Synopses & Reviews
Posy Simmonds, Britains best-loved cartoonist and the author of Gemma Bovery, has now created the irresistible Tamara Drewe, a graphic novel that delightfully skewers modern mores and manners with great wit and understanding for the foibles of humanity.
Loosely inspired by Thomas Hardys Far From the Madding Crowd, Tamara Drewe follows a year at Stonefield, a bucolic writers retreat run by Beth and Nicholas Hardiman, where Dr. Glen Larson, an American professor and struggling novelist, is staying. The ambitious young Tamara Drewe, mourning the loss of her mother, has returned to her family home nearby. A bookish girl not so long ago, Tamara is now a gossipy columnist at a London paper and undeniably sexy. She quickly has every man in the vicinity—Glen, Nicholas, and the handyman, Andy—falling at her feet, while teenage best friends Casey and Jody become infatuated with Tamara and her ex-rock-star fiancé, Ben. Meanwhile, long-suffering Beth sees to the needs of the writers while managing the farm, the household, and the many affairs of her husband, a best-selling detective novelist.
Perhaps even more satisfying than your favorite nineteenth-century novel, with its fine, expressive drawings, deft storytelling, and nods to both the past and the present, yet unlike anything that has come before, Tamara Drewe is that rare graphic novel for grownups.
Posy Simmonds is the author of many books for adults and children, including the widely acclaimed Gemma Bovery. A. N. Wilson called Gemma Bovery a “work of genius” and more than one reviewer suggested that it should be entered for the Booker Prize. Simmonds has contributed a series of weekly cartoon strips to the UKs Guardian since 1977 and has won international awards for her work. She lives in London.
Review
"a satisfying and complex story...Simmonds artwork, well-shadowed with clear grays, invokes and sustains the moods of longing, jealousy, self-satisfaction, and fear as the characters dance a multilayered but unconfusing reel of lust, repentance, forgiveness, bereavement, and distrust." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
Review
"An inventive offering, sure to please fans of both American and Japanese comics."and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"Fantasticand#8212;in every sense of the word! Lyga and Doran have created an eye-popping fun-ride through the comics traditions of East and West. Fans of both comics and manga will love Mangaman. Colleen Doranand#8217;s encyclopedic, rapid-fire grasp of manga conventions blows my mind!"and#12288;and#8212;Jeff Smith, author of Boneand#12288; "This is a wonderful, funny, touching story about the ultimate outsider seeking adventure andand#12288;love within the borders that surround us all.and#12288; There's some seriously innovative storytelling going on here, and the artwork is sensational.and#12288; If you're looking for a fun read, a romp, a rollicking good time...then seriously: buy this book."and#160; and#8212;J. Michael Straczynski, New York Times Bestselling author of Superman: Earth One "This title will appeal to readers who are fans of both manga and Western comics or crossover titles such as Wolverine: Prodigal Son (2009) and X-men: Misfits (2009)."and#8212;Booklist "Esteemed artist Doran juggles manga and Western illustration styles effortlessly, capturing their defining characteristics with pitch-perfect accuracy." and#8212;School Library Journal, starred review "Wonderfully quirky and subversive humor."--Bulletin
Review
[S]uccessful...character development...Lyga's cast feels very real, and he knows how to play them against each other. —Booklist, ALA
"Lyga creates a tightly paced narrative...Authentic and fresh...Lyga's dynamic writing style creates an emotionally wrenching and haunting tale." — Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"Lyga again skillfully captures the turbulent world of high school...expertly woven humor...a powerful message."--VOYA, teen reviewer, October 2007 VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"Heavy stuff, but Lyga...pulls it off brilliantly...Sure to be a controversial and influential read."—KLIATT, September 2007
"Lyga's skillful writing subtly reveals...in a way that older teens will find fascinating, distressing, and worthy of their attention." — School Library Journal, Starred
"[R]eaders drawn by the provocative subject matter may likely find themselves thinking more seriously about the truth behind the ribald humor." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Lyga gives a moving account of innocence lost." —Newsday
"[A] astounding portrayal of what it is like to be the young male victim." —The Chicago Tribune
"[R]eaders will be fully engaged." — Library Media Connection
Review
"Leavened by much humor…this neatly plotted look at what real patriotism and heroism mean will get readers thinking."--
KLIATT, starred review "Lygas fans will be rewarded by his authentic teen characters, his willingness to tackle tough issues, and, most importantly, his ability to encourage a dialogue that is crucial to democratic participation."--School Library Journal
"This novel proves that there are still fresh ideas and new, interesting story lines to be explored in young adult literature . . . a perfect discussion-group book and is extremely current in a unique way that is not political."--VOYA, (4Q4P)
Review
"...Fanboy's whip-smart, often hilariously sarcastic voice...adds fresh, urgent perspective to age-old questions about how young people cope with...being misunderstood as they try to discover themselves." Booklist, ALA, Boxed Review
Lyga looks at how teens are pushed to their limits by society...His love of comics carries over into all three teen characters, breathing animation into a potentially sad but often funny story. This is a great bridge book for teens who already like graphic novels.
