Education Blog

This latest Collection Spotlight highlights just a few of our English and French graphic novels as well as some books for those interested in creating their own or teaching using graphic novels as a resource.

 

English Graphic Novels

Seeking Refuge: a graphic novel
Irene N. Watts; illustrations by Kathryn E. Shoemaker.
PZ7.7.W377 Sk 2016

Eleven-year-old Marianne is fortunate. She is one of the first two hundred Jewish children on the heroic rescue operation known as the Kindertransport, which arrived in London, England in December, 1938. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939 Marianne finds herself being evacuated to Wales. She is shuffled from one unsuitable home to another, but there is a surprise in store and Marianne’s courage and resilience is finally rewarded.

Earth girl made easy
Cecil Castellucci, writer.
PN6727.C389 E27 2017

Loma Shade may be from another planet, but she’s still like every other twentysomething who feels that their life is going nowhere fast. Bored out of her mind, her solution is to drop out of school, dump her boyfriend and leave her homeworld of Meta behind–courtesy of the infamous “madness coat” of renegade poet Rac Shade, which is not so much a garment as it is a multidimensional gateway. After stealing the coat and astrally projecting herself across space, Loma ends up in the body of Megan Boyer, an Earth girl who seems to have it all: youth, beauty and a conveniently damaged brain. Following her “miraculous” recovery, however, Loma finds there’s just one problem with being Megan: Everyone hates her. She was a bully who terrorized her enemies and her friends alike, and now Loma’s stuck with the consequences. To make matters worse, back on Meta there are dark forces that want Rac’s dangerously valuable coat for their own nefarious purposes, and they’re closing in on Loma’s vulnerable physical body. At the same time, the primal madness that the coat channels is slowly, irresistibly eroding Loma’s equally vulnerable soul. With two new lives to live, can this Changing Girl survive either one without losing her mind?” 

New kid
Jerry Craft; with colour by Jim Callahan.
PZ7.7.C733 Nw 2019

Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of colour in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds–and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighbourhood friends and staying true to himself?

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Tomboy: a graphic memoir
Liz Prince.
HQ1075 .P75 2014

Eschewing female stereotypes throughout her early years and failing to gain acceptance on the boys’ baseball team, Liz learns to embrace her own views on gender as she comes of age in this anecdotal graphic novel memoir.
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Boundless
Jillian Tamaki.
PN6733.T35 B68 2017

A collection of short comics about various women.
“Jenny becomes obsessed with a strange “mirror Facebook,” which presents an alternate, possibly better, version of herself. Helen finds her clothes growing baggy, her shoes looser, and as she shrinks away to nothingness, the world around her recedes as well. The animals of the city briefly open their minds to us, and we see the world as they do. A mysterious music file surfaces on the internet and forms the basis of a utopian society-or is it a cult? Boundless is at once fantastical and realist, playfully hinting at possible transcendence: from one’s culture, one’s relationship, oneself. This collection of short stories is a showcase for the masterful blend of emotion and humour of award-winning cartoonist Jillian Tamaki”–Amazon.com.

The unwanted: stories of the Syrian refugees
Written and illustrated by Don Brown.
DS98.6 .B76 2018

Syria, 2011: Teenage boys graffiti “Down with the regime” on a wall. This small act is just one of the many sparks that ignite a revolution to overthrow the tyrannical rule of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. But Assad and his supporters are ruthless: imprisonment, torture, and devastating massacres tear the country apart. Refugees begin to flee Syria in staggering numbers. The unexpected flood of victims overwhelms neighbouring countries. Desperate refugees escape to Europe. Chaos reigns. Resentment heightens as disruption and the cost of aid grow. By 2017, the war rages on and many nations want to close their borders and turn their backs on the victims. The refugees are the unwanted. Don Brown, the award-winning creator of The Great American Dust Bowl and Drowned City, depicts moments of both heartbreaking horror and hope in the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. Shining a light on the stories of the survivors, The Unwanted is both a testament to the courage and resilience of the refugees and a call to action, serving as a timely reminder that this is not just a Syrian crisis, but a human crisis. — From dust jacket.

