children’s chapter – Page 2

The Circuit Graphic Novel by Francisco Jimenez

5 stas Middle School Graphic Novel

This was to be their ticket out of poverty. Papa’s eyes sparkled with excitement while his brother was thrilled to be leaving Mexico, it was too much work just to survive there. Roberto wanted what the states had to offer, their cousin had filled their heads with everything that Roberto had dreamt about, he was tired of just surviving. Panchito looked forward to this new adventure.

His parents planned out the trip, all the details finalized. The train ride to California was exciting and uneventful. Their parents knew exactly where to enter the state of California, as the family secretly climbed under a fence undetected. In California, their ride was waiting for them, so things were going according to plan. It was now time to find the camp which would be their new home. A camp which was the home to many and would keep them safe, for now.

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel as it gave an excellent account of how this young boy’s life was. As this migrant family works, the author shows the reader the struggles that they faced and the relationships that they created. It was interesting how they also viewed the United States. An eye-opening read. The illustrations were nicely down and the text boxes were not too busy. 5 stars

Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic! by Stephen Shaskan

5 stars Children’s Graphic Novel

There’s been at least one time in your life that you’d like to be someone different whether that person is real or fictional. Pizza and Taco have decided to act on this and create a graphic novel together.

They believe that they would make great fictional superheroes, so the besties start planning out how to accomplish this goal together.

It truly is a fun, creative plan. Pizza is good at writing so he’ll be writing the story and with Taco’s great handwriting and artistic ability, Taco will oversee the graphics. It’s funny as they work all day separately writing/sketching and when they come together to discuss their ideas, the reactions they get from one another. Will Taco Awesome and Super Slice ever make it past the preview stage? Could they have done this a different way to be successful? Through it all, they did come up with some Rules for Working Together: 1. Listen 2. Be Positive 3. Compromise

My grandchildren enjoy this book as they like how Pizza and Taco create their superhero and how they argue back and forth but they’re still friends. They’re able to express themselves, be heard, and still have a friend at the end of the book.

I love the illustrations and how everything is not rosy. There is conflict and differences which they work out without a bunch of drama. 5 stars

Pizza and Taco: Rock Out! by Stephen Shaskan

5 stars Children’s Graphic Novel

How hard is it to create your own band? Well, Taco and Pizza soon find out. After discussing their favorite bands: Beetles, Jo-Jo’s, Jam Jett, and Food Fighters, they decided to create their own band because that would be so cool!

They each have their own vision of what they should sound/look like, the besties must now make some comprises as they get to work planning and putting their new group together. I love the creativity behind this book as there are lots of funny moments as the duo discovers that this new dream of theirs is harder than they imagined.

Pizza will be strumming the guitar and Taco really wants to play the tambourine in their new band. A calm Taco is portrayed rocking it out, with colorful strings hanging off his instrument as he moves to the music. Pizza feels that Taco should take it up a notch and hammer down on some drums in their band and the contrast between these two pictures is funny. From deciding what they should call their band to recruiting other band members, and deciding how to move forward, it’s obvious that they need to comprise. Pizza needs to let Taco help make some of the decisions as this is a group decision.

The Best Friend’s Dance makes an appearance as they needed some music to perform. After they did some “think, think, think” to come up with some lyrics to write and coming up empty, they put their famous dance to music. The reaction from their potential band members wasn’t what they hoped but the besties thought it was “awesome!” “yaaas!” and that keeps their energy pumped. Who thought putting a band together would be this much work?

Super fun series that keep my grandchildren and I laughing as we read each book. We’ve read each book in this series so many times, my preschool grandchildren know each story by heart, and they tell me if I am missing a word when I read them out loud to them. You don’t really need to read them in order, but you’ll appreciate them more, if you do. They sometimes relate to the previous stories in the sequential books but for the most part, you’ll be able to follow the story. 5 stars

Pizza and Taco: Too Cool for School by Stephen Shaskan

5 stars Children’s Graphic Novel

I think everyone can relate to this book. This book is another one of my favorites in this series. Just thinking about it makes me laugh! Were you one of the cool kids in school or not? Did you know a cool kid? How did you feel about them? This book is about being cool and well, are the cool kids really cool or not?

