Zeus: King of the Gods

O'Connor, George. Zeus: king of the gods. New York: First Second, 2010. ISBN: 1596434317.

Author / Illustrator Website: http://geooco.blogspot.com/

Olympians Series Website: http://olympiansrule.blogspot.com/

Awards: Nominated for Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards (CYBILS), 2010.

Media: Black Ink and Photoshop Color Tool after Scanning Ink Sketch

Use of Simile: (p. 4) “the three Cyclopes, enormous and powerful as storms,” (p. 15) “swift as the wind,” (p. 17) “as fluid as the sea,”

Use of Alliteration: (p. 31) “be beaten by brats,”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 53) “Hiiiiiiissssss.” (p. 61) “BOOM!”

Special Notations: 2010 Copyright Date, Lesson Plan (available at http://picturebooksforbigkids.blogspot.com/2011/08/6th-grade-ancient-greece-lesson-plan.html), Graphic Novel (Non-Fiction), Personal Top Ten, Challenged Book Potential (see discussion after Personal Reaction)

Curricular Connection: History Social-Science Content Standards for California, Grade Six, Standard 6.4.4: Explain the significance of Greek mythology to the everyday life of people in the region and how Greek literature continues to permeate our literature and language today, drawing from Greek mythology and epics, such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and from Aesop's Fables.

Annotation: Zeus, son of Kronos, takes on his powerful father to save his brothers and sisters. Zeus and his siblings battle the Titans and begin their rule of the Earth from the heights of Olympus in this comic style mythology lesson.

Personal Reaction: George O’Connor’s new series, the Olympians, debuts with volume 1, Zeus: King of the Gods. O’Connor brings classic comic book drawing style together with Greek mythology for a strong new entry in the graphic novel genre. I was surprised by the informed and powerful storytelling voice that accompanies O’Connor’s strong, fluid artwork. At times, the narration is almost poetic: “Wife and husband, Gaea and Ouranos, earth and sky, together, alone, in the nothing,” (p. 3). O’Connor offers a complete history of the Gods of Mount Olympians from the beginning with Gaea and Ouranos to Kronos and Rhea through the clash of the Titans which results in the dawn of a new age starring the Olympians Gods. While all of the facts about Zeus and his family’s history are included in this graphic novel, there is also humor. On pages 20-21, Zeus and Metis, the daughter of Oceanus, banter playfully as they plan Zeus’ overthrow of his father Kronos. “Because I’m so much smarter than you, of course,” (p. 21) says Metis as the two figure out how to save Zeus’ siblings. I enjoyed the contrast between O’Connor’s looming drawing of Kronos and on of the Gigantes with the light dialogue: “P-please don’t eat us. Thank you,” (p. 24). The artwork is big and does its share of storytelling; on page 24, O’Connor introduces Zeus’ brothers and sisters and uses color to highlight their areas of expertise. Poseidon is shown in a panel filled with blue and aqua, reelecting his water realm while “fair-haired Demeter,” is shown in a yellow field of corn. Mythology in a graphic novel format seems like a great match because the vivid illustrations work so well with the grand action of the Gods. Zeus slays Kampe the dragon to gain access to Tartoros to save the Cyclopes and enlist their help in fighting Kronos. Zeus also claims his birthright, the thunderbolt, from his grandmother, Gaea, and all of this activity is well-presented with bold lines and rich color, reminiscent of comics of years gone by. O’Connor wraps up this impressive first installment of the Olympians with a thorough appendix that includes discussion questions, biographies for the main characters, helpful notes on for Greek names and terms, as well as an author note about Greek mythology. Student readers will also appreciate the Olympian family tree at the beginning of the book and a strong list of additional reading material.

Challenged Book: While the United States has a long history of protecting personal freedom, Americans also have a long history of challenging and banning books at the cost of personal freedom. People challenge, ban and object to books everyday according to ALA statistics, typically with good intentions, too (ALA, 2008). In fact, these days it is mostly parents doing the challenging (ALA 2008). Reasons for challenging books often fall into three categories according to the American Library Association: a book contains sexually explicit material, the book contains offensive language or the book is unsuitable for a particular age group. One look at these three categories brings to mind one question for me: according to who? Who is to say what sexually explicit is? Who determines which words are offensive? Who says which books are suitable and how do we protect one age group without detriment to another age group? Book challenges and book banning are, by nature, biased. Reading is for everyone and in the words of librarian and philosopher, Ranganathan, “every book its reader.” Ranganathan’s third law of library science essentially says that every book out there is for someone (Cloonan & Dove, 2005). In other words, if one person or even a thousand people raise concerns about a book, so what . . . that book still has an audience and we need to make that book available to that audience. Every book can be deemed useful to someone, if that book isn’t pulled from the shelves. Every book has the potential to be offensive to someone and censorship is often personal and arbitrary. Personal and arbitrary feelings by an individual should not inform freedom and access to books.

