Category Archives: Graphic Novel or Adaptation

Review: Leap by Simina Popescu

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Leap by Simina Popescu

Leap
Simina Popescu
Roaring Brook Press
Published November 12, 2024

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About Leap

A coming-of-age graphic novel following two dancers at a conservative performing arts school―exploring friendship, first love, and what it means to fall out of step with your own dreams.

Ana has been studying contemporary dance since she was little, but her heart isn’t in it anymore. Instead her focus is on Carina―a beautiful, ambitious ballerina whose fear of being outed keeps Ana in the closet and their fragile relationship from seeing the light of day. Risking her own career, Ana gives up more and more in order to fit into the shadows of Carina’s life.

Sara, on the other hand, is fielding whispers she may be the best dancer their school has produced in years. Much of that is thanks to her mentor and instructor, Marlena, who plucked Sara from the classical track and encouraged her to blossom as a contemporary dancer. Sara has always been in awe of Marlena, but recently, that admiration has sparked into something more, and Sara’s not sure what to do about it.

As junior year at their performing arts school begins, Ana and Sara are assigned as roommates. What starts off as a tentative friendship soon becomes a much-needed anchor.

My Review

It was so fun reading a dance book this week. Earlier tonight (the day I’m writing this), I started taking a tap class, which marks the first dance class I’ve taken in a long time. I’m excited about it. So the timing of reading Leap was really great for me.

One of the things that’s truly incredible about this graphic novel is the way that the panels capture the motion of dance. Some characters are in a contemporary dance program, and others are in a ballet program, so it shows two different kinds of dance, and I think the illustrations differentiate them well. I only spotted one panel in which I think the position of a dancer’s foot wasn’t right for the ballet move that she seemed to be performing.

The story is really sweet, too. It follows two characters. One, Ana, is in a long-term relationship that started out really well but has hit some bumps. The other character, Sara, has a huge crush on someone she shouldn’t, and she’s trying to understand her feelings and figure out what to do. When the girls become roommates, they bond as friends, and it isn’t too long before they begin speaking hard truths to one another. I loved getting to see their friendship flourish and to see the journey they each had with dancing.

I think readers who enjoy books in international settings or books about dance and relationships will find a lot to love in Leap.

Content Notes for Leap

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Ana and some other characters are queer.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few F-bombs and some other swearing used somewhat infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between two girls.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
One character makes some negative comments about her body. Ballet instructors also say cruel things to the dancers about their weight and bodies. Some homophobic comments, usually well-meaning, but hurtful. The girls talk about someone whose career was ruined after she was outed.

Drug Content
Characters drink alcohol in several scenes. (They’re underage.)

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: Dog Trouble by Kristin Varner

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Dog Trouble
Kristin Varner
First Second
Published October 29, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Dog Trouble

From the author of Horse Trouble comes a graphic novel perfect for fans of PAWS and Allergic!

Ash is a good kid at heart. But his grades are slipping, and when he gets caught vandalizing an old building, it’s the last straw. It’s decided: Ash will spend some time away from the city, at his dad’s place on Ferncliff Island.

It’s bad enough that Ash has no friends on the island (just an annoying little stepsister), but his parents are also making him do community service! He volunteers at the local animal shelter, even though he’s not really a dog person. Dogs slobber! They smell! And the dogs at the shelter bark, bark, and bark. But as Ash bonds with the dogs―especially Cooper, a clever, fun-loving pointer that gives sloppy kisses―he starts to see that maybe his time on Ferncliff Island isn’t a total loss.

My Review

If a book had the power to make me a dog person, this one would probably do it! (I don’t hate dogs, but I’m solidly a cat person.)

The story follows Ash, a boy who must spend his summer volunteering at an animal shelter after getting into trouble with some friends. At the start of many of the chapters, a dog profile appears, introducing readers to a dog that will appear later in the story and giving some information about its breed and personality. Some terms related to the care of animals appear in bold in the text. Those are defined at the bottom of the page. I liked that format of keeping the panels focused on the story but continually making caring for animals accessible to inexperienced readers.

Ash makes a lot of mistakes, and sometimes, even when he’s doing the right things, accidents happen. I loved that his supervisor at the shelter responded calmly, acknowledged his anxiety, and helped him navigate whatever issue was at hand.

Ash also makes an unexpected friend and forms a closer bond with his stepsister than he imagined would be possible through his experience of staying with his dad for the summer. Having gone through some of the blended family challenges, I felt like the portrayal of those relationships made a lot of sense, and the evolution felt organic.

All in all, if you love dogs and/or stories about navigating family challenges or skateboarding, Dog Trouble is one story you won’t want to miss.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 9 to 12.

