Here are two more graphic novels, one thoughtful Cybils finalist (read in print from the library and on my official Cybils TBR Readdown list) and one sprightly superhero comic read on hoopla, because I found it there and like Shannon and Dean Hale’s work in general.
Operatic by Kyo Maclear and Byron Eggenschwiler. Groundwood Books, 2019.
Charlotte Noguchi (aka Charlie) has friends, but never quite felt she fit in middle school. This dreamy story follows Charlie as she wonders about the sensitive and much-teased boy who’s been missing from school for two weeks, and as the home room teachers plays all sorts of different music for the class as part of an assignment for them to find the music that truly expresses who that person is at that point in time. Charlie discovers the opera singer Maria Callas, known for her passion rather than her perfection. There are also explorations of what it might mean to be perceived as gay in middle school and how to be an ally. It’s all illustrated in what looks to me like colored pencil, with a limited palette that shows what’s going on – the main storyline in gold and black, memories of when Luka was still in school in blue and black, and stories of Maria Callas in red and black. The color shading work beautifully to convey emotion. For kid testing, my daughter read it somewhat reluctantly, said she enjoyed it, but hasn’t gone back to it. But this is very much a character study, and my daughter prefers more plot-driven books. I thought it was beautiful.
Diana: Princess of the Amazons by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. Illustrated by Victoria Ying. DC Comics, 2020. ISBN 978-1401291112. Read on Hoopla.
Young Diana lives on an island that’s paradise – baby cheetahs to find, oceans to jump into – but though she has many aunties, there are no other children on the island, and her mother the queen is often too busy to play with her. Remembering that she herself was made out of clay, Diana makes a girl out of sand to be a playmate. At first, she and Mona have lots of fun together and Diana is thrilled. But as time goes on, Mona encourages her to do things that are increasingly disturbing – skipping class, stealing, and more – while at the same time forcing her to confront questions about whether Diana really is wanted and a true Amazon. With clear line drawings and a soft but strong palette, this is full of appeal for young superhero fans. It didn’t have quite the depth of Rapunzel’s Revenge, but hopefully if it’s a series, they’ll be able to put more in further volumes.
Jianzhu and Kelsang were both part of the Avatar Kuruk’s team, so when he passes after a less-than-spectacular run as Avatar, they are on the hunt for the new one. But none of the usual ways seem to be working…
The Bromeliad Trilogy by Terry Pratchett. HarperCollins, 2003. 978-0060094935. Truckers originally published 1989; Diggers and Wings 1990.
Sheets by Brenna Thummler. Lion Forge Comics, 2018. ISBN 978-1941302675. 
Lola: A Ghost Story by J. Torres & Elbert Or. Oni Press, 2009. 978-1934964330. 
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi. Read by the author. Dutton/ Listening Library, 2019. ISBN 978-0399187353 ASIN B07W4X7LDY. 
A Game of Fox and Squirrels by Jenn Reese. Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, April 2020. ISBN 9781250252562. 
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson. Bloomsbury, April 2020. ISBN 978-1547600564. 
Since the challenge is to review/share the books I’m reading as well as just reading them, I’m including the books I have on hand that I have already read and still need to review – the first two piles from the left here. The front right stack is books on my active TBR, and the two in the back are my older TBR books – the ones I’ve had for years and never get to because of the constant flow of shiny new books, usually with library due dates, into my house. Here they all are listed out:
alibrarymama 