The 9/11 Reports: A Graphic Adaptation

Title: The 9/11 Reports: A Graphic Adaptation

Author: Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon

Publisher: Hill and Wang

ISBN: 978-0-8090-5738-2

Recommended for Grades 10 and up

Genre: Non-Fiction-Graphic Novel

Reader’s Annotation:

A graphic novel adaptation of the 2004 The 9/11 Report: The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, this book reworks the 800 page report to a readable and understandable form.

Plot Summary:

On September 11, 2001 the world changed when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. In 2004 The 9/11 Report: The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States was released. Jacobson and Colon bring the report to life in graphic novel form. The book details the events leading up to 9/11, what took place on the day of the attacks, and the response to what occurred. The book also includes fold out time lines of the events that took place on September 11^th. The book depicts images of the terrorists that were involved as well as key members of the government and military.

Evaluation:

The graphic novel form makes The 9/11 Report easy for teens to read and understand. The importance of what happened on that day will not be lost on teens who do not wish to read the entire report.

Notes:

The 9/11 Report: The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States is available through W.W. Norton & Co., ISBN 978-0393060416

The AIDS Update

Title: The AIDS Update
Author: Alvin and Virginia Silverstein and Laura Silverstein Nunn
Publisher: Enslow Publisher, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0766027466

Recommended for Grades 7 and up
Genre: Non-Fiction

Reader’s Annotation:
A lot has changed about AIDs since the disease was first discovered. This book gives an updated look at AIDs and its effects on the world in order to help the reader to understand the disease more clearly.

Plot Summary:
Put together in a straight forward and easy to understand manner with numerous pictures, this book makes it easy for young adults to learn facts about AIDs and HIV. Published in 2008, The AIDs Update presents current information about how AIDs has spread, what has been learned about it, and the work that is being done to find a viable treatment and cure. The book provides basic information about the disease, what effects it has on the human body, how it is spread and how it can be prevented. A glossary, index and list of references are included to further understanding of the topic.

Evaluation:
The book provides insightful and current information about the battle against HIV and AIDs. It helps teens to learn the truth about these diseases that continue to take lives all over the world.

The Arrival

Title: The Arrival
Author: Shaun Tan
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
ISBN: 0439895294

Recommended for Grades 6 and up
Genre: Fiction-Fantasy

Reader’s Annotation:
Needing to find a better life for his family, one man sets off to a new country. Here he must learn a new language and culture with only the kindness of others to help him through.

Plot Summary:
In this wordless graphic novel, the reader follows the journey of a man as he leaves his home and family to make a new life in a new country and prepares to have his family come and join him. He is overwhelmed by the new culture, language, and way of life. He is assisted by other immigrants and learns why they came to this land. Later, when his family joins him, his daughter is seen assisting a new immigrant find her way as others helped her father.

Evaluation:
By telling the story without words, this book will help teens feel what immigrants feel when they leave their home and family behind to make a new life in a strange land. It will help to teach tolerance for immigrants that they may meet.

Artemis Fowl

Title: Artemis Fowl
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Hyperion Books For Children
ISBN: 0-7868-0801-2

Recommended for Grades 6-10
Genre: Fiction- Fantasy

Reader’s Annotation:
Artemis Fowl needs money. And fast. What is a genius 12 year old to do? Steal fairy gold of course.

Plot Summary:
Artemis Fowl is the twelve year old genius son of an Irish crime lord. His father has been kidnapped and his mother has been driven insane. The only way Artemis can think of to save his parents is to use his brain power to steal leprechaun gold from the fairyfolk. With his bodyguard Butler at his side nothing can stop him.

Nothing, that is, but Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance) Unit. While Artemis hopes to ransom her in exchange for the fairy gold, Holly and her magical comrades are confident that their magic and technology will easily defeat a twelve year old human. Little do they know that Artemis will be a more challenging opponent than they could ever have imagined. The battle between Artemis and the fairyfolk could tear the world apart.

Evaluation:
Artemis Fowl is a story about greed and the limits it can push people to. Though Artemis is the classic anti-hero, his cunning and intelligence makes him an appealing character for teens who are rebelling themselves.