It’s the first day of school and Pizza is excited!! He has the Freddy the Fire Truck backpack with Super Siren sounds which he feels will make him the coolest kid at school. Whoops, that’s wrong. Since Taco is his friend, Taco believes Pizza’s backpack will make them BOTH the coolest kids at school.

There’s excitement on the playground before school and ha, Pizza thinks the other kids heard about his backpack and they’re all excited about it. I love this. Isn’t that how kids feel? Honestly, the besties find out there is a new kid at school, a cool kid named B.L.T. these initials get Pizza going as he wants some initials too but…….not appropriate for Pizza.

As the friends meet the new student, Cheeseburger joins in as they discuss Pizza’s new backpack. Wow, lots of emotions here as the friends are confused over what is cool and what is not.

Awed by the new student and his “coolness” they become like sheep and follow him throughout the day being “cool”. I liked how Pizza and Taco tried to change their image and be cool and how they struggled to maintain it.

At the end of the day, they realized things about themselves and B.L.T., that put things into perspective.

A super cute book with some great life lessons in it. I love all the different text fonts used throughout the book and the illustrations were fantastic. The story is one that most individuals can relate to, on one level or another. Great puns and a book that will leave you smiling. 5+ stars

Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever! by Stephen Shaskan

5 stars Children’s Graphic Novel

I’m not sure who enjoys these books more, my grandchildren or me? Every time I read one of these books, which is every weekday, they make me laugh. We have purchased every book in this series and are awaiting the new book this fall. Pizza and Taco are great friends who have their moments together but, in the end, they realize how much they like each other, and they know that’s what really matters. There’s a life lesson squeezed into each book but if you’re not looking for it, you just might miss it.

In Pizza and Taco’s Best Party Ever, the friends are bored and don’t have anything to do. They “think, think, think” about some options but nothing ends up being fun until the idea of having a party, pops into their minds, at the same time. Of course, Taco is ready to make the list of what they need, so with Pizza’s pen and Taco’s paper, they get down to work planning the perfect party.

If you’ve read the other books in the series, you will pick up on the reference to some of their comments in this book but if you haven’t, you’re not lost as the illustrations and the text will fill you in. With their list complete, it’s time to get working on the party!

I think this is one of my favorites in this series. They had planned their party out, they thought they had planned every detail of their party, yet it seems like everything started to crumble as they tried to execute their plans. It was supposed to be “awesome!” “yaaas!” but “ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” their plans are met with disaster. The look on their faces was hilarious!

I loved how they pushed themselves through, repeatedly, trying to make the best of the situation just to get through the party. They’re trying to make the party fun and entertaining even though their plans are history.

With short chapters, a text that’s easy to follow and a great storyline, these stories are fun to read and are a great book for beginner readers. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and busy but aren’t bursting with unnecessary details. Other readers will enjoy them for the humor and illustrations. A great series that my grandchildren and I really enjoy.

School Trip by Jerry Craft

4.5 stars Middle School Graphic Novel

They’re off to Paris! If you liked the first two graphic novels by Jerry Craft, you’ll want to pick up book three in this series, as the group is now headed to Paris to close out their last year in junior high. You can also read this book as a stand alone as the author does give the reader some details about the characters to help you feel connected.

I enjoyed the variety of characters that were included in this book and their different walks of life. This diversity made the book more interesting, and entertaining. In junior high, there are those students who settle into groups (or packs) and then, there were those students who walk alone. Nothing changes as excitement fills the air. The teens are looking forward to their end-of-the-year trip. The tension and division that the classmates felt during the school year felt significate and factual but that soon changes as they begin to realize what’s really important.

The supportive staff are excited about being the tour guides but at the last minute, their plans are upended. So much for having things all planned out. I thought this twist of events was excellent as it put the adults on the same playing field as the students. As each group arrives at their destination, the unfamiliarity and the excitement of the situation affects everyone. It’s like their senses have come alive to embrace what’s in front of them.

As they walked the streets of Paris, this alternative was the best option for them. They saw Paris for what it was. From the bathrooms to how friendly everyone was, they realize many things about themselves and life. No longer was Paris just a city in a movie or a picture in a book, they were actually experiencing Paris with their own eyes! I liked how the characters started to change. Their own observations on how their trip went at the end of their trip was a great way to wrap up this experience. This wasn’t just an educational trip for the students. This trip didn’t go according to plan, yet everyone enjoyed themselves and had a good time. I feel that everyone left their better person, even the supportive staff.

