Category Archives: Graphic Novel or Adaptation

Review: The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy, et al

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,
The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy

The Rez Doctor
Gitz Crazyboy
Illustrated by Veronika Barinova
Coloring by Azby Whitecalf
Lettering by Toben Racicot
Highwater Press
Published September 10, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Rez Doctor

Young Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.

However, becoming a doctor isn’t easy. University takes Ryan away from his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community, and without their support, he begins to struggle. Faced with more stress than he’s ever experienced, he turns to partying. Distracted from his responsibilities, his grades start to slip. His bills pile up. Getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a boy?

This inspiring graphic novel for young adults is based on a true story.

My Review

I didn’t realize when I read this book that it was inspired by someone’s life. The story follows Ryan as he struggles in school, navigates growing up in a Native community, and becomes inspired to go to medical school and serve his people as a doctor. He faces challenges both in and out of school and college, and nearly gives up more than once. Ultimately, he finds his way through school and family life and leaves readers with an uplifting message about achieving one’s dreams.

The story does show some alcohol consumption and some harmful consequences. For example, Ryan’s uncle comes home drunk with his face bruised. Later, Ryan visits him in jail. In college, Ryan goes out drinking with friends and quickly discovers his grades suffer if he does this, so he quits. I think those scenes make it a little tricky to find the right reader age group. The length of the book will appeal to younger readers, but the content seems targeted more toward older readers.

All in all, this is an inspiring story that shows the importance of resilience and persistence. It’s a really short book– only about 60 pages– and written in graphic novel format, so it’s great for reluctant readers. I could see this being a useful aid for a social studies or career-focused school unit.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
One instance of mild profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
One image shows a couple kissing. Another image shows a couple at a wedding.

Spiritual Content
Ryan asks tribal leaders and Creator for help.

Violent Content
A man comes home with a black eye and tells Ryan he was in a fight.

Drug Content
References to a family member drinking and getting into trouble (happens off-scene.) Ryan and his friends go out drinking. At one point, a friend offers him some pills.

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: Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, Spirituality, , , , , ,

Two Tribes
Emily Bowen Cohen
Heartdrum
Published August 15, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Two Tribes

In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes. Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish identity plays in their home. Feeling out of place at home and at her Jewish day school, Mia finds herself thinking more and more about her Muscogee father, who lives with his new family in Oklahoma. Her mother doesn’t want to talk about him, but Mia can’t help but feel like she’s missing a part of herself without him in her life.

Soon, Mia makes a plan to use the gifts from her bat mitzvah to take a bus to Oklahoma—without telling her mom—to visit her dad and find the connection to her Muscogee side she knows is just as important as her Jewish side. This graphic novel by Muscogee-Jewish writer and artist Emily Bowen Cohen is perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. It is published by Heartdrum, an imprint that centers stories about contemporary Indigenous young people.

My Review

This is one of those books where I have to separate my feelings as a divorced parent from my thoughts about a kid reading this book. It was so easy to identify with Mia’s mom’s struggle with her relationship with her dad. Kids have a right to have relationship with both parents, but it can be really tricky to figure out how to do that safely. And to figure out the difference between safe for your kid and comfortable for you as the other parent. (Because there can be a huge difference.)

Mia’s mom definitely doesn’t do everything right (which she acknowledges). Her dad also has some mistakes to own up for. I liked how both parents are portrayed as imperfect and still learning. That’s pretty real, too.

Mia’s experiences also resonate as realistic. Her hunger to know both parts of her family history is palpable. As she’s able to fill in some of the gaps in her history and culture, she blossoms. It bolsters her confidence. I love that we can see the impact of both cultures on her life.

This book has been on my reading list for a while, but it wasn’t until I spotted it on the shelf at the library that I realized it was a graphic novel. I love seeing a story about Jewish and Muscogee heritage in graphic novel format. If you enjoy stories about family connections and culture, definitely pick this one up.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Mentions of Jewish holidays and traditions. Mia attends a powwow with her family. Mentions of Muscogee traditions and spiritual practices and beliefs. Mia’s cousin shares a Muscogee creation story with her. Mia studies Torah with the rabbi, learning about Jonah. Mia’s dad attends church.

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 a copy of this book from my local public library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band by Christian Staebler, Sonia Paoloni, and Thibault Balahy

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

Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band
Christian Staebler and Sonia Paoloni
Illustrated by Thibault Balahy
IDW
Published October 28, 2020

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About book

Experience the riveting, powerful story of the Native American civil rights movement and the resulting struggle for identity told through the high-flying career of West Coast rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Redbone.

You’ve heard the hit song “Come and Get Your Love” in the movie Guardians of the Galaxy, but the story of the band behind it is one of cultural, political, and social importance.

Brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas were talented Native American rock musicians that took the 1960s Sunset Strip by storm. They influenced The Doors and jammed with Jimmy Hendrix before he was “Jimi,” and the idea of a band made up of all Native Americans soon followed. Determined to control their creative vision and maintain their cultural identity, they eventually signed a deal with Epic Records in 1969. But as the American Indian Movement gained momentum the band took a stand, choosing pride in their ancestry over continued commercial reward.

