Sanity & Tallulah

Written and illustrated by Molly Brooks

A graphic novel for readers in grades 3 and up reviewed by Madison

    

Sanity and Tallulah is a book about two friends, Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega. They both live in a space station, but find that living there can be pretty dull. As a result, they conduct fun science experiments to help keep them from being bored. When their new experiment escapes from the station, they need to find it before it causes mayhem.

I like Sanity and Tallulah because it was written and illustrated in a comic book format, which is fun to look at while you are reading. This book is interesting and makes you want to continue reading to see what will happen next. Overall, I would recommend it to other kids.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 2

Written and illustrated by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

A graphic novel for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Donte

        

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 2, which was originally published by Mirage Studios in the 1990s, continues the adventures of the four Turtles and their rat sensei, Splinter, as they battle new enemies and face old foes. This volume features a more complex storyline and character development, with the Turtles questioning their purpose and struggling with their identities. The art style continues to be simple yet effective, with detailed illustrations that showcase the action scenes and emotional moments. The introduction of new characters, such as Casey Jones and the vigilante Nobody, adds depth to the story and creates new dynamics in the group.

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 2 is a great continuation of the series’ first volume. It builds upon the foundations laid in the first volume while exploring new themes and introducing new elements to the TMNT universe. As a fan of the Turtles and a comic book enthusiast, I enjoyed this compelling and entertaining volume. I particularly liked how it developed the Turtles and progressed the story.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 1

Written and illustrated by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

A graphic novel for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Donte

        

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 1 is the original comic book series created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird that launched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise. Published by Mirage Studios in the 1980s, the series follows the adventures of four mutated turtles named after Renaissance artists - Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael - who are trained by their rat sensei, Splinter, to fight crime on the streets of New York City.

The first volume of TMNT is a gritty and violent comic that takes a darker approach to the characters compared to the more kid-friendly adaptations that would follow. The art style is simple yet effective, with black-and-white illustrations that capture the raw energy of the action scenes. Despite its initial cult following, the series would go on to become a massive cultural phenomenon, spawning countless adaptations in film, television, and merchandise.

The original TMNT comics remain a beloved part of the franchise's history and are a must-read for fans of the Turtles and comic book enthusiasts alike. I loved reading this book for its action and story. It was fun, and the dark and comedic scenes kept me engaged.

Sheets

Written and illustrated by Brenna Thummler

A graphic novel for readers in grades 5 and up reviewed by Madison

        

Sheets by Brenna Thummler is a graphic novel about a 13-year-old girl named Marjorie Glatt, who is in charge of running her family's laundry business after the death of her mother. Marjorie faces multiple problems along the way. One is a character named Mr. Saubertuck, who wants to buy the business and turn it into a spa. Another problem for Marjorie is a ghost that keeps causing problems for the business.

I liked Sheets because Marjorie is very determined, even though she faces many problems. I also like that it causes readers to experience many different emotions. I would recommend this graphic novel to readers in 6th grade and up.

Drama

Written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

A graphic novel for readers in grades 3 and up reviewed by Bella

        

Callie loves theater, but she unfortunately can’t sing. So, she joins the stage crew of her school’s production of Moon Over Mississippi as a set designer.

Callie underestimates the drama of her school’s drama club and finds herself struggling. The members of the drama club are not getting along, and the problems get more heated once everyone finds out who got what part in Moon Over Mississippi. Callie then has to try to make an amazing set design for the production while on a tight middle school budget.

As a former stage crew member, I find this book super fun and relatable. I loved its storyline and would definitely recommend it to anybody who has been a part of a team or club.

Sisters

Written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

A graphic novel for readers in grades 3 and up reviewed by Bella

    

Sisters is a story that anybody with siblings can relate to, as Raina and her sister Amara have a very interesting relationship. When Raina was a toddler, she always wanted a sister to play and bond with. When that wish came true, her expectations didn’t match reality. Raina and Amara didn’t get along, and their relationship became progressively more complicated as they grew older. Eventually, Amara and Raina become big sisters to a baby brother and have to deal with family problems while having to try to get along.

Even though I can't relate to Sisters because I am an only child, it's still one of my favorite graphic novels. It is energetic and attention grabbing. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who could possibly relate to Raina and Amara!

Sunny Side Up

Written by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm

A graphic novel for readers in grades 3 and up reviewed by Bella

        

Sunny Side Up is the perfect summer story. A young girl named Sunny arrives in West Palm Beach, Florida to spend the summer with her grandfather. At first, Sunny has high expectations about living with her grandfather over the summer, but is disappointed to find out that where her grandfather lives isn't all that interesting. While Sunny is staying with her grandfather, she meets a boy named Buzz, who makes her time at the Pine Palms Retirement Community a little more interesting.

The book Sunny Side Up is a cute summer story that I honestly really enjoyed. It is funny, entertaining, and really grabs the reader's attention. I recommend it to anyone who loves graphic novels!

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History

Written and Illustrated by Art Spiegelman

A graphic novel for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Hugo

    

Maus I is the first half of a hand drawn comic book based on the true story of a man named Vladek Spiegelman, the father of the book's author, Art Spiegelman. The book beautifully captures Vladek’s story, which is about how he, as a Jewish man, survived the tragic events of the Holocaust and World War II.

 

The way in which the author tells his father's story is very unique. He portrays humans as different animals. For example, he draws Jewish people as mice, the Polish as pigs, and Nazis as cats.

 

As one might imagine, some scenes described in Maus I are very disturbing. But, the book also succeeds in shocking readers with terrifyingly realistic depictions of its events, even though one might expect the story to be much more subtle due to the comic's subject matter. However, with Spiegelman’s incredible ability to perfectly recreate the tales of his father, the reader is left perplexed and wanting to read more.

 

Chapter one begins with Art Spiegelman meeting up with Vladek in Rego Park before returning to his father’s home to discuss how he wants to learn about and record his story. Vladek's story begins with him meeting Art's mother, Anja. There is some drama surrounding this. Eventually, Vladek moves to Sosnowiec, the city where Anja lives.

 

In the next chapter, the tone of the story begins to shift into something a bit more grave with the discovery of Anja having severe depression, as well as the signs of the beginning of the Holocaust and the mention of war.

 

In the third chapter, and the majority of those that follow, the story takes a turn for the worse. After enlisting himself to go to the frontlines of the war, Vladek is taken as a prisoner of war, and Anja is captured by the Gestapo. At the end of the book, they both end up in the same concentration camp in Auschwitz.

 

Both the details of reality that are embedded into Maus I and its awe-striking plot will certainly leave you amazed.

Guts

Written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

A graphic novel for readers in grades 3 and up reviewed by Rida

  

Guts is an autobiographical graphic novel. The main character of the book is a girl named Raina, who wakes up with a terrible stomachache. Her mom also has a stomachache, so they think it has to do with something they ate. When Raina goes back to school, she realizes that her tummy troubles are not going away.

Overall, Raina Telgemeier tells a hilarious story about growing up and conquering her fears.