Snow Wildsmith is a writer and former teen librarian. She has served on several committees for the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association, including the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award Committee. She reviews graphic novels for Booklist, ICv2's Guide, No Flying No Tights, and Good Comics for Kids and also writes booktalks and creates recommended reading lists for Ebsco's NoveList database. Currently she is working on her first books, a nonfiction series for teens.
Giselle and Genevieve have survived life in The Limpet Hall Orphanage for Girls by dreaming of something better than toiling in a laundry and by sneaking into their Mistress’ library to teach themselves the Noble Arts of magic, something most only believe can be learned by the aristocracy. When an ill-timed study session results in chaos, the girls must flee the orphanage. Their flight path lands them in the middle of the palace’s next selection of magical apprentices. Suddenly the two friends find themselves on opposite sides of a brewing civil war, one that will challenge them to finally stand… Read More
Shuichi, a young boy who is beginning to accept that he dreams of being a girl, and Yoshino, his friend who longs to change from a girl to a boy, are now in sixth grade. Their last year of elementary school seems likely to be as challenging—in both good and bad ways—as their fifth grade year was, but this time they know they can rely on one another.
Wandering Son, vol. 2
by Shimura Takako
Ages 13+
Fantagraphics, October 2011, ISBN 978-1-60699-456-6
228 pages, $19.99
Every once in a while I like to do a round-up of the latest volumes in series that I’ve enjoyed. It gives me a chance to talk about new volumes and remind you of why I think you should still be buying them for your library. Here are my latest thoughts:
Squish, no. 2: Brave New Pond
by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Ages 7-10; Grades 2-5
Random House, September 2011, 96 pages
Hardback ISBN 978-0-375-93784-2, $12.99
Paperback ISBN 978-0-375-84390-7, $6.99
“The voyages of the District 177 Star Bus! An ongoing mission for one gang of geeks…To seek out strange, alien video games…comics…and 3D movies. To boldly go where no bus has gone before!”
But before the intrepid crew of the Star Bus can get to the comic book convention and deliver their passenger, famous science fiction writer Zack Sturgeon, their bus is attacked by evil aliens from the Cling-On Cheerleading Empire. What do these cheering menaces want, and can the crew of the Star Bus stop their dastardly plan?
I enjoyed the first Balloon Toons titles so much, that I bought myself their newest releases, even though I don’t have small children of my own. As with the first set of titles, the newest Balloon Toons are fun and eye-catching and offer a nice mix of storylines, so new readers are sure to find one they love. The new releases are available in both hardcover and paperback. I ordered paperback for several of them, since the price was so good ($4.99), but was disappointed to find that the bindings were tight and difficult to open. I could force… Read More
Crackers, a parrot, just wants to help his friend Otto the elephant find out what happened to Otto’s chimpanzee pal Georgie. But Crackers’ suggestions for how to find Georgie result in a flight from the jungle all the way to New York City and then a mad dash through the city looking for Georgie and the Man with the Wooden Nose who might have taken him. Before they know it, Crackers and Otto are caught up in a crime-spree, led by the wily Cajun alligators who live in the sewers. Now its up to Crackers to make sure that Otto… Read More
It’s Christmas and all Babymouse wants is her two front…no, wait…A Whizz-Bang! She’s positive it’ll be the best present ever. After all it “plays video games and movies, it texts, sees into the future, folds laundry, and does homework!” Now if only it can help her survive Secret Santa time at school.
Babymouse #15: A Very Babymouse Christmas
Story by Jennifer L. Holm; Art by Matthew Holm
Ages: 7-10; Grades 2-5
Random House, September 2011, ISBN 978-0-375-86779-8
96 pages, $6.99
Takagi may look like an ordinary slacker high-school student, but he’s actually a computer genius who hacks-for-justice under the name Falcon. When Takagi’s father, deputy chief of a super-secret branch of Japanese Intelligence dedicated to preventing terrorism, is framed for murder, Takagi becomes caught up in an international conspiracy. The Falcon must act quickly to prevent a shadowy organization from unleashing a virulent new plague on the world.
Bloody Monday, Vol. 1
Story by Ryou Ryumon; Art by Kouji Megumi
Publisher Age Rating: T/Teen/13+; GCFK Age Rating: OT/Older Teen/16+
Kodansha, 2011, ISBN 978-1-935429-22-7
202 pages, $10.99
Nine-year-old twins Angie and Alex Rayez aren’t sure about heading to Camp Dakota for the summer, but it turns out that camp is pretty fun. They like their quirky camp counselors, Kyle and Loraine, and their fellow campers, Braelin, Rashawn, and Jordan. (Though it’s too bad that Carly is such a snob.) But camp soon turns strange as someone begins leaving them mysterious notes and clues about the terrifying fog zombie. After that mystery is solved, then they find another: Braelin is accused of being a thief, but he insists that he never took anything. Can Angie and Alex and… Read More
School library publisher Rosen adds more dinosaurs to its Graphic Dinosaur series with the release of Set 4 this fall. Writers Rob Shone and David West cover somewhat more obscure dinosaurs this time around: Ichtyosaurus, Archaeopteryx, Iguanodon, Spinosaurus, Oviraptor, and Pachycephalosaurus. These five dinosaurs join Pteranodon, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and Tyrannosaurus (from Set 1, 2008); Diplodocus, Elasmosaurus, Gigantosaurus, and Stegasaurus (from Set 2, 2009); and Allosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Hadrosaurus (from Set 3, 2010). Though these volumes of this series aren’t outstanding examples of comic art, they are decent selections for libraries looking to add more creative nonfiction… Read More
