Published by Graphix

Summary:  It’s 1977, and Sunny is starting seventh grade in her third graphic novel.  Her best friend, Deb, is interested in boys, makeup, and clothes, while Sunny sees the boys as partners for playing the new game Dungeons and Dragons.  For awhile, she gives into peer pressure, even telling the guys she’s through with D & D. At the big middle school dance, though, Sunny has curled her hair and bought a fancy dress, but she ends up with her three gaming friends out in the hall and decides she’d rather hang out with them.  Readers of the first books will enjoy cameo appearances by her grandfather and troubled older brother (who seems to be doing well in the Navy), but this book is mostly a middle school tale about Sunny. 224 pages; grades 3-7.

Pros:  The first two books have been very popular among the Raina Telgemeier/Victoria Jamieson groupies in my library, and I’m sure this one will be as well.  Lots of ‘70’s nostalgia (Sunny’s one year younger than me, and I’m pretty sure that the word “groovy” wasn’t as popular in the 1977-78 school year as this book would lead you to believe) and a fun lesson about being yourself.

Cons:  This book is pretty light and fluffy and doesn’t tackle the tough issues like the first two did.

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Published by Graphix

Summary:  When Stacey and Mary Ann are invited to go to Sea City with the Pike family as mother’s helpers, they can’t for a two-week vacation at the Jersey shore.  But when Stacey develops a massive crush on Scott the lifeguard, Mary Ann gets stuck with all the work. Not surprisingly, Scott breaks Stacey’s heart, and further tween-age drama ensues.  Mary Ann and Stacey eventually patch up their friendship, and the two of them meet a boy babysitter and his cousin, who are closer in age than the lifeguard. A fun double date (complete with first kiss in the Tunnel of Love) leaves Stacey feeling good about her trip. 176 pages; grades 3-5.

Pros:  Long-time blog readers know that I find the Baby-Sitters Club books as irresistible as the Jersey shore on a hot July day.  The non-graphic version of this book has always been one of my favorites (I’m not too proud to admit it was first published shortly before my 25th birthday…), and I was excited to see it was next up on the Graphix reissues.  It’s a good retelling of the original, with artwork that perfectly captures the Jersey shore.  

Cons:  I thought I was just being nitpicky with my irritation over the way Gale Galligan draws open mouths, but then I saw an Amazon review that mentioned the same thing.  When she doesn’t draw teeth, it looks like a brown blob on the character’s face.

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Published by First Second

Summary:  Christine’s not sure how she feels when Moon and her mother move into the cottage on Christine’s family’s property.  Moon is an artist who does her own thing and doesn’t fit in with Christine’s family or their Chinese American community.  But she also opens up new possibilities for Christine, introducing her to K-pop, nail polish, and dancing. Christine eventually gets to see a more vulnerable side of Moon, learning how Moon’s beloved father died when she was six, and how Moon sometimes has visions of celestial beings that she believes will one day take her away.  When Christine gets jealous of Moon’s popularity and plays a mean prank, Moon collapses and the truth about her visions comes out. Christine feels terrible about what she’s done to her friend, but by the end, they have learned to forgive each other. Includes an author’s note telling of her own childhood experiences that inspired this book.  224 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  A beautiful graphic friendship story that will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier, Jennifer Holm, and Victoria Jamieson.  Both Moon and Christine are multidimensional characters who will resonate with many middle grade readers.

Cons:  The artwork wasn’t quite as spectacular as Wang’s The Prince and the Dressmaker.

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Published by Graphix

Summary:  After a bout with stomach flu, fourth-grader Raina struggles with anxiety about getting sick again.  Her stomach often feels upset, and she worries about germs when a friend or family member falls ill.  When fifth grade starts,  she starts missing school and being scared to eat.  Raina’s mom takes her to a therapist where she slowly starts to feel comfortable talking about the stresses in her life–not only food and getting sick, but difficulties with friends, a crowded home, and some concerns about going through puberty.  The therapist teaches her some breathing and grounding techniques, and by the end of the school year, Raina has overcome her shyness enough to share them with her class. She also finally admits to some of her friends that she’s seeing a therapist, and learns that this is more common than she thought. A final author’s note reveals adult Raina’s lifelong struggles with anxiety and digestive issues, encouraging kids to talk about their feelings.  224 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  Another winning memoir from Raina Telgemeier that will help kids deal with their own insecurities and to see that everyone is struggling with something.  As usual, the art is top-notch, with plenty of shades of green and swirling words to show Raina’s anxieties around getting sick.

Cons:  You could slap Raina Telgemeier’s name on a 1993 Chilton’s car repair manual, and kids would be clamoring to check it out of the library.  Who am I to start finding fault?

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