Another great graphic novel by Jerry Craft which touches on a variety of issues that teens encounter. 4.5 stars I want to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for my copy of this book that I received in exchange for an honest opinion #SchoolTrip

“In France, we work in order to live. But in America, it seems you live in order to work.”

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: The Graphic Novel

5 stars Graphic Novel

They were headed out, that was their intention but sometimes things don’t always go as planned. It was a mandatory evacuation, and they were going. If they could make it.

Barry had just finished creating a comic adventure with Jay. This piece was going to win them first prize in a contest, they were sure of that. They had plans to split the cash prize but now with the storm coming, Barry had Akivo, their winning piece, in his possession until he could drop it off in the mail. Most individuals were taking this storm seriously. Jay’s family was headed to Birmingham while Barry’s family would head towards Houston. Their neighbor Abe was told to head out with his grandma to a safe spot but lately, Abe did what he wanted. Since his dad left, Abe had changed. He claimed his new dog Cruz was a killer dog and by the time this storm was over, Barry would know firsthand if Abe was correct about his dog.

Barry’s family headed out along with hundreds and thousands of other individuals. Bumper to bumper traffic on the road and then, Barry’s sister Cleo gets sick and the family heads back home. They’ll ride the storm out at home, they decide. Overnight the storm pounds the house. By morning, the water rushes into their home, flooding everything. The family moves upstairs but so does the water. The family moves into the attic and soon, the water is lapping at their feet. The intensity and urgency can be felt as the family moves quickly and must think on their feet to keep themselves safe.

Holding onto their roof, the family feels somewhat relieved until Barry falls into the swirling water around them. He’s immediately swept away as his family calls for him. Panic and desperation mounds! Barry’s trying to grab onto anything that’s floating nearby but he’s coming up with nothing substantial. As he finds a tree and gets comfortable, he looks around and sees a large building headed towards him! Stay in the tree or jump back into the water? Both options can be deadly but what else can he do?

There are times when the story relaxes a bit, but the intensity of the situation was still there. I liked how the ending centered on the characters and when Barry reflected on himself. The ending answered many of the questions I had as I read this story. The graphics in this story followed the story and the illustrations provided enough detail without overdoing it. It was a great graphic novel. At the back of the book there was more information discussing Hurricane Katrina that should be looked at too. 5 stars

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

5 stars YA/ Middle School

The nonstop talking.

The control.

It consumed him, it consumed his time.

Yet, he knew no different.

He’s got nothing else.

It’s his companion.

Telling him how to act, how to feel.

And he believes it.

Because he has nothing else.

It all started in seventh grade, and it has escalated since. Middle school stole the life that was once Jake’s and handed it over to the voice that now controls him. In seventh grade, Jake had more bad days than good and he wanted to vanish forever. In eighth grade, as his peers formed their circles, Jake was isolated. Like vultures, the groups would attack their prey, bullying Jake and his tears would fall. With no outlet, Jake began hiding from everyone and internalizing the taunts hurled at him and his own feelings. As the negative chattering flowed, Jake began to believe them, and his inner voice drowned out the rest of the world and took control. Jake had finally found a friend. Someone who seemed to care for him and told him what to do.

This was such a sad reality. To think that he spiraled down because no one was there to lift him up. Written in free verse, this book packs a powerful punch as the words flow across the page. The voice screams to be heard and Jake listens. The outside world produces a mixed choir if Jake could just sift out the beauty and leave the haters to wallow amongst themselves. His inner voice became more demanding, more negative, and louder as time continued and Jake responded. “not enough exercise, you’re growing bigger!” yet Jake was vanishing before everyone’s eyes. Going into therapy, the voice still hammered on as Jake tries to battle between what the therapist wants and what the voice is dictating to him. There are serious results when the tests come back, yet the voice dismisses their diagnosis. The voice is the only one who knows the truth (it believes). The voice is Jake’s friend and his companion, and these therapists are just doctors doing their jobs. Jake needs a miracle which might be standing right in front of him. The relationship that Jake has with his grandmother and the love that he has for her might just be the firepower he needs to battle the voice. Jake needs motivation and support to quiet the voice which has claimed his life. Based on the author’s life, this book is powerful and pulls at your emotions. 5 stars

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

4 stars Children’s Fiction

Blended, that’s what it is. When I think about this book, blended comes to mind as this word describes exactly how the characters are. They’re a group of individuals whose stories need to be told, for they each are different, yet they all need each other. It’s a story that you won’t forget, one that will leave you smiling and one that might have you grabbing the tissue box.

