Summer Reading - Graphic novels

Wolverine : Worst Day Ever by Barry Lyga

I have to admit that this was a totally random pick. What can I say? sometimes fate gives you what you need -- something fun, adventurous, hilarious and with great artwork. I found it in the graphic novel section, but I don't know that it qualifies as a graphic novel (it's not  a story told in sequental artwork / drawings). It's more of a story, told in blog format, with illustrations. That's really unimportant to anyone who's not a librarian.
So, to get on with the review... Eric is a recent recruit to Xavier's School for Gifted Students. He has a very peculiar mutant gift, in his words
 " Basically, people don't notice me. I don't mean like I'm shy or anything like that. I mean that people just don't notice me. I could walk into a room totally naked, playing an accordian while juggling chainsaws, and people might get the idea that something's a little off in the room."
So what's a kid with a strange undeveloped mutant power supposed to do when surrounded with peers who have awesome mutant powers, well..., sneak around, lurk in the shadows, tag along with the X-men on secret missions and spy on favourite X-man of all Wolverine. This is where the fun, the action and the hilarity gets rolling.
I'm buying this one for our library for sure! I loved it.
Read On.

Michael Vey

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Superpowers? What would yours be? Would you want to be able to read minds? How about stop time? or reverse time? How about generate electricity? or make people feel a certain way?
In the story of  Michael Vey a group of teenagers (all born on the same day at the same hosipal in Pasadena) who discover that their is something special -- in fact very special about themselves. Most have been gathered up by evil genius Hatch and have been quickly forced into doing his bidding. All except Michael and Taylor. I'm not going to give too much more away, but this is where the going really gets started.
I think this will find it's way into the hands of those of you who enjoy the Percy Jackson books and also those who enjoy x-men. Kind of an underdog story in a battle of good vs. evil.

Lunch Lady series

This graphic novel series is clever and fun, perfect for a quick read during math.
Could our mild mannered Lunch Ladies actually be superheroes with a great disguise? According to Jarret Krosoczka the answer is definately YES.
Creative, clever, love Betty's kitchen spy gadgets, hilarious.

The Magnificent 12 : The Call

The Magnificent 12 : The Call by Michael Grant

Some of you know I loved Michael Grant's  GONE series, so I can hardly wait until this one shows up. In the meantime I'll give you a little taste of what to look forward to.

Summary from the publisher:
Until the 3000 year-old man appeared in the boy's room, middle-schooler Mack MacAvoy had resigned himself to leading a middling, unexceptional life. That was before the ancient bathroom crasher identified Mack as one of The Magnificent Twelve, a group of talented 12-year-olds who have been empowered to save the world. Before they can do that however, Mack must track down these other special children and prepare to do battle. Action, magic and laughs.

And there's a book trailer.
REad ON

Thirteen days to midnight

Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman

Alright many of you already know what a fan of Patrick Carman I am - so I really shouldn't have to go tooo overboard on the excitement I feel when a new title of his shows up at the library. Here it is --

You are indestructable. Three whispered words transfer an astonishing power to Jacob Fielding that changes everything. At first, Jacob is hesitant to use the power, unsure of its implications. but there is something addictive about testing the limits of fear.
Then Ophelia James, the beautiful and daring new girl in town, suggests that they use the power to do good, to save others. But with every heroic act, the power grows into a spectre of a curse . How to decide who lives and who dies?

Here's Patrick Carman giving an introduction to the book.

The Herofactory

Hey wanna have some fun, check out the hero factory and make your own superhero. Sorry, this one is mine - get your own.

www.theherofactory.com

Dull Boy

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

Dull boy has it all, humor, friendship, family issues, a little romance, and super powers. What more could you ask for? Sarah Cross leaves readers completely satisfied even though its clear there will be a sequel.

More fun quotes from the book.

"I have a plan. It's not the most brilliant plan, but there's a seventy two percent chance it'll work. Just...one of us has to take the fall, and the other has to be a witness and back up everything that person says. Are you a good liar?"

"Darla? If lying was a sport I would letter in it, go to state, get a college scholarship, and be a first-round draft pick."

"you need a mentor. I mean come on: Obi-Wan, Gandalf?"

From the back cover-- Sometimes I wish I didn't care what would happen if anyone knew the truth about me. But I do care. I have to keep this- super strength, flying- a secret. No one can know- not my parents, not my friends... It's just that it's getting harder to hide it.

I just finished reading the advanced reader copy of this, fun action/superhero kind of stuff.