Invincible Days – Patrick Atangan

Invincible Days by Patrick Atangan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: September 1st, 2014
Publisher: NBM Publishing
Recommended Age: 11+
Pacing: Slow
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Childhood, Memories, Diversity

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This collection of short stories forms a singular narrative that reveals the tiny moments when you realize you are at the precious end-days of youth. Calling on memories from his own childhood as well as those gathered from friends and family, author and artist Patrick Atangan’s work blends stories with strong psychological elements and insight with simple artwork evocative of youth. Bittersweet, joyful and reflective, these are the type of marking moments that best define us as adults. 

Love, Retold – Tikva Wolf

Love, Retold by Tikva Wolf

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: June 2nd, 2017
Publisher: Thorntree Press
Recommended Age: 14+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Memoir, Nonfiction, Poliamory, Relationships

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Tikva Wolf has witnessed love transcend and evolve beyond the rigid, traditionalist trappings of the fairy-tale romance. Love, Retold is a meditation on love and companionship for people who don’t remember feudalism. Each chapter explores Wolf’s experiences with loved ones—Wolf’s lovers and their lovers. The stories capture key moments in these relationships, and they reflect on the murkier, tenebrous aspects of love, especially—but not exclusively—the non-monogamous kind. These stories illuminate and revere uncertainty, confronting the realities of mismatched needs and desires with compassion and self-reflection. In a world obsessed with beginnings and endings, this is a book about middles. 

Science Comics: Coral Reefs

Science Comics: Coral Reefs: Cities of the Ocean by Maris Wicks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
First Published: March 29th, 2016
Publisher: First Second
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction, Science, Ecosystems, Oceans

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This volume: in Coral Reefs, we learn all about these tiny, adorable sea animals! This absorbing look at ocean science covers the biology of coral reefs as well as their ecological importance. Nonfiction comics genius Maris Wicks brings to bear her signature combination of hardcore cuteness and in-depth science.

Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey

Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey by Ozge Samanci

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
First Published: November 17th, 2015
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Memoir, Nonfiction, Education, Coming of Age

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Growing up on the Aegean Coast, Ozge loved the sea and imagined a life of adventure while her parents and society demanded predictability. Her dad expected Ozge, like her sister, to become an engineer. She tried to hear her own voice over his and the religious and militaristic tensions of Turkey and the conflicts between secularism and fundamentalism. Could she be a scuba diver like Jacques Cousteau? A stage actress? Would it be possible to please everyone including herself?

I’ll Give You the Sun

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: September 16th, 2014
Publisher: Dial Books
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Slow
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary Romance, Death, Siblings, Family Relationships, Drama, Art

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At first, Jude and her twin brother Noah, are inseparable. Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude wears red-red lipstick, cliff-dives, and does all the talking for both of them.

Years later, they are barely speaking. Something has happened to change the twins in different yet equally devastating ways . . . but then Jude meets an intriguing, irresistible boy and a mysterious new mentor.

The early years are Noah’s to tell; the later years are Jude’s. But they each have only half the story, and if they can only find their way back to one another, they’ll have a chance to remake their world.

How to Survive in the North

How to Survive in the North by Luke Healy

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: November 15th, 2016
Publisher: Nobrow Press
Recommended Age: 13+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Adult, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Survival, Shipwrecks

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How to Survive in the North is an unforgettable journey of love and loss; weaving together the true life historical expeditions of Ada Blackjack and Robert Bartlett, in 1912 and 1916, with a contemporary fictional story, How to Survive in the North is a unique and visual narrative journey that shows the strength it takes to survive in even the harshest conditions – whether that be struggling for survival in the Arctic in the 1900s or surviving a mid-life crisis in the present day.

Horses: Wild & Tame

Horses: Wild & Tame by Iris Volant and Jarom Vogel

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: November 14th, 2017
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Children’s, Picture Books, Horses, History

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Since horses were first domesticated thousands of years ago, these iconic animals have been a part of human history–they’ve plowed our fields, pulled our carts, fought in our wars and been our beloved companions.

The Secret of Black Rock

The Secret of Black Rock by Joe Todd Stanton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: June 13th, 2017
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Recommended Age: 5+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Children’s, Picture Books, Adventure, Nature, Preservation

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Erin loves to lie on the jetty, looking for the weirdest fish in the sea—the weirder, the better! And she knows the best ones must be further out, where her mum won’t let her go.

Out there in the deepest sea lies the Black Rock: a huge, dark and spiky mass that is said to destroy any boats that come near it! Can Erin uncover the truth behind this mysterious legend?

Arthur and the Golden Rope

The Brownstone’s Mythical Collection: Arthur and the Golden Rope by Joe Todd Stanton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: February 14th, 2017
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Recommended Age: 6+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Children’s, Picture Books, Adventure, Magic, Mythology

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Imagine a vault so cavernous that it could contain all the world’s greatest treasures and relics, from mummified remains of ancient monarchs to glistening swords brandished by legendary warriors. Who could be in charge of such a vault and how did he come into possession of such a unique collection? Who is…Professor Brownstone?

Protector of the Small: First Test

First Test by Tamora Pierce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: May 23rd, 2000
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Slow
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Knighthood, Training, Friendship, Magic

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In the medieval and fantastic realm of Tortall, Keladry of Mindelan is the first girl to take advantage of the decree that permits females to train for knighthood. Up against the traditional hazing of pages and a grueling schedule, Kel faces only one real roadblock: Lord Wyldon, the training master of pages and squires. He is absolutely against girls becoming knights. So while he is forced to train her, Wyldon puts her on probation for one year. It is a trial period that no male page has ever had to endure and one that separates the good natured Kel even more from her fellow trainees during the tough first year. But Kel Is not a girl to underestimate, as everyone is about to find out…