When I read Zeus: King of the Gods, my first reaction was that this book would be fantastic for sixth graders studying mythology. My second reaction was concern that some parents might object to the book. I work as an elementary school librarian and I would never dream of censoring a library collection, but I do need to be prepared to address parental concerns and challenges to the collection. I’ve had parents object to Harry Potter books, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks for reasons ranging from profanity to allegations of witchcraft. Zeus: King of the Gods includes the word “bastard,” and shows Zeus leaning over Metis, shirtless, asking for a kiss. There are also a number of visually intense illustrations featuring violence. O’Connor’s book has the potential to be challenged on the basis of being sexually explicit, containing offensive language and being unsuitable for certain age groups. Yet, Ranganathan and I both know that O’Connor’s book has its reader and needs to be on the shelf, available to that reader. If parents approach me with concerns about Zeus: King of the Gods, I can always rely on the ALA to support the inclusion of this book in the library’s collection. According to ALA and the “Free Access to Minors” document, “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources. Censorship by librarians of constitutionally protected speech, whether for protection or for any other reason, violates the First Amendment,” (ALA, 2008).” As a librarian, I am bound to not practice censorship and it’s actually up to every parent to make decisions about which books are and aren’t appropriate for their children. I would share with concerned parents both the reasons why I believe that Zeus: King of the Gods is an excellent book for sixth graders and why it will remain on the library shelves, library shelves that are browsed by readers who might be too young for the book (as determined by a parent). This book has to be available for “its reader,” and censorship is not the answer when it comes to helping children of any age select books.

References

About Banned & Challenged Books," American Library Association, July 29, 2008.

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/aboutbannedbooks/index.cfm

(Accessed July 31, 2011). Document ID: 501522

Cloonan, M., & Dove, J. (2005). Ranganathan online: Do digital libraries violate the third law?. Library Journal, 130(6), 58.

Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf

Holm, Jennifer L. Middle school is worse than meatloaf: a year told through stuff. Illustrated by Elicia Castaldi. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2007. ISBN: 978-0689852817.

Author Website: http://www.jenniferholm.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.eliciacastaldi.com/

Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books, A Junior Library Guild Selection, Charlotte Award Ballot (New York), Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List (Vermont), South Carolina Book Award Nominee.

Media: Digitally Rendered Collage using Photographs and Photoshop

Use of Repetition: “too expensive! Wait for Christmas!” Ginny’s Mom writes several times throughout the book in response to Ginny’s wish list for various items.

Special Notations: Personal Top Ten, 2009 Students’ List

Annotation: Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf chronicles the very bumpy seventh grade experience of Ginny Davis as she navigates dressing cool, adjusting to a stepdad, troublesome brothers, babysitting, friendships, homework and her first dance.

