NEW Graphic Novels

Alright, so I just recently acquired a Kindle Fire and although you'd think this would provide me with additional opportunities to read, it (along with the upcoming holiday season) has kind of put the brakes on my reading. Instead, I find myself getting sucked into various games/apps that I was able to download from free from Amazon (and I'm not talking about Angry Birds, I'm talking about old-school Bejewled/Tetris kinds of games).

Anyhow, I'm saying this because I fortunately have some saved up graphic novel info. that I am able to post now. I promise that I will try to get some reading done over the holiday season and I'll post some reviews of whatever I read. For now, here's some new graphic novel news...

TITLE: Mangaman
AUTHOR: Barry Lyga ; illustrated by Colleen Doran

SUMMARY: Interested in manga, but not quite ready to dive in? Try Mangaman. It's a kind-of-crossover between manga and the traditional comic. Ryoko is a manga character who has fallen through a rip in the "real" world and finds himself trying to function in a modern American high school setting. It's a great tale of teen angst and of fitting into a new environment while still trying to stay true to yourself.


TITLE: George R. R. Martin's Doorways
AUTHOR: George R. R. Martin

SUMMARY: Dr. Mason treats a rather unusual woman named Cat in his ER one night who speaks in broken English, wears skimpy torn clothing, and has a weapon of futuristic types attached to her arm. Of course, after this initial encounter, things only keep getting more bizarre. Dr. Mason tries to protect Cat from the sci-fi monsters that are in pursuit of her and in an attempt to flee from these ne'er do wells, both of them are transported into an alternative Earth. How will it end?


TITLE: Shadoweyes in Love
AUTHOR: Ross Campbell

NOTES: Sequel to Shadoweyes (which was awesome!), and even though I'm still in the process of reading it--it's good:) If you haven't read Shadoweyes, I recommend it. If you loved Shadoweyes, then definitely read Shadoweyes in Love.

Shadoweyes / Ross Campbell

I just finished a GREAT, but truly creepy fiction novel, however, I have to wait to post my review because the book isn't due to be published until November! Stay tuned for that one, it's a CAN'T MISS! ...

Instead of making you wait until November for a review, here's an update on the graphic novels in my "to read pile."

Batman R. I. P. / Grant Morrison
I started it and let's just say I got bored, wasn't wowed and therefore decided to cut my losses and move on to something that would hopefully retain my interest and be a bit more... interesting. [In case you haven't noticed from my reviews, if I start reading something and it really doesn't grab me and I don't have a huge incentive to read it, I will stop reading. There are soooo many books either in my "to read pile" or about to go into my "to read pile," that I feel that I cannot waste precious time on a stinker of a book; that's just my own personal theory.]

The Griff / Christopher Moore
Dare I say it, I was all ready for a good graphic novel, after not being sucked into the above GN. Unfortunately, even though I tried and almost succeeded in getting all the way through Moore's The Griff, I felt like the pay off would not be great... and ... I ... yup, cut my losses and ended the pain. I must say that the foreword and afterword were interesting and very insightful in regards to the creators--rather cynical and bitter individuals they must be. However, the GN as a whole was not put together well. The story line was weird and disconnected and the illustrations weren't anything spectacular. So, I'd say--skip it--unless you already checked it out and you've got no other GNs in the house.

Shadoweyes / Ross Campbell
My saving GN grace in my pile--Shadoweyes! Black and white illustrations with an interesting story line (both done by Ross Campbell) are just what I was looking for!

Scout Montana is a teen living in a futuristic society in a city called Dranac. Crime runs rampant and Scout is determined to help rid the city of evil-doers by becoming a superhero. In her first attempt to aid a neighborhood victim, Scout is hit in the head with a brick. Although many would think this would put a kibosh to any future heroism on Scout's behalf, the incident actually has a morphing affect on Scout. She shape shifts into a blue creature that has superhuman powers--Shadoweyes. Can Shadoweyes help Scout to fight Dranac crime or will Shadoweyes, like many superheroes, be feared by locals just as much as the criminals?

If you're just starting to read graphic novels or are interested and not quite sure what to read, try Shadoweyes. It's a bit sci-fi, realistic, romantic, adventurous, urban fictitious (yup, totally made that one up) and truly entertaining. I will certainly be reading the second book in the series: Shadoweyes in Love.

COMING SOON... NEW Graphic Novels

First to Know...

Be the 1st person to know about what's being added to YOUR Teen Collection @ FRE.

The following titles are on order and will shortly be added to the TEEN Graphic Novel Collection @ FRE. Be sure to check them out!

