Synergy: The Tin Woodman

The Tin Woodman is a character created by L. Frank Baum as part of the fictional Land of Oz. In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy befriends the tin man and together they experience adventures. The character shows up in other Baum books as well as the novel by Gregory Maguire titled Wicked.

Read the recently published graphic novel, then extend the experience with two digital books:

TIN MAN by Justin Madson is a graphic novel featuring the Tin Man made famous in the Oz books by L. Frank Baum. In this story, the tin woodsman is still seeking a heart, but teen Solar and her brother  Fenn are the ones who befriend this man made of metal. They help each other heal and find out where they belong. The limited text, attractive illustrations, and compelling story will engage even reluctant readers in this unusual friendship. ARC courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Teachers and librarians may use this title to encourage children to revisit the classic works of L. Frank Baum or the newer novels of Gregory Maguire.

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ is available digitally at Internet Archive.

To download, go to https://archive.org/details/wonderfulwizardo00baumiala.

THE TIN WOODMAN OF OZ is available as an audiobook at Librivox.

To download, go to https://librivox.org/the-tin-woodman-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum/

Synergy: John Lewis

John Lewis (1940-2020) was a Georgia congressman and civil rights leader. From 1963-1966, he was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In addition, he was one of the key organizers for the 1963 March on Washington and led the first of three Selma marches.

Read the recently published graphic memoir then learn more at the website.

RUN: BOOK ONE by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin is a companion to the MARCH graphic memoir series. Set after the 1965 Selma marches, this graphic history focuses on John Lewis’ continuing role leading grassroots Civil Right and social justice efforts. The gray-scale comic-style illustrations by L. Fury with Nate Powell combined with hand-drawn reproductions of primary sources such as letters and newspapers add to the reading and learning experience. The book concludes with biographical sketches of key individuals involved with the movement and fascinating notes about specific events connected with the narrative.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Digital Gateway explores the history and work of this group. From leading voter registration efforts to building grassroots movements, the SNCC documentary website features the work of young activists in empowering the Black community.

To learn more, go to https://snccdigital.org/.

ARC courtesy of First Second.

Synergy: Who Was?

Since 2002, over 250 Who Was? books has been published by Penguin Workshop. The collection has expanded to include the What Was? and Where Is? series along with the new Who HQ graphic novels. The books explore influential people, world-famous landmarks, and compelling historical events.

Read the recently published graphic biography series for youth, then learn more at the website.

The WHO HQ GRAPHIC NOVEL series is the latest addition to the popular Who Was? series. These fast-paced, nonfiction narratives use full-color comic illustrations to tell stories of key individuals from history. The first four graphic nonfiction novels in this series include:

WHO WAS THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE?: CESAR CHAVEZ
WHO WAS THE GIRL WARRIOR OF FRANCE?: JOAN OF ARC
WHO WAS THE FIRST MAN ON THE MOON?: NEIL ARMSTRONG
WHO SPARKED THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT?: ROSA PARKS

WHO HQ is the web headquarters of the Who Was books. The website contains dozens of classroom lessons, activity sheets, links, and other resources. Monthly program resources are available at the website and through an online newsletter.

To visit the website, go to https://www.whowasbookseries.com/.

ARC courtesy of Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Synergy: Women’s History

Women’s history studies the role females played in history. This includes how women and their perspectives are (or aren’t) represented in standard historical references. Specifically, women’s history includes their struggle for equality and freedom along with recognition for contributions overlooked by traditional historical sources.

Read the recently published work of graphic nonfiction, then learn more at the website.

GOOD GIRLS DON’T MAKE HISTORY by Elizabeth Kiehner, Kara Coyle, and Keith Olwell is a powerful and visually stunning work of graphic nonfiction. Young adults will immediately connect with the contemporary issues of voter suppression including long lines to vote. Through short, focused vignettes, readers learn about women’s history while also exploring larger issues of enslaved people, indigenous people, and others facing challenges to their human rights. Weaving in lesser known stories along with well-known turning points, the graphic history includes images and references to primary source documents and quotes from key figures.

The WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE TIMELINE from the National Women’s History Museum contains dozens of key events in women’s history. The website also includes resources for students and educators along with biographies, articles, and online exhibits.

