Category Archives: Graphic Novel or Adaptation

Review: Journey to Tomioka by Laurent Galandon and Michaël Crouzat

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , ,
Journey to Tomioka by Laurent Galandon and Michael Crouzat

Journey to Tomioka
Laurent Galandon
Art by Michaël Crouzat
Translated by Anne and Owen Smith
First Second
Published June 9, 2026

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About Journey to Tomioka

For fans of This Was Our Pact and Hayao Miyazaki films comes a breathtaking graphic novel about siblings who risk everything to return their grandmother’s ashes to her home inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone.

Osamu hasn’t been the same since that day. When the tsunami hit Fukushima prefecture, it killed his parents, destroyed his home, and triggered one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. Now, all Osamu has left is his grandmother, Bā-chan, and his big sister, Akiko. As he withdraws into his own world, he befriends friends yōkai―spirits only he can see.

Then, tragedy strikes again, and Bā-chan dies. Osamu and Akiko are determined to return her ashes to their family farm in Tomioka, a town within Fukushima’s forbidden zone. There, the siblings will face dangerous radiation and yōkai, both friendly and deadly―but they’re willing to risk it all to make it home.

My Review

This book draws attention to the victims of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The story follows Osamu, a young boy who shows kindness toward the yōkai, mythical creatures that live in his home and community. When his grandmother dies unexpectedly, he convinces his sister that they should bring her ashes home to her farm in the area still evacuated since the nuclear disaster.

Along the way, they meet a man who lives in the forbidden zone and cares for the animals living there. The story gently encourages readers to question our relationship with nature and our short attention spans for tragedies happening elsewhere.

At one point in the story, Osamu’s sister notes that his personality changed in the wake of the tsunami. He went from being an outgoing kid with lots of friends to being much quieter and more internal. A doctor, she says, diagnosed him with Autism, but she feels that’s inaccurate, because he used to have friends. I think I get what she’s trying to say, but I kind of wish this had just been left out of the book. It’s a small comment, and there’s so little context. I could see people feeling like this is saying that people with Autism can’t have friends or be friendly, which isn’t true.

All in all, I appreciate the author for bringing the Fukushima nuclear disaster to the forefront of conversations through this book and for highlighting some of the victims who are too often neglected, namely, children and animals.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 9 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Osamu believes in the existence of yōkai, mysterious supernatural creatures and spirits from Japanese folklore. He speaks to some who live in his home and leaves an apple for one living near a tree. He later encounters a being representing radiation.

Violent Content
References to the death of a grandparent and caregiver. References to the deaths of parents in the tsunami. These are not shown on the page.

Osamu breaks a window in an abandoned shop. He and his sister evade rescue workers and their cousin’s fiancé, Seiichi, and venture deeper into contaminated spaces, risking exposure to radiation.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Brownstone by Samuel Teer and Mar Julia

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , ,

Brownstone
Samuel Teer
Illustrated by Mar Julia
Versify
Published June 11, 2024

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About Brownstone

An exciting teen coming-of-age epic from author Samuel Teer and debut graphic novel artist Mar Julia, Brownstone is a vivid, sweeping, ultimately hopeful story about navigating your heritage even when you feel like you don’t quite fit in.

Almudena has always wondered about the dad she never met.

Now, with her white mother headed on a once-in-a-lifetime trip without her, she’s left alone with her Guatemalan father for an entire summer. Xavier seems happy to see her, but he expects her to live in (and help fix up) his old, broken-down brownstone. And all along, she must navigate the language barrier of his rapid-fire Spanish—which she doesn’t speak.

As Almudena tries to adjust to this new reality, she gets to know the residents of Xavier’s Latin American neighborhood. Each member of the community has their own joys and heartbreaks as well as their own strong opinions on how this young Latina should talk, dress, and behave. Some can’t understand why she doesn’t know where she comes from. Others think she’s “not brown enough” to fit in.

But time is running out for Almudena and Xavier to get to know each other, and the key to their connection may ultimately lie in bringing all these different elements together. Fixing a broken building is one thing, but turning these stubborn individuals into a found family might take more than this one summer.

My Review

The graphic novel format of this story really worked in terms of making Almudena’s experience at her dad’s house really immersive. It was so easy to imagine the scenes playing out in my head. I liked seeing the ways the characters reacted to her and some of the things that she might not have noticed herself.

At the beginning, Almudena doesn’t know anything about her Guatemalan heritage, and she doesn’t speak Spanish. This makes connecting with her dad even more challenging. The language barrier really highlighted the estrangement between Almudena and her dad, too. As she gets to know him, her opinion about him changes, and she begins to find ways to connect with other people in the community as well.

One of my favorite relationships was between Almudena and the shopkeeper who lives alone. I liked the friendship they developed and how that connection ultimately impacts the whole neighborhood.

