Awkward

Title: Awkward

Author: Svetlana Chmakova, 1979-

Published: New York: Yen Press 2015

The protagonist Peppi or Penelope Torres, is a new girl in Berrybrook Middle school and having a hard time to fit in. Her social anxiety leads to an awkward start at the new school, as she pushes away Jamie, the first person who tries to help her and things get more awkward for her in the following days. She joins the after school Arts club and makes some new friends. However, soon there is a feud between Peppi’s club and Jamie’s after school Science club, owing to a spot in the school fair. Peppi, is guilt-ridden for her past behaviour towards Jamie, but unable to apologize due to her social anxiety. The portrayal of the characters with all their flaws and imperfections is very relatable for young readers. The middle school setting offers diversity and a message of kindness and understanding, without being preachy. The illustrations are bright, charming and fun. This book is the first in the series Berrybrook middle school and received high praises and many awards.

Reviews: Goodreads   

          SchoolLibrary Journal

Image source: https://www.booktopia.com.au/awkward-svetlana-chmakova/prod9780316381307.html?source=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyrzPysHO4gIVBg4rCh120gvdEAYYASABEgJWwvD_BwE

The Giver

 Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Illustrator: P. Craig Russell

Published: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019

This graphic novel is an adaptation of the original and much celebrated novel The Giver by author Lois Lowry. The graphic adaptation is illustrated by P. Craig Russell and retains almost all the dialogues and narration while replacing textual narration by visual depiction. The protagonist Jonas, is a twelve years old boy and  it’s about his discovery of the dark secrets behind his seemingly ideal world. When he turns twelve he is selected as the next Receiver of Memory of his community, hereafter he comes to know about everything that is missing from the world he knows as well as the reality behind his so far comfortable life. Russell’s illustrations are beautiful in blue pencil outlines and occasional pale wash. He slowly brings back the colours to the illustrations as Jonas becomes aware of the realities slowly.

School libraryjournal: "The graphic novel does an amazing job of keeping to the actual book.Given that the plot really sticks to the original, then the illustrations are what should be giving this book some life."

Image source: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lois-lowry/the-giver-lowry/

Asterix: The Gaul

                                                    Title: Asterix the Gaul

Author: Rene Goscinny

Illustrator: Albert Uderzo

Published: April 29th 2004 by Orion Books Ltd., London (first published July 14th 1960)

Asterix the Gaul was first published in French magazine in 1959. It has been translated in to more than 100 languages since then. It is a series in three parts.

In the year 50 BC Gaul is occupied by the Romans. But not completely, a small village resists the Roman legions with the help of the Druid’s magic potion. The hero of the village is  short built Asterix and his side kick Obelisk. However, the Roman Centurion sends a spy to learn the secret about the superhuman strength of the gauls and soon kidnaps the Druid and Asterix. A battle of wits ensues and Gauls have the last laugh. Despite the violence of war, the Asterix  comics are funny, due to the sheer improbability of a small group of villagers standing up to the mighty Roman army and thwarting their schemes. These hilarious encounters are portrayed in rich and amazing illustrations. This is a timeless, ageless comic series.

Image source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71292.Asterix_the_Gaul

Reviews: Goodreads

             Amazon

Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration,1

Title: Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration,1

Author: Watsuki, Nobuhiro
Published: San Francisco: Viz Media 2013, c1994

Set in Japan during the Meiji Restoration time period, one former ruthless assassin Hittokiri Battosai, transforms himself as the protector to those in need and changes his name to Himura Kenshin. While wandering around, he comes across a charming swords-woman. Her late father’s school of swordsmanship is taken over by a westernized arms maker. Himura Kenshin helps the woman and her young orphan friend, drawing attention to himself and making enemies with some insane villains, who are hell bent to take him down. The story line is action-packed and fast paced, however amusing in tone unlike other novels of the wandering samurai genre.

Publisher’s Weekly:  “The original Rurouni Kenshin was a very popular manga, anime, and live-action film property, and this “rebooted” version serves as a tie-in to the latest live-action film.”

Goodreads: “A condensed retelling of the beloved samurai tale--one of the best-selling manga series of all time—released in conjunction with a new live-action movie.”

Image source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16146217-rurouni-kenshin

Ms. Marvel

Title: Ms. Marvel. Vol. 1, No normal (Oct 2014)

Author: Wilson, G. Willow, 1982-

Illustrator: Alphona, Adrian

Published: New York: Marvel 2014

An ordinary Pakistani girl, Kamala Khan from a orthodox Muslim family in New Jersey, is tired of following her parent’s restrictions regarding her diet and no night outs. While sneaking out one evening to go to a party, she comes across the Avengers, who speaks to her in Urdu and grants her wish to be like Ms. Marvel, her super hero idol! She gets power to evolve with her new shape-shifting powers. She has initial conflicts regarding her appearance, whether to abandon her brown skin and features to be more acceptable as Ms. Marvel. Or just be herself? She opts for the later and creates her own identity. The protagonist is a very likable and relatable character. The author here touches upon issues such as religion, culture, gender and diversity.

Booklist: “She opts to look like herself, and after updating her burkini for a super flexible costume, she embraces the mantle of protector of Jersey City. 

Wilson’s story touches on many issues bubbling up around comics today—diversity, gender, culture, sexuality—though never with a heavy hand.”

Image source: http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/novp/detail?vid=3&sid=b5ccbee3-2c49-4faf-a465-e92ad06663f0%40sessionmgr4006&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#UI=10388130&db=neh

Food wars!: shokugeki no soma

Title: Food wars!: shokugeki no soma. Volume 1

Author: Tsukuda, Yuto, 1989-

Illustrator: Saeki, Shun

Published: San Francisco: VIZ Media 2014

Translation by: Adrienne Beck

Soma Yukihira is a young man from a humble family and works in the small family restaurant. He wants to be a better chef than his father one day and works hard to improve his cooking skills, often dueling his father in cooking competitions. Suddenly their business is taken over by developers. As his father shuts down his restaurant, he decides to send his son to a premier culinary school in Japan. There Soma meets a variety of astonishingly skillful people who help him grow through cooking challenges. The cooking battle scenes are a visual delight with recipes for each dish. The orgasmic effect from the taste of food is bit weird but humorous.

Goodreads: “Soma Yukihira's old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savoury end of town.  Aiming to one day surpass his father's culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enrol Soma in a classy culinary school!”

Image source: http://contentcafe2.btol.com/ContentCafe/jacket.aspx?UserID=ebsco-test&Password=ebsco-test&Return=T&Type=M&Value=9781421572543

 

Drama

Title: Drama

Author: Raina Telgemeier

Colour Illustrations by: Gurihiru

Published: New York, NY : Graphix, 2012.
New York Graphix/​Scholastic, [2012]

Callie is a seventh grader and loves drama. She wants to audition for the upcoming Musical drama produced by her middle school, but can’t as she can not sing. Instead, she becomes the set designer for the drama department’s stage crew. Her ambition is to create a set as good as the Broadway, on a middle school budget. However she does not know how, as she does not have much idea about carpentry. Moreover, there is too much drama going onstage and offstage, ticket sales are down and crew members find it hard to work together. Callie loves the stage, but is confused about love. This is a middle-school drama that humorously explores friendship, crushes, jealousy, dreams and aspirations. The author, Raina Telgemeier is an American cartoonist, and in her novel she effectively portrays what it takes to put on a middle school musical. Her cast consist of a strongly appealing, diverse personality types. The illustrations are all colourful and bring a cheerful tone. This novel is for ages 10-14.

Publisher’s Weekly: “Telgemeier’s manga-infused art has some moments of heartache, but the generally cheerful and affirming story should be eagerly devoured by her many fans.”

School Library Journal: “When her middle school puts on a musical, Callie is thrilled to be in charge of set design, but the drama on stage quickly spills offstage. There are twin brothers, boys who like Callie, and boys Callie likes.”

Image source: https://www.booktopia.com.au/drama-raina-telgemeier/prod9780545326995.html?source=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwOubt8jO4gIV1ZGPCh3DlgWEEAYYASABEgKbe_D_BwE