That library, as far as I can tell, would have been the first place to lose it in a Zombie Apocalypse. It’s covered in glass.*

Why zombies crave brains. Ok. I don’t know why, but the craving knowledge was cute…but it missed the mark somehow. If the factoid about zombies craving brains was included in the general story, with the students going, “OH! Zombies crave knowledge!” that bit might have been funny.

Stairs. Do not be in a place with lots of stairs. Zombies can climb them. Again, this library fails in zombie stronghold (ok, just realized that the point isn’t that the library is a stronghold, but I’m not sure they would have lasted even this long with this building).

Wait, records are by primitive humans? (p. 9) (Good sarcasm fail.) Also, the idea of using records to attack zombies is totally ripped from the movie “Shaun of the Dead.”

Lastly, in the last panel, I’m bothered by the librarian’s speech (The Philosopher Musician is bothered by his zombie-like expression). Again, I cringe for librarians because it is that kind of “we’re smarter than you and look at the trick we just pulled with this awesome graphic novel; you will know how to use the library and be the awesome students we know you are.” That’s it. It is a motivational speech, which is really fake-sounding.

All in all, I find this a novel and commendable idea. The art is fantastic and the ideas for physically fighting zombies in a library were kind of useful for people in a zombie apocalypse. I actually love the art, but the text is terrible. Too much showing, not enough telling, and not enough “guided instruction.” Honestly, his guided instruction did not even give the students a chance to deduce how to look for or find certain things. Yes, in a Zombie Apocalypse, you have a limited amount of time, but I’m sure the students could have figured out some more about zombies by applying some research skills he introduced them to (I’m a firm believer in “guide on the side”). I wanted so much for this graphic novel, but instead it falls into that category of “too much obvious lesson, not enough hinted lesson.”

I sincerely wish this library luck in getting this into student’s hands. The nerds will devour this. Graphic novel enthusiasts will devour this. Unfortunately they will enjoy this for all the wrong reasons, which I outlined above, if it even makes it into their hands.


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*In college, friends and I used to try to figure out in the event of a zombie apocalypse which building would be the best building to go to for safety. It wasn't the library.

The HarperCollins Issue

"You know, the general public still doesn't know about this," The Philosopher Musician said to me last night after I brought up my continual annoyance at the HarperCollins Issue.


"Yeah. Yet another quiet battle the quiet librarians are fighting for their readers." I said quietly and in disgust.

Despite the NYTimes article, despite BoingBoing, despite the major news circuits and Twitter, I wonder how much the general population realizes is at stake. As I look for more information on this I can't help but find that these are the facts:

• HarperCollins wants to limit circs to 26 times per title (meaning if 50 people want it, 24 are shit out of luck, go buy it, or ask the library to buy more copies but suffer when it comes to other best sellers you want now). 
• Librarians are currently trying to boycott HarperCollins from not touching the books to not purchasing (no offense, but not a smart move considering they are quite the mover and shaker in publishing...or rather the publisher a lot of books. Boycotting their eBooks makes more sense).
• A lot more is at stake than I think people realize (Librarian by Day).

When I was in grad school last year, I took a fantastic course on copyright. What I remember most is how the music industry handled the whole digital issue and the possibility that the book industry is going to go in that direction as well. If you have even read a few works on copyright, you'll realize that by trying to control digital media only forces people into other, questionable routes.

What I'm asking for at the moment, is that librarians don't give into this decision. In fact, I say we take it to the public and post a huge notice on the OverDrive page. Those who use the service will see it. We also need to make it clear that something like this is only in the interest of the publisher, not the reader. This is not in the interest of the libraries. Boycotting the books will not help as the works that are popular include HarperCollins works. As it stands, HarperCollins is winning the publicity side of things, too. Of all the (top 5) book publishers, HarperCollins has the social media side down pat. I see tweets daily from HaperTeen and HarperChildren.

Since the digital age began, publishers have seen libraries as "the bad guys." What publishers often see is "$." What librarians see are people and readers. What has happened and what will continue to happen is that readers will get their books the way they've always gotten them: through the library or purchase them, and at that, either used or new. You cannot control the buyer. Please stop trying to control the buyer. This nonsense has to stop. We need the right to purchase a book and to purchase it where we want to purchase it; or, we need the right to borrow it where we want to borrow it.


PS: We can actually make a difference as OverDrive is trying to determine what to do next (I don't expect an answer overnight, but it'd be good if it were before the month is out).

