Summer Reading - Graphic Novels

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
I really enjoyed Smile, written and drawn by this same author, so I was excited to get the chance to have a sneak-peak at her latest graphic novel Drama. Basically it boils down to this -- finding your way in middle school is tough!  I know I wouldn't want to travel back in time and relive the challenges or the drama of it. So cudo's to Ms. Telgemeier for having the skill to create a story that stays true to the age, as well as being relatable with what kids are facing as they grow up.
Think GLEE for middle school -- this book deals with dating, friendships, school plays and learning about a friend's homosexuality. So if that makes you uncomfortable, maybe it's not a book for you. On the flip side it has so many great true moments that are so part of everyday life at middle school, that you won't want to miss this one.

Here's the book summary:

Callie loves theatre. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she is determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage and offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier.

Favourites

Here's some of my favourite books with their movie trailers and some other stuff I've found on a Friday afternoon.

StarGirl and Love Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli are a couple of my favourite books - at times I wish we all had a little bit more of Stargirl in us - unafraid, compassionate, inspired (who wouldn't want that.)
I also thought these tips from the Stargirl page were fun- http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/stargirl/societies.html

Poison Ivy by Amy Koss

Poison Ivy: 3 bullies, 2 points of view, 1 trial by Amy Koss

The premise for this book is terrific, unfortunately it doesn't quite deliver, for the most part I thought it was okay, the characters a little underdeveloped and even the plot and theme get a fuzzy around the edges.

From the back cover:
When three popular girls go on trial in Government class for their ruthless bullying of a girl named Ivy, it seems like the misfit will finally get her revenge. Eight first-person narrators give different versions of the event: Ivy- the victim doesn't want revenge, she just wants to be left alone; Ann - she's the beautiful, bu infamously cruel, leader of the bullies; Marco- he may be the only person involved who has any morals, but he's also the target of Ann's persuasive affections; Daria- Ivy's painfully shy lawyer doesn't stand a chance; Bryce- the goofy court reporter knows all the real dirt, even if he doesn't care; Cameron- he sleeps through the proceedings but might wake up just in time to make a difference; Wayne- a true devotee of the legal process, too bad he's on the sidelines; and Faith- as the only witness for the prosecution, it all comes down to her. But where do her loyalties lie?

From Booklist - " The message is clear: beauty, popularity, and fear are the trinity by which girls rule, and although most teenagers aren't cruel, many are indifferent to the suffering of their peers and are thankful they aren't the ones in the spotlight"

From Publishers weekly: "The interaction among the students in and out of courtroom' offer readers intriguing and often disturbing perspectives on popularity, peer pressure, bullying and fairness"

So even though I didn't think this the strongest book of it's kind, I do think it stands the possibility of furthering discussion on what our roles are, how do we see ourselves and can we stand up for what we know is right at least occasionally.