Brian Jacques Redwall is now available in a graphic novel format. The story was adapted by Stuart Moore with beautiful black and white illustrations by Bret Blevins. Having never read the Redwall books, this was an opportunity for me to be introduced to the popular series. I fell in love with the character of Matthias at the beginning when he was whistling a tune and stumbled, dropping his basket of apples. I enjoyed seeing him change from a slightly clumsy little mouse into a true warrior. When Redwall Abbey is under attack by Cluny the terrible rat, Matthias begins a journey to retrieve the sword of the great warrior, Martin. A motley crew of woodland animals aids Matthias on his quest and everyone worked together to save Redwall.
The New Girl By Cassandra Calin New York: Graphix, 2024. Comic. 261 pages. 12-year-old Lia and her family have just moved from Romania to Montreal, and she's doing her best to keep up with the changes. But, she's homesick. She misses the rest of her family, her friends, and her favorite Romanian treats. She doesn't speak French and her English is shaky, which makes it hard to make friends, even in her international immersion class. And she's dealing with super painful menstrual cramps every month. But before long, Lia starts to hit her stride. She befriends the other bilingual girls in her class, she gets a spot as the artist for her school's magazine, and even has a new crush -- Julien. Though she may be the new girl, Lia is starting to fit in. This slice of life graphic novel is an adorable choice for middle grade readers and young teens. Lia is a likable protagonist and readers will have little difficulty relating to her adjustment to school. The text speaks to a...
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