Livelier than the typical history textbook but sillier than the many outstanding works on the Civil War available for young...
Travel with Nathan Hale back to 1861 for the famous Civil War battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, the war’s first ironclad ships.
Unless readers have read Hale’s One Dead Spy (2012) first, they may well wonder why the famous spy Nathan Hale, hanged for espionage in 1776, is telling this future story of naval warfare during the Civil War. It turns out that Nathan Hale—the spy, not the author—was standing at the gallows when he was swallowed by a giant book of American history. He lives to tell about it and, presumably, other tales of America for future volumes of Hazardous Tales. This volume, completed prior to One Dead Spy, is a wild ride of a graphic novel, featuring not only Nathan Hale, but his hangman, a fox representing Gustavus Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and the various participants in the battle. Sketched, inked and colored in Photoshop, the two-color, frenetic volume succeeds in presenting the chaos of war. The backmatter is notable for its informative biographies of key players, a timeline, and a small but well-selected bibliography.
Livelier than the typical history textbook but sillier than the many outstanding works on the Civil War available for young readers, this will appeal to both history buffs and graphic-novel enthusiasts. (Graphic historical fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4197-0395-9
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: June 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012
A useful starting point.
Learn about science by copying (adapted) concepts from the best!
In graphic format, readers explore over 40 projects inspired by as many (more or less) scientific minds throughout history. The book unfolds predictably in topical double-page spreads, with the verso page introducing a scientist (sometimes two) in a paneled page rife with corny humor while the recto summarizes an experiment, observational study, project, or mathematical exercise that can be completed with limited supplies commonly found in most homes. The projects are useful springboards for science fairs or home-based experiments, but the abbreviated biographies, which perhaps give too much space to humor, will have readers seeking out additional sources to learn more about the individuals discussed. The biographical facts are oversimplified, such as Thomas A. Edison’s claim that “I invented the microphone” (debatable), or could use a little more meat, such as the undefined description of Katherine Johnson as a “human computer” (true, but…), but the experiments are nicely detailed and will be useful. The diversity of characters trying the experiments slightly mitigates the fact that only two of the scientists introduced are people of color and the majority hail from Europe. The inclusion of many women scientists is a great first step, but if there’s a sequel, a globally diverse roster is necessary. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-13.4-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
A useful starting point. (STEM flow chart, glossary) (Graphic nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7112-5182-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: QEB Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2020
Somewhat silly but slightly muddled; look elsewhere for meaningful guidance on coping with social anxiety.
A cartoon dive into all things embarrassing.
Intending to show that “the better you understand [embarrassment], the better you control it,” Harper explores several common categories of embarrassment (“social oops,” “it’s on you and it shouldn’t be,” “parents in public,” etc.) before including the insights of real-life licensed health counselor Grace Y. Lin (depicted as a pink hippo). A string of characters accompany readers through the book: Badgey, who has “badges for bravery and words of wisdom”; an unnamed anthropomorphic dog who never gets embarrassed; and a host of child characters who act as examples for different scenarios (and who have a range of pink, tan, and brown skin). Busy pages, a two-dimensional character style, and all-caps lettering give the illustrations a doodled feel. Harper’s ultimate conclusion that “embarrassment + time = good story” reminds readers that time—and a sense of humor—can soften embarrassment. However, the book’s center may be lost as readers become bogged down in detailed examples that focus more often on embarrassing scenarios than on offering tools for reframing thinking, making this very much not a book for anyone with social anxiety.
Somewhat silly but slightly muddled; look elsewhere for meaningful guidance on coping with social anxiety. (Graphic nonfiction. 8-11)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5235-1017-7
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2020
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