Bad Island /Doug TenNapel
Batman R. I. P. / Grant Morrison
Batman: The Long Halloween / Jeph Loeb
Naruto, Volume 46 / Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto, Volume 49 / Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto, Volume 50 / Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto, Volume 51 / Masashi Kishimoto
Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 1 / Bisco Hatori
Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 2 / Bisco Hatori
Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 3 / Bisco Hatori
Toto! The Wonderful Adventure, Volume 5 / Yuko Osada
Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates: Thor Reborn / Jeph Loeb
Wolverine Weapon X: Volume 1: Adamantium Men / Jason Aaron
Wolverine X: Volume 2: Insane in the Brain / Jason Aaron
Wolverine X: Volume 3: Tomorrow Dies Today / Jason Aaron

Ultimate X-Men: Volume 1 / Mark Millar

TITLE: Ultimate X-Men: Volume 1
AUTHOR: Mark Millar
OWNED BY CCLS? Yes.

FYI... If you're looking for a popular read, check out a copy of Mark Millar's Ultimate X-Men: Volume 1. This is the MOST checked out graphic novel in both the Teen and Adult graphic novel collections @ FRE! I think that speaks for itself! This GN has checked out so much, multiple copies have had to be purchased to replace the worn out and lost ones!

Another pattern... Batman seems to be rather popular among Cumberland County patrons. If you're interested in some popular Batman GNs, head to the shelves and look for some of these titles:

T GN BATMAN

Batman: Child of Dreams

T GN BATMAN

Batman: Dark Victory

T GN BATMAN

Batman Huntress: Cry for Blood

T GN LOEB JEPH

Batman: Hush, Volume 1

Emiko Superstar / Mariko Tamaki

TITLE: Emiko Superstar
AUTHOR: Mariko Tamaki
OWNED by CCLS? Yes.
FORMAT: Graphic Novel

Emiko is a geek. With summer right around the corner, rather than head off to finance camp with her friends, Emiko decides she needs to figure out who she is. Her mother does not think this is going to happen while Emiko lays around watching TV, so Emiko gets a job babysitting.

It is through her babysitting job that Emiko finds a secret journal that gives her the inspiration that she needs to shine at a local underground "freak club." Will the change in friends and atmosphere be what Emiko needs to find herself or will she realize that being a geek isn't actually that bad?

M's Verdict: Emiko Superstar is a quick read. Although not particularly inspiring or thought provoking, it does provide homage to Andy Warhol and '60s culture. Perhaps readers new to graphic novels would be better served reading Cecil Castellucci's Plain Janes and Janes in Love, which were GREAT, had a bit more of a story line and certainly seemed to have a bit more depth to them.

Latest & Greatest...

So...I haven't been posting much to the blog lately. We were deciding whether or not to keep the blog going and although we've created a new FB page (Teen Scene at Fredricksen Library) apparently not all teens actually use FB (or so they tell us). I've also heard that some of you actually look at the blog, which means....I will continue adding to the blog in hopes that either more teens start looking at it or in hopes of completely converting you all to FB.

3 weeks since Teen Summer Reading Program registration began, 2 weeks of programming already over! Time is flying, so be sure to get into Fredricksen to either register for this AWESOME program or stop in for a FREE program. Here's the schedule for next week:

MONDAY 06/27 @ 1PM--AUTHOR VISIT

Local young adult author Neil Connelly joins us to share his new novel, The Miracle Stealer, which has earned a starred review from Booklist. He will do a reading, a question and answer session and a mini-workshop for budding writers. Copies of The Miracle Stealer will be given out as door prizes. No registration required. For teens entering grades 7 – 12.

TUESDAY 06/28 @ 1PM--YOGA
Join us for an hour of yoga with an instructor from Yoga-Scripts. Yoga strengthens the body, increases flexibility and helps relieve anxiety and stress. Suitable for all physical abilities or fitness levels. If you've never attended a yoga class, come give it a try, you'll stretch and strengthen your body and mind. Bring a mat or beach towel. No registration required. For teens entering grades 7 – 12.

WEDNESDAY 06/29 @ 1PM--VIDEO GAME DAY

Call of Duty 2 on the 10' screen! 3 Game systems set up; 1 on the BIG screen. Open play, no tournament. Snacks & drinks provided. Board games available. No registration required. For teens entering grades 7-12.

THURSDAY 06/30 @ 1PM--MOVIE

For movie information, please call the Fredricksen Library Reference Desk at 717-761-3900 x225. For teens entering grades 7-12.

Alright, that pretty much wraps it up until next week. Have a nice weekend, and if you're interested, here are the books/graphic novels in my "think about reading" pile:

> Elixir / Hilary Duff (fantasy fiction)

> Flink / Doug TenNapel (graphic novel)

> Emiko Superstar / Tamaki Mariko (graphic novel)

> Creature Tech / Doug TenNapel (graphic novel)

> Pretend You Love Me / Julie Anne Peterse (realistic fiction)

> What Happened to Goodbye / Sarah Dessen (audiobook)

> Confessions of a Blabbermouth / Mike Carey (graphic novel)