One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel
May 6, 2025 by Quill Tree Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley
This book was originally published in 2010, and won many awards, so it's not a surprise that it was adapted into a graphic novel. Since it is historical fiction, the story holds up well. Delphine and her sisters Vonetta and Fern are sent by their father and grandmother from New York to Oakland, California to live with their mother, Nzila, who abandoned them when Fern was a baby. Nzila is very involved with the Black Panthers, so the girls attend the group's summer program while the mother concentrates on her art. The highlights of the original are preserved, but as with any graphic novel adaptation, a lot of the details and back story are neglected. The illustrations are bright and engaging, but not as reflective of the 1960s as they could have been. The girls' skirts are much too long, and there is Chinese take out shown in a very modern day plastic bag. Plastic bags were not much used until the late 1980s. They are so ubiquitous that people forget that. Even into the 1990s, it was more common to get paper bags where I lived. I have several copies of the original, so may not buy this.
May 6, 2025 by Clarion Books
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Olive is excited to head off to Camp Acorn Lake, with friends Bree, Willow, and Max. She's not thrilled that the very negative Nat is in her cabin. When Bree and Max have a fight, Olive gets dragged into the middle of it. When a donor proposes a contest for how her money could be used in the camp, the campers all come up with ideas, and have to present them as skits. These include creature comforts like air conditioning, but Olive thinks the camp would benefit from a garden. She is also building bat houses, and when she tries to hang one up, the weather goes bad. Nat finds her, and the two have a heart to heart about why Olive is so invested in Bree and Max's fight, and about why Nat is so negative. This was a fine addition to a very popular series, and my students will be eager to read it.
Libenson, Terri. Entirely Emmie (Emmie and Friends #9)
May 6, 2025 by Storytide (HarperCollins)
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Emmie, who struggles with anxiety but who has improved as middle school progresses, is wary of going to the year end school camping trip to Camp Blue Lake, since Sarah will miss it in order to attend a cousin's quinceañera. When Bri gets sick, Emmie must go by herself, although her sister Trina, who is home from college, volunteers as a counselor, where she meets Ciera, whom she later dates. Joe, who is friends with Anthony and Tyler (on whom Emmie has a crush) would rather just stay at home and not be bothered by anyone while eating junk food, is sent to camp by his parents, who DON'T want him to sit around doing nothing. Tyler and Anthony have been leaving him out of their activities, and he gets stuck with Emmie on the bus. He uses humor to try to survive in middle school, but it frequently turns mean. When another girl spends time with Tyler, Emmie is sad, and she and Joe come to an understanding. Joe plans a big prank to try to get the attention of his friends, but it doesn't end well. Tyler asks Emmie out, but she decides that she would rather remain friends. Joe and Emmie have a new appreciation for each other.
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Emmie, who struggles with anxiety but who has improved as middle school progresses, is wary of going to the year end school camping trip to Camp Blue Lake, since Sarah will miss it in order to attend a cousin's quinceañera. When Bri gets sick, Emmie must go by herself, although her sister Trina, who is home from college, volunteers as a counselor, where she meets Ciera, whom she later dates. Joe, who is friends with Anthony and Tyler (on whom Emmie has a crush) would rather just stay at home and not be bothered by anyone while eating junk food, is sent to camp by his parents, who DON'T want him to sit around doing nothing. Tyler and Anthony have been leaving him out of their activities, and he gets stuck with Emmie on the bus. He uses humor to try to survive in middle school, but it frequently turns mean. When another girl spends time with Tyler, Emmie is sad, and she and Joe come to an understanding. Joe plans a big prank to try to get the attention of his friends, but it doesn't end well. Tyler asks Emmie out, but she decides that she would rather remain friends. Joe and Emmie have a new appreciation for each other.
There are a lot of characters in this series, and they all get some good coverage, but I sometimes get confused about some of them. This would explain why some of my students reread the books a lot. I'll buy this one, since the series is popular.
June 10, 2025 by Random House Graphic
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Grace, who is starting 7th grade, is reeling from the combined effects of her parents' divorce and being dropped by her long time best friend, Ava. Her mother is very combative, and makes negative comments about her hair, clothing, etc., while her father is very supportive. While trying to avoid the cafeteria, she happens upon a fencing group, and finds comfort in the sport. I enjoyed the difficult relationship with the mother, but found the author's comments that so many middle grade portrayals of the mother-daughter bond are warm and fuzzy confusing. I think something like The Gilmore Girls is the exception rather than the rule. It will be interesting to see where they series goes, but I wish there were books featuring middle school VOLLEYBALL (which tons of students play) instead of two graphic novels about fencing. (See also Bagley's Duel.)
Also, could we have a FEW more graphic novels with boys as the main characters? That would be helpful, since they are the ones who generally are drawn to the format.
I love it when they make a graphic novel from a wonderful book like One Crazy Summer.
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