School Library Journal, Starred
Plenty here to keep readers engaged.
Publishers Weekly
So cool that you might want to wrap it in black fabric and have it delivered anonymously to your teenager
What a find.
Newsday
Review
"Readers will love getting her side of the story, whether she is raging about sexism in letters to her hero, writer Neil Gaiman, or finally figuring out that the person she needs is "someone who appreciates not just what you do, but how you do it."--
Publishers Weekly
"In this sequal to The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006), Lyga dives with typical boldness into the complexity of teen emotions and, for the first time, the female perspective...it is Kyra's wholly believable questions and her forceful voice that will stay with readers."--Booklist
"It is a no-brainer that fans of the first book will eat this one up, but new readers will not have any trouble following the story as Lyga peppers this book with ample information from the first. Buy multiple copies of this one -- it will go out and get passed around -- and might not come back."--VOYA, April 2010
Synopsis
Dear gamers and comic book junkies: This is not your average graphic novel! MANGAMAN is superhero's adventure meets love story in a comic book illustrator's ink.
Mangaman, a graphic novel for teenagers in which a manga character is "translated" to the real world and tries to survive as the ultimate outside at a typical American high school. When he falls in love with the most beautiful girl in the school though, things take a turn for the worse as his way of thinking clashes with the real world and he has to figure out how to get back to his manga world.
Well known graphic novel artist Colleen Doran combines manga techniques and conventions with traditional comic book storytelling to create a unique comic hybrid.
Synopsis
East meets West in this innovative and very smart graphic novel by Barry Lyga, illustrated by Colleen Doran.
Sci-fi adventure meets love story--and East meets West--in Mangaman, an original
graphic novel for teens.
Ryoko, a manga character from a manga world, falls through the Rip into the "real" world--the western world--and tries to survive as the ultimate outsider at a typical American high school.
When Ryoko falls in love with Marissa Montaigne, the most beautiful girl in the school, his eyes turn to hearts and comic tension tightens as his way of being drawn and expressing himself clashes with this different Western world in which he is stuck in. "Panel-holed" for being different, Ryoko has to figure out how to get back to his manga world, back through the Rip . . . all while he has hearts for eyes for a girl from the wrong kind of comic book.
Barry Lyga writes a metafictive masterpiece as manga meets traditional Western comic book style, while Colleen Doran combines manga techniques and conventions with Western comic book
Synopsis
East meets West in this innovative and very smart graphic novel by Barry Lyga,and#160;illustrated by Colleen Doran. Sci-fi adventure meets love storyand#8212;and East meets Westand#8212;in
Mangaman, an original
graphic novel for teens.
Ryoko, a manga character from a manga world, falls through the Rip into the and#8220;realand#8221; worldand#8212;the western worldand#8212;and tries to survive as the ultimate outsider at a typical American high school.
When Ryoko falls in love with Marissa Montaigne, the most beautiful girl in the school, his eyes turn to hearts and comic tension tightens as his way of being drawn and expressing himself clashes with this different Western world in which he is stuck in. and#8220;Panel-holedand#8221; for being different, Ryoko has to figure out how to get back to his manga world, back through the Rip . . . all while he has hearts for eyes for a girl from the wrong kind of comic book.
Barry Lyga writes a metafictive masterpiece as manga meets traditional Western comic book style, while Colleen Doran combines manga techniques and conventions with Western comic book
Synopsis
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year *Fanboys whip-smart, often hilariously sarcastic voice . . . adds fresh, urgent perspective to age-old questions about how young people cope with . . . being misunderstood as they try to discover themselves.” Booklist, starred review A captivating, darkly entertaining first novel.” Tom Perrotta, author of Election and Little Children
Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favorite target, his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity), and his pregnant mother and the step-fascist are eagerly awaiting the birth of the alien life form known as Fanboys new little brother or sister.
