Graphic Novel Review: Girl Taking Over

Lois Lane has a plan to take over the world -starting with her summer internship at CatCo. But as soon as she arrives, she finds Cat fired from her own company and her internship has become a gofer. Not to mention she's living with her ex-best friend. 

When she uncovers a scoop, her new boss won't let her publish it. So, she publishes it herself, creating her own site. At least here, she has her own voice and she's ready to shout.

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel - about friendship, becoming confident in yourself, and finding your voice. I love how life didn't go according to Lois's plan - but that she made it work in her favor. I would like a sequel please!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Grab it for your graphic novel collection! 

 

Graphic Novel Review: Amethyst Princess

Amaya loves being a princess. She especially loves playing pranks on and with her brother. But when a prank goes wrong, it throws everything into chaos. As a punishment, Amaya is sent to live on Earth for a week. Her parents are hoping that living without magic for a week will teach her something important. 

But something happens and Amaya and her aunt both forget about their previous life. Three years pass and Amy's in middle school. Everything feels normal until she's pulled back into her world - a world in trouble. Can she help save her home?

My Thoughts: I'm a big fan of Shannon and Dean Hale, so I was more than happy to read this one. I loved how everything went wrong and Amaya became Amy. I loved how she struggled to find herself. I loved how she ended up back home - changed. Because the time on Earth did change her. She learned about kindness, friendship, and doing things for herself. I loved her connection with her brother. This was such a great read, I loved everything - especially the art. I hope there are more Princess Amaya stories in the works. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries.

Graphic Novel Review: The Oracle Code

After a shooting incident, Barbara Gordon is left in a wheelchair. Her father believes the best place for her to heal is the Arkham Center for Independence, which is a place for teens for mental and physical rehabilitation. 

Barbara is not happy being there.

She's also not hearing anything from her best friend.

She's angry at the turn her life took. Other teens attempt to befriend her, but she's not interested. Not until one girl comes to her room in the middle of the night. That girl tells strange stories about people disappearing. 

Barbara doesn't believe any of it, but one day she wakes up and Jena is gone.

Barbara knows something is very wrong here. She's not going to rest until she figures out this puzzle.

My Thoughts: I really liked this graphic novel.  I loved learning more about Barbara Gordon. I loved her determination, her strength, and her love for solving puzzles. I love that she didn't back down when she knew something was wrong. My heart hurt for her as her best friend didn't answer her messages for the longest time.  I like how she confronts him and how things go from there. I loved the ending. I hope there are more graphic novels of the Oracle coming.

Cover Thoughts: Strong. I love how determined she looks

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public library. 

Review: Catwoman

When the Bat's away, the Cat will play. It's time to see how many lives this cat really has. . . .

Two years after escaping Gotham City's slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Batwing is left to hold back the tide of notorious criminals. Gotham City is ripe for the taking.
Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove he has what it takes to help people in his role as Batwing. He targets a new thief on the prowl who seems cleverer than most. She has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, and together they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman may be Batwing's undoing. (publisher summary)

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Here's a list of reason why:
Sisters
Cover stories
Friendship
Back stories
Romance
Secrets
Heists
Plot Twists
More of Gotham City

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your teen section

Giveaway: Supergirl

About the Book:
Welcome to Midvale, home to Liberty High School and an unusual girl names Kara Danvers. While it may seem like your ordinary town, girls like Kara make it extraordinary. She's super-strong, she can fly, and she crash-landed on Earth in a rocket ship. But for Kara Danvers, winning the next track meet, celebrating her 16th birthday, and surviving her latest mega-zit are her top concerns. Now Kara's incredible powers are kicking into high gear and people she trusted are revealing creepy motives. The time has come for her to choose between the world where she was born and the only world she's every known.

About the Author:
Markio Tamaki is an award-winning Canadian writer living in Oakland California. She's the author of Saving Montgomery Sole and the co-creator with Jillian Tamaki of This One Summer, which received the prestigious Eisner and Ignartz awards as well as Caldecott and Printz honors. Her growing slate of critically acclaimed comics and graphic novels included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tomb Raider, Adventure Time, She-Hulk, Lumberjanes, SuperGirl and New Super-Man.

On Thursday, I got to chat with the author.

