Narwhal and Jelly: Books 1-5 by Ben Clanton

This audio contains the first five books of the series Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton:
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea 
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt 
Peanut Butter and Jelly 
Narwhal's Otter Friend 
Happy Narwhalidays 

When they first meet, Jelly thinks Narwhal isn't real and Narwhal thinks Jelly is her new imaginary friend.  Both of them discover a best friend.

Over the course of five books, Narwhal and Jelly go through the same things many best friends experience -- jealousy of new friends, finding the perfect gift for the other, and pretending to be superheroes.


This audiobook retelling of the first five books in the graphic novel series for children was really done.  It translated well to the spoken format.  The stories were interesting and the cast did a great job of incorporating sound effects to enhance the story.  I would definitely recommend this series.

 

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Deja and Josiah have worked at the Pumpkin Patch for the past three falls.  Now it's their last night and they are on a mission.  Josiah needs to talk to the cute girl he's had a crush on since orientation three years ago.  Deja wants to experience all the attractions and treats the Pumpkin Patch has to offer.

This is a fun graphic novel written by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks.  The characters are relatable and the story is cute.  Even though you know how the story will end, you will still want to read and continue their quest with them.

 

Real Friends by Shannon Hale

Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends since the start of school.  But one day, Adrienne becomes friends with Jen.  Now, they are all part of The Group, a circle of girls that are friends.  Everyone wants to be next to leader Jen and some of girls will even bully the others to get to that coveted position.

Now every day is a roller coaster for Shannon.  Will she and Adrienne stay friends?  Can she stand up for herself?  And is she part of The Group -- or not?



This graphic novel memoir by author Shannon Hale is really well done.  It accurately portrays how it feels when your friends start to abandon you and when a former friend becomes an enemy.  It also incorporates OCD in children without forcing the issue.  The symptoms are merely mentioned at times without any commentary.  I would highly recommend this to grade school girls to read.

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Mirika McCoola

Most children would think twice before braving a terrible woods and dreaded witch Baba Yaga.  But most children weren't raised on stories of her grandmother matching wits with Baba Yaga and winning like Masha. 

So when Masha's father decides to remarry, Masha answers Baba Yaga's advertisement for an assistant.  And thus begins Masha's adventure . . .


This is a great graphic novel for children.  It combines elements of a family story, horror, adventure and fairy tales to create a story that is fun to read.  The artwork is wonderful -- very emotive.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fairy tales, adventures, or graphic novels.

Fable Comics edited by Chris Duffy

This collection of fables, familiar and unfamiliar, has been retold in graphic novel format.  While most of the fables are taken from Aesop, there are several from Middle Eastern, European, and Russian cultures.  Each fable has been retold and drawn as seen by the graphic novelist -- so some are strict retellings while others have been embellished and expanded.  This book, the third in a series including Nursery Rhyme Comics and Fairy Tale Comics, is a great book for kids, teens and adults.

Hollow Fields by Madeleine Rosca

Lucy is on her way to Saint Galbat's Academy for Young Ladies when she gets lost in the woods.  Somehow she finds her way to the school -- but the wrong school.  It is Miss Weaver's Academy for the Scientifically Gifted and Ethically Unfettered -- otherwise known as Hollow Fields.

It seems like the perfect school at first with huge private rooms and scrumptious meals prepared to order.  However, Lucy quickly discovers that it is a school for mad scientists.  The worst part though is that the student with the lowest grades each week is sent to detention . . . and is never seen again!



This is an interesting graphic novel for older kids and teens.  Lucy is a great character who never seems to lose her optimism.  The school and teachers are appropriately creepy.  A great read for those wanting a few chills with their reading.

Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Hope Larson

Meg feels as if she doesn't fit in -- at her school, in her family, and in life -- ever since her father disappeared a year ago.  She knows he would never have left willingly and one night she finds out she was right.  Now Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their new friend Cal must travel through space to rescue her father from the darkness.

This is the graphic novel retelling of Madeline L'Engle's classic book A Wrinkle in Time.  It is a definite must-read for those who like the original novel.  It is also a great introduction to the classic book in a comic format which makes it more accessible for younger children.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House by Aya Shouoto

On her sixteenth birthday, orphan Himari Momochi inherits an ancestral house she knew nothing about.  When she finally reaches the estate hidden in the woods she discovers three boys squatting in the house.  Turns out the house is the barrier between the human and the spiritual worlds and one of the squatters - Aoi - is the guardian protecting the humans and spirits from each other.


