Graphic Novel





BIBLIOGRAPHY
Holm, Jennifer L. 2007. BABYMOUSE: PUPPY LOVE. Ill. by Matthew Holm. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN- 978-0-375-93990-7.  

PLOT SUMMARY
Babymouse is back and this time she has a yearning for a pet but not just any pet a dog. After trying out many different types of small pets and losing them she finds a lost dog. Hilarity ensures as Babymouse tries to teach her new dog how to be a respectable dog.  

  
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Babymouse is a graphic novel series intended for young girls. The storyline is very lighthearted as well as the design of the book which consists of black, white and pink. Most children can relate to wanting a pet if they do not have one particularly a desire to own a dog. The antics of Babymouse are funny even more so because the readers can relate to the predicaments that Babymouse finds herself in. One such event is when Buddy the dog has chewed up all of her shoes and the only ones she has left are her slippers. The author includes the right amount of narrative to the story and for the most part does not seem like a narrative but as the reader interacting with the protagonist.     

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
“Young readers will happily fall in line.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Frolicsome and breathlessly paced.” – Booklist

“The whole package is fresh and funny and even philosophical when it comes to values that third-graders understand.” – San Francisco Chronicle

CONNECTIONS

Use a series like Babymouse as a way to introduce young readers to the genre of graphic novels/ comic books.

Babymouse: Puppy Love

Babymouse: Queen of the World

Michael Printz YA Award

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zusak, Markus. 2005. THE BOOK THIEF. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN-978-0-375-84220-7.  

PLOT SUMMARY
 Death narrates the story of a girl named Liesel Memigner who grows up in Nazi Germany. Liesel’s mother places her with a foster family the Hubermanns. When Liesel steals her first book she is unable to read it but her foster father uses the book to teach her how to read. However it is a dangerous time for all who live in Germany but especially for a family hiding a Jewish man from the Nazis.   

  
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE BOOK THIEF is a fantasy novel only because Death is the narrator and he chronicles the life of a nine year old girl named Liesel. Without Death the book would be realistic fiction. The book was well written but it seems as though would be intended for high school age individuals if not adults. The writing is very high brow and I feel that a younger audience would not grasp most of the concepts. The book does address concepts that many children experience whole growing up particularly the harsher side of life the death of a loved one, becoming a foster child and coping with one’s feelings just as Liesel copes with her anger by destroying one of Ilsa’s books.  

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
 “One of the most highly anticipated young-adult books in years.” – The Wall Street Journal

“Exquisitely written….A tour de force to be not just read but inhabited.” – The Horn Book Magazine

Honors

Horn Book Fanfare

Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Publishers Weekly Best Children Book of the Year

Booklist Children Editors' Choice

Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

Michael L. Printz Honor Book

Book Sense Book of the Year

National Jewish Book Award

CONNECTIONS

Use THE BOOK THIEF as a way to introduce Nazi Germany and the Jewish genocide.

The Book Thief

I Am the Messenger

Newbery Award

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVETARD BOOK. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN- 978-0-06-053092-1.  

PLOT SUMMARY
After the murder of his family Nobody Owens is rescued and raised by the ghosts in a graveyard. Nobody or Bod for short has many adventures in the graveyard from running away with ghouls to befriending a ghostly witch but Bod’s life is still in grave danger from the man Jack who killed his family.  

  
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
 The Graveyard Book is a fantasy book within the subgenre of ghost stories the book addresses some dark themes at the beginning of the novel. Nobody’s entire family is murdered and he himself would have also been doomed to this fate if the Owens had not interceded. There is terminology that is introduced in the book “You were given the Freedom of the Graveyard..”. The author does a good job of explaining what Freedom of the Graveyard means as well as many other terms used like fading and dreamwalking. The majority of the book occurs in a graveyard and most of the characters are ghosts or other creatures. Bod has hurtles in life to work through and evildoers the Jacks to overcome. It contains many elements that many people would find enjoyable in the fantasy genre.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
 “Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.”   — Kirkus Reviews

“An utterly captivating tale…this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. ”   — Booklist

Honors

Newbery Medal

Carnegie Medal

Hugo Award

Locus Award

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book

Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book

Audiobook of the Year

ALA Notable Children's Book

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Booklist Editors' Choice

Horn Book Fanfare

Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book

Time Magazine Top Ten Fiction

Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice

New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age

CONNECTIONS

Use THE GRAVEYARD BOOK to discuss mythology and ghost stories.

The Graveyard Book

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish