Review: The Dumbest Idea Ever! by Jimmy Gownley

 
Title: The Dumbest Idea Ever!
Author: Jimmy Gownley
Illustrator: Jimmy Gownley
Publisher: Scholastic Graphix
Copyright: 2014
Price: $11.99

ISBN: 978-0545453479
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Being a teenager sucks, but for Jimmy, he's having a tough time. First he gets sick and misses school, then he gets sick AGAIN and misses more school. He stops caring about school and starts focusing on his comics. A friend suggests a comic book idea for him, but he decides it's the dumbest idea. Only when his first idea flops, does he give it a chance and lands on possibly the best idea ever. As Jimmy rise in fame, he's also dealing with normal teenage things like first loves and changing friendships.
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Recommended Audience: Middle School
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Things to be aware of: Nothing.
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Further Thoughts:  Jimmy Gownley is probably best known for his Amelia Rules series, which is very popular (it is in my library), so this will probably be snatched up by readers who love the series. To be honest, readers will probably read this because it's a Scholastic middle school slice of life graphic novel with praises from Jeff Smith (Bone), Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters), and Jeff Kinney.

Take all that away though and you have a great biographical story about how Jimmy Gownley's teen years helped him become a graphic novel artist. He shows how he did research, practiced drawing, and had a good support system, including supportive parents. This graphic novel is perfect for any budding artist, writer, or creator to see how Jimmy survived his teen years and made it.

There are a few fantastical elements that help him. Jimmy talks to the Grim Reaper, showing at least twice how he thinks he wants to die, only to realize he wanted to press on. For me, this was a strong point in the story and helped me become invested in it. When it ended, I didn't want it to end. Thankfully there's an afterward that expands on it.


Overall feeling: Cartoonish art, inspiration, slice of life, and teen years combine for a powerful story that begs to be read multiple times and shared with friends. A must have.
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Bonus: Jimmy Gownley is from PA (according to the bio). He spoke at PaLA in 2008.
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Source: Library/Review copy

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents: Macbeth

Title: The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents: Macbeth
Author: Ian Lendler
Illustrator:  Zack Giallongo ; Colors by Alisa Harris
Publisher: First Second (:01)
Copyright: 2014
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 978-1596439153
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Have you ever wondered what the zoo animals do at night after everyone has left? At the Stratford Zoo, the animals break from their cages and put on a play for each other. On this particular night, readers witness Shakespeare's Macbeth, adapted for a zoo setting, including comments from the audience.
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Recommended Audience: Upper elementary
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Things to be aware of: cartoon violence
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Further Thoughts: Let me just start off that I am not familiar with Macbeth, the play, so I have no idea how close this is to the actual play.

But, let me say that I did enjoy this adaption.

The Lion is Macbeth  He is hungry for something more than a very large hot dog. What he learns is that he's hungry for POWER. Following the prophecy by the three witches, Macbeth spirals downward until finally he is dethroned. The elements of the play are here: key phrases, key characters, key plot points, but there's so much more! Lady Macbeth is a cheetah, a fact lost on her until late in the story and ends up adding to her demise in a swath of bubbles and soap (it's almost comedic). The man who brings down Macbeth is a stork and of the "hard boiled" detective type. There are audience members (mostly two kid monkeys) making comments throughout the story and lots and lots of ketchup.


Overall feeling: A great adaption with comedic timing for a Shakespearean tragedy. A great introduction to Shakespeare's great work Macbeth. I really hope this team adapts more (the last page hints that the next night is Romeo & Juliet).

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Source: Library/Review

Miss Annie: Freedom (Book 1)

Title: Miss Annie: Freedom (Book 1)
Author: Frank Le Gall

Illustrator: Flore Balthazar & Robin Doo
Publisher: Graphic Universe

Copyright: 2011

Price: $29.27

ISBN: 978-0-7643-7884-6
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Four month old kitten Miss Annie thinks she’s all grown up. She’s determined to get outside and somehow, someday she will. Until then, she’s going to defend the house (from leaves) and chat with her best friend, a mouse, she dubs Keisha after Sarah’s (one of her humans) best friend. Miss Annie does get outside, only to discover that freedom isn’t exactly what she thought it was.

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Recommended Audience: upper elementary (due to events in book 2)

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Things to be aware of: N/A
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Further Thoughts: This does not compare to Chi. Do not compare to Chi. This is not Chi who is the most adorable kitten to read about.

Ok, since this isn’t Chi, but another import and another title about a kitten, this one is interesting it its own way. It takes a Charlie Brown view of humans (excepting the way they talk) where we only see their feet, and Miss Annie’s observations of her humans are silly, yet enjoyable. She does get into cat antics, but in a way, they are not as numerous as…a real cat’s world it seems. Obviously, Sarah wanted the cat, but she doesn’t seem to care for it like her parents do. Huh.

This is a full color comic, which helps it, although Miss Annie’s patterns change periodically, which confused me. How is she supposed to be? Tuxedo? Just black and white?

Miss Annie: Freedom is an enjoyable title and might strike a chord in fans of Erin Hunter’s Warriors series. The first book mainly sets the stage, while the second book focuses more on what happens to Miss Annie in the world. It is no Chi’s Sweet Home though, especially in appeal. The first volume is accessible to all ages, but as Miss Annie matures, my thought is that it will immediately change into a title more appropriate to upper elementary and fans of the Warriors series.

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Source: Library copy.