Refresh Refresh, by Danica Novgorodoff

Refresh Refresh, by Danica Novgorodoff. New York: First Second, 2009. 138 pp. ISBN 9781596435223


READER'S ANNOTATION
Apart from a few lines here and there, it's been so long since Josh has received any real contact from his father.  He just wants to know where his dad is...

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"Fathers, sons, and the war that comes between them. There's nothing Josh, Cody, and Gordon want more than their fathers home safely from the war in Iraq — unless it's to get out of their dead-end town. Refresh, Refresh is the story of three teenagers on the cusp of high school graduation and their struggle to make hard decisions with no role models to follow; to discover the possibilities for the future when all the doors are slamming in their faces; and to believe their fathers will come home alive so they can be boys again." (barnesandnoble.com synopsis)

EVALUATION
This is a heart-breaking and vivid window into the experience of three boys who want nothing more than to hear from their fathers, and the title of the novel refers to just that, the act of hitting the "refresh" key to see if you've received any new email.  The teens' lives are portrayed realistically, and scenes of everyday things such as going to parties or practicing their fighting skills are interspersed with conversations about the future which is just around the corner for these high school seniors.  I highly recommed this honest graphic novel.  Potential controversial elements: violence, underage drinking, sexual activity.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel may help teens whose fathers or mothers are in the military and stationed away from the family.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I have always been interested in how teens deal with having parents overseas in the military.

Emiko Superstar, by Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston

Emiko Superstar, by Mariko Tamaki. New York: Minx, 2008. 149 pp. ISBN 9781401215361


READER'S ANNOTATION
Emiko's just about ready to perform live on stage for the first time, but feels she still needs to add a "wow factor" to her show...

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"A borrowed diary, a double life, and identity issues fuel a teenager's quest to find herself before she cracks and commits social suicide, in this new series written especially for girls." (Syndetic Solutions, Inc. summary)

EVALUATION 
Emiko is a very realistically developed protagonist.  Far from perfect and somewhat shy at first, she nevertheless eventually manages to muster up her courage and step out of her shell.  But even at the novel's end, she acknowledges that she is still a work in progress.  This is a really lovely and incredibly entertaining story about the need to fit in that we all experience at some point and, ultimately, finding one's true self. Potentially controversial element: graphic novel format.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel could help teens who are starting over, either in a new town, or building new friendships. 

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I had read about this on a UCLA "best graphic novels for teens" list.

Robot Dreams, by Sara Varon

Robot Dreams, by Sara Varon.  New York: First Second, 2007. 205 pp. ISBN 9781596431089


READER'S ANNOTATION
Now that Dog and Robot are separated, how will they each survive?  Will they ever again feel as happy as they were together?

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"This moving, charming graphic novel about a dog and a robot shows us in poignant detail how powerful and fragile relationships are. After a Labor Day jaunt to the beach leaves the robot rusted, immobilized in the sand, the dog must return alone to the life they shared. But the memory of their friendship lingers, and as the seasons pass, the dog tries to fill the emotional void left by the loss of his closest friend, making and losing a series of friends, from a melting snowman to epicurean anteaters. But for the robot, lying rusting on the beach, the only relief from loneliness is in dreams." (barnesandnoble.com synopsis)

EVALUATION 
Despite the fact that this novel is completely wordless, Varon tells a completely original story that really grabs at the heartstrings.  We feel the pain of both Dog and Robot at the loss of their friendship, yet also the hope in the fact that  life does go on.  In soft browns, aquas, and other pastel colors, Varon communicates the characters' emotions vividly.  The last few pages of this novel are very touching as one old friend gives another the ultimate gift in the form of music: a wish for him to remain happy. Potentially controversial element: graphic novel format.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel could help teens who have drifted apart from a formerly close friends, letting them know that they will indeed make new friends.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I've always loved any anthropomorphic fiction, and I couldn't resist the cover drawing of a contented dog and robot sweetly smiling as they rowed along in a little boat.

Ultimate Spider-Man,Vol. 2: Learning Curve, by Brian Michael Bendis

Ultimate Spider-Man,Vol. 2:  Learning Curve, by Brian Michael Bendis. New York: Marvel Comics, 2004. Unpaged. ISBN 0785108203


READER'S ANNOTATION
It's hard balancing school and work...especially when you're fighting crime at the same time.

