Bessie Stringfield: Tales of the Talented Tenth, no. 2

author: Joel Christian Gill
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2018/03/31
date added: 2018/03/31
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:
'Bessie Stringfield' by Joel Christian Gill is the second entry in his Tales of the Talented Tenth series. This is my introduction to the series and I really liked this story aimed at younger readers.

We meet Bessie Smith late in her life, and hear her story from her. She immigrated to America from Jamaica and lost her father and mother in Boston. She adopted by a kind woman amd moved to Florida. Her interest in motorcycles led her to cross the United States 8 times. She served as a civilian courier for the US Army during World War II.

The story is fun and positive. The illustrations are colorful and the story, while having it's darker moments, never stays there, but show how Bessie overcame things. I especially love the image of her zooming away from a truck full of crow-headed racists.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Fulcrum Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Awake: Escape from Gremon

author: Susan Beneville
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/26
date added: 2018/03/28
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Awake: Escape from Gremon' by Susan Beneville and Brian Hess is the second volume in the series and collects issues 5-8 of the series. I was not familiar with the series, but it's a pretty decent comic for younger readers.

In the previous stories, young Regin has healed the planet Gremon. The natural resources have healed, but not everyone is happy. The most unhappy is the ruler of the planet who was able to exploit the people due to the shortages of food and energy. Along for the ride are her brother, Picar, who seems to be a bit irresponsible. Initially, he is the target of the baron's wrath, but it's really Regin who wields the power.

There is good adventure, and some leassons to be learned along the way. The characters are humanoid and furry animal like creatures. I think middle grade readers would like this series. It was my introduction to the series and I can already think of a few young readers I would recommend it to.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Action Labs, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Dark Corridor Vol. 1

author: Rich Tommaso
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/11
date added: 2018/03/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dark Corridor' by Rich Tommaso is about a town where nothing good ever seems to happen. This series of linked stories definitely falls into the definition of Dark.

A man named Peter lives in a town called Red Circle and is surprised one night by a bloody dog at his door. He follows the dog back to its owners and finds a crime scene. He finds some friends that can help rob the place, but he also runs across a woman who is a member of the Seven Deadly Daughters. Their stories weave throughout the book. There are snipers, bad cops, gangsters and more.

I really liked the art style. It's unique alternative style for this sort of story. I wished the stories had meshed a little better. It felt like some of the stories weren't quite complete. Still, I enjoyed my journey to Red Circle.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Image Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Tim'rous Beastie

author: Amanda Lafrenais
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/03/25
date added: 2018/03/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Tim'rous Beastie' is a graphic novel edited by Amanda Lafrenais. The stories are about animals that must find bravery in strange circumstances. The title is taken from a poem by Robert Burns called 'To a Mouse, on Turning Up in Her Nest With the Plough.' This poem is used as an inspiration for the stories.

The stories range all over the place. Some are funny. Many are more frightening. There is a mouse in a tea tin in the ocean who is rescued by a seagull. There is a pig being lowered into hell. There is a society run by mice that forces frogs to fight against toads in the gladiator arena. Some stories take place after men are gone. Some are on the edges of societies with men.

The art styles as well as the writing vary. There are stories I didn't like that much, but with 18 stories, it's easy enough to find something likeable.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Iron Circus Comics in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Sometimes I Feel Sad

author: Tom Alexander
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.09
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2018/03/25
date added: 2018/03/25
shelves: children-s
review:
'Sometimes I Feel Sad' by Tom Alexander is a picture book to explain that sometimes everyone feels sad. The story is told with minimal words and illustrations.

The explanations and reasons for sadness vary. As do the remedies. Sometimes it helps to be around people, sometimes it doesn't. It can be difficult to talk about because the people in your life may not understand, but it's important to find someone who will just listen.

The illustrations are stick figures and simple shapes. The message is pretty basic, but a good one.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Jessica Kingsley Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Lydie

author: Jordi Lafebre
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2018/03/24
date added: 2018/03/24
shelves: favorites, graphic-novels
review:
'Lydie' by Zidrou with art by Jordi Lafebre is the kind of graphic novel I love to stumble upon. It's also the exact kind of evidence I would give to people who think graphic novels don't have rich, interesting stories to tell.

The story is told by the madonna statue that oversees the residents of a cul-de-sac named after a defaced billboard. A young woman gives birth to a stillborn baby. She lives with her father, and we never find out who the babies father is. Months later, she believes that her prayers have been answered and the baby lives. No one can see it but her. Initially, the residents think she is crazy, but they haven't the heart to tell her, so they play along. The life of this invisible child is told through the kindness and grace of the people of the neighborhood.

This story was so beautiful and had such rich emotions. The kindness of playing along shows such love to this young woman. We learn that she's probably not able to care for herself, so the way these people take her in is moving.

The art is really beautiful. The colors stay muted and the expressions on the characters faces run the gamut of emotion. I absolutely loved this story.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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The Coral Kingdom

author: Laura Knowles
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.73
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/03/24
date added: 2018/03/24
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'The Coral Kingdom' by Laura Knowles with illustrations by Jennie Webber is a beautifully illustrated picture book about coral reefs, as well as a pretty strong call to save them.

Told in a loose rhyming scheme, the reader is brought into the wonders of this undersea world. The watercolor pictures illustrate with beautiful colors of the reef and the life around it. There are lots of sea creatures to find as well as unusual things like boats that have become part of the reef over time. A call is made to save this beautiful space.

The book ends with some action ideas for sustaining the reef and how it is losing it's color. The message is clear, but I never felt like I was being beat over the head with it. The case is made gently and with beautiful art.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - words & pictures, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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