Middle schools – Cannonball Read 17

Surviving middle school is hard

Just Beyond #1 The Scare School by R.L. Stine, Nichole Matthews and Kelly Matthews

December 26, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

R.L. Stine, Nichole Matthews and Kelly Matthews adapted Just Beyond #1 The Scare School into a graphic novel format. Or I am assuming it was a novel first, then a graphic novel. However, regardless of which came first (or didn’t come out) this is an old school RL Stine story. The theme is classic: We start with a couple of kids in “unusual clothing” (cue the “not from our world”) and how they are being chased by a robotic monster. We then see who lives […]

No strikes, but a ball

Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper: (A Graphic Novel) by Brie Spangler

March 11, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I enjoyed Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper: (A Graphic Novel) more than I thought, yet, not as much as I had hoped. The idea of “only having value is when you play baseball (but not actually, of course),” was the point, but not fleshed out enough to make you believe it. Plus, the father’s “apology” to Gemma at the end is only because now he has “two baseball players in the family” so now he’ll “step up” and “help my daughter. Who, by the way, […]

Not just the middle school blues

Other Boys by Damian Alexander

October 13, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

We know this story: Boy learning who he is. And we know the story of Boy learning that he is Gay and that’s okay. However, Damian Alexander’s approach makes Other Boys a fresh take on that story. The use of the wording/phrase “other boy(s)” is used throughout the book. Sometimes it is, “You are not like the other boys” and sometimes a bit more subtle, but it is there. Sometimes it is a half-compliment and others times and out and out insult. Both will make […]

Yup, he’s not a vampire. Or is he?

Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner

February 26, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

There is this book, okay, graphic novel, called Fake Blood. Whitney Gardner is the author and illustrator of this creation. I had seen it over the years on a display here, a list there or on the shelf. But when I was bored one day and was wondering what the library had that I might be interested in, I found it listed (I was perusing their website). I chose five books (with a sixth as a backup in case something was not available) and came […]

This Box Contains One Genuine Pet Rock

Swing It, Sunny by Jennifer L. Holm

February 26, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I read the Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Sunny series of graphic novels out of order. The good thing for the adult reader is that they should be able to pick the story up regardless of where you start. However, for the aimed audience of ages 10 to 14 (maybe ages 8/9 for the stronger reader as there is some context that might be a bit “much” for the sensitive reader) it probably is best to read them in order. Therefore, first up is […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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