If you like stories about family connections and exploring cultural heritage, definitely put Brownstone on your reading list!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong language used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Almudena realizes her dad is in a romantic relationship and has some feelings about it.

Spiritual Content
Almudena’s dad shows her his altar, where he prays according to his own ideas about faith, pulling elements from his culture and Christianity.

Violent Content
Almudena gets lost in the city at one point. At another point, she goes out alone and feels threatened or unsafe in a couple of situations.

Drug Content
One teen character smokes.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel
Gareth Hinds
Candlewick
Published May 12, 2026

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About The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel

With bold imagery and an ear tuned to the music of Homer’s epic poem, award-winning graphic artist Gareth Hinds reinterprets the ancient classic as it’s never been told before. A New York Times bestseller, now in a sumptuous collectible edition with new cover design, gold foil, and painted edges.

“Gareth Hinds brings The Odyssey to life in a masterful blend of art and storytelling. Vivid and exciting, this graphic novel is a worthy new interpretation of Homer’s epic.” —Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

Fresh from his triumphs in the Trojan War, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, wants nothing more than to return home to his family. Instead, he offends the sea god, Poseidon, who dooms him to years of shipwreck and wandering. Battling man-eating monsters, violent storms, and the supernatural seductions of sirens and sorceresses, Odysseus will need all his strength and cunning—and a little help from Mount Olympus—to make his way home and seize his kingdom from the schemers who seek to wed his queen and usurp his throne. Gareth Hinds masterfully reinterprets a story of heroism, adventure, and high action that has been told and retold for more than 2,500 years—though never quite like this.

My Review

Though The Odyssey has never been my favorite story, I was excited to see the epic adapted to a graphic novel. I could see how Odysseus’s adventures would be well-suited to this format.

I like that the author chose to keep the narrative and dialogue a little more classical rather than modern. It’s still easy to understand, but the writing and the style of the drawings serve as a constant reminder to readers that they’re engaging with a story from long ago.

I think one of the reasons I am not a huge fan of the story itself is that Odysseus seems like a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too kind of guy. Oh, a goddess wants to sleep with you? Go for it, in between bouts of crying over how much you miss your wife.

Maybe I’m supposed to see this as a reminder of the complexity of the human heart and the way that we all hold contradictory ideas at some level. Perhaps Penelope would have wanted her husband to experience every possible encounter. We’re not really privy to how she felt about his infidelity.

I like that Penelope and Athena, both of whom appear frequently throughout the book, are clever and cunning. They use their wits to outsmart numerous strong enemies. Rather than waffling back and forth with their feelings or desires, they both stand committed to a course and see it through.

Fans of Homer’s original work and readers ready to experience the story for the first time will enjoy this immersive version of the tale. The hardcover version I received for review also has beautiful sprayed edges with an ocean and cloud motif.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to sex. A couple of individual panels show Odysseus kissing or in bed with a woman.

Spiritual Content
Greek gods and goddesses are characters in the story. Mythical creatures, like a cyclops and a six-headed monster, are also present.

Violent Content
Battle violence. Brief, graphic violence in which monsters kill soldiers. Some characters state their intent to murder one another.

Drug Content
Some scenes show men feasting and drinking, though the text doesn’t specify what they’re drinking.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Both Sides Now: A Story About Young Joni Mitchell Story by Lydia Corry

Biography, Book Review and Content, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, , , , ,

Both Sides Now: A Story About Young Joni Mitchell (Inspiring Women Artists #2)
Lydia Corry
Godwin Books
Published May 19, 2026

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About Both Sides Now: A Story About Young Joni Mitchell

Dive into the childhood of the legendary singer, songwriter, and performer Joni Mitchell.

Joni Mitchell is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer whose music has touched generation after generation. Her millions of fans are accustomed to seeing her with a guitar in hand, mesmerizing crowds of festival-goers and music-lovers alike. But now it’s time to introduce readers to a new side of Joni, from before the fame and widespread adoration.

Get ready to explore Joni’s childhood, growing up in small towns on the vast Canadian prairie. As a young girl she fell seriously ill with polio. However, like all great artists, this setback was unable to extinguish the creative flame in Joni’s spirit. With unmatched determination and stubborn perseverance, Joni not only gets back on her feet but finds new passions to pursue. From painter to poet to songwriter―this is Joni Mitchell’s story as a young girl and the childhood experiences that shaped her.

My Review

This sweet, graphic biography of Joni Mitchell honors not only her musical contributions but also recognizes her as a painter. I love that many of the illustrations were inspired by art that Joni Mitchell herself created. The story mainly focuses on Mitchell’s early life, with chapters showing her childhood and teen years, followed by a few highlights of her adult life.

