Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1

By Stephanie Meyer, Young Kim (Art/ Adaptation)

Summary: When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret…

My Review: OMIGSOH! This is by far the coolest adaptation of Twilight ever! I love graphic novels and this is my favorite one so far. I think I’ve read this more than I have the actual Twilight book. Plus graphic novels are shorter and get to the point. The imagery is amazing! Young Kim is so talented. The detail drawings of each character are incredible, they are so beautiful. I was literally stunned when I first picked up this book.  The thing about it is, is that the illustrations of the characters and places were exactly how I imagined! I absolutely love this one and I cannot wait till the second one! 

A Look at the Illustrations: 

Hugo Cabret

 Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick: Scholastic Press 2007

533 pages

Summary: Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks—like the gears of the clocks he keeps—with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life and his most  precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo’s dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

My Review: Wow! This was totally new reading experience for me. These 284 pages of drawings it provides the same experience as picture books, graphic novels, and films.  The lengthy sections of wordless illustrations are interspersed with pages of more traditional novelistic prose.  It is a heartfelt story about an orphan, the history of early cinema, the mechanics of clocks and other intricate machinery, and a little bit of magic.  I did not put this book down! I found it to be exciting and new because of the art, literature, and the entertainment it provided.  It’s a real page turner for sure! I highly recommend this book for people of all ages.

Things to Watch Out for:  Brief drinking and drunkenness. 

The Forestwife

The Forestwife
By Theresa Tomlinson;Yearling 1993


Summary:Mary de Holt, a 15-year old is faced with an unwanted marriage. She flees into the Barnsdale forest and is followed by her nurse Agnes. They find the home of the Forestwife, a herbalist wo is the source of local legends and fears. They find that the old woman Forestwife has died and Agnes and Mary taker her place. Their living place becomes a source of help to troubled women. Mary becomes Marian the Green Lady and is joined by brave women and men. They are also visited by the Green Man or Robert of Loxley.
My Review:  I absolutely adore this book. I have always fantasied about living in the forest being a tough woman who hunted and lived of the land.   This is Marion's point of view of the forest life. the classic Robin Hood characters appear, but Marian is a main focus. She is the leader to her own band of women, instead of being apart of the Robin Hood clan. I found Mary to be an fearless woman who is a huntress, a herbalist and skilled archer. Girls will look up to her because she is made out to be a hero who is passionate and dedicated to the cause of justice.
Watch Out For: a brief scene of nudity, hunting, killings, death, mild violence

Holes

Holes

By Louis Sachar;Farrar, Straus and Giroux 2000

Summary:Stanley Yelnats is falsely convicted of stealing a celebrity's sneakers. He is sent to Camp Green Lake which is a juvenile detention center in the desert. The kids there are required to dig a large hole every day. Stanley struggles with getting to know the other inmates and getting used to the hard work. The warden is having them dig for something. But what? The mystery relates to a treasure, a curse, a boy named Zero, the warden, and a boat in the middle of a dry lake bed.

My Review:  I have only seen the movie of Holes, but I must say the book is just as good. I love the love story of Kate and Sam and the tragedies that follow them. Stanley and Zero's relationship is adorable and how they stick it out and overcome Camp Green Lake. Its an excellent book.

 

Watch Out For: Racism, deaths, life-threatening scenes, fights, and posinious lizards.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Jeff Kinney;Amulet Books 2007

Summery: Greg Heffley is a wimpy kid who finds himself in a middle school, full of morons kids already shaving, and over sized bullies.

Personal Review: This book is hilarious! Greg is such a funny brilliant character.Greg is prone to funny situations and hysterical outcomes.  Readers will enjoy Greg's experiences in life and the situations he tends to get himself into.From the smelly cheese to the bulling of Rowley, this book will keep you rolling with laughter. I enjoyed it immensely! 

Things to Watch Out For: Bullies