Module
6 Book Reviews: Fiction, Fantasy, and Graphic Novels
Alyssa Payne, LSSL 5360
The
Crossover by
Kwame Alexander
Bibliographic
Data
Alexander,
K. (2014). The crossover. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company. ISBN
978-0-544-10771-7
Summary
Critical
Analysis
The
Crossover is a
novel and verse story about the value of family. While basketball is the common element, this
is not a surface-level story. It dives
down deep and tackles the tough, heart-wrenching topics of loss and significant
change. It’s evaluates relationships and
what holds a family together, even in the midst of heartache. While I am not a fan of novel and verse,
Alexander’s use of this style for this story is powerful. It hits straight to the heart and leaves a
lasting impression on the reader. The
book packs a powerful emotive punch, and your heart breaks for Josh and JB when
they lose their father. For students who
have lost a parent, it would be a cathartic read. The story is relatable and will appeal to
middle-aged male readers, even reluctant readers. The Crossover is a true gem. It’s no wonder it’s garnered so much praise
and attention.
Awards
and Review Excerpts
2015 Newbery Award Winner
2015 Coretta Scott King Award Winner
“This novel in verse is rich in character and
relationships…Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional
punch.”---Kirkus Review, January 15, 2014
Connections
The
Crossover (Graphic Novel) by
Kwame Alexander
Booked
by Kwame
Alexander
Rebound
by Kwame
Alexander
The
Invention of Hugo Cabret by
Brian Selznick
Bibliographic
Data
Selznick,
B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New
York, NY: Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc. ISBN 978-0-439-81378-5
Summary
Hugo
Cabret is a twelve-year-old boy trying to make it on his own in Paris in 1931
after his father dies tragically in a museum fire, leaving him orphaned and in
his drunken uncle’s custody. Hugo’s
uncle manages the clocks at the train station and gives Hugo an unwanted
apprenticeship learning how to do his work instead of attend school, as well as
how to steal to get by. This becomes
Hugo’s new normal until his uncle disappears, never to be heard from again. Thus, completely alone, Hugo attempts to
maintain anonymity whilst living in the train station and managing the clocks
there, all the while trying to bring to life the mechanical man his father and
him had been working on repairing prior to his father’s untimely death. When Hugo is caught trying to steal a toy,
his world is turned upside down. The toy
shop owner, Papa Georges, and his goddaughter, Isabelle, each take Hugo under
their wing in their own unique ways.
Eventually, Hugo not only fulfills the quest he and his father began,
but he finds a new family to call his own and his own happy ending.
Critical
Analysis
At
first glance, one might dismiss this book as juvenile due to the amount of
illustrations throughout. However, once
you begin reading, you soon learn that is not at all the case. Hugo Cabret grapples with intense,
tough topics such as death, tragedy, loss, poverty, and loneliness. Selznick’s writing is captivating from the
very start, as are his drawings. The
illustrations are so intricately-detailed, they tell a story all their own and
add a deep richness to the story that it just would not be as impactful without
them. The characters’ faces seamlessly
convey their emotions and tug at your heartstrings. Likewise, Hugo’s story reaches down
deep. You want nothing more than for his
tragic world to get a little light and joy, which thankfully, it does. It’s no wonder Selznick received one of the
highest honors a children’s book can receive, the Caldecott Medal. It is a well-earned accolade for a story with
great heart.
Awards
and Review Excerpts
2008
Caldecott Medal Winner
“The
book, a homage to early filmmakers as dreammakers, is elegantly designed to
resemble the flickering experience of silent film melodramas. Fade to black and
cue the applause!”---Kirkus Review, January 15, 2007
Connections
Wonderstruck by
Brian Selznick
The Marvels by
Brian Selznick
Saavy by
Ingrid Law
El
Deafo by
Cece Bell
Bibliographic
Data
Bell, C.