This is part of the “Inspiring Women Artists” series that began with a graphic biography of poet Emily Dickinson. Both books offer a lovely introduction to iconic artists and are unusual in that they include so many of the artists’ own words. I love that Corry used quotes from interviews and songs throughout the book.

The pages show some light humor, especially as Joni’s parents try to determine what to make of Joni’s artistic expression. In a more somber chapter, the story also includes Joni’s battle with polio.

Give this book to young aspiring artists, readers who enjoy biographies, or readers who prefer lighter graphic novels. It’s an easy read and an absolute delight.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 7 to 11.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The History of Everything by Victoria Evans

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The History of Everything
Victoria Evans
HarperAlley
Published February 18, 2025

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About The History of Everything

Best friends Agnes and Daisy must learn to say goodbye in this coming-of-age YA graphic novel perfect for fans of Booksmart and Pumpkinheads from debut creator Victoria Evans.

Daisy and Agnes have always had each other.

And that’s all they’ve ever needed—or wanted, at least. So when Agnes’s mom drops the bombshell that she and Agnes are moving at the end of the summer, the girls are crushed.

All seems lost until the pair unearth “The History of Everything,” an old friendship scrapbook with the ultimate bucket list to make their last summer together unforgettable. But when Daisy starts dating a charming drummer, her social calendar suddenly has less room for her best friend. Insecurities bubble to the surface, and Daisy and Agnes begin to question if their friendship is meant to last the summer, much less forever.

In this tender graphic novel debut, Victoria Evans delves into the heart of a best friendship and explores what it means to grow up without growing apart.

My Review

I love that this story centers on a best friendship between two girls in high school. We’ve seen this kind of story done for middle grade readers before, but I love that this is aged up for a teen audience and still keeps the friendship the focus of the story. Right from the beginning, it’s easy to feel the long history of Daisy and Agnes’s friendship. They have rituals, they have inside jokes, and a highlight reel of memories they share together. As a reader, it was easy to feel a part of their story.

When Agnes learns she’s moving at the end of summer, it kicks her focus on her friendship with Daisy into high gear. Suddenly, she’s looking to the friendship as an escape from the problems she doesn’t want to face. And she needs their summer adventure to perfectly recapture the high points of the friendship.

The problem, of course, is that people don’t stay the same. Daisy still thinks of Agnes as her best friend, but she’s caught in the grip of a huge new crush, and she wants to widen her social circle, instead of keeping things just her and Agnes.

The tension builds to an explosive level as Agnes’s move date draws near. I felt that rising tension so much in the scenes leading up to that moment. Even before the characters’ frustrations spill over, you feel it coming.

I also loved the homage to early 2000s Goth fashion. That was a really fun element to the story that I hadn’t expected. The color palette reinforces the difference between the girls’ personalities, too. The illustrations are super expressive, so even in panels without text, lots of story is going on.

If you’re looking for a story that dabbles in a bit of romance on the side, but mainly focuses on the evolution of a childhood best friendship, definitely grab this graphic novel.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
One panel shows a kiss.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed this book from my local library. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Blogger's Favorites, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Deya Muniz
Little, Brown and Company
Published May 9, 2023

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About The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A funny, heartfelt YA romance about finding love—and lots of grilled cheese sandwiches—in the place you least expect it, from rising talent Deya Muniz.

Lady Camembert wants to live life on her own terms, without marriage. Well, without marrying a man, that is. But the law of the land is that women cannot inherit. So when her father passes away, she does the only thing she can: She disguises herself as a man and moves to the capital city of the Kingdom of Fromage to start over as Count Camembert.

But it’s hard to keep a low profile when the beautiful Princess Brie, with her fierce activism and great sense of fashion, catches her attention. Camembert can’t resist getting to know the princess, but as the two grow closer, will she able to keep her secret?

A romantic comedy about mistaken identity, true love, and lots of grilled cheese.

My Review

As a pretty devoted cheese fan, I really enjoyed this playful book. The character names and places are all cheeses or cheese-related. I loved the emphasis on grilled cheese.

I also like that the story explores Cam’s choice to live publicly as a man as a complicated experience. It begins as a necessity for her financial survival and ultimately becomes a vehicle through which she influences others and finds love.

The illustrations, like the story, have a really playful feel to them. I love the images that show details about fashion and how the Princess uses fashion as a part of her activism. The color palettes of both main characters– soft pinks and light colors for Princess Brie and bolder, darker colors for Count Camembert– contrasted well and balanced nicely on the pages.

Overall, I had a great time reading this one. I would absolutely pass this book to anyone who enjoyed The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used once.

Romance/Sexual Content
Two characters fall in love. References to women needing to marry to rule or inherit wealth.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed this book from my local library. All opinions are my own.