Challenges: Wrap-up 2010 and 2011 Challenges

In 2010, I participated (sort of, I guess?) in 3 reading challenges. First, I would like to say that I enjoy the challenges (and there are a zillion out there on any reading thing you want to do). On the one hand, I'll read or listen to the books anyway, on the other hand, it forces me to try and focus on something new, such as hunting down the next fun audio book to listen to.

So, how did I do? I'm going to go from worst to best.

First, we have the Terry Pratchett Challenge. I made a valiant effort on this one, which The Philosopher Musician is happy about, but my mood for Pratchett just never aligned with us in the car on the trips to family/grad school visits. We started three audio books but I just wasn't in the mood or we talked instead (whoops?). My attempts included Good Omens, A Hat Full of Sky (I'm up to 3 attempts and I finally purchased a copy after finding it in Goodwill), and Nation¹ (The Philosopher Musician determined it would be better physically read than to listen to ["No offense to Stephen Briggs and all" - The Philosopher Musician])




Goal: 3 books
Total: 0

¹ Nation, I HAD listened to in 2009, and still think it should have gotten the Printz award over the actual 2009 winner, which was a "no one really had heard of this book." He's done a lot for reading (and now for Alzheimer's), why can't he get SOME ALA award?


Next up, we have the Graphic Novel Challenge. Even though I read graphic novels, I decided to challenge myself to a feat I've been hoping to accomplish: read my way through an ALA Great Graphic Novel list. The focus on this one was to read through at least 10 of the ALA Great Graphic Novel List of 2010. I thought I had but...

Goal: 10 books
Total: 8 books





Last and best is my favorite and probably most successful challenge: The Audio Book Challenge. Audio books are really fun. I honestly have to say that I enjoy the change of pace by letting a narrator guide me through a story (and a GOOD narrator to boot; if they annoy me, I'll look for another book). Out of all of the audio books (which I'll list for you below since the former website does not have a finished list), The Hunger Games trilogy was my favorite. I would yell out while I was listening to it. I was glued to the story, and I wanted errands to run just so I could work through another disc. I was excited to be part of the Mockingjay hype. I generally miss out on the excitement of counting down to these books, but there I was trying to determined which "Team" I was. Since finishing the books, I have recommended listening to the series often, and two of the people I recommended it to (both librarians) said that I was right, and it is fascinating to hear.

Goal: 6 audio books
Total: 8 audio books (woo!)








The list:

• 1.) Going Bovine by Libba Bray (completed March 9, 2010)
• 2.) The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (completed April 2010)
• 3.) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (completed June 2010)
• 4.) Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (completed July 2010)
• 5.) Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith (completed August 2010)
• 6.) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (completed September 2010)
• 7.) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (completed later September 2010)
• 8.) City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (completed October 2010)

And just as an FYI, I did finish the Mortal Instruments TRILOGY. I just don't know about the next book. I'll also sit down and finally read Tantalize (the book before Eternal) as I just can't do the audio of that one, which is a pity...I'm definitely looking forward to Blessed though.

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If you've read this far, kudos. I know that is a lot of text (or at least it looks like it on my small computer).

Now for this year's Challenges (aka goals)! For 2011, so far I'm doing two challenges:

The 2011 Audio Book Challenge

Goal: Fascinated at 6 Audio books again.
Aiming for: Addicted at 12 Audio books.







 
The 2011 Graphic Novel Challenge

Goal: Expert Level 10+
Limiters: 11 GNs from the 2011 ALA Great Graphic Novels List (which comes out NEXT WEEK! I hope my suggestions made the cut!)
Aiming for: as many as I can read from this list.

Machine of Death: The Review

Well, we first visited the topic of the book Machine of Death around when it was published. Some updates on it before I (The Philosopher Musican) give a review:

It has begun to see a wider distribution. In fact, it has slowly been appearing in major bookstores. It has also just garnered a more high-profile review at The Onion A.V. Club.

The editorial team also released an e-book version for free under the Creative Commons Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 license at the start of November.

So, now, its profile is still growing. But, most of the issues Little Librarian highlighted in her previous post are still present. We still haven't seen a NY Times review, nor has it been on their best-sellers list. The professional titles still haven't touched it (as far as Little Librarian knows).

Now, here's a review for you:

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Title: Machine of Death

Editors: Ryan North, Matthew Bennardo, & David Malki!

