Maurice and His Dictionary

author: Cary Fagan
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.39
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/10/28
date added: 2020/10/28
shelves: non-fiction, childrens
review:
'Maurice and His Dictionary' by Cary Fagan with illustrations by Enzo Lord Mariano is a picture book based on a true story full of survival and persistence.

Maurice and his family live in Belgium during World War II. Maurice wants to become a lawyer, but his family is Jewish and on the run. When they move to France, then Jamaica, Maurice still keeps trying to find ways to study.

I like this true story of a family enduring through some pretty hard times. I especially liked the photos and story at the end of the book.

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


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Swamp Thing: Twin Branches

author: Maggie Stiefvater
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2020/10/28
date added: 2020/10/28
shelves: graphic-novels, young-adult
review:
'Swamp Thing: Twin Branches' by Maggie Stiefvater with art by Morgan Beem is a YA graphic novel about the origins of DCs Swamp Thing.

Alec and Walker Holland are twins, but very different. On their last summer before college, they go to visit cousins in the country. Alec brings a school experiment along but Walker is more interested in socializing with the locals. When Alec's experiment seems ruined, it turns up in unexpected ways.

I always sort of refer to these as alternate histories, and it's really interesting to see where new writers take the known characters. In this case, I really liked what was done with Alec and Walker. The art was also pretty unique and I enjoyed it.

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


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Softies: Stuff That Happens After the World Blows Up

author: Kyle Smeallie
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.20
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/10/27
date added: 2020/10/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Softies: Stuff That Happens After the World Blows Up' by Kyle Smeallie is a graphic novel about the last person to survive after Earth blows up and the friends she makes.

Kay's planet has blown up and she is miraculously saved by a passing salvage ship. Now she lives on a ship with an alien named Arizona as they have odd adventures. Kay helps to sell junk, and goes to an alien comedy club. Underneath though, Kay is hiding the struggle of losing everyone and everything. It all culminates in an emotional ending.

I liked this story and these characters. It's got some dumb humor and some pretty clever humor, but I liked both kinds. The art is fun and a bit different for character design.

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


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Invisible Differences

author: Julie Dachez
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2020/10/24
date added: 2020/10/24
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Invisible Differences' by Julie Dachez with art by Mademoiselle Caroline is a graphic novel about a young woman's journey to her Asperger's diagnosis.

We meet Marguerite who has a set routine every day. There are things she likes (her pets, quiet, a routine), and things she doesn't like (noise, sudden plans, crowds). She knows she is different, from not quite getting things people say, to not wanting to socialize with her coworkers. This leads her to stop in to the bookstore she passes every day, and eventually to a new way of life.

I really liked this story. It feels like the author has really infused it with her own journey. The illustrations are fun too. I liked the end section with more information on autism and Asperger's.

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


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Invisible Differences

author: Julie Dachez
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2020/10/24
date added: 2020/10/24
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Invisible Differences' by Julie Dachez with art by Mademoiselle Caroline is a graphic novel about a young woman's journey to her Asperger's diagnosis.

We meet Marguerite who has a set routine every day. There are things she likes (her pets, quiet, a routine), and things she doesn't like (noise, sudden plans, crowds). She knows she is different, from not quite getting things people say, to not wanting to socialize with her coworkers. This leads her to stop in to the bookstore she passes every day, and eventually to a new way of life.

I really liked this story. It feels like the author has really infused it with her own journey. The illustrations are fun too. I liked the end section with more information on autism and Asperger's.

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


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Heaven's Design Team Vol. 1

author: Hebi-Zou
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2020/10/23
date added: 2020/10/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Heaven's Design Team 1' by Hebi-zou and Tsuta Suzuki with art by Tarako is a manga about the people that design animals.

There is a team in heaven responsible for designing all the weird animals in the world. Design specs are given and the team has to answer questions like 'why can't a unicorn exist?' or 'who wins in a fight between a bird and a snake?' Animal physiology comes in to play and each chapter ends with nice writeups on the featured animals.

Animals can be really weird, so this is a great premise for a series. It's also a sneaky way to learn while reading. The art is fun as are the fun design challenges.

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


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The Last Halloween: Children

author: Abby Howard
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2020/10/23
date added: 2020/10/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Last Halloween: Children' by Abby Howard is a graphic novel about the monster apocalypse and the ragtag group that is supposed to save us all from it.

Little Mona is lonely on Halloween and stuck at home. Then a monster shows up and Mona is now outside her home running for her life. She makes some odd new friends and learns of an imbalance that is causing monsters to kill people. Ill equipped for the job, she is sent out with other ill equipped friends. Do they stand a chance of winning?

I liked this ghoulish and funny graphic novel. The story is fun, the characters are unique and the monsters are pretty scary. I really liked the black and white art and it's detailed line work. This was a lot of fun to read.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3ksSoUJ