To explore the timeline, go to https://bit.ly/3x5lPSt.

To visit the National Women’s History Museum, go to https://womenshistory.org/

ARC courtesy of Wide Eyed Editions. Distributed by the Quarto Group.

Synergy: Vaccination

Vaccination is the process of administering a vaccine. Vaccines are used to prevent illness from an infectious disease such as smallpox or polio. Vaccines work by helping the patient’s immune system develop protection from the disease.

Read the work of graphic science for youth, then learn more at the websites:

A SHOT IN THE ARM! by Don Brown is the third book in the “Big Ideas that Changed the World” series of juvenile nonfiction graphic science books. From smallpox to COVID-19, this engaging graphic science book examines the history of deadly disease and the essential role of vaccinations in saving lives. Told through high-quality, engaging illustrations and concise text, this timely work shares the science behind vaccinations and the key scientists who have made them possible. Although the book primarily on the history of smallpox, other diseases are also woven into the story.

THE HISTORY OF VACCINES provides a timeline, articles, and activities exploring the development and use of vaccines through time.

To visit the website, go to https://www.historyofvaccines.org/.

THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE FIRST VACCINE from SciShow shares the long history of smallpox and how medical breakthroughs across thousands of years lead to the vaccine.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/jtqAqL3fn64.

VACCINES 101 from Nature is a short video describing how vaccines work in the human body.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/4SKmAlQtAj8.

ARC courtesy of Amulet Books an imprint of Abrams.

Synergy: The Dené Nation

Also known as the Athapaskan people, the Dené Nation is a group of five indigenous tribes located in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Sustained by the land for over 30,000 years, the political organization represents the land claims and protection of Aboriginal rights. Their homeland stretches from the Yukon and Alaska to the southwestern United States.

Read the recently published graphic nonfiction, then learn more at the website:

PAYING THE LAND by Joe Sacco is set in the subarctic Canadian Northwest Territories where the indigenous Dene people have lived for more than 30,000 years. This work of graphic nonfiction explores the impact of resource extraction on the natural world and the indigenous people who live in the Mackenzie River Valley. Sacco recounts the costs and benefits development has had on the land and its people.

The DENE NATION website features a history page that provides insights into history of the Dene Nation. The page includes both recent history along with a timeline of key events.

To visit the Dene Nation page, go to https://denenation.com/about/history/

To visit the Dene Nation History page, go to https://denenation.com/about/history/

Synergy: The Cenozoic Era

The Cenozoic Era is the most recent age beginning about 65.5 million year ago. Known as the Age of Mammals, this era reflects the emergence of small then large mammals after the extinction of the dinosaurs. The period is divided into the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary.

Read the recently published graphic science book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

MAMMAL TAKEOVER! by Abby Howard is the third book in the EARTH BEFORE US graphic science series. Readers are emerged in a journey through the Cenozoic era. Told through colorful comic panels, science teacher Miss Lernin and her student Ronnie explore wooly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and even early humans.

CENOZOIC ERA from MooMooMath and Science is a short video explaining where the Cenozoic era fits in the overall geologic time scale.

In FROM THE FALL OF DINOS TO THE RISE OF HUMANS from PBS Eons is a 13 minute video featuring Hank Green exploring the Cenozoic Era. The journey features the appearance of the mammals and birds we know today.

FROM THE FALL OF DINOS TO THE RISE OF HUMANS
https://youtu.be/yR8cR75iKGU

ARC courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams.

Synergy: Holocaust Survivors

Holocaust survivors are people of Jewish descent who survived persecution and attempted genocide by Nazi Germany and its allies during World War II. The term is also used to describe others who were targeted for annihilation because of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political views. Survivors include people who survived concentration camps, stayed in hiding, or escaped to safe territories.

Read the recently published work of graphic nonfiction, then learn more through the websites:

SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST: TRUE STORIES OF SIX EXTRAORDINARY CHILDREN edited by Kath Shackleton and illustrated by Zane Whittingham recounts the true experiences of six young people who survived the Holocaust. Each chapter tells a powerful story through sparse text and compelling illustrations. The book concludes with photos and “what happened next stories”, a glossary, a timeline, and suggested resources.

