GOTH GIRL RISING by Barry Lyga – REVIEW October 2, 2009
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: death, friendship, graphic novels, high school, letters, sequel, suicide, therapy, young adult
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Houghton Mifflin – October 19, 2009
By the time GOTH GIRL RISING hits the shelves it will have been three years since THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FANBOY AND GOTH GIRL was published. For those that haven’t read it, do so now! You will probably enjoy GOTH GIRL RISING even without the backstory from TAAFGG, but not nearly as much as you could if you take the time to read it.
Unlike TAAFGG, this story is told from Kyra’s point-of-view. Six-months have passed since the last time we saw her. Because of something that happened at the end of FANBOY, Kyra was sent to stay at the Maryland Mental Health Unit. GOTH GIRL picks up on the day she is released.
Kyra is both relieved and nervous to be going home. Dealing with her father is tough and the thought of going back to school turns her stomach upside down. But, she is excited about one thing and that is seeing Fanboy. Here is a what she is thinking when she is walking into the school her first day back and she is looking for Fanboy. “I feel all light and puffy inside, like someone filled me up with a cloud or something. The Spermling doesn’t bother me. Roger doesn’t bother me. I’m going to find Fanboy and then everything is going to be fine. No wait, that’s wrong. Everything is going to be perfect.” (p. 35)
What Kyra finds is not what she expects and her world is shaken again. She begins to fill her days with plans of revenge and ways to ruin Fanboy. Thoughts of suicide find their way back into her head and she struggles to make it through each day. So many things are confusing: her feelings toward a long time friend, her relationship with her father, the way she feels about her mother’s death, and her plans for Fanboy.
Through letters she writes to her favorite author, Neil Gaiman, Kyra works through her many emotions in an attempt to be satisfied with life. She just can’t decide if it is worth all the trouble.
THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FANBOY AND GOTH GIRL by Barry Lyga – REVIEW October 2, 2009
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: bullying, friendship, graphic novels, high school, young adult
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I read this book a long time ago and didn’t realize the review wasn’t posted on my blog. Here it is now, since I’ll be referring to it in my review for the follow-up, GOTH GIRL RISING.
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Barry Lyga explodes into the teen literature world with his unique debut novel. THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FANBOY AND GOTH GIRL is a novel about one young man’s journey through confidence development.
Fanboy, a sophomore in high school, floats through life hoping to remain invisible since he has, more than once, fallen victim to bullies. His life is a lonely life. His parents have been divorced for six years; his mother is remarried and
pregnant, visits with his father are becoming less frequent due to his father’s increased social life, and he doesn’t relate to his stepfather at all.
Fanboy has been compiling a list for quite some time. The list includes people that have “pissed him off” for no particular reason. Once you are on the list, you never get off. This includes the jock jerks and girls from the cliques that seem to dismiss him as if he has no business even attending school with them.
One bright spot in Fanboy’s day is visiting with his friend Cal. Cal is a jock jerk, but also has a passion for comic books, and the two often debate, in depth, about different issues in the comic book universe. The problem with being
friends with Cal is, since he is a jock jerk, he doesn’t act like much of a friend at school. Fanboy knows to back off when Cal’s teammates approach them at school. Most of their conversations take place on the weekends or at night through instant messages.
Fanboy’s life begins to change when he receives an instant message from an unknown person. Fearing it is another trick to humiliate him, he doesn’t respond. After several messages and an email, he learns that it is a girl from his gym class. Kyra has been witnessing his torment the entire year. She has taken pictures of a bully hitting him in the arm while the teachers do nothing. After this initial contact through instant messaging, they agree to meet and Fanboy’s life will never be the same.
The biggest secret in Fanboy’s life, which he hasn’t even shared with Cal, is the graphic novel he is creating. Schemata takes up all of his free time and he can’t stop himself from sharing it with Kyra. She becomes a huge supporter and inspiration for the graphic novel. Fanboy is planning to attend a comic book convention where Michael Bendis himself is going to be signing autographs. Fanboy intends to show Bendis his work and truly believes it will be the break he needs to get Schemata published. Surprising and disastrous events at the convention lead Fanboy to worry about Kyra’s well-
being. While things don’t work out exactly as he plans, Fanboy realizes confidence is the key to his problems. After many uncharacteristic behaviors, he manages to come to terms with some of the issues in his life and makes plans for the future. He even takes someone off “the list.”
THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FANBOY AND GOTH GIRL will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy
teenage problem novels. Comic book fans will enjoy the graphic novel references, especially the cameo appearance by Michael Bendis. While the ending left me slightly unsatisfied, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of this novel. This will be a great addition to any collection.
