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Category Archives: Illustrators

Six sensational stories of friendship

30 Jun

It’s fitting to end this week of posts with books that feature a friendship. We all need friends in this world and these are some of my favorites.

  1. Hilo series by Judd Winick: When an alien kids come down to earth, friends rally around Hilo and welcome him into their circle.
  2. Laid Back Camp manga series by Afro: Camping buddies.
  3. Heavy Vinyl comic series by Carly Usdin illustrated by Nina Vakueva: Girl power friendship set among the backdrop of a 90s record store but they have a secret about what else they do.
  4. A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan: Differences become shared experiences.
  5. Cornbread & Poppy series by Matthew Cordell: Opposites attract.
  6. Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow: Friends are there when you need them the most, especially for comic relief.

My wish is that you enjoyed the collection of lists over the past month to find and use in your own classrooms, libraries, personal collections, and TBR piles. Happy summer!

 
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Posted by on June 30, 2024 in Audiobooks, Authors, Childrens, Comics, Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Manga, Middle grade, Verse, Young Adult

 

Six sensational Muslim stories

29 Jun

Earlier I featured stories with Jewish characters so I also wanted to feature stories with Muslim representation.

  1. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai: The GOAT of a generation fighting for women and education specifically.
  2. Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson illustrated by Adrian Alphona: Superheroine? Sign me up.
  3. Once Upon an Eid edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed: From fashion to food, a celebration of Islamic culture.
  4. An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi: A Muslim girl navigating a post 9/11 world.
  5. Yasmeen by Saif A. Ahmed illustrated by Fabiana Mascolo: This is a comic you’ll never forget, not only the story but the storytelling in comic form.
  6. Huda F. Are You? by Huda Fahmy: A funny graphic memoir with the best title.
 
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Posted by on June 29, 2024 in Comics, Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Middle grade, Nonfiction, Young Adult

 

Six sensational covers

26 Jun

Yes, we do judge books by their covers. And as a high school librarian, my readers advisory absolutely includes the books cover art. Here are six favorites with nothing but the covers to speak for themselves.

 
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Posted by on June 26, 2024 in Cover Love, Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Middle grade, Young Adult

 

Six sensational books related to beauty standards

24 Jun

There can be multiple list or a super long list of books featuring conversations about beauty standards whether it deals with eating disorders, disability, fashion/style, or body positivity, however here are six that stick out to me.

  1. Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying: Mom’s focus on body and a tragedy lead Valerie down the path of an eating disorder.
  2. Lu by Jason Reynolds: Born with albinism, Lu is the co-captain of his track team and helping other makes things right as the stellar main character in the four part series of Reynolds’.
  3. Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku: The transgender character finds refuge in fashion.
  4. The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake: This classic in which a student and her teacher bond over conversations of self esteem related to colorism.
  5. A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley: Henley details the quest to “normalize” her face having been born with Crouzon Syndrome and always comparing herself to her twin.
  6. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley: Born with a port wine stain, the quest to cover it rather than accept it is Terra’s journey of self acceptance in this YA title.
 
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Posted by on June 24, 2024 in Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Manga, Middle grade, Nonfiction, Young Adult

 

Six sensational vampire stories

23 Jun

I already shared a post about witches so it’s appropriate that I share one about vampires- whether they’re making a comeback or they never really die (see that?!!) there are some oldies and some new for your reading pleasure.

  1. Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey: A witty mix of Romanian lore, romance, power, and deception.
  2. Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy: A middle grade about a woman who is running a camp, but it’s not just any summer camp, it’ll be a blood farm for vampires.
  3. The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron: A group of pals realize their family’s history and lean into being a part of the solution even though the new problem is their new friend just became the thing they’re supposed to fear.
  4. A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal: This complex and epic beginning to a series drips with creativity.
  5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: No need to say more. Love it or hate it, it is a seminal read.
  6. Fangs by Sarah Andersen: This slim graphic novel is the sweetest love story.
 
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Posted by on June 23, 2024 in Adult, Authors, Comics, Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Middle grade, Young Adult

 

Six sensational funny books

22 Jun

Young adult can get downright dark and middle grade weaves in and out of serious topics, so where’s the funny? Here are a few favorites:

  1. Slugfest by Gordon Korman: When you have to go to a summer school gym class called PEE, then you know it’s going to be a good time.
  2. This Will Be Funny Someday by Katie Henry: I mean, it’s right in the title.
  3. The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee with art by Dan Santat: A supergroup of misfits and a mystery to solve, what could possibly go right?!?!
  4. American Panda by Gloria Chao: Mom’s voicemails for her 17 year old college student daughter.
  5. Swim the Fly by Don Calame: When you’re going to try to make the swim team for a girl and all of your “bros” have weird goals for the summer, readers are just along for the ride.
  6. Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Brooklyn Allen: When aren’t the hardcore lady types from Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp entertaining?
 