The BBC Newsround contains a page titled “What was the Holocaust/“ with easy-to-read information and a short video based on the book. Go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16690175

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum at https://www.ushmm.org/ contains learning and teaching sections useful for students and teachers.

ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks eXplore.

Synergy: Internment of Japanese Americans

During World War II, 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were incarcerated in concentration camps in the United States. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 authorized the military to round up both citizens and non-citizens alike.

Read the recently published graphic memoir, then learn more at the website:

THEY CALLED US ENEMY by George Takei, Eisinger Scott Becker, and Steven Scott tells the true story of Takei’s childhood in American concentration camps during World War II. The book’s stunning illustrations capture the celebrity’s experiences and reveal lessons that are still relevant today.

Densho is a digital collection chronicling incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The site includes the core story, an encyclopedia, digital archives, American concentration camp information, and many other resources.

Densho http://densho.org/

ARC courtesy of Top Shelf.

Book Review: Sanity & Tallulah

SANITY & TALLULAH by Molly Brooks is the first graphic novel in a new science fiction adventure series.

Best friends Sanity and Tallulah live on a space station and enjoy conducting science experiments. When Sanity’s top secret bioengineering project escapes, she and Tallulah try to find their three-headed kitten that’s being blamed for station-wide technical issues.

Librarians will find this humorous work well-received by both graphic novel and science fiction fans alike. Filled with STEM references, use this new series to promote an interest in science and technology. The diverse cast of characters, STEM themes, and space station setting will be a hit with readers.

Published on October 16, 2018 by Disney/Hyperion. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Illegal

ILLEGAL by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin is a graphic novel examining a child refugee’s struggle to survive.

Alternating between past and present, this full-color graphic novel follows the quest of a Ghanaian refugee trying to reconnect with his siblings in Europe. As the fast-paced story unfolds, young readers are exposed to the horrific realities of crossing hostile borders and trying to survive in unbearable conditions.

Don’t miss the backmatter that effectively connects the fictional story to the real lives of refugees.

Librarians will find this middle grade book to be an excellent addition to the library’s growing collection of books about refugees. Feature it in a display exploring immigration issues. Work with English and social studies teachers to build an interdisciplinary unit weaving in this timely title.

Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky on August 7, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book: Alpha - Abidjan to Paris

ALPHA: ABIDJAN TO PARIS by Bessora is a heart-wrenching graphic novel tracing a migrant’s experience from Africa to Europe.

The stark, simple illustrations and informal typography reflect the painful plight of a West African refugee struggling to reach Paris. In hopes of connecting with his wife and child, this poor cabinetmaker sells everything and navigates the underworld of fake passports, refugee camps, and smugglers in hopes of a better life. The author’s first-person perspective places readers at the center of this troubling, yet realistic story.

Librarians will find young adults drawn to this powerful graphic novel. Use the book as an opportunity to talk with youth about the work of Amnesty International. Connect readers to works of nonfiction and websites focusing on the challenges of the migrant crisis.

Published by Bellevue Literary Press. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Witch Boy

THE WITCH BOY by Molly Ostertag is a middle-grade graphic fantasy about magic and individual differences.

Aster has grown up in a world where girls learn magic and boys become shape-shifters. As he reaches maturity, Aster realizes that he wants to learn magic even though it’s forbidden in his society. Encouragement from an outsider, helps him gain the courage to trust himself and face his fears.

Librarians will be drawn to messages of inclusion and courage. Middle-grade children will enjoy the high-quality color illustrations and fast-paced story. Use the absorbing story, world-building, and well-developed characters to draw in new graphic novel readers.

Published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic on October 31, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Star Scouts

STAR SCOUTS by Mike Lawrence is a colorfully illustrated science fiction graphic novel for children.

When Avani is abducted by an alien, she discovers that she’d rather be part of an intergalactic scouting troop than back on Earth with her fellow humans.

Librarians will find that the combination of an action-packed story and diverse cast of characters will appeal to young people. The second book in this new series is due in Spring 2018.

