You’ve probably already seen at least one recommendation, if not many more, for Bone. It’s an all-ages fantasy romp that truly lives up to the description: there’s something here for everyone and all generations. The first book, Out From Boneville, introduces our cast and throws them right into action. The Bone cousins, Fone, Phoney, and Smiley, are hiding out in the desert after the townspeople chased greedy, money-grubbing Phoney away. Locusts attack, and the cousins get separated, so now they […]

I’ve been remiss in keeping up with this young adult series, adapted and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier based on the books by Ann M. Martin. I very much enjoyed the first book, and now the third’s already been out for two months and I haven’t talked about it. The first volume featured the founder of the baby-sitters club, Kristy, and each subsequent book focuses on another of the girls, which is a nice way to get to know the characters […]

Breaking Up is an excellent addition to Graphix’s collection of graphic novels for teen girls. The group of juniors in high school might be the friends from Queen Bee or The Babysitters Club grown a little older. Aimee Friedman writes and Christine Norrie draws the story of how the best friendship between Mackenzie and Chloe changes over one year at Fashion High, their name for their artsy, style-obsessed school. Mackenzie’s the fast one, eager to grow up, experience life, and […]

The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy’s Great Idea adapts the first book in the popular novel series by Ann M. Martin into comic form. Raina Telgemeier beautifully handles the conversion, creating a work that reads as though it had always been illustrated. It’s a great story for girls of all ages. Kristy has the idea of forming the club with two friends and a new acquaintance. Mary Anne is shy, with an overprotective single father. Claudia’s growing up a bit faster than […]

Chynna Clugston’s never been shy about acknowledging her pop culture inspirations and interests, and in Queen Bee, it’s no different. During the talent competition, lead character Haley sings The Go-Go’s “We’ve Got the Beat”. When trying to figure out how to be popular, Haley watches classic teen movies from the 80s and today. Clugston also mentions Mean Girls a couple of times, which given how similar the plot is, may be too often. Haley is psychokinetic — she can move […]