Middle Grade Monday: Clock Hands

Vale and his family are having a hard time. He scrounges for work as best he can but without an appointment from the guild, he'll never make fair money. He can't get an appointment with the guild because he can't not purchase an entry fee.

When a stranger moves to town, he helps the family acclimate to a new town. Maestro Giuseppe wants to build a clock. His daughter will be helping him. He invites Vale to also help. Vale can't believe his good fortune. 

But he isn't sure the guilds will allow him to work. He's right to be worried. The guilds run everything and they aren't pleased. They make threats, but Vale and his friends aren't backing down. Who will win?

Why I read it: I loved Ink Girls and this is slightly connected. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book too. I love Vale and his new friends and how they stood up to the Guilds. The Guilds had too much power and they weren't using it for good. They were hurting many of the townspeople. This is a great book for a teaching tool - for historical fiction, but also unions/guilds. I loved the art in this book. I hope there are more coming in this companion series. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for your school and public library graphic novel collection

Middle Grade Review: Ink Girls

Cinzia is the printer's apprentice. Mestra Aronne is determined to publish a story that will anger the ruling family. Even though the story is true; the guards come for both of them in the middle of the night. Cinzia manages to escape. She runs into Elena - she's part of the ruling noble family. Elena thinks she can help Cinzia. Together, they can discover the proof Mestra Aronne has and bring it to the family. With Elena on her side, Cinzia hopes they can save her found family. But will the city support her?

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel! There's action, danger, found family, and fighting for good. A group of girls, who wouldn't normally be friends, find each other and fight to change the world. Just one girl has a hard time changing the world, but together, they seem almost unstoppable. A great feminist graphic novel. There's a rumor that this is book one - here's hoping this is true, because I want more Ink Girls! 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: my Library

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your library's collection.