Published by First Second Books on March 21, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Catstronauts Series

CATSTRONAUTS by Drew Brockington is an adorable science fiction, graphic novel series for children.

The series kicks off with Mission Moon. In a world populated by cats, catStronauts must set up a solar power plant on the moon to save the planet. In the followup titled Race to Mars, the catStronauts compete with the CosmoCats to be the first cats on Mars.

Librarians will find this series to be an excellent addition of the growing collection of graphic novels aimed at the elementary grades. These simply illustrated books contain short, easy to read chapters perfect for children bridging beginning comics and more complex graphic novels.

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette on April 18, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Yvain

YVAIN: THE KNIGHT OF THE LION by M.T. Anderson is a graphic novel set in the world of King Arthur’s court.

Based on Chrétien de Troyes’ 12th century epic poem, Sir Yvain is a knight who encounters two women who are each powerful in their own way. Sword fights and battles with dragons provide balance to this medieval romance. The book concludes with an excellent author’s note and illustrator’s note detailing the background and inspiration for the book.

Librarians will find teens who enjoy medieval stories and graphic novels drawn to both the story and the illustrations. Fans of M.T. Anderson will be happy to see him embracing the graphic novel format. Graphic novel lovers will enjoy the sophisticated graphics and well-illustrated story. Teachers may wish to weave this graphic novel into a literature course.

Published by Candlewick on March 14, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Time Museum

THE TIME MUSEUM by Matthew Loux combines science and time travel for a graphic novel likely to have broad appeal.

When Delia finds out that her uncle runs the Earth Time Museum, she decides to train for an internship. Ultimately, a team of young people from across time come together to form a team of time traveling superheroes. The high-quality artwork will keep readers engaged in the action from start to finish.

Librarians will find this first book in a new middle grade graphic novel series to be popular among a wide range of readers including those who enjoy science fiction, fantasy, and superheroes. It’s possible that the historical connections to places such as the Library of Alexandria may jumpstart an interest in history too.

Published by First Second Book on January 23, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Hocus Focus

HOCUS FOCUS by James Sturm, Alexis Frederick-Frost, and Andrew Arnold is the fourth comic adventure of Knight and her horse Edward.

When Knight sells the wizard’s magic wand, she accidentally turns Edward into a giant worm. The bright colored comic pages and goofy story will keep young readers on the edge of their seats.

Part of the Adventures in Cartooning series, the book includes step-by-step instructions for drawing key characters.

Librarians will find this latest addition to the series to be popular with children who like drawing and cartoons.

Published by First Second, an imprint of Macmillan on January 24, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Gary's Garden

GARY’S GARDEN by Gary Northfield is a humorous graphic book for children featuring the fascinating creatures that live in the backyard.

From worms and caterpillars to birds and spiders, Gary’s backyard is filled with interesting animals, insects, and other critters. Each short chapter tells an engaging short story featuring new and different creatures.

The book’s sequential art and comic format will appeal to both younger as well as older children. The silly stories and goofy characters will keep even reluctant readers engaged.

Librarians will find this book to be very popular with a broad spectrum of children. The book concludes with dozens of character cards featuring the book’s characters. Use these cards to encourage children to write their own short, illustrated stories.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.garynorthfield.com/.

Published by David Fickling Books, an imprint of Scholastic on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Nightmare Escape

NIGHTMARE ESCAPE by Greg Grunberg and Lucas Turnbloom is the first book in the exciting new Dream Jumper graphic novel for middle grades.

Like all kids, Ben has nightmares. What makes Ben unique is that his nightmares are real and he’s able to jump into the dreams of others. When his girlfriend is caught in an endless nightmare, Ben must defeat the nightmare monster with a little help from a talking rabbit. The book’s conclusion is satisfying, but leaves many questions unanswered and ready for the next book in this engaging series.

Librarian will find this graphic novel series popular among children who enjoy fantasy and adventure. The book’s high-quality, full-color illustration will add to the appeal. Build a library display featuring GRAPHIX titles to feature this new addition to the this popular collection. Or ,create a “nightmare” display featuring books connected to dreams and nightmares.

Published by GRAPHIX, an imprint of Scholastic on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.