Today I'm giving away one copy!
(US only please)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Picture Book Review: Good Morning Superman

Superman gets ready for the day just like this young boy. Heroes are normal people who do extraordinary deeds.

I really love this series as it connects superheroes with everyday actions. This one works really well with Bedtime for Batman. Again, the pictures are great. I love the two page spread of Superman and the young boy, both getting the jobs done. I hope this series continues with other superheroes!

I read this one at a daycare a few weeks ago (superhero theme) and the kids really enjoyed it!

Picture Book Review: Bedtime for Batman

The superheros have many of the same jobs, just a little bit different in getting ready for bed and cleaning up the city. 

My Thoughts: A really great bedtime story that parallels going to bed with Batman's nightly work. I really enjoyed the two page spread, one side of bedtime and one side of Batman. The illustrations were fantastic and captured the mood of the story. A sweet and entertaining book that young ones will love. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: Proof Sent for Review:
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for all libraries
Story Time Recommendation: Perfect for bedtime or superhero themed story times.

Top Ten Tuesday: Supergirl

This week's topic is I Love X -- could be a certain book, character, author, your indie bookstore, a fandom, a tv show, reading, a hobby, a genre. Honestly anything you want to gush about. So I just finished up the first season of Supergirl and I'm going to talk about that....

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

1. Her relationship with her sister

2. Her hope for humanity and the world

3. Alex Danvers

4. She never gives up

5. Her group of friends

6. That Flash crossover episode

7. Miss Grant

8. Her day job

9. Pop culture references 

10. Villains with fun powers 

Do you watch this show?
I'm super glad it's coming back for another season.

Tween Tuesday Review: Wonder Woman at Super Hero High

 * First in a new series *

Wonder Woman has never been to school before, but when a spot opens up at Super Hero High, she's happy to take it. She finds pleasure in the little things in life, but most of all, she's happy to be a part of it.

Not everyone's happy she's there. Someone's sending her nasty notes. Plus her new roommate wants to video everything - and post it online. Not only does she post the great videos, but she seems to enjoy posting Wonder Woman's mistakes more.

And with the superhero competition coming up, Wonder Woman can't afford too many mistakes if she wants to make the team. Can Wonder Woman survive her first year of high school?

My Thoughts: I was super excited for this book because I don't know much about Wonder Woman. I had a hard time getting into this one because of how literal and socially awkward Wonder Woman was - but once I moved past that, I really enjoyed the book. I loved reading about a character who was super strong with a big heart to match her strength. I admired her for wanting to see and experience the world. I loved the superhero testing and the lessons. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Love
Source: Book sent for review

Final Thoughts: A fun girl power read filled with friendships, competition, and just perfect for libraries with superhero loving tweens.

Graphic Novel Review: Gotham Academy

Gotham Academy isn't your regular school. Olive has changed over the summer, and she can't remember why. She's supposed to show Maps around the school.

Maps is her boyfriend's sister. She really likes Maps, but she and Kyle aren't really talking. She doesn't know what to say to him. She doesn't know what to say to anyone...anymore.

When Maps and Olive uncover some strange happenings, they start to investigate, which might not be the best idea.

My Thoughts: I loved the first volume of this series and I'm looking forward to the second. I love Maps. She's small but feisty. I'm interested to uncover Olive's secret summer and how that changed her (and maybe her mother.) I like the small romance plot line and the friendship plot lines. I love the action and the danger. All in all, a great graphic novel for the library's collection, especially with superheroes on the rise.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: My Library
Fun Fact: In the back of the book, there's a discussion on art and influences of the character creations.

Graphic Novel Review: Study Hall of Justice

Bruce Wayne just started a new school and he's pretty sure there's something strange going on there. He's determined to figure it out. But he can't do it alone.

Then he realize that both Clark and Diana could help. The three of them aren't friends - exactly. But they have the same ideas and they too want to uncover the truth.

My Thoughts: This one is aimed at younger readers, mostly tweens. I really liked the first installment of this series. I like how the three characters came together and each of them have their strengths. I like how Bruce tried to become the mastermind, but several of his plots failed. The art was cool - and mixed up with sketches, journal entries, and ideas. Looking forward to more in this series.