Guts
Raina Telgemeier; with colour by Braden Lamb.
BF723.S75 T45 2019

“Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away… and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on?”–Provided by publisher.
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Cheshire Crossing
Andy Weir; illustrated by Sarah Andersen.
PN6727.W4167 C44 2019

“What happens to Alice when she comes back from Wonderland? Wendy from Neverland? Dorothy from Oz? The three meet here, at Cheshire Crossing — a boarding school where girls like them learn how to cope with their supernatural experiences and harness their magical world-crossing powers. But the trio — now teenagers, who’ve had their fill of meddling authority figures — aren’t content to sit still in a classroom. Soon they’re dashing from one universe to the next, leaving havoc in their wake — and, inadvertently, bringing the Wicked Witch and Hook together in a deadly supervillain love match. To stop them, the girls will have to draw on all of their powers… and marshal a team of unlikely allies from across the magical multiverse.”–Provided by publisher.

Hostage
Guy Delisle; translated by Helge Dascher.
PN6733.D44 S4613 2017

“In the middle of the night in 1997, Doctors Without Borders administrator Christophe André was kidnapped by armed men and taken away to an unknown destination in the Caucasus region. For three months, André was kept handcuffed in solitary confinement, with little to survive on and almost no contact with the outside world. Close to twenty years later, award-winning cartoonist Guy Delisle … recounts André’s harrowing experience in Hostage, a book that attests to the power of one man’s determination in the face of a hopeless situation.”

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French

Mechant Minou chez le véterinaire
Nick Bruel; texte français d’Hélène Pilotto.
PZ23.B78 Mc 2016

Quand Méchant minou est en forme, tout va bien. Il saute partout, il mange tout ce qui lui tombe sous la patte, et a assez d’énergie pour éloigner les chiots malcommodes. Par contre, lorsqu’il est malade, il reste cloué au lit. Serait-il temps d’aller rendre visite au vétérinaire?

When Méchant minou is happy and healthy, everything is perfect. He jumps around, eats everything in sight, and has the energy to keep slobbering puppies in their place. But when he’s sick, all he can do is lie in bed. Looks like it’s time for this sick kitty to visit her least favourite person. the vet.

Original title: Bad Kitty Goes to the Vet

Souris!
Raina Telgemeier ; coloration de Stephanie Yue ; texte français de France Gladu.
PZ23.T36 Sr 2011

Raina est une fille de 6e année qui fait de son mieux pour être comme les autres – elle est rongée par l’inquiétude sachant qu’elle devra bientôt porter un appareil d’orthodontie. C’était son état d’esprit avant de se briser les dents en tombant tête première sur le pavé… Cet accident marque le début d’une longue période de frustrations pour Raina. Chirurgie, appareils d’orthodontie et fausses dents font désormais partie de sa vie. Et comme un malheur n’arrive jamais seul… La ville est secouée par un tremblement de Terre. La jeune fille ne cesse de commettre des maladresses avec les garçons. Et que dire des moqueries de ses amis? Souris Raina, la vie est belle!

Eleven-year-old Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after a trip-and-fall mishap, she injures her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, corrective surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.

This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have had a bit of their own dental drama.

Original title: Smile

Louis parmi les spectres
Fanny Britt; [illustrations] Isabelle Arsenault.
PZ23.7.B76 Ls 2016

“Louis parmi les spectres est le nouveau livre du duo Fanny Britt et Isabelle Arsenault à La Pastèque ! Louis a onze ans, une mère qui a peur de tout, un père qui pleure quand il boit et un petit frère obsédé par la soul américaine. Il rêve de déclarer son amour à Billie, une compagne de classe indépendante et solitaire. Mais dans la réalité, rien à faire : dès qu’il s’approche d’elle, Louis est tétanisé comme un clou rouillé. Aidé par sa famille, son fidèle ami Boris et les spectres du passé qui peuplent son monde intérieur, Louis découvrira la vraie définition du courage. Après le succès phénoménal de Jane, le renard et moi, Fanny Britt et Isabelle Arsenault collaborent de nouveau pour nous offrir une bande dessinée aussi sensible, touchante et époustouflante que la première.”–From Renaud-Bray.com.

Instructional Books

Share your smile: Raina’s guide to telling your own story
Raina Telgemeier.
PN159 .T45 2019

Have you ever thought about telling your own story, whether it be true or imagined? Are you interested in writing, drawing, or both? If the answers are yes, this fun, colourful, and interactive journal is for you! With guidance from Raina herself, brainstorm ideas, make lists, paste in personal photos, and use your imagination like never before to create your own stories. For additional inspiration, behind-the-scenes info from Raina’s own comics-making adventures is featured inside.

The 101 best graphic novels
Stephen Weiner.
PN6710 .W45 2005

An ultimate guide to the best of what’s out there and available now. It includes an introduction by Neil Gaiman, and is edited by Keith DeCandido.

This concise guide to the best that’s out there and available now is updated considerably with half of the listings all new and a significant representation of the best in manga.
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Wham: teaching with graphic novels across the curriculum
William G. Brozo, Gary Moorman, Carla K. Meyer; foreword by Stergios Botzakis.
LB1044.9.C59 B76 2014

Graphic novels are an excellent medium to motivate today’s youth to become independent learners and thinkers. This practical guide shows secondary school teachers how to incorporate graphic novels into content area instruction as a tool for meeting the needs of diverse learners and achieving the goals of the Common Core State Standards. The authors provide instructional guidelines with classroom examples that demonstrate how graphic novels can be used to expand content knowledge and literacy in science, social studies, math, and English/language arts. Teachers will appreciate the book’s specific suggestions for selecting graphic novels and for employing responsive practices that will build students’ reading, writing, speaking, listening, and media competencies.

The latest UBC Education Library Collection Spotlight highlights both Halloween picture books that can be found at our branch as well as reintroducing the popular Mythical Creatures Digital Colouring book from the “Colour Our Collections” section of the UBC Library website.

From the colouring book:

“Strong in early zoology texts, the collection includes Polish naturalist and physician Jan Jonston’s richly illustrated seventeenth-century texts on animals.”

This particular colouring book was originally released in February 2019 but it pairs well with this year’s Halloween online display.

Please click on the title or book cover to take you to the record in the UBC Library catalogue.

Halloween Picture Books:

The Scarecrow / written by Beth Ferry; illustrated by the Fan Brothers
(2019)
“All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing. He saves the tiny baby crow. Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?”

 

That one spooky night / written by Dan Bar-el; illustrated by David
Huyck. (2012)
“Three strange tales filled with shivery fun occur on a dark, spooky night and include the stories of a broom that goes in search of a witch, mermaids who swim in a bathtub and a house party that turns unexpectedly batty.”

 

Yo ho ho, Halloween! / by Pam Muñoz Ryan; illustrated by Edwin
Fotheringham. (2016)
“Halloween is coming! This year, Tony Baloney wants to stand out in the crowd at the school Halloween parade. But can he keep his costume intact until the day of the parade?”

 

Leah’s mustache party / by Nadia Mike; illustrated by Charlene Chua.
(2016)
“At Leah’s moustache party, everyone gets in on the dress-up fun, even Grandma!”

 

This is the house that monsters built / by Steve Metzger; illustrated by
Jared Lee. (2016)
“Using the building verse of the original nursery rhyme, a mummy, a skeleton, a zombie, and other monsters create a house.”

 

Black and bittern was night / [text by] Robert Heidbreder ; [illustrations
by] John Martz. (2013)
“When skeletons take over a small town, the grown-ups call off trick-or-treating, but the kids in town vow to save the day.”

Duck, duck, dinosaur: perfect pumpkin / written by Kallie George ;
illustrated by Oriol Vidal. (2017)
“Duck-and-dino siblings Feather, Flap, and Spike visit the pumpkin patch together to find the perfect pumpkin to decorate for Halloween.”

 

Trick-or-treat, smell my feet! / Lisa Desimini. (2005)
“When twin witches Delia and Ophelia cook up a mischievous spell for Halloween, a mysterious ingredient causes the potion to backfire.”

 

The walking bathroom / words by Shauntay Grant; art by Erin Bennett
Banks (2017)
“It’s Halloween and Amayah doesn’t have a costume to wear to school. She dressed as a ghost for the last three years in a row, witches are overdone, and fairies are not her style. She wants to be something different, something creative, something no one else in the world has ever been in the history of Halloween.”

 

The ghosts go spooking / Chrissy Bozik; illustrated by Patricia
Storms. (2015)
“Little ghosts go trick-or-treating by ones, twos, and up to ten in this spooky and fun-filled take on “The Ants Go Marching.”