Publisher: Bearstache Books

Copyright: 2010

Price: $17.95

ISBN: 978-0-982167-12-0

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Summary and Some Thoughts: It's a fairly large collection of stories about, to quote the comic that inspired the anthology, "a world where everyone knows how they're going to die". This is all thanks to the "Machine of Death" of the book's title. It works basically the same in each story: you put your finger in a slot on the machine, it gets a small blood sample, and spits out a piece of paper. Written on it is how you'll die. You can't change it. Of course, the machine is extremely vague, so the information it gives isn't always useful; in the stories, it tends toward irony instead of straight predictions.

That's what all the stories have in common. They all explore the consequences of The Machine and what it brings to the world. Most of them see a world that isn't completely remade by The Machine. It alters society, but society usually adapts while still resembling the world-of-today (the exception to this is the story, "Loss of Blood"). The tone varies immensely throughout the book. There's sadness, despair, brightness, horror, and humor. Actually, there's a great deal of humor through many of the stories. They all deal with fate in some way, of course. It ends up reminding me of existentialism and absurdism, but that's a topic for later.

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Will Teens Like It: Well, I'm pretty sure this isn't a YA title. So many of the themes are adult (violence and mature subjects; there's not really any sex in it that I can recall) that I can’t at all recommend it for a teen collection. That said, of course some teens will like it. Teens willing to tackle the themes and length of the book could enjoy it. Teens who've heard of it online might well be interested in reading it as well. (This most likely belongs in adult collections folks! -LL).

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Things to Be Aware of: As I said above, I personally don't think this should go in a YA collection, but here are a few things that could get you in trouble with parents: The titles of some of the stories (after all, they're all causes of death; the standout here is "Exhaustion from Having Sex with a Minor." Surprisingly, though, the story itself isn't at all a problem, I'd say.), and some violent subject matter in the stories themselves (a decent amount of murder in various flavors)

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Personal Thoughts: With the recent A.V. Club review I'd love to say that this review is great timing on my part. Of course, that's not really the case. I've been struggling with writing this review for a while, actually. The truth is that there's so much diversity in the book. The many stories, despite the common premise, vary so greatly that I have had a hard time giving a good critical analysis about the collection.

Now, if it wasn’t clear, I loved this book. I'm a fan of many webcomics, so, yes, I'm already a fan of some of the authors. Even when I set aside my own personal views about some of the authors' other works, I can easily say that the entire collection is strong. Compared to what I've been reading recently, it was a fairly long read. I never actually got tired of reading it, though, and it wasn't at all difficult. I loved the philosophical explorations it leads to. As I said above, more details about that would have to go into a separate post (and I might well write one up), but either way, it's right up my philosophical alley.

Really, I’m having trouble coming up with any negative things to say about it. If you can get it into your library collection and get people checking it out, they’ll love it.

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Source: Review copy provided by one of the editors.

Bonus: It has been determined that in the first round of books sent out, a little slip was included that stated how you were going to die. In the review copy, we were surprised to see that there was no slip included, so it was determined that the prophecy from Little Librarian's undergrad days that "librarians don't die" must be true. :)

A Little Librarian's View: PA to YA Fest

Any excuse to go to West Chester, PA, is a good excuse to me. West Chester is a lovely college town with a ton of history, lovely buildings, awesome downtown, great book stores such as Armadillo Books and Chester County Book Company, the fantastic West Chester Public Library, and so far, has great food. My trek to West Chester on Saturday, August 21st, though was to visit the PA to YA Festival which was next to the University.

The PA to YA Festival was an event hosted to help raise money to give to librarians to build YA collections and to get books into the hands of librarians (as I understand it). It was also a great event to meet up with authors and bloggers, partake in the book sale, and maybe win some raffle prizes.

Basically, I’ve known about the Bring YA to PA initiative for months after accidentally finding it from, well, “blog surfing.” As a librarian, I was a bit surprised this initiative has existed for a while and I had yet to hear of it in my three official years as a Teen Person. As to the event, when I first saw hints of it, I had thought “YAY! But it is in Philly and I refuse to drive in Philly.” When I saw it was in West Chester, I thought “I’m SO going” and my schedule actually allowed me to!

The event itself was enjoyable and for arriving late (1:30 PM or so) there was still enough for me to feel that I hadn’t missed much. I do regret not partaking in the raffles, but I couldn’t decide if I wanted to pay for chances or not.  I also regret not bringing my ARC of Watersmeet to finally get it signed by Ellen Jensen Abbott, but I did get to catch up with her. That was probably the first highlight.