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Posted by on June 22, 2024 in Audiobooks, Fiction, Illustrators, Middle grade, Young Adult

 

Six sensational stories with witches

20 Jun

It might not be spooky season, but that’s okay because a book with witches is immemorial!

  1. A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi: I devoured every book Rinaldi wrote when I was a tween and this was one of my favorites.
  2. Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama: I own the entire series and the spinoff Witch Hat Kitchen because the atelier of little witch girls is the sweetest.
  3. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare: A contemporary classic about the dangers of assumptions.
  4. The Witches by Roald Dahl: Whether in original format or the movie version which is unforgettable, I’m glad to have reread Dahl’s book to remember reading it as a child and being scared out of my mind!
  5. Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen: This and its sequel featuring vegetables as characters and a mansion on the hill will delight all readers.
  6. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner: If ever I’ve wanted a wardrobe, it’s hers.
 
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Posted by on June 20, 2024 in Authors, Childrens, Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Manga, Middle grade, Young Adult

 

Six sensational books near/by/about water

19 Jun

With a heat index of about 100 degrees here in New York State, I figured water both to hydrate and swim in is the best way to keep cool besides air conditioning. Hence, today’s topic featuring water!

  1. The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag: Featuring a selkie.
  2. A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America’s First All-Black High School Rowing Team by Arshay Cooper: Like Crossing the Line by Kareem Rosser, addressing racism in sports notoriously dominated by white people leads to a deeper understanding of the discipline of any sport and how it shapes us as humans.
  3. In Waves by A.J. Dungo: Deeply emotional, this graphic memoir is an homage to surfing and a woman.
  4. Swim the Fly by Don Calame: So stinkin’ funny and also about a boy winning the affections of a girl on the swim team by joining the swim team.
  5. Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez: Being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, Dominican girl Aniana conspires with her dad to swim against mom’s wishes.
  6. Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas: A middle grade graphic novel with a big heart.
 
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Posted by on June 19, 2024 in Authors, Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Middle grade, Nonfiction, Young Adult

 

Six sensational books with dog companions

09 Jun

Dogs are the best. As mentioned in a previous post about books with animal companions, I promised I’d do a post specifically about dog companions because dogs are the best.

Pictured here is Baxter, our American Great Dane rescue who we’ve had for a little less than a year. Have I said it already? Dogs are the best.

Here are some favorites with dog companions.

  1. Spy X Family series by Tatsuya Endo: Bond was originally trained by a secret group as a weapon of mass destruction, now he’s the fourth family member with a special skill.
  2. Doomsday With My Dog series by Yu Ishihara: Haru keeps a girl company waxing philosophical about life at the end of time.
  3. Alone by Megan E. Freeman: George helps Maddie survive after being left behind.
  4. A Soft Place to Land by Janae Marks: Tank is Joy’s dog walking side hustle and neighborhood boop, bringing her comfort during hard times.
  5. And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps: Lucky, Lucky Dawg, and Lucky Duck beg the question– who rescued who as readers immerse themselves in Joe’s world. This book will gets its own blog post, but the dogs certainly fill a void after the death of Joe’s grandma.
  6. Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango: Sparrow is a dog learning to provide therapy which is exactly what Laura needs after her traumatic experience.
 
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Posted by on June 9, 2024 in Audiobooks, Authors, Fiction, Illustrators, Manga, Middle grade, Verse, Young Adult

 

Six sensational fashion-forward characters

04 Jun

I love a good dress. I definitely notice when characters in graphic novels have style or pay attention when the character is fashion-conscious or has designs (yup, I went there) on being in the fashion industry. Here are six favorites:

  1. Any Way You Look by Maleeha Siddiqui: A fashionista Muslim girl working at her mother’s custom shop has an eye for details.
  2. 100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein: Recommended by a colleague who knows I love dresses, this one paints a portrait of 100 dresses from the past and present.
  3. Dressed in Dreams: A Black Girl’s Love Letter to the Power of Fashion by Tanisha C. Ford: A collection of items and styles that absolutely meets expectations.
  4. I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn: Kimi loves fashion and sees a future in it even when others might not. She perseveres during a trip to Japan and back to her roots.
  5. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang: Enough said!
  6. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner: If I’ve ever loved a character’s fashion sense, it’s Moth’s. Thank you to Steinkellner for creating her fabulous wardrobe.
 
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Posted by on June 4, 2024 in Authors, Fiction, Graphic novels, Illustrators, Middle grade, Nonfiction, Style, Young Adult

 
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