Personal Reaction: Twelve year old Ginny Davis’ seventh grade school experience is told though to do lists, poems, bank statements, receipts, notes, report cards, homework assignments, calendars and horoscopes and the result is a heartwarmingly realistic story that pulled me right back to my own seventh grade experience. Ginny has a juvenile delinquent brother named Henry (her favorite brother) and a little brother named Timmy who wears a cape everywhere (not her favorite brother). A drunk driver killed Ginny’s father, readers learn through one of Ginny’s essays for English class. It comes as a bit of a surprise to Ginny that gaining a stepdad takes some adjustment; Ginny was the one who set her mother up with Bob the insurance salesman, after all, and she really liked Bob. That was before Ginny and all of her friends saw Bob’s orange boxer shorts with polka dots during Ginny’s birthday slumber party. Ginny’s older brother is funny and impulsive and prone to stealing things like garden gnomes and cars. Ginny just wants to have the right sweater, be friends with Mary Catherine Kelly, take a flattering school photo, and convince her older brother to “chill out,” (p. 7). Instead Ginny gets a sweater with lipstick stains, loses the part of the sugar plum fairy in the local ballet production to Mary Catherine Kelly, a school photo with chopped off pink hair and an older brother who lands himself in military reform school. Readers can see how Ginny is faring by reviewing her report card. Ginny’s grades start out in the A-B range, except for a C in art, and plummet steadily as the school year goes on. I empathized with Ginny as she negotiated her way through meatloaf day in the school cafeteria, teen girl magazine advice columns, toilet seats left up by the male members of her household and a broken arm sustained trying to get her little brother Timmy out of a tree. I laughed out loud at notes from Ginny’s Mom, signed “the management,” Ginny’s regularly updated to do list, dwindling bank balance and Ginny’s decision to never babysit the nose-biting Tiffany Kurtz ever again, no matter how much she needed spending money. Ginny’s year takes a turn for the better eventually, thanks to the support of her Grandpa Joe, “a.k.a. the old guy in Florida,” as he signs his letters (p. 15), supportive teachers, a loving mother and an invitation to the Spring Fling from a boy in her class. Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf is a perfect read for six graders and shows the range of the gifted Jennifer L. Holm. Holm has won the Newberry for Our Only May Amelia, a Newbery honor for Penny from Heaven and delighted countless readers with her graphic novel series BabyMouse, co-authored with her brother Matthew. Elicia Castaldi’s digitally produced artwork is a visual treat and demonstrates that there’s more than one way to tell a good story.

Calamity Jack

Hale, Shannon and Hale, Dean. Calamity Jack. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN: 1599903733.

Authors Websites: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html (Shannon Hale) http://www.dreadcrumbs.com/ (Dean Hale)

Illustrator Website: http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/

Media: Pen and ink, both color and sepia washes

Use of Alliteration: (p. 4) “Beanstalk Bonanza.” (p. 6) “Purloined Pig,” (p. 9) “Failed Flamingo Filching.”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 87) “KRAK.” (p. 40) “WHAM.”

Use of Simile: (p. 85) “Jack, do you think I’m sweet like cake?”

Special Notations: 2010 Copyright Date, Graphic Novel (Fairy Tale retelling), Personal Top Ten

Annotation: Small time trickster and thief Jack of Jack and the Beanstalk fame plans a heist that is just too much for one fabulous graphic novel character. Jack calls in his friend Rapunzel and the two set out to save Jack’s hometown.

Personal Reaction: Jack became a favorite character for me when I read the opening line to this sequel to Rapunzel’s Revenge, “I think of myself as a criminal mastermind . . . with an unfortunate amount of bad luck,” (p. 4). Readers get plenty of insight into Jack’s accurate self-assessment. For example, later in the story, several comic panels showing Jack being hurled through the air are labeled, “Yep. My best plan ever. I’m a genius,” (p. 129). The At the beginning of Calamity Jack, readers learn about Jack’s early years which were filled with schemes, stunts and capers that didn’t always go as planned. Jack’s momma is not a fan of his schemes and so Jack commits to reforming himself . . . after one final scheme big enough to help his momma save her bakery business. Jack makes plans to rob a rich man named Blunderboar. Readers will recognize Jack from the well-known fairytale when he steals a bean from an unusually attired passerby to grow a “ladder,” to gain access to a rooftop. Fans of Rapunzel will be glad to see her step in to help Jack when he finds himself in over his head in this fantastic adventure. The Hales have created another wonderful graphic novel retelling of a familiar fairytale that stands on its own or as a sequel to Rapunzel’s Revenge. Fans of the Hales’ new series will enjoy becoming better acquainted with Jack. Jack is that smart aleck kid that other kids love to watch and Calamity Jack showcases Jack’s appeal and foibles in this comic style story about catching the bad guys. Nathan Hale’s illustrations manage to blend action, pixies, giant green beans and an urban set in a way that is visually entertaining, but not overly busy. I particularly enjoyed Hale’s renderings of maps, city plans, a maze (p. 95) and a warning note to “straw-brained IDIOTS” signed “Lovingly yours, Stig,” (p. 103).

Amelia and Eleanor go for a Ride

Ryan, Pam Muñoz, and Brian Selznick. 1999. Amelia and Eleanor go for a ride: based on a true story. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 978-0590960755.