The second highlight was the room for librarians. Yes, a room for librarians. With books. Lotsa lotsa books. The librarian that traveled with me was excited to learn that she could take 20 books back to her library to put into the collection. For her, this is perfect as her library seems to have spent a good portion of their book budget, which means, technically, no new YA. This situation also was perfect for her since I’m somehow this walking encyclopedia of what is popular and what is not, what the book is probably about, and how the reviews for the books were, both blogosphere and professional (re: Voya). This in and of itself, is the most useful part to librarians here in Pennsylvania because of all the budget cuts happening. I’m not going to go into it here but you can read more here (PA Library Association).

But here is the only downside to the festival that I noticed: Many authors and bloggers, very few librarians. From my own library system, I ran into only one other person and not in Youth Services. From there, I only ran into a total of maybe 2 or 3 more library people. West Chester has perfect access to three library systems and for surrounding areas, West Chester is only an hour to a few hours’ drive to there. I can only blame myself for not seeing more Library System people since I didn’t send out an e-mail. Bad, bad me. I also may have missed people because I was half an hour late, but I did stay the whole time so I keep thinking I should have seen some friends!

Except for that small issue, I enjoyed the event and am hopeful and excited for the possibility at the event next year. My only hope for next year is that the venue is 1.) bigger and/or 2.) has an area for socializing as everyone kind of just fell into places in the tiny hallway between the rooms.

For librarians, it would have been the perfect event to get favorite books signed, network and socialize, and pick out books for their libraries and some ARCs for themselves. For bloggers and authors, I could tell that it was a great social event. I hope that the organizer (Harmony) behind the event saw this as a successful event and I’m sure that the money raised Saturday, from a large amount to even the smallest amount, will help the libraries who need it. We librarians are quite the thankful bunch. I just love the fact that this exists to help supplement YA Services in PA.

Pennsylvanian librarians, I urge you, that the moment you find out when this event happens in 2011, clear your calendar (like you do for your conferences). I know I will find a way to attend next year for the authors not signed up yet, the book sale, and maybe I’ll be able to socialize a little more. This is just too nifty of an event to miss out and it is so rare to have an event like this that I can actually drive to!

The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa (book 1 of 3)

Title: The Color of Earth
Author: Kim Dong Hwa
Illustrator: Kim Dong Hwa
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2009 (2001)
Price: $16.95
ISBN: 978-1-59643-458-5
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: In rural Korea, seven-year-old Ehwa starts learning about the differences between boys and girls, men and women. Every situation brings more questions answered the way children answer them followed by a clear explanation by her widowed mother. Ehwa continues learning about men and women as she grows and falls for her first two crushes. Her mother on the other hand, has met a traveling salesman who awakens something dormant for a long time. The Color of Water is a simplistically drawn yet detailed tale about Ehwa, her mother, and taking a moment to recognize the parallels in life. This edition provides a “readers” guide which helps the reader understand the parallels in the story.
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Will Teens Like It? Only the mature reader. This is an adult title with adult themes.
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Things to be aware of: sexual situations, nudity
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Further Thoughts: I was drawn to this title when I read a review of it in Voya ages ago. I promptly forgot about the title until the last two books were reviewed recently and then when I saw it on ALA’s 2010 Great Graphic Novels. Again, we have a title that is picked for teens but is not actually appropriate for them. It discusses a lot about sex and romance. While the romance is something everyone will understand, sex in literature is something that develops with a reader at different times, some can read it early, others can’t.

Yet, for the reader who can read this, it is a delightful and poignant read. First, Kim Dong Hwa has created art that is timeless and speaks volumes from detailed flowers to sweeping scenes on a whole page or two page spread. The black, white, and gray tones provide enough for my mind to create the colors as needed. This is a prime example of “reading a movie” for me.

Ehwa awakens sexually in this story as she learns and sees things that she does not yet understand. The seven year olds are pretending to be older, but don’t really understand how it all works. As Ehwa gets older, she starts to understand and develop appropriately. Ehwa is a character that will grow and you hope the best for her. I cannot wait for the last two parts.
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Bonus: This particular trilogy (next two posts will be the other two) has been getting a lot of interesting blog posting lately and it is similar to the whole "Twilight Feminism Thing" going on out there. Here is one example from The Manga Curmudgeon and showed up in my RSS feeder. At the end of June, there was a Manhwa Moveable Feast where you can check out essays, reviews, and comments about the trilogy (the earlier post was included). Honestly, I'm on the fence about the whole thing because while I enjoy a good love story with stereotypes, I'm not interested in having that in my life. It is escapism.

Months ago, the publisher, First Second (:01) posted this interesting blog post about the covers of The Color Trilogy and frankly, I'm glad the English covers got such a lovely makeover.

A 2010 ALA Great Graphic Novel choice


Source: Library