MAXIMUM RIDE, VOL. 1 by James Patterson (Graphic Novel) – REVIEW June 1, 2009
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: adventure, graphic novels, series, young adult
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Yen Press – January 6, 2009
Reading MAXIMUM RIDE, VOL. 1 was a wonderful escape back to the days I loved the MAXIMUM RIDE series – before the disappointment of FINAL WARNING (I haven’t read MAX yet). For those of you who have been living under a rock for several years, here is a quick run down of the story.
Six kids are living on their own after being rescued from a scientific medical facility by one of its doctors. Max, the oldest, is left to care for the others after Jeb (the doctor) disappears. Max, Fang, Izzy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel aren’t like other children. They’ve had 2% bird DNA incorporated into their genetic makeup. Because of the bird DNA they have light bones, a larger lung capacity, and wings. The scientists spent years forcing the children to live in cages and conducting painful experiments on them. Izzy is even blind because of one of the experiments. The “flock” will do everything they can to stay away from The School (what they grew up calling the lab they were raised in), but when Angel, the youngest of the group at age six, is kidnapped they must ignore their fears and go to the school to try and save her.
The illustrations by NaRae Lee are spectacular. Max is beautiful, Fang is sexy, and Angel is angelic (ha!). Even though the graphic novel is just a rehash of the novel, it was still fun to read. The second volume is due out in October. Here is the schedule for the future. Apparently they are planning to keep the graphic novel going for some time.
WICKED LOVELY: DESERT TALES VOL. 1: SANCTUARY by Melissa Marr – REVIEW (Graphic Novel) May 6, 2009
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: desert, faeries, graphic novels, love, series, young adult
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The Bowen Press – May 1, 2009
It was such a treat to get this graphic novel and realize it was a completely different story within the WICKED LOVELY world. Keenan makes a brief appearance, but other than that the reader is introduced to totally new characters.
Rika lives in the isolation of the desert. She maintains invisibility around humans in order to observe them. She misses her humanity and feels some animosity toward Keenan for turning her into a faery when she attempted to become his Summer Queen. Rika wasn’t THE ONE and instead had to take on the chill of the Winter Queen until another girl came along and took her place. Rika didn’t want to be around Keenan after she became a regular faery because of the painful memories attached to him, so she made her home in the desert far away from the Faery Court.
Lately she has been observing Jayce, an artistic and handsome young man. When some mischievious faeries cause Jayce to fall during rock climbing, Rika must become visible in order to save him.
As Rika and Jayce get to know each other, they are pursued by other faeries and Jayce is put in danger. It seems that Rika is being manipulated by someone she trusts.
The reader will definitely be anxious to read the next installment in this graphic novel series. Melissa Marr has given us all new characters to fall in love with. Thank you Melissa.
Wicked Lovely:
Desert Tales, Volume 1:
Sanctuary
IN THE SMALL by Michael Hague (Graphic Novel) – REVIEW February 17, 2009
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: death, graphic novels, post apocalyptic, survival, young adult
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Little, Brown Young Readers – May 1st, 2008
Imagine, in the blink of an eye, in the flash of a blue light, you and every other human on the planet are reduced to less than six inches tall.
Imagine what it would be like in the world where nothing else was reduced in size. All the animals, insects, food, and shelter remained their regular size. Your backyard literally becomes a jungle.
IN THE SMALL presents just that scenario. Survivors struggle to make it to the safety of the home of their make shift leader, picking up stragglers along the way. Word has it, there are demons in their midst so Mouse, the leader, does his best to keep everyone together until they they make it to the safety of his home where he is hoping he’ll find his mother, sister, and grandfather alive.
The story moves very fast and anyone who enjoys reading about the post-apocalypse and survival will love this graphic novel. It is scheduled to be made into a movie in 2010.
DANIEL X: ALIEN HUNTER by James Patterson (Graphic Novel) – REVIEW November 27, 2008
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: aliens, friendship, graphic novels, young adult
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Daniel X is an alien hunter from another planet. He has powers that most people would consider pretty cool. Daniel can create anything using his mind. The most impressive thing he creates are his best friends. During times when he is the most lonely, he has his best friends appear and join him for talks, meals, and games.
Daniel is on a mission. He is after Number 7 on the list of the worst aliens on Earth. Daniel found the list after his parents were killed by the most dangerous alien on earth and took over their alien hunting duties.
Number 7 is the Chairman of a corporation called the Game Consortium. The Game Consortium makes its money by organizing brutal urban safaris. It breeds and releases creatures into cities and some of the worst scum in the galaxy pay for the opportunity to hunt and kill the target. Daniel gets more than he bargains for when he takes on the Chairman. He’ll have to rely on wisdom his father passes down, his friends, and a new and unlikely ally in order to survive.