Created in cooperation of the Vegas family, authors Christian Staebler and Sonia Paoloni with artist Thibault Balahy take painstaking steps to ensure the historical accuracy of this important and often overlooked story of America’s past. Part biography and part research journalism, Redbone tells a vivid story about this neglected chapter of American history.

My Review

Reading this book was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but I’m so glad I did. The title and subtitle caught my eye. I hadn’t heard of Redbone, and the history surrounding this Native American rock band intrigued me.

The foreward gives some context, and I knew reading it that I would enjoy the book. The author’s enthusiasm for the band is infectious.

The book begins with a present-day scene that leads to an interview with Redbone band member Pat Vegas. From there, the narrative flashes back, showing scenes from the 1960s and 1970s. The scenes depict events in the lives of the band members.

To be honest, I have a LOT of catching up to do about Native American history in the US. This book helped identify some of the holes that still remain in my understanding. The text mentions Indian Boarding Schools (one band member grew up in one of these) which were in effect in some places until the 1970s. We think of these things as having happened so long ago, and that’s… really not so long ago.

I was also unfamiliar with the protest at Wounded Knee and its connection to Standing Rock. The book briefly explains the connection and the band’s decision to support the protest. I loved learning about Redbone’s history and especially the ways they stood up for Indigenous people.

This is a really fun book to read and a pretty quick one as well. There are a few pages with a lot of dialogue in one panel that were a little bit confusing at first. Overall, this is really well done. I think music fans and readers interested in learning more about Indigenous history will find lots to love in this book.

“We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee”

The book talks about a song that the band wrote in support of the protest at Wounded Knee. Here is a link to a video of the song called “We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee.”

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief, vague reference that someone had sex. Nothing on scene.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Reference to Indian Boarding Schools and the harm they caused. Reference to the battle at Wounded Knee. (Battle not shown.) References to racism against BIPOC, particularly Indigenous people.

Drug Content
Adult characters visit a bar and perform at nightclubs.

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

Review: Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

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

Coming Back
Jessi Zabarsky
RH Graphic
Published January 18, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Coming Back

A beautiful graphic novel fantasy romance that follows two young women who have to go on their own separate adventures to discover the truth about themselves and about each other.

Preet is magic.

Valissa is not.

Everyone in their village has magic in their bones, and Preet is the strongest of them all. Without any power of her own, how can Valissa ever be worthy of Preet’s love? When their home is attacked, Valissa has a chance to prove herself, but that means leaving Preet behind. On her own for the first time Preet breaks the village’s most sacred laws, and is rejected from the only home she’s ever known and sent into a new world.

Divided by different paths, insecurities, and distance, will Valissa and Preet be able to find their way back to each other?

A beautiful story of two young women who are so focused on proving they’re meant to be together that they end up hurting each other in the process. This gorgeous graphic novel is an LGTBQ+ romance about young love and how it can grow into something strong no matter what obstacles get in the way.

My Review

This graphic novel has a lot of panels with pictures that show action, such as someone performing a ritual. I don’t know that I’ve ever read anything quite like this book before, so it took a little bit of getting used to. Once I felt like I grasped how the author was using still panels to indicate movement or action, it was easier to follow what was happening or fill in the interim movements in my head.

Once I got used to this style of storytelling, I found it really cool. A lot of the scenes have no text or only onomotopeia. There’s something really different about reading a scene without words to interpret what’s happening. It’s like that made me filter the story through a completely different part of my brain. I loved that experience, even though it was unfamiliar.

I also appreciate that this story follows two characters who break the norms of their group. Preet has powerful magic, but she uses it in an unapproved way. In their community, the people depend on those with powerful magic to help one another. Valissa doesn’t have magic, but she doesn’t let that stop her from risking her life to protect her people.

I also enjoyed the color palette of the book. It’s got peach and turquoise tones that make the scenes seem really nature-based. They’re soothing colors, too.

I hadn’t heard of this book, but found it while browsing at the library. I’m really glad I picked it up, and I would love to read more by Jessi Zabarsky.

If you like nature-centered fantasy graphic novels, put this one on your list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Two characters are in a relationship.

Spiritual Content
Some characters can do magic, such as changing shape and creating wind, etc. Some characters are mythical creatures.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Prejudice and shaming drive some characters from their home.

Drug Content
None.

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 library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Beetle and the Chimera Carnival by Aliza Layne

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Beetle and the Chimera Carnival (The Beetle Books #2)
Aliza Layne
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published April 29, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Beetle and the Chimera Carnival

Beetle and her friends attend a carnival full of dragons and magic, only to discover something sinister at play behind the scenes, in this delightful sequel to the Stonewall Honor-winning Beetle & the Hollowbones middle grade graphic novel.

Hidden behind the clouds, giant dragons guard the most powerful magic in the world from prying eyes. On one magical night, once every ten years, these leviathans reveal themselves to a fanfare of costumes, music, and parades in the Chimera Carnival.

But this time, something’s wrong.

