The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Tan, S. (2007). The Arrival. (p. 128). Arthur A. Levine Books.

ISBN: 0439895294

$19.99 Hardback

Reader's Annotation: A father leaves his family for a foreign land in hopes of creating a better life.

Summary: The Arrival is an immigration story. The protagonist leaves his family behind to forge a better life for them in a strange, downright fantastical, new land. There are no words in this story, only a foreign alphabet, which gives the reader an idea of what it would be like to struggle in a place where you didn't speak the language. The protagonist finds a job in a massive factory and begins to make new friends, though he obviously misses his family very much. Though the sepia toned pictures that seem to come from an old family album, the reader understands how much struggling goes into setting up a life in a new place.

Genre: adventure, family, fantasy, fiction, graphic novel, friends, identity

Series : This graphic novel is not part of a series.

Evaluation: This is a lovely example of a compelling story with absolutely no words. Beautifully executed, and this book will make readers cry.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This immigration story is one that will be familiar to most readers but it is told in a way that is unlike any other book. Tan's graphic novel is a stunning example of visual storytelling, and thus a fantastic choice for reluctant readers. There is nothing "easy" about this rich and complex story, but the lack of words makes it perfect for those who struggle with reading.

Readalikes :

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
  
• The Absolutely True Diaries of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
  

Other Useful Info:
Shaun Tan's Webpage

Reviews:

from Booklist
*Starred Review* Recipient of numerous awards and nominations in Australia, The Arrival proves a beautiful, compelling piece of art, in both content and form. Tan (The Lost Thing, 2004) has previously produced a small body of off-kilter, frequently haunting stories of children trapped in surreal industrial landscapes. Here, he has distilled his themes and aesthetic into a silent, fantastical masterpiece. A lone immigrant leaves his family and journeys to a new world, both bizarre and awesome, finding struggle and dehumanizing industry but also friendship and a new life. Tan infuses this simple, universal narrative with vibrant, resonating life through confident mastery of sequential art forms and conventions. Strong visual metaphors convey personal longing, political suppression, and totalitarian control; imaginative use of panel size and shape powerfully depicts sensations and ideas as diverse as interminable waiting, awe-inspiring majesty, and forlorn memories; delicate alterations in light and color saturate the pages with a sense of time and place. Soft brushstrokes and grand Art Deco–style architecture evoke a time long ago, but the story's immediacy and fantasy elements will appeal even to readers younger than the target audience, though they may miss many of the complexities. Filled with subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form. Karp, Jesse

Guru Guru Pon-chan by Satomi Ikezawa

Ikezawa, S. (2005). Guru Guru Pon-Chan 1 (p. 192). Del Rey.

ISBN: 0345480953

$10.95 paperback

Reader's Annotation: After licking a magic bone, Ponta changes from a golden retriever to a human girl. She tries to fit in at school, and catch the eye of the boy she likes.

Summary: Ponta's owner is an inventor who hopes to give his dog the power of human speech. His magic bone works differently than he expected, however, and changes the golden retriever into a human girl. Ponta runs into Mirai Ikawaki, the most popular boy at school when she is changing from a dog to a human. He knows her secret, and is supposed to keep her out of trouble at school. Though Ponta wants to make Mirai and her family happy, she is better equipped to be a dog than to be a human. She must learn human ways if she wants to win Mirai's affections.

Genre: graphic novel, manga, magic, love story, series, dogs

Series : There are currently nine volumes in this series, each with the title Guru Gure Pon-chan.

Evaluation: In 2000, it won this series won the Kodansha Manga award for shojo. This is a classic example of shojo manga.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This is a shojo manga series about a dog that turns into human girl with a crush on a cute boy. What's not to love? This will be loved by all readers of shojo manga, a large percentage of which are tween girls.

Readalikes :

• Fruits Basket
  
• Kiki's Delivery Service
  

Other Useful Info:

• Guru Guru Pon-chan
  

Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up–Lovable dog Ponta has become human after swallowing a new invention, The Chit-Chat Bone. Transformed into an attractive young woman, she nevertheless continues to act like a dog, enthusiastically jumping on her friends and eating greedily from her lunchmates' bowls. Ponta's transformation is not permanent, though, and she constantly switches between her canine and human states. Melodrama kicks in as she agonizes over her human crush, Mirai, sadly realizing that love between dogs and humans can never be. Goofy asides and sound effects fill the frames, and characters' features and emotional reactions are comically exaggerated. This exuberant, untidy style reflects Ponta's giddy and confused mood swings, and readers will find it hard not to root for such an endearing heroine.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fashion Kitty by Charise Mericle Harper

Harper, C. M. (2005). Fashion Kitty (p. 96). Hyperion.