Representation
Ash’s parents are divorced. His stepmom and stepsister are Black.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to animal abuse or trauma. (Nothing shown on scene.) One of the dogs in the book dies (off-scene). The loss is unexpected and difficult for Ash.

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: Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 by Wendy Martin

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

Castle Swimmer: Volume 1
Wendy Martin
Ten Speed Graphic
Published October 22, 2024

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About Castle Swimmer: Volume 1

In the gorgeous first installment of the hit Webtoon series Castle Swimmer, two young mermen reject their destinies and embark on an epic adventure full of romance and danger, featuring exclusive bonus material.

From the moment Kappa tumbles into existence on the ocean floor, his life’s purpose is already decided for him: He is the Beacon, a light to all sea creatures, and destined to fulfill their many prophesies. In high demand and under immense pressure, Kappa quickly realizes that fame and glory are small compensation for a life of predetermined self-sacrifice.

Unable to resist the call of destiny due to a magical yellow cord that appears from his chest and pulls him inexorably to any sea creatures he swims by, Kappa ultimately finds himself drawn to the Shark kingdom, where he is immediately imprisoned. The Sharks’ prophecy states that the curse maiming their people will only be lifted once their prince, Siren, kills the Beacon. But when Prince Siren decides to defy fate and help Kappa escape, Kappa realizes that there might be more to life than fulfilling endless prophecies, leading to a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself—and a romance that nobody could have predicted.

Episodes 1-19 of Webtoon’s Castle Swimmer Season 1 is collected in this stunning graphic novel, which also includes a never-before-seen bonus chapter featuring Kappa and Siren.

My Review

I love the illustrations in this beautiful undersea story. One character has a glowing force inside him that leads him to people he’s supposed to help. The panels really capture that illuminated look of the glowing force. The different underwater kingdoms include merpeople based on different sea creatures, such as sharks or crustaceans, which I thought was clever. I’ve never seen that done before.

The characters’ expressions can be a bit exaggerated and cartoonish. I enjoyed the anime feel of some of their reactions to things. The story follows both Kappa, the beam, and Siren, the prince who must kill him if he’s to fulfill a prophecy and break the curse on his people. It shows their loneliness and the growing bond between them, which really drew me into the story.

The backmatter contains a couple of short stories about Kappa and Siren, too. They’re so sweet. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of this series. It’s perfect for anyone interested in a high-stakes, sweet fantasy story under the sea.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Representation
Two boys appear romantically interested in one another.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Two boys appear to be romantically interested in one another.

Spiritual Content
A god who lives at the surface of the ocean sends a creation called the Beam to fulfill the prophecies of mer people living under the sea. One group was cursed after they attacked another god. They believe breaking the curse involves a blood sacrifice.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief scary ocean monster imagery. Brief battle scenes showing cartoon violence.

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.

MMGM Review: Squire & Knight: Wayward Travelers by Scott Chantler

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Squire & Knight: Wayward Travelers (Squire & Knight #2)
Scott Chantler
First Second
Published October 15, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Squire & Knight: Wayward Travelers

In the second volume of this middle-grade graphic novel series, our heroes search for the mysterious school of wizardry, but are thwarted at every turn by thick mist, winding woods and fearsome creatures!

Our heroes are lost.

Squire and Sir Kelton have promised to get Cade to the school of wizardry. Strangely though, the path they’ve taken has brought them into a bewildering, misty forest, rife with fearsome gnolls and a boisterous rival knight. To get them out, Squire tries every trick in the book, but books don’t hold all the answers. Can he muster up his confidence, remember his duties, and find a way to escape the forest?

My Review

This fun continuation of the Squire & Knight series delivers more of the humor and thoughtfulness from the first book. One of the things I liked a lot is that this is a different story from the first one. In the first book, the squire uses intelligence to figure out whether a dragon is the true source of a village’s problems. In this book, the squire still depends on intelligence and things he learned from books to aid him when he’s in trouble, but the story points up the fact that not every problem can be solved that way. And, intelligent people are as vulnerable to overlooking things out of pride as strong people are.

This story has a small cast of characters, with a few notable new ones. Cade, the boy that Sir Kelton has promised to accompany to Wizard School, is a cute character who adds a lot to the story. He seems in awe of Sir Kelton at first, but as the journey continues, he adds many of his own observations to the story. I liked him and especially enjoyed the surprising comments he made later in the book.

I’m still a fan of the series, and I’m excited to see what adventures Squire and Sir Kelton get up to next.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Human characters are white. There are some monster characters each based on a different breed of dog.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
The story contains fantasy characters and monsters. Some monsters believe they need to sacrifice captives to appease their god.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. A group of dog-like monsters threaten to kill and eat their captives.