When Beetle, Penny, and Kat decide to check out the empty carnival site one night, they discover an injured dragon screaming for help. And the more Beetle uncovers about the Chimera Carnival, the more sinister it gets. Dragons who arrive for the early festivities disappear without a trace. Beetle’s magic begins to go haywire. And Kat’s parents come back to town, worrying both girls about whether they have a future together.

In the catacombs beneath the demolished ‘Allowstown mall, something hungers for dragon magic. And Beetle and her friends are already more entwined with it than they could possibly imagine.

My Review

I remember being surprised at how much I enjoyed Beetle and the Hollowbones, the first book in this series, which I reviewed the year it came out. When I spotted the sequel on the shelf at the library, I grabbed it immediately.

Layne’s illustration style is both reminiscent of Halloween and whimsical. This is definitely the kind of story that The Nightmare Before Christmas fans will enjoy. The book opens with a clever recap of events that looks like pages in a scrapbook. From there, we dive straight into the story.

I had forgotten how much I liked the sweet relationship between Beetle and Kat. They’re in the early days of a romance that leaves them a little swoony about one another. Beetle also worries about the status of their relationship, but she tries really hard to give Kat the space she needs to figure out when to talk to her family.

Though Kat and Beetle end up mired in a dangerous mystery, the story has so many joyful moments. I love the way that Layne shows big emotions and just embraces the goofiness of her characters. The story also has one of the best moments between Kat, Beetle, and Beetle’s Gran’ma. That scene (it’s near the end) was absolutely perfect.

So, two books into the series, and I’m more a fan now that ever. I hope there are more Beetle and Kat adventures to come. Definitely check this one out if you need a boost of joy in your life or are ready to celebrate new love or Halloween.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
A couple of panels show a couple kissing. Two characters discuss relationship status.

Spiritual Content
Beetle is a goblin. Kat is a living skeleton. Penny is a ghost. The group plan to attend a festival at which dragons gather. Another character is a vampire. Characters can perform different kinds of magic. References to necromancy.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Kidnapping. Brief cartoon battle scenes. Brief homophobic comments.

Drug Content
None.

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: I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin

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I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This
Eugene Yelchin
Candlewick Press
Published September 16, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This

In a stunning sequel to The Genius Under the Table, Eugene Yelchin’s graphic memoir depicts his harrowing journey from Leningrad’s underground art scene to a state-run Siberian asylum—and to eventual safety in the US.

No longer the creative little boy under his grandmother’s table, Yevgeny is now a young adult, pursuing his artistic dreams under the constant threat of the KGB’s stranglehold on Russia’s creative scene. When a chance encounter with an American woman opens him up to a world of romance and possibility, Yevgeny believes he has found his path to the future—and freedom overseas.

But the threat of being drafted into the military and sent to fight in Afghanistan changes everything in a terrible instant, and he takes drastic measures to decide his fate, leading to unthinkable consequences in a mental hospital.

With bold art bringing a vivid reality to life, National Book Award Finalist and Newbery Honoree Eugene Yelchin’s sequel to the acclaimed memoir The Genius Under the Table returns to Yevgeny’s saga, balancing the terror and oppression of Soviet Russia with the author’s signature charm and dark wit. I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This shines a stark spotlight on history while offering a poignant, nuanced, and powerfully resonant look at growing up in—and ultimately leaving—Cold War Russia in the early 1980s.

My Review

I have not read The Genius Under the Table, so if there are references to that book in I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This, then I missed them. Despite that, I followed the story just fine as I read this memoir. I don’t know that I realized it was a sequel as I was reading it.

The story can be grim, which won’t surprise anyone familiar with Russian history in the early 1980s. Yelchin does a wonderful job incorporating art, joy, and humor into the story, though. Yevgeny’s relationship with Libby is halting and sweet. I loved watching them figure out how to communicate with each other and the jokes they developed. For instance, they would ask each other if the other was “mixed up” about them, meaning did they have romantic feelings for one another.

It was easy to feel the tension Yevgeny felt as an artist. He knew he could be imprisoned, or worse, for making art. Late in the book, he is confined to a mental institution. At one point, a scene sort of fades to black, with Yevgeny in pretty dire straits. When the narrative resumes, we learn that he still carries the trauma of his experience, but has been freed.

Throughout the story, the narrative stays appropriate to the audience. The illustrations don’t show gratuitous violence, though the characters reference a murder that happens off-scene. The story also notes Russia’s invasion of Afganistan, and the high cost to human life the war creates.

At 432 pages, this graphic memoir is a little longer than other similar books, but it’s so worth reading. I loved the expressions on the characters’ faces. The illustrations are brilliant. Readers interested in European or Russian history will not want to miss this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Yevgeny’s grandmother inquires that he and his wife will not have privacy while they sleep if she moves in with the family.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to political assassination and bullying. References to antisemitism. At one point, Yevgeny is in a medical facility, and the scene sort of fades to black with a vague reference to torture and mistreatment.

Drug Content
Yevgeny goes to a party and possibly gets drunk? He falls down dancing and then walks home alone. It’s hard to tell if there was alcohol involved. If so, it’s not pictured. Characters smoke cigarettes in some scenes. Someone injects medication into a person’s arm without their consent.

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.