Graphic Novels

Title: The Sandman Preludes and Nocturnes
Author: Neil Gaiman
Other books in the series: The Sandman series contains 9 titles.
Publication Info: DC Comics, 1998
ISBN: 1563892278
Author Info: Neil Gaiman is an award winning and New york Times Bestelling author of both children's, teen and adult fiction. Born in England, Neil Gaiman now resides in the United States with his wife and musician, Amanda Palmer. Neil is an active supporter of libraries and credits libraries for his interest in books and writing. He is also active on Twitter and has his own blog. Neil started his career in journalism and broke out as an author with the publication of his groundbreaking graphic novel series, The Sandman.Since then he has written countless books and graphics and has even collaborated with authors like Terry Prachett. Many of his books have been turned into movies, such asCoraline and Stardust. Neil has also written several episodes for the widely popularDoctor Who series and has received great critical acclaim for his episodes. Neil's bookThe Graveyard Book was the winner of the Newbery Award. His other works are also the winners of countless awards. Neil is considered one of the greatest fantasy and sci-fi writers of today by many critics and readers.
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Plot Summary: A group of dark magicians get a hold of a book that they believe will help them capture death. They hope to capture death and therefore control it but things do not go as planned and they capture Morpheus, also known as Dream. Morpheus, the brother of death, is then imprisoned by the magicians for 75 years. Morpheus finally frees himself only to discover that his absence has changed the world and it is no longer how he left it 75 years ago. He also finds that his three tools: his helm, his bag of sand and his ruby have been stolen from him. The story follows Morpheus on his quest to locate and take back his three tools and regain is strength and power that he lost from his long imprisonment. 
Critical Review: The story weaves in many other characters, like the Justice League and John Constantine but Neil Gaiman does it in a way that the reader doesn't feel lost. Rather the pieces fit together quite nice. The story is quite dark but the artwork is beautiful and captures the story well. Morpheus is in interesting character who walks the line between good and evil. He provides both dreams and nightmares and has no problem using his power to seek revenge. The story will appeal to DC comic fans since it references well known DC characters but it will also appeal to fans of folklore. Like much of Gaiman's writing his story is based of some well known folk tales, this one focusing on the Sandman. Of course the story has Gaiman's dark and magical twist.
Book Talk Ideas: For the book talk it might be good to introduce the folklore and myths that the story is based on, The Sandman.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Reading/Interest Level: Older  high school for both. The story features lots of different story lines, which for younger readers could be difficult to follow. Also, due to the graphic nature of the material the appeal would probably be to older more mature teens.
Possible Challenges: The novel is graphic in it's story and it's artwork. There is sex, death, Satan and demons, dark magic and violence. While beautiful written there is likely to be some objection to the material due to it's mature content.
Why include this book? Sandman is considered groundbreaking for it's time. The story is quite complex for a graphic novel and it shows that just because something is a graphic novel doesn't mean it can't have intricate stories and well developed characters.

Title: Americus
Author: M.K Reed
Publisher Info: First Second, 2011
ISBN:1596436018
Genre: fiction, graphic novel
Author info: M.K Reed is a cartoonist and contributor to the Beat and Publishers Weekly. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Plot Summary:Neal Barton is a bit of a social outcast in his small conservative town but at least he has his best friend and his favorite series, Apathea Ravenchilde to read. But right before school Neal's best friend is sent off to military school when his parents catch him reading Apathea Ravenchilde. Neal finds some solace in the fact he is now old enough to work as a library page at the city library. Neal and the library love to discuss the Ravenchilde series. Though things start to go downhill for Neal and his library when a group of conservative Christians ask the the Apathea Ravenchilde series be pulled from the library shelves. Neal will have to help the library fight to keep the series as the cries for it's removal grow louder and more intense. Will Neal's favorite series be pulled our will he be able to win over it's harsh critics.
Critical Review: The idea of people trying to pull books from libraries is nothing new and it continues to happen in libraries still. I enjoyed that the plot took on this issue and gave an idea of how a library might have to defend a book before a library board and that sometimes the claims can seem a bit outrageous and that often the people complaining have never read the book. I did feel that the conservative Christians in the story seemed a bit overdone and very one dimensional. It sometimes felt like that at any moment they were going to storm the library with torches. It seemed that Americus highlighted the extreme stories of book banning attempts and not the norm. 
Reader's Annotation: Neal just lost his best friend to military camp and now, his favorite book series is being threatened by a group of angry conservatives bent on pulling it from the library. Neal may have to stand up to save the book he loves.
Book Talk Ideas: It might be interesting to bring up some books that have been banned or challenged in libraries to bring attention to the fact that this is still a problem in libraries. It also may shock some of the teens to see what books have been challenge.
Reading Level/Interest Level: This would be a good book to read during ALA's Banned Book Week. 
Possible Challenges: The book deals with censorship and religious beliefs. Some conservative Christians could feel the book represents them in a bad light or attacks their beliefs.

Title: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life
Author: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Publishing Info: Oni Press, 2004
ISBN: 1932664084
Other Books in the Series: the series contains 6 books
Genre: graphic novel, humor
Author Info: Bryan O'Malley is a Canadian cartoonist who wrote the graphic novel, Lost at Sea as well as the very popular Scott Pilgrim series. He currently lives in California.
Plot Summary: Scott is a 23 year old slacker in a rock band who is dating high schooler named Knives. Knives loves Scott's band so what could be better? But Scott keeps seeing a girl in his dreams and then she shows up at a party, the library and then as the delivery girl at his door. So Scott asks out his dream girl, Ramona Flowers and falls for her. Though know there is the issue of his still girlfriend Knives and something about Ramona having 7 evil exes that Scott will have to face. But it's all worth it for his dream girl, right?
Critical Summary: Scott Pilgrim is a funny quick read. Scott Pilgrim tends to get in over his head and has no idea what dating Ramona entails and it's entertaining to watch Scott deal with the mess he has mad for himself. The comic has the feel of an old comic or video game with bold graphics, sound effects and over the top fight scenes.
Reader Annotation: Scott is finally dating the girl of his dreams, literally. But things are that easy for Scott Pilgrim. It turns out the his new girlfriend has 7 evil exes Scott Pilgrim will have to defeat each of them.
Book Talk Ideas: The idea of having to battle the 7 exes is a pretty good way to hook readers. 
Reading Level/Interest Level: The book is rated for 13+ and will appeal to high school teens.
Challenge Issues: Scott is older dating high schooler and then there is some suggestive scenes with Scott crawling into bed with Ramona.
Why Include this book? The series is very popular and even lead to a major motion picture being made about the series.