 

Jazlyn J & a screen of a Halloween / written by Renná Bruce ;
illustrations by Janet Shultis; illustration colouring and page design by
Kevin Strang & Whitney Strang. (2014)
“Jazlyn J and her friends through their Halloween was ruined. They had no idea it would turn out to be one they would never forget!”

 

Me and my dragon: scared of Halloween / David Biedrzycki. (2013)
“A boy tries to find the perfect Halloween costume for his pet dragon, so they can go trick-or-treating together.”

 

The graveyard hounds / by Vi Hughes; illustrations by Christina Leist.
(2008)
“When the dogs in town lose their barks, Mike and Annie set out to solve the mystery.”

 

Boo! / by Robert Munsch; illustrated by Michael Martchenko. (2004)
“It’s Halloween, and Lance decides to paint his face to make it the scariest ever. He makes his face so scary that when the adults answer the door they fall over in fright!”

 

One terrible Halloween / Mary Labatt. (2002)
“Sam: Dog Detective is bored. There are no ghosts in her house, no monsters, no mysteries! Luckily, Halloween is only a week away; soon Woodford will be crawling with vampires, goblins, mutants and witches.”

The current Collection Spotlight highlights books about Thanksgiving and themes referencing gratitude. Please click on the title or book cover to take you to the record in the UBC Library catalogue.  Our Seasons and Celebrations booklist can be accessed for a list of selected teacher resources, picture books, and non-fiction related to different community celebrations throughout the year.

If you’re thankful and you know it / Chrissy Bozik; illustrated by Patricia Storms.
This Thanksgiving celebration is versioned on “If you’re happy and you know it.” Here, families, neighbours and friends gather to give thanks for everything the season has to offer: from changing leaves to turkey and pies; from a hockey game to a cozy sweater. And most of all, for the warm memories of time spent together with loved ones. A perfect reminder any time of the year of the things that are important, and to stop and be grateful.

Step forward with gratitude / Shannon Welbourn.
This helpful book provides ideas, practical tips, and inspiring stories about how you can make expressing gratitude a regular habit. Discover how showing your appreciation and returning kindness to others is a rewarding experience that will enrich your life

There, there / written by Tim Beiser; illustrated by Bill Slavin.
It’s raining, and Rabbit whines, he complains, he moans, he grumps … until Bear has had enough! He decides it’s time for Rabbit to learn to appreciate what he has. Using nothing but the lowly common earthworm as an example, he teaches Rabbit a lesson about taking things for granted.

Lighting our world: a year of celebrations / written by Catherine Rondina; illustrated by Jacqui Oakley.
Throughout the year and around the globe, people use light — candles, bonfires, lanterns and fireworks — to celebrate special occasions. This richly illustrated book is an illuminating tour of the world’s brightest and warmest festivities.

Willa and the bear / by Philomena O’Neill.
A touching tale about a girl, her lost doll, and a bear who brings them back together.

The Thank You Book / by Mo Willems
In The Thank You Book, Piggie wants to thank EVERYONE. But Gerald is worried Piggie will forget someone . . . someone important.

Hello, harvest moon / by Ralph Fletcher; illustrated by Kate Kiesler.
Poetic prose describes a full autumn moon and the magical effect it has on the earth, plants, animals, and people around it.

The autumn equinox: celebrating the harvest / Ellen Jackson; illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis.
Discusses the significance of some of the harvest festivals around the world and describes how they are celebrated.

We are all dots: a big plan for a better world / Giancarlo Macri, Carolina Zanotti.
When a set of prosperous dots on one page and another set of impoverished dots on the other meet, readers are taken through their struggle to bridge their differences.

The wish tree / words by Kyo Maclear; pictures by Chris Turnham.
In winter Charles and his trusty toboggan set out to find the wish tree, and along the way, he helps to make the wishes of his friends Squirrel, Fox, and Beaver come true.

Harvest days: celebrating fall with rhymes, songs, projects, games, and snacks /written and compiled by Durby Peterson; illustrated by Marion Hopping Ekberg.

Grateful / story by Marion Mutala; illustrations by E.R.
A little girl and her mother share a conversation over many years, as the child complains about the injustices of her young life, and the mother reminds her not to lament what she doesn’t have, but to cherish what she does.

The secret of saying thanks / Douglas Wood; illustrated by Greg Shed
While learning the secret to a good life, a child says thank you for the natural world and for being loved, because a grateful heart is always happy.