It’s the end of fifth grade and Emma, a.k.a. Ferris, is about to have the most memorable summer she’s ever had. Emma house is full. It houses her immediate family and other members of her extended family. Grandma Charisse lives with them and according to grandma, there’s also a ghost that’s a resident in the house. Ferris claims she hasn’t seen the ghost, but Boomer seems to have as the dog’s behavior has been questionable when grandma states the ghost is present. Her Uncle Ted lives in the basement where he is working on his painting. Ted has split up with his wife and this “painting’ is consuming his life. Like everyone else, as Ted talks about this world history painting, I’m visualizing an amazing masterpiece. When we’re finally able to gaze upon his work, my expectations fell. Pinky, is Ferris’ little sister and she is just hilarious. Her spunk and demeanor made me LOL, as she acts mature, but her ambitions and desires are not typical for a six-year-old child. With a desire to be an outlaw, Pinky language and tactics are comical and get her into some difficult situations. Ferris’ best friend Billy loves music, which is great, but he plays the same song over and over. It becomes comforting and he fits right in with the rest of Ferris’ unique family.

I found that I liked Mrs. Mielk, she was one of Ferris’ teachers who had them memorize words and the different parts of them. Ferris frequently uses “Mrs. Mielk words” in his daily life, as he finds them useful and helpful in his life. Little did Mrs. Mielk know how much of an impact she was making on the future lives of her students. Life is what happens inside this book. Ferris wants to help his grandma with the ghost and he’s also trying to understand what is going on with his uncle in the basement. The little outlaw in his family and his best friend, the talented musician, adds excitement and drama to the household. It’s a family affair, comical at times but always with love. Does anyone have 40 candles? Ha.

“I think that’s where the music from. From her singing to me. And that’s why I don’t feel lonely for her. Because she’s here all the time. In the music.”

Dogtown by Katherine Applegate

4.5 stars Children’s Chapter/Middle School

Welcome to Dogtown, a shelter for all abandoned dogs. Whether you are a four-legged fluffy fur ball, a three-legged survivor, or a robot dog, this was the place for you. Chance really should have been at home with his owners but unfortunately, he finds himself at Dogtown. As Chance tells us about his touching journey from a loving home to living inside a cage at Dogtown, you can feel his emotions and confusion. I felt a fire within Chance that I hoped he would use to help himself, as much as he was using it to help the others that were around him. He definitely deserved it.

Metal Head was a unique robot dog at Dogtown. Metal Head looked different than other robot dogs and I liked that about him. I was hoping that by being different it would work to his advantage and not work against him. In a place like Dogtown, everyone is eyeing for the same prize. Metal Head had the perfect home until one day his owner didn’t think he was perfect anymore.

All dogs have dreams of finding a forever home, even robot dogs. And so it is….Metal Head was chosen. Was it because he was a robot dog? A unique robot dog? Was it because he was located in the basement? Or did it have something to do with the book, Green Eggs and Ham that brought Metal Head and Quinn together. A withdrawn child, Quinn grabs the book out of the basket, trots down the basement steps, sits beside Metal Head and the two of them enjoy the book together, day-after-day-after-day. This could have been it! This match might have been destiny but then, one day, it all ended.

With determination, a group of friends search for their happily-ever-after for they know that it’s out there somewhere. This is a cute, entertaining adventure that will have you smiling and grabbing the tissues. With short chapters, the story moves quickly with simple illustrations that complement the text. I can’t wait for more adventures at Dogtown. 4.5 stars

“After the seventh time though. Metal Head began slowing down. Management had forgotten to charge him. He was saying the words slower and slower and s.l.o.w.e.r.”

“I wasn’t just a lame dog to them now. I was a dog who could read and had a mouse as a friend. A book and a friend…..what could be better than that?”