Looking to dip your toe into the ocean of new graphic novels (in translation) for children and young adults? Reading the Eisners is the perfect approach. The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are the comic kingdom’s equivalent of the Oscars, with the winners announced annually at San Diego Comic Con. Children’s graphic novels in translation appear in the obvious … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: The 2023 Eisner Nominees
A book is a promise. Its pages can offer adventure, an escape into a world from another time or place. The first book in The Moonwind Mysteries, The Night Raven, and its sequel, The Queen of Thieves, are gripping upper MG novels that fulfill this promise—and then some. Set in a gritty, Dickensian version of … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: The Night Raven
Catherine's War There’s certainly no shortage of WWII stories available for younger readers, especially stories focusing on the devastating impact and consequences of the Holocaust. And at first blush, Catherine’s War seems like just another entry to the cannon of middle grade Holocaust fiction. But the graphic novel, adapted by Claire Fauvel from Julia Billet’s … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Catherine’s War
Review by: John Kurtenbach Crooks and Straights by Masha du Toit The story at first sounds like the typical struggle between those with magic (Crooks) and those without (Straights). The plot follows young Gia as she learns about the abilities and special qualities of her younger brother, Nico. Cape Town had been a haven for … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Crooks and Straights by Masha du Toit
Review by Mary Lawson Secret Path by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire "Gord Downie began Secret Path as ten poems incited by the story of Chanie Wenjack, a twelve year-old boy who died fifty years ago on October 22, 1966, in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School near Kenora, Ontario, walking home to the family … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Secret Path by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire
Review by Sana Daher Between Beirut and the Moon by A. Naji Bakhti In his debut novel, Bakhti captures the essence of a typical Lebanese youth’s experiences living in contemporary post-war Beirut. In doing so, the author captures a unique viewpoint and uncovered ground in English literature. Written in English, Between Beirut and the Moon … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Between Beirut and the Moon by A. Naji Bakhti
Review by Catherine Bae The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf Without reading the blurb but seeing the cover, I automatically assumed this was a dystopian story set in Asia somewhere. But seeing Hanna Alkaf’s name on the cover, I knew it was going to be good. This was her debut novel back in … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf
Written in 1940 on the eve of World War II, Emil and Karl is a gripping read. Set in 1938 Vienna, it tells the story of best friends Emil and Karl, both of whom have lost fathers. They quickly lose their mothers as well. Emil is Jewish; Karl is not. One is treated cruelly due … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Emil and Karl
Review by: James Toney Malika Warrior Queen: Volume 1 by Roye Okupe ISBN: 9781506723082 Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Illustrators: Chima Kalu and Raphael Kazeem Malika: Warrior Queen Volume 1 sets up an interesting story. At first, it seemed like the typical story about monarchies: fights over the throne, betrayal, birthrights, etc. but by the end, … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Malika, Warrior Queen by Roye Okupe
Review by: John Kurtenbach Spud by John van de Ruit Spud is perhaps the most successful South African Young Adult title. Written in diary style, the story follows John “Spud” Milton and his adventures at a private school in 1990 South Africa. The book is a bildungsroman of sorts as Spud offers hilarious stories of … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Spud by John Van de Ruit
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 