Published by Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  Alyssa Bermudez used her real diaries from seventh and eighth grade to create this graphic novel that takes place in New York City from 2000 to 2002.  Her main concerns starting seventh grade are dealing with the popular kids, her crush on Alejandro, and owning as many pairs of funky shoes as her parents and Catholic school will allow.  She slowly matures through the next two years, a process that is hastened by 9/11 (her parents both work in the financial district), her father’s illness, and a desire to get into the best high school she can.  By graduation time, it’s clear she’s ready for the new challenges that lie ahead in high school.  Includes a 4-page author’s note with lots more information and photos about her life during those years.  288 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  Fans of the Raina Telgemeier graphic novel genre will love the real-life story of Alyssa that includes many light moments (shaving her eyebrows, accidentally dyeing her hair orange), as well as the very serious ones engendered by being so close to the events of 9/11.  

Cons:  The art is all done in blue and black…I prefer the full-color illustration of Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson.

Published by JY

Summary:  Grace is excited to be starting middle school, but before long she’s dealing with what’s been a lifelong problem for her: living in the shadow of her popular, athletic brother Kyle.  One of her two best friends, Jay, has a crush on Kyle, and the other friend, Amy is trying to push the shyer Jay into telling Kyle how she feels about him.  Finally, Jay and Grace have had enough, and the whole friendship falls apart at a disastrous sleepover.  Feeling friendless, Grace welcomes the overtures of a more popular girl named Cam, and enjoys hanging out with her and her friends until she starts to notice what a bully Cam can be, particularly towards Amy.  When Grace learns that Cam has a crush on Kyle and is just using Grace to get to her brother, she realizes that Cam isn’t a real friend…and that Amy and Jay were.  Fortunately, the two other girls have come to a similar conclusion, and the friendship is soon back and better than ever (and even Kyle turns out to be not such a bad guy).  240 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  Did you follow all that?  There is a LOT of middle school drama in these 240 pages, but it is true to life, and fans of the realistic fiction graphic novel genre will love both the story and the anime-style art.

Cons:  At times, dialog was written in bubbles with no little tail indicating who was saying the words, which I found a bit confusing.

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:  Jo is facing a lonely summer with her father working away from home much of the time and not a lot of friends.  One dull morning, she sees a dog walk by with a basket in his mouth, she follows him and discovers he’s been trained to shop, going to different stores with a list and cash in his basket.  Some kids taking an art class at a bookstore see Jo and assume the dog belongs to her.  They all fall in love with him and want to paint him.  Jo, enjoying the company of other kids, plays along, and promises to bring “her” dog back the following Saturday.  The lie seems harmless enough, but when a curmudgeonly old man goes after the dog (now called Pawcasso) for breaking the leash law, the whole town becomes divided into two camps: the Picassos and the Duchamps.  Jo wants to tell the truth, but will her honesty cause her to lose Pawcasso and all of her new friends?  Includes a recipe for ice cream that can be enjoyed by both dogs and humans.  240 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  I try not to indiscriminately toss around the word “adorable”, but that is the only word for Pawcasso and his friends.  Elementary kids are going to love this graphic novel, which not only features an amazing and loveable dog, but also includes some well-delivered messages about families and forgiveness.

Cons:  Jo’s twin baby brothers had disturbingly huge eyes.