(2014). El Deafo. Ill. by Cece Bell. New York, NY: Amulet Books, an
imprint of ABRAMS. ISBN 978-1-4197-1020-9
Summary
When
four-year-old Cece contracts meningitis, she is in for a dangerous two-week
battle in the hospital. Thankfully, she
overcomes and can head home. However,
Cece soon realizes all is not as it was before her illness. She has lost her hearing and is now
deaf! El Deafo follows Cece as
she navigates the newfound challenges of being deaf, as well as the everyday
challenges of growing up. This graphic
novel allows a glimpse into what life is like for Cece throughout her
elementary school years, a time where she makes and loses friends, experiences
moving to a new town and school, and even develops her first crush.
Critical
Analysis
El
Deafo is a heartwarming
story of what growing up with a disability is like. Bell’s writing style is full of wit, humor,
and heart. You find yourself cheering
her on through all the challenges she faces.
I think telling this story through a graphic novel format is brilliant. Many students shy away from biographical
books because they think they’ll be boring, but this format is captivating,
engaging, and approachable for students to read. Not only that, but the author’s use of Cece’s
inner monologue seamlessly accompanies the interactions between the characters
in the story. This allows the reader to
truly understand Cece’s thoughts and emotions while simultaneously entertaining
them with her sass and wit. El Deafo
not only entertains, but it is an excellent book to teach students to have empathy
and patience towards others who are different from them.
Awards
and Review Excerpts
2015 Newbery Honor Book
“A humorous and touching graphic memoir about finding
friendship and growing up deaf.”—Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2014
Connections
Best Friends by
Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
Guts by
Raina Telgemeier
Fitting Out: The Friendship Experiment
by
Sarah Giles
Ghosts
by Raina
Telgemeier
Bibliographic
Data
Telgemeier,
R. (2016). Ghosts. Ill. by Raina Telgemeier. New York, NY: Graphix, an
imprint of Scholastic Inc. ISBN
978-0-545-54061-2
Summary
Catrina’s
family is moving from sunny southern California to a northern beach town that
rarely has sunny days. Catrina laments
this move but ultimately accepts it, because she knows it’s what’s best for her
little sister Maya. Maya has cystic
fibrosis and isn’t healthy, so this change in scenery and climate will give
Maya her best chance at being healthier.
Soon after arriving in their new town, Bahia de la Luna, Catrina and
Maya meet Carlos, a local teen boy and neighbor, who tells them all about the
town’s rich history and connections to the supernatural. Carlos promises to show them some of the town’s
resident ghosts and, much to Catrina’s dismay, he delivers! After the ghosts surround Maya and steal some
of her breath, she ends up critically ill in the hospital. Catrina blames Carlos and herself. Ultimately, Maya improves enough to go home,
and Catrina learns that not all the ghosts in town mean to cause harm.
Critical
Analysis
Ghosts packs an emotional punch from
the very beginning at the unveiling of Maya’s terminal illness. The reader instantly can tell how deeply
Catrina cares for her younger sister, which makes this news hard to take. Though it is a graphic novel, Ghosts
is not light-hearted fair by any means.
It tackles intense topics, such as moving, death, and living with a
family member who has a terminal illness. Telgemeier’s writing style makes these topics
a bit easier to digest through her fantastic character development and quips of
humor. Catrina is relatable for middle-aged
readers. She wants to fit in, please her
parents, and protect her little sister from harm. Yet, she is clumsy, sassy, and a bit awkward
at times. Ghosts is blooming with
aspects of Hispanic culture, which means students of that ethnicity will find
representation for themselves in this book.
The illustrations flawlessly complement the story and reflect the
overall mood and tone of the book, which centers around death. One unique feature of Ghosts is that Telgemeier
includes a brief informational section at the back of the book that educates readers
on the history of Dia de los Muertos and other cultural elements featured in the
story. Ghosts is a "spooktacular" success
in my opinion.
Awards
and Review Excerpts
2017 Eisner
Award for Best Publication for Kids
“Telgemeier
has her finger on the pulse of middle-grade readers, and this might be her best
yet.”---BOOKLIST Review, July 1, 2016
Connections
Drama by
Raina Telgemeier
Smile by
Raina Telgemeier
Sisters by
Raina Telgemeier
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