Author Website: http://www.pammunozryan.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/about_brian_bio.htm

Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book,
Book Sense Book of the Year Finalist

Media: Pencil on Paper

Use of Metaphor: (p. 5) “Amelia and Eleanor were birds of a feather.”

Use of Alliteration: (p. 17) “circled cities.”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 16) “Amelia’s eyes sparkled.” “the stars glitter.”

Special Notations: Personal Top Ten

Annotation: Two famous women, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart, share a memorable dinner at The White House and a magical flight over Washington D.C. after dinner in this historical picture book.

Personal Reaction: Brian Selznick’s extraordinary pencil drawings open Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride with a page full of seashell shaped clouds beckoning readers to take flight along with Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt. Selznick’s trademark hatch marks and fine lines guide the reader’s perspective throughout the book. The title page shows a close up frontal view of an airplane and subsequent biographical pages of Earhart and Roosevelt highlight the women’s facial expressions. Later in the story, Selznick draws an incredible nighttime view of Washington D.C. to highlight the vantage point offered by flying this same airplane. Munoz Ryan provides a lively text that introduces us to Roosevelt’s warmth and Earhart’s passion for flying. “Bring your husband and come to dinner at my house!” says Eleanor; of course, “my house,” is the White House! Selznick draws a realistic-looking White House surrounded by cherry blossoms that mimic the spiral shape found in the clouds throughout the illustrations. The next page shows Amelia’s husband reading a newspaper with the headline, “Earhart Flies,” in order to share Earhart’s achievements and fame with readers. Munoz Ryan’s storytelling is balanced as she cleverly follows each page about Roosevelt with a page of similar content about Earhart. This book would be an excellent book to introduce a class project about famous American woman. It could also be used for an art lesson. The profile drawings of Roosevelt and Eleanor on pages 18 and 19 would be a nice inspiration for students sketching self-portraits. Students will find a recipe for Roosevelt’s angel food cake at the back of the book, as well as an excellent author note with biographical details about these two famous women. The book closes with a copy of a black and white photograph of the two women enjoying each other’s company.

Weslandia

Fleischman, Paul. Weslandia. Kevin Hawkes. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0756965662.

Author Website: http://www.paulfleischman.net/

Illustrator Website: http://www.kevinhawkes.com/home.htm

Awards: Arizona Young Readers’ Award Winner, Intermediate, 2001.

California Young Reader Medal, Picture Book for Older Readers, 2002.

Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award Winner, 2002. Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Winner, 2001.

Media: Acrylic Paint

Detailed Artwork Discussion: Hawkes’ rich acrylic paintings fill every borderless page of Weslandia and in some cases, tell all of the action, as some pages are text-free. At the beginning of the story, Wesley is excited about his plan to start a civilization and “his eyes blazed,” (p. 9). Hawkes covers the lenses of Wesley’s glasses with vibrant yellow, orange and red spirals to convey Wesley’s enthusiasm for his plan. As Wesley’s garden blooms, readers are treated to pages of lush grasses, flowers and vegetables. When Wesley fashions his own clothing, Hawkes’ paintings show the fibers of the cloth. Hawkes pays careful attention to the natural light in Wesley’s world, showing shadows cast through the windows of Wesley’s home. When Wesley invents a sundial, Hawkes opts for an aerial view that is captivating for readers and Wesley’s neighbor, who is shown peeking into Wesley’s yard over his fence. Hawkes has illustrated dozens of books and won many awards for his rich, colorful work.

Use of Simile: (p.4) “He sticks out. Like a nose.”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 9) “his eyes blazed,” (p. 10) “set his curtains snapping.”

Curricular Connection: California Standards for Grade Six: World History and Geography: Ancient Civilizations: Students develop higher levels of critical thinking by considering why civilizations developed where and when they did, why they became dominant, and why they declined.

Special Notations: 2009 Students’ List, Detailed Artwork Discussion, Personal Top Ten

Annotation: Misfit Wesley hatches an ambitious plan to occupy himself during summer vacation: he grows his own crops and starts his own civilization. Wesley fits in somewhere for the first time and finds making friends in his new civilization a lot easier.