ISBN: 9780786851348

$8.99 paperback

Reader's Annotation: Kiki Kittie transforms from a regular fashionable kitty into a fashion superhero, who saves others from fashion disasters.

Summary: While blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, Kiki Kittie was hit by a shelf full of fashion magazines, just as she made her birthday wish. She was transformed into Fashion Kitty! Now, in disguise, she saves others from fashion disasters, and helps mean kids see the error of their ways.

Genre: graphic novel, fantasy, siblings

Series :

• Fashion Kitty
• Fashion Kitty versus the Fashion Queen
• Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero
  

Evaluation: A sweet and charming story with illustrations done mainly in pink and black and white, this book will be a hit with young tween girls.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This graphic novel isn't going to change anyone's world view, but it may draw in a 9 year old girl who has been reluctant to read. Fashion Kitty is fun, and fun books are good.

Readalikes :

• Babymouse by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
• Catwings by Ursula LeGuin
  

Other Useful Info:

• Hyperion's Fashion Kitty webpage
  

Reviews:
"Harper brings her comedic sense and flat, droll cartoons together in a graphic novel for young girls...A marvelous girly-girl response to the Captain Underpants books—with none of the embarrassing potty humor" -Kirkus Reviews 8/1/05 STARRED REVIEW

Kiki's Delivery Service Film Comics by Hayao Miyazaki

Miyazaki, H. (2006). Kiki's Delivery Service Picture Book, Volume 1

(1st ed., p. 111). VIZ Media LLC.

ISBN: 1421505967

$9.99 paperback

Reader's Annotation: As she approaches her 13th birthday, Kiki begins life as a witch on her own, running a delivery service from a small town.

Summary: When witches turn 13, they have to spend a year on their own, away from their families, to hone their craft. Kiki, and her cat Jiji, set off on a perfect night, to find their new lives. They find a lovely town to settle in, and a kind baker takes them in. Kiki is determined to earn her keep, and at the suggestion of the baker, begins her own delivery service.

Genre: graphic novel, adventure, coming of age, fantasy, series

Series : There are four books in this series, titled "Kiki's Delivery Service Picture Book, Volume 1-4."

Evaluation: This series is adapted from the movie that was made in conjunction with Disney, which was itself adapted from the Japanese version of this comic. An extremely sweet series, that would be a good even for younger tweens.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Kiki is sweet and clumsy and in search of adventure, and should be recognizable to most tween girls. Because these are a retelling of the movie version with the same name, they would be a good choice for reluctant readers. Additionally, as she grows into her powers, Kiki must develop a healthy self-esteem to be the best witch she can be.

Readalikes :

• Babymouse by Jennifer Holm
  
• Nausicaa by Hayao Miyazaki
  

Other Useful Info:

• Movie website
  

Reviews:
from animeworld.com/reviews/
In a place like a Europe of the 50s, untouched by the ravages of war, where witches aren't bad (as a matter of fact, they're just like the rest of us, and everybody knows about them), Kiki is a young witch just coming into her own. Having reached the age of 13, she follows tradition and sets out into the world to make her way, accompanied only by her knowledge of magic, her trusty flying broom, and her familiar, a cat named Jiji. Kiki finds her way to a good sized town, and is taken in by a kindly baker. Soon, she sets up shop as a one-girl flying delivery service (think the pizza guy only cuter and with a flying broom). While making her rounds and living on her own in the big city, Kiki meets interesting folks of all types, and runs into a number of adventures and misadventures.

Houdini the Handcuff King by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi

Lutes, J. (2008). Houdini: The Handcuff King (Reprint., p. 96). Hyperion Book CH.

ISBN: 0786839031

$16.99 hardcover

Viewer's Annotation: A glimpse into the life and stunts of Houdini, whom the authors suggest is the first guy to be famous for having a cool job.

Summary: The entire graphic novel tells the story of one stunt performed by Houdini. Along the way, the reader learns not only how Houdini performed the stunt, but also about how much work went into his fame. Over the course of his day, he has to generate his own hype, he relies on his wife for support (both emotional and in his stunt), he faces prejudice for his religion, and he has to perform a death-defying stunt. While this isn't a biography, it is a glimpse into the life of a well known showman.

