Funny Things-A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schulz by Lucas Debus and Francesco Matteuzzi**

 My sister-in-law told me about this fabulous book!

This four hundred thirty-three page comic book relates Mr. Schulz's life from his perspective as an older gentleman. His reflections are humorous. I loved how the tone reveals his personality. The two authors/illustrators truly bring him to life. The readers will feel like they are chatting with him.

Superbly written and researched!

Considerations before handing to an elementary or junior high reader: Schulz's mom tells him to write smut comic strip/cartoons so they sell, his mom wants to throw stuff a lady who will sing hymns to her, his mom has cancer & dies, his 1st marriage is unhappy, he has an affair while married (not details but he is delighting in a relationship w/ another women), divorce, he has heart issues and then cancer, he searches for God and seems to have a relationship w/ Him but does not consistently go to church in his later years

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Charles Schulz text set

 My seventh grader loves comics and reads Garfield , the Peanuts, and Calvin and Hobbes on a regular basis. Part of our art unit this year will include a cartoonist study of Charles Schulz. Below are books he will be reading as he researches and learns.  All books are from the library.

1. Zoom In on Amazing Authors-Charles Schulz by Jennifer Strand (very basic, for beginning/transitional readers)-picture book

2. Sparky and Spike by Barbara Lowell illustrated by Dan Andreasen *Highly recommend (focuses on Charles's special dog, Spike, and how he developed his love for drawing comics, I love how the illustrator had a personal letter from Mr. Schulz!)-picture book

3. Born to Draw Comics The Story of Charles Schulz and the Creation of Peanuts by Ginger Wadsworth illustrated by Craig Orback(*Highly recommend, mostly focuses on his childhood but does include quite a few pages about his caree and adult life)-picture book

4. Who Was Charles Schulz? by Joan Holub (I haven't read this one yet. Typically this series is well-written for its target audience)-chapter book

Do You Like My Bike? #1 by Norm Feuti*

 Hello, Hedgehog! series (6 books in series)

Hedgehog has a new bike. He and his friend Harry have a fun time together on their "wheels".

Graphic novel style/comic book style.  The short chapters will appeal to new readers or reluctant readers.

Perfect for building fluency & stamina. Also perfect for paired reading-one person reads Hedgehog's lines and another reads Harry's lines.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Fever Year written and illustrated by Don Brown*

The Killer Flu of 1918
Little did Don Brown know when he was creating this book how relevant it would be this year!  It was just published in early September,  2019.  A little over a hundred years later we have a virus, coronavirus,  shutting down countries around the world.
Divided into three Acts according to time-frames, this graphic novel reveals its origins, its spread, and its effects.  At the end Mr. Brown shares how in 1995 the flu virus was recreated to research it further.  Various viewpoints on this resurrection were expressed.
This book offers a thorough overview of the disease/history of it plus an understanding of viruses and their impact.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

New Kid by Jerry Craft *

Award winner- Newbery Medal-2020, 2020 Coretta King Scott Award and many other  awards!

Jordan, a seventh grader, loves to draw and is disappointed when his parents send him to a prestigious private school known for academics instead of an art school.  His ethnicity and social class make him feel different at Riverdale Academy.   However, as the school year progresses, he finds himself not really fitting in his neighborhood either.  As he observes people (including teachers), he begins to discover the importance of valuing people for who they are, not their ethnicity or social status.  He realizes that he too judges and  . . .even his parents allow social status influence them.
A very hopeful, insightful book.  It made me evaluate my sometimes erroneous conclusions.
I really like Jordan and his dad.  His mom is portrayed well too, but I like the dad better! 😉
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

History's Kid Heroes The Top-Secret Adventure of John Darragh, Revolutionary War Spy by Peter Roop and Connie Roop Adapted by Amanda Doering Tourville illustrated by Zachary Trover

The Quaker Darragh family, who resided in British-occupied Philadelphia, lived across the street from General Howe's British Headquarters.  Even though they were opposed to violence, they worked together as a family to spy on the British.  Since their oldest son Charles had enlisted in Washington's army, they justified their spying to keep Charles safe.  Mr. Darragh created a code.  Mrs. Darragh hid the messages in her son John's buttons.  John would then walk to Washington's camp to deliver the buttons/messages to Charles.
This book creates a story about what may have happened as John carried the messages to Washington's camp.
In the afterword the authors explain how Mrs. Darragh played a major role in preventing the British from attacking American forces.
Very interesting!
-Borrowed from the library.
*There seem to be a couple more book in this series  focusing on kids who helped in the Revolutionary War.

Ants Don't Wear Pants! by Kevin McCloskey

A Toon Book Level 1-Giggle and Learn
A perfect book for reluctant readers
Full of interesting information about ants
The art and text support each other very well. 
-Borrowed from the library

The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix*

I bought this book over a year ago when it was first published, but since I own (no due date!) it, I kept reading borrowed books instead.
Readers will learn about a vulnerable Germany after World War I,  will witness the rise of evil Hitler and will read in awe as Dietrich Bonhoeffer decides to stand against the Nazi propaganda. 
Mr. Hendrix presents history in an exciting narrative.  His artwork is interpretive yet powerful.
*Highly recommend.
Perfect for reluctant readers (or struggling readers) who are in junior high or high school.
-I own this book.