Fanboy, though, has a secret: a graphic novel hes been working on without telling anyone, a graphic novel that he is convinced will lead to publication, fame, andmost important of alla way out of the crappy little town he lives in and all the people that make it hell for him.
When Fanboy meets Kyra, a.k.a. Goth Girl, he finds an outrageous, cynical girl who shares his love of comics as well as his hatred for jocks and bullies. Fanboy cant resist someone who actually seems to understand him, and soon he finds himself willing to heed her adviceto ignore or crush anyone who stands in his way.
Synopsis
Barry Lyga writes a metafictive masterpiece with art by multi-Eisner Award-winner Colleen Doran. Together theyand#160;combine manga techniques and conventions with Western comic book storytelling to create a unique seamless comic hybrid. Ryoko, a character from the word of manga, falls hardand#8212;through the Ripand#160;into the "real" world and in love with the most beautiful girl in a typical American high school.
Synopsis
and#8220;Fantasticand#8212;in every sense of the word! . . .and#160;Fans of both comics and manga will love Mangaman.and#8221; and#8212;Jeff Smith, author of
Bone When Ryoko Kiyami, a manga character from a manga world, falls through the Rip into the and#8220;realand#8221; Western world, he must learn to survive as an outsider at a typical American high school. He must find a way back through the Rip to his manga world, but things tangle up when he develops and#8220;hearts for eyesand#8221; for a beautiful girl from the wrong kind of comic book. This metafictive masterpiece blends manga and traditional Western comic book styles to create a complex comic hybrid thatand#8217;s both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Synopsis
Josh Mendel has a secret. Unfortunately, everyone knows what it is.
Five years ago, Joshs life changed. Drastically. And everyone in his school, his town—seems like the world—thinks they understand. But they dont—they cant. And now, about to graduate from high school, Josh is still trying to sort through the pieces. First theres Rachel, the girl he thought hed lost years ago. Shes back, and shes determined to be part of his life, whether he wants her there or not.Then there are college decisions to make, and the toughest baseball game of his life coming up, and a coach who wont stop pushing Josh all the way to the brink. And then theres Eve. Her return brings with it all the memories of Joshs past. Its time for Josh to face the truth about what happened.
If only he knew what the truth was . . .
Synopsis
Everyone is treating Kevin as a hero. He was in the right place and the right time and he saved a girl from being murdered. Only Kevin knows though, why he was able to save her. Things get even more complicated when Kevin is seen removing two patriotic “Support the Troops” ribbons from his car bumper. Now the town that lauded him as a hero turns on him, calling him unpatriotic. Kevin, who hadn't thought much about it up to then, becomes politcially engaged, suddenly questioning what exactly supporting the troops or even saying the pledge of allegiance every day means.
Synopsis
Time is a funny thing in the hospital. In the mental ward. You lose track of it easily. After six months in the Maryland Mental Health Unit, Kyra Sellers, a.k.a. Goth Girl, is going home. Unfortunately, she’s about to find out that while she was away, she lost track of more than time.
Kyra is back in black, feeling good, and ready to make up with the only person who’s ever appreciated her for who she really is.
But then she sees him. Fanboy. Transcended from everything he was into someone she barely recognizes.
And the anger and memories come rushing back.
There’s so much to do to people when you’re angry.
Kyra’s about to get very busy.
About the Author
Barry Lyga is a recovering comic book geek and the author of many books, including,
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, Goth Girl Rising, Boy Toy, and
Hero-Type for HMH and
Wolverine: Worst Day Ever for Marvel Books and
Archvillian for Scholastic
. He has also written comic books about everything from sword-wielding nuns to alien revolutionaries. He worked as Marketing Manager at Diamond Comic Distributers for 10 years. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Visit Barry online at www.barrylyga.com. and#12288; Colleen Doran, in a career spanning more than twenty years, has worked on some of the greatest characters in comics, including Superman, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman, partnered with such writers as Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman. Her books include A Distant Soil and Girl to Grrrl Manga. She has traveled and lectured extensively in Singapore, Japan, Germany, and England, and served as Artist in Residence at the Smithsonian Institute in 2006. She won a grant from the Delphi Institute to study American popular culture, and was chosen to represent the United States at the Japan/America manga/comics seminar in Tokyo. Visit her website at www.colleendoran.com.