It's time for new graphic novels! This week I have some fun ones. First off, the Nathan Hale series has a new addition which is just as good as the last two. This guy doesn't miss a step.
Of course, Jeffrey Brown, author of the very cute Darth Vader and Son book has expanded his repetoire and ventured into the graphic novel/diary arena with Jedi Academy. Nice to know that all that Star War's trivia your child has amassed will come in handy when they get caught up in this new series.
And in keeping with an intergalactic theme, there is a new graphic novel where Earthlings are the most feared creatures in the universe. Ha! I know my kids think I'm scary, but now apparently the universe knows it too!
I am aware that some parents worry about giving their kids graphic novels, but I am a firm believer that the only way your child will get better at reading is actually reading. Kids enjoy these books and in the case of Nathan Hale, they present historical material that a child might consider boring, in a way that captures their attention and draws them into a significant moment in time. Graphic novels are part of a "diet" of books that your kids should be consuming. Believe it or not, as they gain confidence, their appetitite for more challenging fare will increase, although we all still need a little comic relief from time to time!
To see all my graphic novel selections for kids this week, visit my website at www.onegreatbook.com
Title: Donner Dinner Party
Author: Nathan Hale
Target: Grades 4-8
Series: Yes
What this book is about:
As the name would imply, and I absolutely love the name, this is about the Donner Party. The Donner Party was a group of families, traveling by wagon from Illinois, who set out in 1846 looking for new opportunities in California. They decided to take an untested shortcut through Utah and Nevada, which left them trapped in the snow of the Sierra Nevada during the winter. Lack of food and sickness caused many of them to parish, and the remaining pioneers had to eat the remains of their fallen family members to survive.
Why I love this book:
Nathan Hale does it again. If you are unfamiliar with his other books, he is taking on famous events in American history and using a graphic novel format to make history come alive for kids. In his other books, One Dead Spy and Big Bad Ironclad, he recounts the story of the actual spy Nathan Hale in the Revolutionary War, as well as the clash of the ironclads in the Civil War.
Hale’s use of humor, his ability to create unique and engaging characters and his clever graphics engage the reader making these retellings of famous events just wonderful. While the Donner party could be a relatively gruesome tale, in Hale’s hands he treats it with understanding and tact (and just the right amount of humor.)
Who this book is for:
This book is great for kids who like history, but, I think it is also wonderful for kids who haven’t shown an interest in this area. Hale makes history fun and memorable and for kids who just don’t get why this subject is so great, they may have a new appreciation for history after Nathan Hale’s books.
Final thoughts:
I can’t say enough good stuff about this series. Especially for boys, it is a must read.