One of the assignments for my children’s literature course last term was to write 25 annotations (snapshot reviews between 50 and 150 words) on all sorts of kidlit. It was a great opportunity to delve out of my comfort zone of MG spec fic 😉 Today’s post, featuring graphic novels, is the fifth in a series where I share those annotations by type. Links will be updated as the rest of the series goes live.
Board books | Picture books | Early readers | Chapter books | Graphic novels | Middle grade novels | Information books
El Deafo by Cece Bell
El Deafo describes Cece’s experience growing up deaf using hearing aids and a Phonic Ear from kindergarten through grade five in small town America. Cece discovers that the Phonic Ear allows her to hear her teacher no matter where the teacher is in the school. This serves as inspiration for Cece’s alter ego, El Deafo, who Cece imagines standing up for herself when people treat her differently because of her deafness. The narrative explores both challenges particular to being deaf (such as being judged solely for being deaf or the difficulties of lipreading) as well as challenges with friendships and crushes that many children may experience. The colourful, cartoony style, in which characters are portrayed as rabbits, make this graphic novel appealing and accessible to young readers. Age 7+.
Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by Liu Na and Andres Vera Martinez
Comprised of eight short stories that document the author’s childhood in late 1970s China (following the death of Mao Zedong), this graphic novel offers insight into what it was like to be a privileged child at that time. Liu documents how her childhood contrasts with the childhood of her parents’ and other children her own age. The subdued colour palette and detailed images help transport the reader back to China. Although Na Liu is no older than seven in these stories, the narrative takes a reflective and informational tone, making the book suitable for older readers. Age 9+.
There are soooooo many graphic novels you could read! I am happy to suggest some if you are ever interested.