Over the Garden Wall by Pat MacHale

This is an odd little graphic novel that says it is based on a Cartoon Network mini-series.  Since I haven't seen the mini-series, it actually made very little sense to me.  That said, the illustrations were interesting and I think if I had known what was going on, I might have enjoyed it.  It will be interesting to see how well it circulates. 

Oh, I just realized something.  The one I read, (though marked with a #1 on the spine) is actually the second in the series.  So not only had I not seen the TV series, I haven't read the first book.  No wonder it didn't make sense. 

Ha ha, the joke's on me.  I thought I put it on hold because it was on my starred review list, but actually I just needed to change the call number on the spine.  Classic librarian fail.

Posted by John David Anderson

Frost, Wolf, Bench, and DeeDee (nicknames) have been a foursome since the beginning of middle school.  They are not part of the "in" crowd, but at least they have each other to sit with at lunch and play dungeons and dragons every Friday night. Then a new girl moves in to school.  She is big and dresses like an army commando but Wolf seems to instantly have a connection with her.  At the same time the school bans cell phones, and the kids start to communicate with each other by leaving sticky notes on lockers and desks.  Some of the messages on the notes are positive or playful, but some are hurtful. All this shakes the foursome and starts to cause cracks in their friendship.  Frost, (the point of view character) just wants things to go back to how they were, but begins to realize that things may never be the same again.

I started this book not expecting to like it, but in the end I did enjoy it pretty much.  I was afraid that it would deal with some really cruel bullying (which is always hard for me to read) but Anderson keeps it toned down. The thing that is engaging about the book is that the author has amazing incite into the workings of a adolescent boy's mind. I don't know if any boy would really be as self aware at 13 as Frost is, but his observations about why the four (and later five) teens did the crazy things they did, were brilliant. I laughed out loud several times.  I kept thinking, "oh my gosh, I totally know kids that would have done that." I don't think this one will win the Newbery, but I will be recommending it to kids that are ready to move on from Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi

Here is the second in the series that began with Furthermore.  In this one Alice has undergone her second Surrender and has received her assignment to help a young magical undertaker in a land called Whichwood.  Oliver volunteers to accompany Alice, but when they finally meet the girl, Laylee, they find her prickly and not at all eager to become their friend.  Alice is discouraged, and feels like she has failed, but when she tries again, she finds that she really can make a difference in Laylee's life, and save the whole town in the process. 

Like the first one, this book is wildly imaginative.  There is a little of the "undead" and "zombie" theme going on here as well, which may appeal to some audiences.  This is on my starred review list, but I must admit that this style of fantasy is not really my cup of tea.  It is so far out there. The characters are sympathetic, the story is Ok, but it is just a bit too bizarre for me. (2017, 360 p.)

Auma's Long Run by Eucabeth Odhiambo

Auma lives in a small town in Kenya.  Her father works in Nairobi, and only comes home occasionally, but makes enough money there that she and her siblings can attend school.  One time when her father comes home, he is acting ill.  When his sickness doesn't go away, Auma begins to fear that it is the same "new" sickness, they call slim, that has taken so many lives in her small village.

This is a really interesting look at the toll that HIV has taken in Kenya and other areas of Africa.  After reading the book, I looked up statistics, and the numbers are staggering.  In Kenya, 1/3 of all prostitutes has AIDS, so if a man visits one, it is worse than Russian Roulette.  Then he goes home, and gives it to his wife.  As a result, both parents die and orphans are left to fend for themselves.  The book also talks about how young girls, as soon as they reach puberty, are sexual targets because of a false belief that a man can cure AIDS by sleeping with a virgin. 

This all sounds terribly depressing, and it is, but the author (who grew up in Kenya) manages to make the story palatable and hopeful because Auma has a possible way out.  Still, parents should probably read this book first before offering it to anyone younger than 13, or even a older child who is very sensitive. (2017, 298 p)

Train I Ride by Paul Moser

The story starts as Rydr boards a train that will carry her across the country to live with relations she has never met.  As a minor traveling alone, she is assigned a attendant, Dorothea to keep an eye on her while she makes the long journey.  At first Rydr (the readers isn't even sure that is her real name) sticks to herself, but eventually an empty stomach (she didn't have any money to buy food) and the long lonely miles compel her to interact with the other passengers and staff.  As she does the reader comes to know her back story and the unfortunate events that have lead to the journey. She starts to hang out with a bunch of scouts, and one in particular becomes a closer friend.  Soon friendships with other passengers and staff bloom until, when the end of the trip arrives, she feels like she has become a part of a loving family.

This is a different and refreshing approach to the "social issues" trope.  Rydr has a boat load (or I guess a train load) of issues, as do others on the train, but their forced physical proximity makes them come together and help each other cope.  Rydr is a quirky and likeable character and her relationship with Dorothea, Neal the concessions guy, and the scouts are both complex and satisfying.  I think this one has a shot at the Newbery. (192 p. 2017)

The Assasin's Curse by Kevin Sands

This is the third in the Blackthorn Key series.  In this one Christopher and Tom are called to meet the King of England who wishes to thank them for their service stopping the plague doctor (in the previous book).  While they are at the palace, an attempt is made on the life of the king and his sister, the lady Minette.  The king enlists Christopher, Tom and Sally to accompany Lady Minette back to her home in France and try to discover and stop the assassins. In there search they discover a plot related to the old legends of the Knights Templar treasure.

I really like this series.  The first one was a little too violent, but the later ones were better and I really enjoy the characters and setting of this medieval mystery series. Sand's description of the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents was so bizarre that I had to look it up. His descriptions are correct; it really was one great stinking open mass grave. I have come to trust Sand's historical detail. This book ends with the door wide open for more, so huzzah! (532 p. 2017)

Super Narwal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton

Narwhal has decided that he is a super hero and invites Jelly to be his sidekick.  He has his cape and his cool super hero name, but he can't figure out what his super power is.  As Narwhal and Jelly go out to discover Narwhal's super power, they meet friends along the way and soon it becomes clear what Narwhal's super power is.

You can find graphic novels written for all age levels.  This one is very appropriate for a kindergartner, or even younger. The illustrations are darling and the story is sweet and simple.  This is a sequel to Narwhal, Unicorn of the Sea and I hope that there are more adventures of these two ocean friends to come.(2017, 64 p.)