GENRE
Graphic Novel/Comic Book

SUMMARY
"Following the murder of his uncle, the assault on his high school, and the confusing signals from Mary Jane Watson, Peter [Parker] finds himself on the brink of manhood: getting a job at a New York City newspaper, the Daily Bugle, to help support his family and taking on other extracurricular activities...like bringing down organized crime head honcho Wilson Fisk, otherwise known as the Kingpin!" (summary on back cover)

EVALUATION 
This is an update to the original Spiderman series, telling Peter's story from the beginning, but in the present day.  The illustrations are in full color, which seems rare in teen graphic novels (based on the limited number that I've read) and is quite striking.  Characters' emotions are clearly expressed in these depictions, although some are a bit static, and Mary Jane in particular looks older than the high school student she is meant to be.  The story is of course action-packed, but there are comedic moments inserted here and there, such as Peter's interaction with a school psychologist.  Overall, a fun, light read.  Poterntial controversial element: violence.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
Teens who have a large amount of responsibility may identify with Peter Parker.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I had never read a Spiderman comic/graphic novel before.

Burnout, by Rebecca Donner & Inaki Miranda

Burnout, by Rebecca Donner & Inaki Miranda. New York: Minx, 2008. 147 pp. ISBN 9781401215378


READER'S ANNOTATION
Danni's life up to this point has not been easy.  Her dad's left, and now she and her mom are on the road looking for a place to live.  Hopefully things will be better in this new town...

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"When Danni and her mom move in with her mom's alcoholic boyfriend, Danni develops a fierce crush on Haskell, her soon-to-be stepbrother, who's a hardcore environmentalist. Desperate and confused, Danni wrestles with what she's willing to sacrifice as she confronts first love, family secrets and the politics of ecoterrorism set against the lush backdrop of the Pacific Northwest." (barnesandnoble.com synopsis)

EVALUATION 
Protagonist Danni shows growth in character in this novel, yet it is somewhat depressing that by the end of the story, she doesn't seem to be using any new coping skills to deal with emotional trauma.  (However, though, she has just lost a boyfriend, and not too long after her father abandoned her and her mother.)  Perhaps, given what she's gone through, her reaction is realistic, but it's sad that she doesn't even seem to have a tiny bit of hope.  Potential controversial element: brief "almost" sexual intimacy between Danni and Haskell.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book could help teens with one or more absent parents, or who are living in alcoholic households.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
Judging by the drawing on the cover, it looked liked the protagonist had been through a lot and might have an interesting story to tell.

Good as Lily, by Derek Kirk Kim & Jesse Hamm

Good as Lily, by Derek Kirk Kim & Jesse Hamm. New York: Minx, 2007. Unpaged. ISBN 9781401213817


READER'S ANNOTATION
Being stuck with three other versions of yourself every day is quite a challenge.  How will Grace survive the embarassments they're causing her, and why are they here?

GENRE
Graphic Novel, Fantasy

SUMMARY
"What would you do if versions of yourself at [ages] 6, 29 and 70 became a part of your already awkward high school life? Grace Kwon is about to find out the hard way after she breaks a haunted pinata on her 18th birthday and her "other selves" appear. But it just may be the dark secret she's kept hidden about her younger sister, Lily, that stands between Grace and her past, present, and future." (Syndetic Solutions, Inc. summary)

EVALUATION 
Kim and Hamm do an incredible job of balancing two stories in this novel.  On one hand, the novel is about Grace's everyday life at high school, with friends and bullies, ups and downs.  But simultaneously, Grace must manage the three other versions of herself at different ages, the physical manifestations of a family issue which is gnawing at her.  Both the dialogue and the illustrations in this graphic novel are filled with humor.  The illustrations are black and white, but convey the full range of characters' emotions in an engaging way.  The only critique I have is that the illustration style on the cover is different from that inside the book.  Yet overall, this is both a thought-provoking and heart-warming graphic novel which is a superb example of all of the amazing potential of this form;  it's the kind of work which would be a great introduction to the form for anyone. Potentially controversial element: graphic novel format.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel could help teens who are being bullied at school or who have unresolved family issues.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I liked the illustration style and thought the premise sounded fun.