Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S., Hale, D., & Hale, N. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury.

A retelling of Grimm's fairy tales set in the Wild West, Rapunzel is more than a girl that gets away from evil Gothel. It is creatively written in a graphic novel format which tells of her and her adventures along with Jack and the goose. They are highly sought after and threatened at gunpoint and are imprisoned and escape. It's thrilling and action packed as she fights a boar, killer coyotes, and sea serpents, as well as outlaws as she uses her long hair as a mane and lasso. She eventually frees her real mother, deals with Gothel and finds love with Jack and it is until then that the goose lays a golden egg! This is a perfect book for upper elementary grade level girls who will be able to relate to every emotion Rapunzel experiences to anyone who enjoys humor in comic/graphic novel formats!

Rosa

Giovanni, N., & Collier, B. (2005). Rosa. New York: Henry Holt.

A story about Rosa and her life as a hard -working seamstress on her way home to eagerly make a homecooked meal for her husband and the encounter she has with the bus driver as she sits in a forbidden section and believes she shouldn't have to give up her seat and move to the back. The bus driver calls the police on her and is tired of the mistreatment that Black people were facing in those times. She was frustrated with the inequalities. As the police approached her, she mustered the courage and remembered all those who had been voicing the need for equality. Rosa formed and gathered a council of 25 women who shared the same beliefs and created flyers to boycott the bus that emphasized Separate was not Equal. The citizens walked for their freedom in a non violent movement. She then became known as the Civil Rights abolitionists as they over ruled segregation. A great story about a courageous woman who fought for change is sure to inspire anyone who reads it.

Magic Windows

Garza, C. L., Rohmer, H., & Schecter, D. (1999). Magic windows. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press.

The creative story is depicted through these magic windows Garza has created that tell all about the Mexican culture told in both English and Spanish. Her cut-paper window images are magical and tell of the hummingbird that flies across the border to drink nectar. The text is repeated;however, one may forget that with such intricate detail that is given to each paper cut image. The contrasting colors are genius. This is an excellent book for those that want to learn about the traditions of the Mexican culture that will definitely inspire an intrigue for this art!

Comics Squad

Krosoczka, J., Yang, G. L., Wight, E., Holm, J. L., Holm, M., Vernon, U., . . . Pilkey, D. (2014). Comics Squad: Recess! New York: Random House Books.

A humorous graphic novel that incorporates all Sunday Comics all in one. This book cover hilarious stories of character from Dinozilla, bad guys, good guys, secret ninja clubs, aliens and their stories all based on tales of reccess that includes jokes, ridiculous plans, and sacrcasm like no other. This book is perfect for the comic lover in need of a laugh till you drop episode.

Skulduggery Pleasant

12-year old Stephanie is thrown into a world of fantasy as she inherits his money and property and meets people she would have never imagined. She meets Skulduggery, a mage who believes he can save the world from the evil forces, but needs a partner to do so. He also happens to be a skeletal man with powers that her uncle interacted with. She decides to team up with him in efforts to conquer her boredom, investigate who the killing of her uncle and conquer the Faceless Ones whose sole purpose is to obtain the Sceptre of the Ancients, which also happens to be her Uncle's most prized possession. They conquer the evil ones and in the end becomes his student of sorcery and learns that she is a descendent of the Ancients and posseses magical abilities herself. Their playful, teasing remarks carry the story along. This book is perfect for anyone who craves magic and adventure.

We are the Ship

A fictional, visual narrative that conveys a collective voice of what it was like to be a Negro in the baseball league when Rube Foster created the Negro National League from the beginning in the 1920s to Jackie Robinson's times. It depicts the hardships they endured through, anecdotes, jokes and the history through full page oil paintings that capture the eye. A book perfect for every baseball fan that shows how African Americans have succeeded and evolved in the sport.

Nest

Oppel, K., & Klassen, J. (2015). The nest. New York: Simon & Schuster.

A powerful narrative told from a young boy named Steve with OCD that worries about his infant baby brother who has a congenital disease. Then, angels appear in his dreams and promise to fix his baby brother and wait for him to utter, yes! But,with that yes comes consequences, meaning his sick sibling could be replaced with a healthly baby. He is also worries about his parents' state of mind as they struggle to cope with the devastating reality of their sick child.. The wasps are more than just insects they symbolize something more that is left to the imagination of the reader. It's a grappling tale that channels every child's fear of the dark, death and what cannot be controlled. Klassen's powerful, yet dark illustrations set the tone for this somewhat gothic novel.