Personal Reaction: Wesley “was an outcast from the civilization around him,” and had “refused to shave half his head, the hairstyle worn by all of the other boys, despite his father’s bribe of five dollars,” (p. 5). I found Wesley, the main character in Weslandia, endearing from the beginning of this story by award winning author Paul Fleischman. Wesley is a little different than the other kids at school; even Wesley’s parents comment on the misfit tendencies of their son. After a lesson about seeds at the end of the school year, Wesley has a brilliant idea to grow his own crops and found his own civilization. Wesley’s crops are bountiful, and unique. When a curious neighbor asks if the plants are tomatoes, beans or Brussels sprouts, Wesley’s reply is humorously reminiscent of a multiple choice quiz, “None of the above,” (p. 15). Wesley invents his own alphabet, counting system and sports. The new civilization catches the attention of more than a few other kids and soon Wesley has made several friends. It turns out that Wesley isn’t a misfit in his new civilization or in his old one. Weslandia is a picture books that students of varied ages would enjoy. I would pair this book with a lesson for 6^th graders on the elements of civilization and read the story as an introduction to the lesson. This mini lesson would be a nice precursor to the sixth grade social studies unit on ancient civilizations.

Laika

Abadzis, Nick. Laika. Colored by Hilary Sycamore. New York: First Second, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-59643-101-0

Author / Illustrator Website: http://www.nickabadzis.com/

Colorist Website: None

Awards: YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens, Top Ten Graphic Novel; Kirkus Best Book of the Year; Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of the Year

Media: Pen, Ink and Colored Markers.

Use of Repetition: (p. 6, 15, etc.) “I am a man of destiny.”

Special Notations: 2009 Students’ List, Personal Top Ten, Graphic Novel

Annotation: in the 1950’s, Premier Kruschev charges a Russian space engineer to trump the Sputnik launch. This historical graphic novel offers insight into Russian politics, the race for space and tells the story of Laika, the first dog in space.

Personal Reaction: Laika would be my number one recommendation for readers who consider themselves above comic books. With Laika, writer and artist Nick Abadzis proves that graphic novels can compete with quality historical fiction. I have always sided with Gordon Korman when it comes to stories about dead dogs, but Laika pulled me in with Russian politics, realistic drawings and a history lesson on the race for space. “I am a man of destiny,” (p. 6) is Korolev’s mantra when he is escaping from a gulag (Russian prison) and when he is the head engineer on the Sputnik launch nearly two decades later. Unfortunately for Korolev, this is 1957 and Russia is determined to outpace the United States in the space race and Premier Kruschev’s satisfaction with Sputnik is fleeting. Kruschev demands that Korolev launch something spectacular within a month’s time. Hence, Laika is identified as the first “cosmodog.” The story is historically based and Abadzis provides a factual afterword, as well as a bibliography and list of websites for learning more about the Russian space program and animals.

The Composer is Dead

Snicket, Lemony and Stookey, Nathaniel. The composer is dead. Illustrated by Carson Ellis. New York: HarperCollins, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-06-123627-3.

Author Website: http://www.lemonysnicket.com/ (Snicket)

http://www.schirmer.com/default.aspx?TabId=2419&State_2872=2&composerId_2872=3094 (Stookey).

Illustrator Website: http://www.carsonellis.com/

Media: Ink and watercolor.

Use of Simile: (p. 14) “making you act like birds.”

Use of Alliteration: (p. 22) “battered the band, agitated the audience, rattled the roof.”

Use of Repetition: (p. 6) “I will find them if they are lurking,” is repeated four times. (pages 11, 13, 16, 21) “AHA! The Inspector cried.” (p. 26) “Beethoven—dead! Bach—dead! Mozart—dead! Haydn—dead!”

Use of Personification: (p. 9) “second violins, who are more fun at parties.” (p. 11) “Don’t be ridiculous! The violins said.” (p. 12) “Everyone forgets about us,” said the violas bitterly.”

Special Notations: 2009 Students’ List, Personal Top Ten

Annotation: An amusing and theatrical police inspector attempts to solve the mystery of a deceased composer. Snicket introduces readers to instruments in an orchestra and includes a CD of an original composition by Snookey played by the San Francisco Orchestra.