Daniel learns a lot about himself and friendship during his adventure to put a stop to Number 7. James Patterson does a good job of giving a short recap of Daniel’s background without making it redundant. The illustrations are great and the full-color panels really make the scenes come alive. Reading the first book in the series, THE DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X, might be helpful to understand the entire background of the Daniel’s world, but it isn’t necessary in order to enjoy this graphic novel.
THE GOOD NEIGHBORS by Holly Black (Graphic Novel) – REVIEW October 28, 2008
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: 2008 read, faeries, family, graphic novels, young adult
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Rue is trying not to worry. Her mother has disappeared after a terrible fight with her father. Right after her mother disappears her father is arrested and accused of murdering one of the students he teaches at the University. Rue knows her father didn’t do anything wrong, but doesn’t know how to prove it. To add to her stress, Rue starts seeing things. Things that shouldn’t be possible in the real world. Things with wings. Things that look like faeries.
While Rue’s father is in jail she is taken to meet the grandfather she’s never met – her mother’s father. She finds out that her grandfather is one of the fey and what he has planned for the world is a danger to all mankind. Rue is the only one who can stop him.
When Rue’s mother makes a reappearance, she is extremely ill. Rue picks up some clues as to why her mother disappeared in the first place and puts others information together on her own.
In between looking for clues to the real story behind the girl her father is accused of killing, finding out about her mother, and coming to terms with her heritage, Rue is trying to maintain her life at school and with her friends.
THE GOOD NEIGHBORS is the first volume in the KIN series. Holly Black wraps up this volume nicely while still leaving readers begging for more. Fans of Black’s novels Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside will enjoy seeing the faeries come alive on the page of the graphic novel. Be looking for sequels sometime in the future.
VAMPIRE KISSES: BLOOD RELATIVES 2 (Graphic Novel) – REVIEW October 28, 2008
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: 2008 read, graphic novels, sequel, series, Vampire Kisses, vampires, young adult
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Raven is back for another adventure with the vampire love of her life, Alexander. Together they plot to keep Alexander’s cousin, Claude, from finding the blood vials he needs to turn into a full-blooded vampire.
If you haven’t read the actual books you’ll be missing some of the backstory. It would be best to start at the beginning and then read the graphic novels in order to get the whole picture. While this volume is longer than the first, it’s still not long enough. It is too hard to wait for the next installment, which comes out Fall 2009.
JANES IN LOVE by Cecil Castellucci October 18, 2008
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: art, friendship, graphic novels, love, series
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In this second installment of the PLAIN JANES series, the gang is looking for new ways to spread art around the community. Problems are looming on the horizon though. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and everyone is looking for a sweetheart for the big dance and pulling their sneak art attacks are getting harder and harder with Officer Sanchez always on the look out.
Jane still maintains correspondence with Miroslaw from the first book. From one of the letters Jane gets from him, she gets the idea to find a legal way to spread her art. She applies for a grant from the National Foundation for the Arts. Her proposal is based on taking an abandoned corner and turning it into a garden paradise to whole community can enjoy.
Despite some ups and downs, the Janes stay focused on their goal. This installment is just as entertaining as the first one. I’m assuming there will be another one, but I have no idea what it will be about since JANES IN LOVE wraps up so nicely.
CHIBI VAMPIRE by Yuna Kagesaki July 14, 2008
Posted by karinlibrarian in young adult.Tags: friendship, graphic novels, romance, school, vampires
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Karin is a vampire – she just isn’t like her other vampire family members. Whereas they drink the blood of humans for nourishment like traditional vampires, Karin has a problem with having too much blood in her body. Her blood constantly increases. It builds up faster the closer she is to a human with the type of blood she is attracted to. If it builds up too much, it gushes out in the form of a horrible nose bleed. Sometimes if someone is around her and the time is right she can bite someone and inject the blood into them. Her problem is, she can’t erase the memories of the people she bites. She must rely on her siblings for help.
Karin’s life becomes even more difficult when a transfer student arrives at her school. Kenta Usui causes Karin’s blood to increase everytime she is around him. She has trouble just looking at him. What is even worse is the fact that Kenta witnesses Karin biting someone, becomes suspicious of her, and is determined to find out what she is doing.
Karin must attempt to control her problem and figure out how to handle her relationship with Kenta. This is an interesting concept for a story and turned out to be pretty cute and I’m glad I gave them a chance (even though I bought the first one because the main character’s name, Karin, is spelled like my first name). I’ve read 5 volumes so far and plan to read the others soon. There are novelizations and an animation series available as well.