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.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

Review: Monster Locker by Jorge Aguirre and Andrés Vera Martínez

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Monster Locker (Monster Locker #1)
Jorge Aguirre
Illustrated by Andrés Vera Martínez
First Second
Published October 1, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Monster Locker

In this first volume of a thrilling middle grade graphic novel series, a sixth-grader named Pablo discovers his locker is a portal to the realm of monsters!

For hundreds of years, something in the basement of Glenfield Middle School has waited for its chance to open a portal into the realm of monsters. Now its time has come, and the school is going to need a hero. Pablo Ortiz . . . isn’t that guy. All he wants to do is lie low and get through middle school in one piece. So when Pablo accidentally opens the portal and summons a vengeful Aztec goddess, he’ll need the butt-kicking skills of his new friends and the wisdom passed down by his abuela to take her on.

My Review

I enjoyed Call Me Iggy by Jorge Aguirre, so when this one arrived in my mailbox, I was already looking forward to reading it. The concept is fun: a locker that is actually a portal to the monster world and summons Nahua monsters, and only three middle school students can stop them from taking over the world.

Pablo is very much an underdog. He worries about bullies and feels isolated. He has an interesting relationship with his grandmother, who seems to have one foot in the here and now and the other in the days of her Mexican childhood.

The story deftly weaves together modern characters with Nahuatl words and phrases, along with Aztec deities and monsters. Pablo and his two new friends, Takashi and Maggie, stand at the center of the story, with the fate of the whole world resting on their middle school shoulders.

The plotline requires some willing suspension of disbelief, but it rewards readers with quirky characters, oddball humor, and action-packed monster battles. This is a fun one to check out if you’re looking for a fall title that fits the feel of the Halloween season but could be enjoyed year round.

Content Notes in Monster Locker

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Pablo and his family are Nahua and American. Takashi is Japanese American and possibly also Jewish. (He uses Yiddish words.) Maggie is Jamaican American.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Pablo accidentally opens a portal to the monster world and summons the Aztec goddess Coatlique. She demands tribute and releases monsters into Pablo’s school, causing havoc.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Battles between monsters and humans.

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.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.

Review: Amber Brown is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel by Paula Danziger and Victoria Ying

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Amber Brown is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel
Paula Danziger
Adapted and Illustrated by Victoria Ying
G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Published May 21, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Amber Brown is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel

Even when her best friend is moving away, Amber Brown is always bold, bright, and colorful. #Amber Brown is out now on Apple TV+

Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are best friends. They’ve known each other for practically forever, sit next to each other in class, help each other with homework, and always stick up for each other. Justin never says things like, “Amber Brown is not a crayon.” Amber never says, “You’re Justin Time.” They’re a great team—until disaster strikes. Justin has to move away, and now the best friends are fighting. Will they be able to work it out before it’s too late?

Along with the ups and downs of shared custody, the Amber Brown chapter books are beloved for tackling relatable dilemmas with thoughtfulness, humor, and plenty of puns.

My Review

I don’t usually review chapter books, but sometimes the overlap with a middle grade audience is pretty high. This one is a graphic novel adaptation of a popular chapter book series by Paula Danziger that came out decades ago. I haven’t read the original, so I can’t compare it to this adaptation.

I loved the expressive faces on the characters in this graphic novel. The characters experience a broad range of emotions and their faces clue readers into what they’re feeling, very often with a comedic flare.

The opening pages introduce us to Amber as her class prepares for an imaginary flight to China. Her teacher serves as the pilot, and the class learns different things about Chinese history and culture as part of the “trip.” I thought that was a cool idea. We also get to know Amber’s best friend, Justin, whose family is about to move from New Jersey to Alabama. As the story progresses, Amber and Justin deal with the move in ways that drive a wedge between them. With the move date drawing near, Amber is at a loss for how to save her friendship with Justin and enjoy the last of her time with him.

What a cute book! I already mentioned the facial expressions, but they’re my favorite part of the book. They communicate feelings and, many times, add humor and charm to the story. I like Amber’s spunky attitude and that she and Justin have different strengths and interests yet are still best friends.

This is a fun read for kids as they age up from chapter books to middle grade novels. It’s got a lot of humor but explores a complex emotional moment in a friendship that’s relatable to a lot of kids.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 7 to 10.

Representation
Most characters are white/white-passing. Amber’s teacher and a classmate are BIPOC.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to Amber’s parents’ divorce.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
A girl calls Amber “messy,” and she tries to charge at the girl angrily. Justin holds her back.

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.