Notes: There are 5 other titles in the series-
The Arctic Incident
The Eternity Code
The Opal Deception
The Lost Colony
The Time Paradox

Astro City: Life in the Big City

Title: Astro City: Life in the Big City
Author: Kurt Busiek, Brent E. Anderson and Alex Ross
Publisher: Wildstorm
ISBN: 156389551X

Recommended for Grades 9 and up
Genre: Fiction-Fantasy-Science Fiction-Graphic Novel

Reader’s Annotation:
Superheros are admired by those they protect. But it is easy to forget that they are people too.

Plot Summary:
In Astro City, there are superheros everywhere. They are part of daily life and are admired by the citizens. In six stories, the views of the citizens toward the superheros and the feelings of the superheros themselves are revealed. Each of the stories begins with the main character stating how much they love Astro City, but each end with the sign "You are now leaving Astro City: Please drive carefully" as the character leaves. The book begins and ends with the Good Samaritan, the main superhero of Astro City, who wishes to do nothing more than fly for the sheer pleasure of flying, or spend a little time with love-interest and superheroine, Winged Victory. Other heroes, Jack-in-the-Box, the First Family, and Cracker Jack are also featured.

Evaluation:
With many popular movies showing superheros as real and flawed, Astro City: Life in the Big City does just that. Teens will enjoy the human side of the superhero story.

Notes:
There are five other graphic novels in the Astro City series.
Astro City: Confession
Astro City: Family Album
Astro City: Tarnished Angel
Astro City: Local Heroes
Astro City: The Dark Age Book One

The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1

Title: The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1
Author: Lemony Snicket
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 006075589X

Recommended for Grades 6-10
Genre: Fiction-Fantasy

Reader’s Annotation:
Things are starting badly for the three Baudelaire children. Very badly. And they're getting worse. Much, much worse.

Plot Summary:
Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire have just been informed that their parents have died and their home has been destroyed in a terrible fire. They are now being shipped off to the home of their distant relative Count Olaf, who treats them horribly. He schemes to have the children participate in a play called "The Marvelous Marriage" in which he will legally marry Violet in order to obtain the Baudelaire fortune. If Violet or Klaus try to stop him, baby Sunny will be killed. Each child must use their skills, Violet as an inventor, Klaus as a researcher, and baby Sunny's love of biting, in order to escape Count Olaf.

Evaluation:
The Series of Unfortunate Events is morbid and is filled with tragedy, but also love and humor. Difficult words are often defined to help build the vocabulary of the reader and subtle word play will keep older teens interested.

Notes:
There are 12 other books in The Series of Unfortunate Events:
The Reptile Room
The Wide Window
The Miserable Mill
The Austere Academy
The Ersatz Elevator
The Vile Village
The Hostile Hospital
The Carnivorous Carnival
The Slippery Slope
The Grim Grotto
The Penultimate Peril
The End

In 2004 Paramount Pictures released Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events based on the first three books in the series.

The Book of Wizard Craft: In Which the Apprentice Finds Spells, Potions, Fantastic Tales & 50 Enchanting Things to Make

Title: The Book of Wizard Craft: In Which the Apprentice Finds Spells, Potions, Fantastic Tales & 50 Enchanting Things to Make
Author: Janice Eaton Kilby, Deborah Morgenthal and Terry Taylor
Publisher: Lark Books
ISBN: 1579902065

Recommended for Grades 6-10
Genre: Non-Fiction

Reader’s Annotation:
For anyone who has ever wanted to make magic in their own home, this is the book for them.

Plot Summary:
Jam packed with illustrations, information and fun, this is the perfect book for a young reader who has fallen in love with any one of the recent wizard-themed book series. The book takes classic at-home science experiments and gives them a wizard twist. There are also a number of crafts that they can use to decorate their rooms or throw a wizard-themed party. Along with the hands-on projects, there are interspersed sections of information about different mythological creatures and legends.

Evaluation:
The book is filled with humor that encourages both creativity and safety. Young adults will enjoy turning their home into their own school of witchcraft and wizardry.