The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim

Three amazingly different and yet cohesive stories create this graphic novel.  In the first, Duncan is on the way to winning the hand of the Princess.  He has a magical sword that can slice the heads off of the frog-people and a desire to win.  But soon he discovers that his story has an entirely different piece to it.  In the second story, Gran’pa Greenbax is a frog who wants enough money to be able to dive into it and never hit bottom.  He’s not afraid to sell anything to reach his goal.  He is even willing to profit from the smile that has appeared in the sky, if he can.  But soon, he too discovers that all is not what it may seem.  The final story features Janet, who is stuck in a cubicle/watercooler culture where she doesn’t get any respect.  When she is contacted by a Nigerian prince who needs money, she gets caught up in a scam.  The question is who ends up profiting by it.

Strange, beautiful tales about being an outsider and being true to yourself, these stories will resonate with teens.  The artwork is very different in each story, setting them distinctly apart from one another.  From the epic fantasy art in the first to vintage comic book in the second, and ending with modern style in the final story.  At the same time, the stories all work together as a collection.  They have similar story arcs as well as that overarching theme of identity.

Highly recommended, this book belongs in all teen graphic novel collections because it shows teens how great graphic novels can be.  And if you are an adult like me who enjoys them, make sure you get your hands on this one.

Reviewed from library copy.

Skim by Mariko Tamaki, drawings by Jillian Tamaki

Skim is a teen who defies easy categorization.  She’s trying to become a Wiccan, sometimes leans toward goth, is very artistic, and just may be gay.  She attends an all-girl private school where the boyfriend of one of the other students has just committed suicide.  Skim and her best friend, Lisa, begin to drift apart through a series of misunderstandings while Skim is drawn to one of her teachers.  This complex graphic novel captures perfectly the stress, depression and quest of being a teen.

This graphic novel has so many things going for it.  First and foremost is Skim as the main character.  She is a girl we see all too rarely in teen literature, a complicated and questing teen with brains.  The illustrations are equally compelling in their black and white palette.  They often take interesting perspectives on the scene they are portraying and offer further insight into the characters and story.

One of the top graphic novels of the year, this is a winner that is sure to be a hit with those who enjoy the Janes graphic novels by Cecil Castellucci.

The Good Neighbors: Kin by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh

Holly Black, author of amazing urban fairy tales, is now collaborating on a graphic novel series.  Rue’s mother has left, leaving her father deep in despair.  Rue herself has begun seeing strange things that no one else notices.  As she looks deeper into her mother’s history, she learns that what she is seeing is real and that mortals can’t see these strange creatures or fairies that surround them.  Of course, because she can see them, it means that she too isn’t a mortal creature.

Black has always written captivating novels for teens filled with angst, darkness and strange creatures.  In the graphic novel format, she stays true to her previous writings: something that will delight her fans.  Naifeh’s art is a great match to Black’s story.  His use of angular features and interesting perspectives all done in black and white will draw readers in.

Highly recommended for all graphic novel collections, this book will be a hit with fans of Black’s novels as well as fans of Melissa Marr’s popular books.  Teens will look forward to the next in the series.

Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg

This book follows The Plain Janes and continues the celebration of unique teens and the power of art.  Each person is falling in love, though Jane is having problems deciding which boy is right for her.  Each character approaches courtship and romance differently and entirely true to themselves.  And every one of us has a Jane that they can relate to most.  I am definitely the rounded drama kid.

Rugg’s art captures the the story using interesting perspectives.  I particularly enjoyed the art with the dresses in the parking lot.  This second novel builds on the themes of the first, including the power of teens and their right to expression. 

No one can come away from this graphic novel without feeling jazzed up about art, teens and life.  Because we can each see ourselves in one of these teens, we know ourselves a little better too.  Recommended for tweens and teens.  I’d like to see a copy in every school library and public library.