graphic novels to check out--

Titles being used in our new women's class: Little Robot, El Deafo, I Kill Giants, Anya's Ghost, Page by Paige, Exquisite Corpse-- all good, all fun. I Kill Giants perhaps the most serious of the bunch, about a middle-school girl coming to terms with something heavy. Variety of artistic styles...

Some other favs of mine:

American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang

Coming-of-age set in California, 2nd generation Chinese. Mixes in some Monkey King fables, a little Kung Fu, and a first love. Good stuff. Artwork is great. *****

Boxers, Gene Luen Yang

The Boxer Rebellion, at the turn of last century, as seen from a village leader/warrior's perspective. Dealing with impact of Christianity and westerners. Lots of kung fu, training and fight scenes, and blood. Fair amount of magic realism relative to communication with ancestors and past Chinese leaders. Superpowers abound, but with limits... And a bit of a love story to boot. Great first taste of the Boxer Rebellion for me-- something about which I knew nothing. Cool artwork and connection to traditional Chinese opera. *****

A Game for Swallows, Zeina Abirached

Set in Beirut. Chronicles life under siege and across demarcation lines. Great artwork-- black and white. Great use of insets and maps to add 

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