So far there are two volumes in The Demon Prince of Momochi House series.  The premise of the manga is interesting and the art is well done.  A great series for teens.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

The villain Blackheart is surprised when one day a young man appears at his door claiming to be his new sidekick.  Turns out its a shapeshifter -- Nimona.

Nimona wants to help Blackheart get revenge against his nemesis Goldenloin and the Institute of Law Inforcement and Heroics.  Together they finally be able to defeat them.


This was a great graphic novel on heroism, villainy and what they both mean.  The twists and turns are unexpected and fun to read.  Nimona is a great book for all teens!

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson

Princess Decomposia is overwhelmed with all the responsibilities of running her father's underground kingdom while he is too ill to rule.

Then the cook quits . . . and she hires Count Spatula.

Count Spatula is a chef who loves to bake delicious treats.  He also becomes Decomposia's first friend . . . changing his world, her world, and the entire kingdom.


This was a quick, fun graphic novel.  It's a simple story that was told very well.  While the book was marketed towards teens, I think that older children would also really enjoy this graphic novel.

No.6 by Atsuko Asano

Shion lives the life of a privileged elite student in the utopian city No. 6.  Then he meets the fugitive boy Rat and offers his sanctuary and aid for the night.  For that infraction, he is kicked out of his elite school and he has to move to Lost Town with his mother.

Four years later, Shion is working in the Maintenance Department of the Forest when he discovers a man who has aged rapidly and dies.  The next day, Shion's co-worker is struck the same way.  Immediately the authorities show up to arrest Shion for their murders.  It's while on his way to prison that Rat shows up once again -- this time saving Shion.


This manga series follows Shion and Rat as they survive to live in the slums outside the utopian No. 6.  Not only must they survive harsh living conditions with little food, clothes, or other life necessities, but they soon discover that the No.6 isn't quite as wonderful as everyone thinks.  A mysterious illness is spreading through the city.  Citizens are being arrested for voicing dissent.  Now it is up to Shion, Rat, and their friends to help save No.6.

Beauty Pop by Kiyoko Arai

Kiri Koshiba goes unnoticed in her beauty-obsessed high school.  The boys in the "Scissors Project", pick lucky girls to get makeovers from otusider, ugly ducklings into beautiful, popular swans.  What nobody knows is that Kiri is a truly gift hairstylist that helps those who the "Scissors Project" refuses to help.  What will happen when Kiri's secret is exposed?

This manga series takes a unique idea of a bunch of boys obsessed with giving makeovers.  This is a story line that I don't think I have ever seen come out of the United States.  I found the story to be light, fluffy, and fun to read.

Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki

Oz's coming of age ceremony quickly goes from celebration to horror when he is cast into the Abyss, an inescapable hell-like prison, for a sin he knows nothing about.  There is meets Alice and partners with her to escape from the Abyss.  Now he and Alice must find out several secrets including Oz's sin, Alice's lost memories, and who exactly is behind everything.

This is a great manga series for teens and adults.  It contains elements of mystery, family drama, suspense, the supernatural and even a little romance.  It is a series that truly keeps you guessing as the plot twists are revealed.  I also truly enjoyed the comedic parts that helped to keep the series from getting too heavy. 

Possessions by Ray Fawkes

Gurgazon the Unclean is the cutest little demon you have ever seen.  She looks like an adorable little girl -- only with dirty and smelly.  She's just been captured and trapped in Mrs. Llewellyn-Vane's house with several other ghosts and spirits.  And she is determined to escape!

The artwork for this graphic novel series for kids is great!  I love the contrast between cute little girl and dirty, smelly, mean demon.  A great graphic novel series for kids.

Soul Eater by Atsushi Ohkuba

Maka is training Soul to become a death scythe to be used by Lord Death.  The job was nearly done when they had to start all over.  Now they have to find 99 more souls before facing a witch to finish the training.

Black Star is the best ninja assassin in the world!  If only he didn't announce his every intention with a shout - making it hard for him and Tsubaki to take any souls at all.

Death the Kid is Lord Death's son.  Although he doesn't need to, he decides to start attending the Death Weapon Meister Academy with Maka, Soul, Black Star and Tsubaki.

Now they must all learn to work together -- for soon they will be facing the witch Medusa who is trying to make a kishin to destroy the world.

Soul Eater by Atsushi Ohkuba is a great manga series for both boys and girls.  It has action, the supernatural and lots of comedy.