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Nov 21, 2024 | 
slj.com | Jasmine Amiri |Rachel Forbes |Joe Pascullo |Lisa Rowland
Cozy fantasies, immigration stories, and reimagined classics—2024’s Best Graphic Novels list isn’t just a collection of 25 unforgettable reads, it’s a showcase of comics that push storytelling to new heights. Aguirre, Jorge. Call Me Iggy. illus. by Rafael Rosado. First Second. ISBN 9781250204158. Gr 10 Up–Iggy is first-generation Colombian American, but can’t speak Spanish and struggles in language class.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Rebecca Mix |Rachel Forbes
Gr 4-6–Something’s wrong with the Giant Omelette. Once a magical source of food for the Neopets in Tyrannia, it now only causes the Ugga-Ugga illness. This is unacceptable to Sabre-X, who along with allies like the exiled faerie Seraphina, head out to restore its powers. Mix wraps a standard story of restoration around the Giant Omelette mechanic from the virtual game, Neopets.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Rachel Forbes
by (text) & illus. by Yuzuru Kuki . (Manga Biographies). Oct. 2024. 168p. pap. $13.99. ISBN 9781772943443. COPY ISBN Gr 6 Up–Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, went down in history as one of the greatest cartoonists. Now, in this authorized manga biography, his tale continues to inspire the next generation. Using brief conversations and bridging narration, Kuki establishes Schulz’s demeanor and the moments that shaped him.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Rachel Forbes
Gr 6 Up–From the “sweat drop” to onomatopoeic Japanese words, manga is full of symbols that add emotion and nuance to any scene. Readers learn to interpret these “manpu” as their visual literacy develops, but few take the time to actually analyze them. This is where this handy guide to manga iconography comes in. As one of the few resources on the topic, Kouno is more interested in succinctly introducing the symbols and their usages, rather than their origins.
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Aug 27, 2024 | 
slj.com | Rachel Forbes |Kim Ji Hyun
by (text) & illus. by Cai Tse . Aug. 2024. 304p. Tr $23.99. ISBN 9781665927246. COPY ISBN Gr 4-6–With the “hei si,” which is often the first movement in the titular dance, the lion wakes for this coming-of-age graphic novel. Wei always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his late father, who was a lion dance champion. By chance, he joins the Southern Phoenix Lion Dance Team to take up the head once again.
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Jul 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Jeremy Whitley |Rachel Forbes |Osamu Tezuka
Gr 6 Up–Day one at a new school brings an unexpected surprise for Neesha: a friend with a shared interest in the manga series, "Super Navigator Nozomi." Neither Gabby nor Neesha have finished it though, and so they establish a book club to locate and discuss the full set. When reading each volume, the style switches from an earth-toned western aesthetic to that of a 1980s manga, complete with screentones and starry-eyed shoujo protagonists.
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Jul 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Rachel Forbes
Gr 4-7–For eons, Unico was swept around the world, befriending and helping others. Now, in this reimagining of Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga, the story restarts for a new generation. After a prelude, the little unicorn meets Chloe, an abandoned cat who wishes to become human. While well-intentioned, Chloe has a desire for more, and that brings about the cosmic attention of Unico’s nemesis, Venus.
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Jul 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Rachel Forbes |Osamu Tezuka
Gr 4-6–In their first ever case, the Mystery Science Detectives dash off to retrieve a ball and uncover the truth about a creepy cabin and the fingers which terrified their client. As they make their way through the dark forest, Kihan, Hannah, Terry, and mascot cat Kkamif demonstrate how their skills and personalities contribute to the group dynamic. Any supernatural aspects quickly peel away through their observations and explanations of the natural causes.
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Mar 11, 2024 | 
newsweek.com | Rachel Forbes
The Colorado River originating high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and stretching an impressive 1,450 miles, crossing 30 tribal nations and most of the United States, is a lifeline winding through the arid landscapes of the American Southwest. It meets the water needs of 40 million people, irrigates 5.5 million acres of agricultural land, generates electricity through its various dams, and supports a $1.4 trillion economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs across the West.
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Sep 28, 2023 | 
bmj.com | Rachel Forbes
Dear Editor,This definitely caught my attention and I hope it will spark discussion about abandoning deficit models of health as well as active conversations about what should replace them. I read this article with great interest, particularly the last line “It will be almost like banning the word “love,” which I do not propose—not least because love is surely part of health.” I really agree – love IS part of health. As Richard Smith says, health is broader than individuals – it’s about community.
