Rob Harrell

This loopy, goofy superhero parody intended for the middle-school or younger crowd actually amused me more than I would have thought possible since the Batpig strips were my least favorite part of Rob Harrell's Wink graphic novel. But the potty humor and metafiction works for me. I also like the weird unaddressed queasiness caused by a world where humans and anthropomorphize animals cohabitate while humans still eat those animals' meat. Hooooowwww?

I bought this book for our grade 4/5 school library because it's an intermediate Nutmeg nominee for CT this year. I wasn't prepared for such a strong, emotionally packed, on-spot middle grade voice. Based on the author's real-life experience with a rare eye cancer, Ross has to not only deal with navigating middle school (not easy in any case), but with his condition, cruel memes about his illness, a friend deserting him, a class bully, and on and on. He does so with humor, finding outlets in show more creating (drawing and music), and his best friend Abby. But there is also a raw honesty throughout, anger that this is happening to him. The story had me in tears at times. I highly recommend not only for kids, but for adults. show less

Stoker-on-Avon's monster is terrible. He doesn't attack; all he does is sigh and mope all day long. It's an embarrassment. So the town elders send the local mad scientist to fix things, and the town crier/urchin stows away. Together they go on a journey to build up the monster's confidence and end up becoming good friends and heroes.

This graphic novel is adorable. Adorable. It's funny and sweet, and the art is gorgeous.

(Provided by NetGalley)

I absolutely adored this middle grade novel about anxiety and panic attacks. What a necessary read in a world that needs to talk more openly about mental health. Popcorn is about a seventh grade boy who is having the worst of worst days. It's his mom's first day at a new job, a job she really needs because they need the money to help put his grandmother in a safe facility (her Alzheimers is getting worse by the day). All she asks of him is to PLEASE take a nice photo (it's school picture show more day) and it seems as if the universe is out to get him. He already suffers from anxiety and he's nervous about his mom's first day, his grandma being watched by a friend, and staying clean and presentable for his photo. It's a lot! Throughout the day there is a bully who is out to get him, a science experiment gone wrong, juice box sneezes, and a basketball to the face. Andrew's anxiety keeps ratcheting up after each and every incident. He's never had a panic attack at school and he is determined that today won't be the day. But what if the universe is out to get him? Filled with amazing illustrations and comic frames; this middle grade novel is so important. Should be required reading for kids and adults! show less