Runaways
Brian Vaughan
I heard this graphic novel mentioned as NPR commentator David Lipsky’s guilty pleasure. It is full of funny and snappy dialogue (Vaughan wrote for a few seasons of Lost), interesting plot devices and some great illustration. However, Lipsky hits the “guilty” bit of guilty pleasure right on: the covers are designed for 12 year old girls. Ah well, read them anyway – maybe with a book-cover from another series wrapped over them.
Pete and Pickles
Berkeley Breathed
I was kind of shocked when Breathed killed off Opus earlier this year. I understand his rationale that the world is really just too messed up for an Opus, no matter how feisty he is. However, I think Breathed did a great disservice by taking away a gently sarcastic bright spot in a cynical world. Regardless, he has partially redeemed himself with his gorgeous new children’s book Pete and Pickles. Full of Breathed’s luminous illustrations, Pete and Pickles tells the story of a quite little pig who spends his days tending his wife’s grave. However, once he rescues an elephant named Pickles, his whole quiet life goes out the door....
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey and Genius Squad
Trenton Lee Stewart and Catherine Jinks
Like all sequels to excellent books, these two YA titles are a teeny bit of a letdown – primarily because they aren’t the first book. Both take a few chapters to hit their stride, Genius Squad more so. However, I had no complaints by a third of the way through both. Satisfying reads for any age. Definitely read the first books before starting either of these.
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman
It’s Neil, ’nuff said. No? OK, a sweet, funny and often sad book about a baby named Nobody who grows up in a graveyard, raised by the kindly dead. Beautiful and otherworldly as only Gaiman can write.
Evil Genius
Evil Genius – Catherine Jinks
Where do you go to school if you are a genius and your father is an evil genius? Why, the evil genius academy, of course. Learn the fine arts of lying, stealing, poisons, hacking, disguise and other deeply useful skills. The only drawbacks? The matriculation rate is nothing to write home about and leaving really isn’t an option. Surprisingly gritty, intense themes for a supposed kids book.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
The Mysterious Benedict Society – Trenton Lee Stewart
An ad in the paper looking for exceptional children lures orphan Reynie Muldoon into a strange shadow conspiracy. With a band of other brilliant and bizarre children, they must overthrow an evil mastermind. Inventive and fast-moving, though personally I think a few fires would have solved a lot of problems for them.