Personal Reaction: The Composer is Dead is a special book from cover to cover; the front cover is illustrated as a theater marquee and the back cover is the stage door. Once I opened the book and stepped into the theater, I found a CD of music composed by Stookey and performed by the San Francisco symphony. Lemony Snicket added to the entertainment with a humorous mystery, reminiscent of the Pink Panther. Snicket’s trademark humor and writing style will be welcomed by The Series of Unfortunate Events fans; Snicket even offers a definition of the term, “composer.” The narrator is a police inspector with a murder to solve. Snicket injects plenty of humor into the inspector’s dialogue: “very handsome and intelligent, not unlike myself,” comments the inspector (p.8). Readers are treated to an introduction to the different parts of an orchestra as the inspector accuses each of killing the composer. The inspector repeatedly shouts, “AHA!” and whirls around in anticipation only to find that the violins, brass, violas, strings, and others have valid alibis. Ellis’ artwork plays well with Snicket’s text as she uses ink lines to convey swirling motion around her watercolor drawings of the inspector and his accusatory finger (p.13). This book would make a fantastic read aloud for a music teacher of first time orchestra members.

Sherlock Holmes and a Scandal in Bohemia

Shaw, Murray, M. J. Cosson, and Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes and a scandal in Bohemia. Illustrated by Sophie Rohrbach. Minneapolis: Graphic Universe, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-7613-6185-5

Author Website: None

Illustrator Website: http://sophie.rohrbach.free.fr/

Media: Pen and Colored Ink.

Use of Alliteration: (p. 31) “blood flowing freely from his face.”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 31) “Bang! Whack! Thump!” (p. 33) “Zwoosh!”

Use of Simile: (p. 22) “She has a voice like a songbird.” (p. 23) “Drive like the devil to the church.”

Special Notations: 2011 Copyright Date, Graphic Novel (Fiction), Personal Top 10.

Annotation: In this graphic novel adaptation of a classic Sherlock Holmes and Watson tale, Holmes is hired by Count Von Kramm to prevent a scandal about the famous royal family of Bohemia from leaking.

Personal Reaction: This graphic novel adaptation is a brilliant and fresh retelling of a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Rohrbach’s sepia and gray-toned illustrations portray Holmes as a relaxed sleuth who delights in going undercover. Rohrbach uses obvious gestures and body language in her drawings to lightly move the story along. Holmes is shown holding his chin to convey deep thinking (p. 13); this illustration works well with the dialogue, “I deduced as much.” On another page, Holmes is depicted wearing a smoking jacket as he relaxes and enjoys his client’s background story (p. 17). This Sherlock Holmes is relaxed and playful. A date and time stamp on the illustrations helps set the mood and let the reader know how Holmes is faring in terms of meeting his client’s deadline. Shaw and Cosson’s writing is done with a light voice and is nicely paced; the story and illustrations flow just the way a good mystery should. Watson provides periodic narration in the form of case memos that he types up and the story ends with a satisfactory twist. On pages 46 and 47, the authors provide an explanation of the mystery in detail, ideas for additional reading and the address for a website about the original Sherlock Holmes.

The Little Prince

Sfar, Joann. Adapted from the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry The little prince. Color by Brigitte Findakly. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-547-33802-6

Author / Illustrator Website: http://www.joann-sfar.com/wpen/

Media: Watercolor

Award: Youth Essential Prize, Angoulême International Comics Festival, 2009.

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 9) “I wish that he’d stop bleating on,” (p. 23) “Craaaaack!”

Use of Simile: (p. 22) “They’re big as churches.”

Use of Personification: (p. 30) “Flowers are weak. They’re naïve. And they’re insecure. They think their thorns make them look terrifying.”

Use of Alliteration: (p. 9) “Scritch! Scratch! Scribble!”

Special Notations: Personal Top Ten, 2010 Copyright, Graphic Novel

Annotation: A solo pilot is stranded in the desert. He meets a wise and inquisitive little boy, supposedly from another planet, and the two have a conversation that ranges from amusing to profound while the pilot attempts to fix his plane.

Personal Reaction: The Little Prince, originally written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in 1943 has been translated and update before, but never Sfar’s treatment is something new altogether. This classic book, which most would be afraid to touch, is reinvented as a graphic novel by acclaimed comic artist Joann Sfar and I was delighted and impressed by the results. Somehow, the essence of the original work is not lost, but enhanced and instead of feeling like a new version, Sfar’s work feels like The Little Prince for this generation. The watercolor illustrations are vivid and lively in contrast to the original drawings published in 1943 and yet, these new graphic novel style illustrations suit the content perfectly in the 21^st century. I highly recommend this book and believe it is a wonderful example of how a classic can be given new life for a new generation.