Genre: graphic novel, nonfictin, adventure

Series : none

Evaluation: I expected more information from this graphic novel, overall, but I do think it would be a good starting point, to get readers interested in the life of Houdini. The illustrations and storytelling were very straightforward and approachable.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This very short story would be extremely approachable for tween readers, and I think they would be interested to learn how Houdini pulled this stunt off. It would be a good starting point for a middle school homework assignment. I think too that tweens will be interested in someone like Houdini, as a celebrity figure from a different age.

Readalikes :

• The Arrival by Shaun Tan
• The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
  

Other Useful Info:

• Nick Bertozzi's website
• Jason Lutes website
  

Reviews:
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Following Houdini on the morning of his leap (while handcuffed) into the frigid Boston River, readers gain a remarkably complete picture of his world. They will meet his wife, Bess; his strong-arm man, Beatty; reporters desperate to get a quote; and crowds hungry for a glimpse of him. Most of all, they get to know Houdini himself, who, as an extensive introduction notes, was probably the most famous man in the world at the time. Proud and obsessed--with his skill, his fame, and his wife--Houdini was a showman of the highest order who knew he represented hope to his adoring American public. He also knew that he had an unprecedented talent for self-hype. Avoiding overt, showy tricks themselves, Lutes and Bertozzi^B use clean, simple storytelling and crisp, clear black-and-white art to create not only a portrait of the man but also that sense of suspense and anticipation Houdini generated in his performances. Endnotes linked to specific pictures offer background on everything from anti-Semitism (Houdini was Jewish) to handcuffs. A bibliography of mostly older adult titles is appended. Jesse Karp

Stormbreaker : the Graphic Novel by Anthony Horowitz and others

Horowitz, A. (2006). Stormbreaker: The Graphic Novel (Alex Rider) (p. 144). Philomel.

ISBN : 0399246339

$14.99 paperback

Reader's Annotation: Alex Rider attempts to avenge his murdered uncle by helping a British spy agency stop a terrorist from unleashing a deadly virus.

Summary: An adaptation of the book by the same title. Alex Rider knows something is suspicious about the car accident that killed his uncle, and only living relative. But he is surprised to discover his uncle, whom he always knew as a banker, is actually a spy for Britan's top spy agency, MI6. Even more surprising, the MI6 folks want Alex's help. He's given a bit of training, and sent in to finish the mission his uncle started. Darrius Sayle is an entrepreneur who has developed a new supercomputer, the Stormbreaker. He's offered to give one to every school in Britain, and a ceremony has been planned to commemorate the occasion, with the Prime Minister flicking the switch to activate all the computers at once. The MI6 officers think there is more to Sayle than generosity, and it's up to Alex to find out what the computer are really supposed to do.

Genre: adventure, series, action

Series : Two Alex Rider graphic novels have been published to date:

1. Stormbreaker
2. Point Blank

Evaluation: Having read this back to back with the novel, I was rather put out by the changes that were made to the story. With a bit of research, I decided the graphic novel was closer in plot to the movie version than the novel version of the story. I enjoyed the graphic novel more than the book, even with the changes.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Having another version of this popular story in a tween collection would be a good idea. Tweens who have read the book might pick up the graphic novel, and reluctant readers could be drawn to the novel via the graphic novel version.

Readalikes :

• Hardy Boys graphic novels by Scott Lobdell
• Redwall graphic novels by Brian Jacques
  

Other Useful Info:

• Official Alex Rider Website
• Anthony Horowitz's Website
• Stormbreaker Website
• Movie Trailer
  

Reviews:
From Booklist
An ode to rampant commercialism, this is not exactly based on Anthony Horowitz's thrill-a-second novel about 14-year-old Alex Rider, who discovers that his deceased uncle was a superspy and that Alex himself must face an evil businessman and his multitude of gruesome killers. No, this graphic novel springs from the screenplay for the recent movie, which is based on the novel--which, itself, is a clever compilation of James Bond movies. If it's possible, this is even more rapidly paced than the novel. Alex remains an appealing hero here, and the idea of a heroic teen up against insidious adults continues to be an extremely powerful draw for readers. The female art team casts the action in exciting manga style, and the digital colors produce an anime-like sense of depth and motion. Readers who already like Alex Rider will want this; even adventure lovers unfamiliar with the books will find it difficult to resist the hyperkinetic fun, although they may feel they have sold a bit of their souls to get it. Jesse Karp
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