Guts by Raina Telgemeier *

Ms.Telgemeier relates accounts from her fourth and fifth grade years as she struggles with IBS, anxiety and panic attacks. 
With humor yet with sensitivity, she brings to light the thoughts and difficulties all of these issues bring to a person's life.  She also reinforces that a lot more people exist who struggle this way than we realize. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
See also Smile and Sisters for more books about her childhood and family life.
Points to discuss: anxiety, panic attacks, IBS, menstruation

The Story of Jamestown by Eric Braun illustrated by Steve Erwin, Keith Williams, and Charles Barnett III

Graphic Library
A wonderful series that brings history alive that is perfect for reluctant or struggling readers.
The book covers why the English came to Jamestown, John Smith and the Natives, their struggles and ultimate end.
-Borrowed from the library.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo retold and illustrated by Marcia Williams*

I vaguely remember reading a Scholastic newspaper-like version of Les Miserables in sixth grade.  Since we will be reading this novel (abridged/children's versions) this year, I wanted to familiarize myself with the plot.
Ms. Williams takes complicated novels or periods of history and simplifies without ruining their richness. 
Jean Valjean is sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread.  After nineteen years of prison, where he became infamous for his strength and his efforts to escape, he is free.  No one will take in a convict.  The Bishop of Digne, however,  kindly allows him to stay with him.  Jean then steals the good Bishop's only valuables-his silver.  Jean is soon caught, and the Bishop's response to Jean's thievery plants a seed of goodness.  The reader witnesses Jean's gradual transformation and how his past continues to haunt him. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Tudors by Marcia Williams*

Via comic style illustrations and writing, Ms. Williams enlightens readers about the start of the Tudor Dynasty, its quirky rulers and its fall to the Stuarts.
A ferret, who is a scribe, records the events and adds his comical comments on the sidebars. 
Ms. Williams is amazing in her depiction of complicated events in history on a just one to two pages!
*Highly recommend.
-Thankfully, we own this book!

Geronimo Stilton The Weird Book Machine

Geronimo Stilton and his professor friend travel back in time to save history from the pirate cats when Johann Gutenberg was creating his printing press.
My nine year old read this to himself to support our study of Johann Gutenberg.
Perfect for reluctant readers.
-Borrowed from the library.

Graphic Classics The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo retold by Michael Ford illustrated by Penko Gelev

Quasimodo has been raised by Claude Follo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame.  He hides in the cathedral because he is hunchbacked and has only one eye.  Meanwhile, beautiful Esmeralda captures the eye of Pierre, a playwright and also Claude.  These lives are soon interwoven.
A very engaging story . . .sad,though!
I liked how this book has information about Victor Hugo, his reasoning for writing the novel and also  early medieval Paris. A couple of photos of the Notre Dame are included.
My twelve year old read this book to himself and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
-Borrowed from the library.
Pair with Wonder by R.J. Palacio .
Warning: violence, cruelty, death/murder

Lords of the Sea : The Vikings Explore the North Atlantic by Allison Lassieur illustrated by Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett III*

Graphic Library series
Divided into four chapters, this comic /graphic novel will appeal to reluctant (and eager!) readers.  Famous Vikings and their land discoveries are explained.
Two additional pages list other facts about Vikings in the back.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Gods and Thunder retold by Carl Bowen, Michael Dahl, Louise Simonson art by Eduardo Garcia, Tod Smith, Rex Lokus*

A Graphic Novel of Old Norse Myths
When I brought home a stack of Viking books from the library, my eleven year old immediately snatched this graphic novel for his personal reading.  He read it in two days and enjoyed it immensely.
I like how the authors have included a glossary which defines all the gods/goddesses/monsters and how to pronounce their names!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Romans-Gods, Emperors and Dormice by Marcia Williams*

Ms. Williams retells Ancient Rome history via comic style drawings and writings.  A dormouse narrates on the sidebar and adds humor.
I read this aloud to my boys while we studied Ancient Rome.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ancient Egypt-Tales of Gods and Pharaohs by Marcia Williams*

I read a story aloud from this book each night to my boys and they really looked forward to it.
Ms. Williams retells many Egyptian myths and also historical events concerning Egypt in comic strip style.  A cat with nine lives inserts his opinion and also interesting facts about Ancient Egypt at the bottom and sides of the main text.
Ms. Williams has retold many classic stories including Shakespeare plays which I plan to utilize when we study that time era.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

We Are Growing! by Laurie Keller*

Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series.
My first grader loved reading this book!
Blades of grass converse over how each of them are growing.  Who ever thought that watching grass grow could be so fun?!!
Perfect book for the beginning reader or the reluctant reader.
Teaching idea: Use this book to introduce superlatives.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Human Body Theater a Nonfiction Revue by Maris Wicks*

An engaging skeleton emcees a production displaying all the human body systems and their functions.  This comic-style book will engage even reluctant readers and learners.
Ms. Wicks packs in lots of information about each system in a fun, entertaining manner.
*Highly recommend for junior high and even for reluctant learners on the high school level.
Text features: headings, diagrams, cross sections, close ups, bold/colored font, labels, headings, glossary (very creative-uses sign language and braille with the regular alphabet), recommended reading section
Points to discuss/warning: The reproductive system is included.
*Borrowed from the library.