The Public Library of Brookline

School Library Journal presents the top ten graphic novels from 2011!

There are, of course, plenty of great graphic novels published every year, but I found this list and thought ‘well here are 3 of my absolute favorites from this year, along with many others that I’ve read about’!  If you discover a new favorite just like I did make sure you tell me about it the next time you’re here!  You can find the whole article here.

• Around the World by Matt Phelan. Inspired by Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, Phelan presents three tales of 19th-century visionaries who circled the globe armed with little more than fortitude, ingenuity, and a healthy dollop of the American spirit.
• Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol. After Anya accidentally falls down an old, abandoned well, she finds herself face-to-face with Emily-a ghost who tries to help the awkward, self-conscious teen become more popular. At first, Anya welcomes Emily’s help, but as the ghost’s true intentions become clear, Anya’s family is threatened…
• Bad Island by Doug TenNapel. Reese’s family can’t wait to get away from it all. But when an unexpected storm capsizes their boat, they’re marooned on a mysterious island that’s swarming with weird plants, dangerous animals, and technology that doesn’t look like it’s from anywhere on Earth. As the family flees the island’s inhabitants, its members are forced to rely on one another to escape this deadly predicament.
• Bake Sale by Sara Varon. Cupcake, the baker, is excited about going on a trip with his best friend, Eggplant, to meet a famous pastry chef. But when disaster strikes, Cupcake is faced with a big decision: Should he cancel the trip for the sake of friendship? Varon’s beautifully illustrated tale is as sweet as Cupcake’s baked goods.
• The Ferret’s a Foot by Colleen A. F. Venable and Stephanie Yue. Volume 3 of the “Guinea Pig Pet Shop Private Eye” series continues the exploits of reluctant PI Sasspants and her rambunctious assistant, Hamisher. This time, the not-so-dynamic duo is trying to figure out who’s switching the signs in Mr. Venezi’s pet store.
• The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Rebecca Guay. It’s been centuries since dragons last roamed the Earth. But when one unexpectedly hatches from an ancient egg, a small village is suddenly in peril. The community’s would-be saviors are an unlikely team: a muscular, empty-headed warrior and the daughter of a healer.
• Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists World-class artists, such as James Sturm and Gene Yang, put a clever spin on nursery rhyme classics. There’s something here for kids of all ages, and the illustrations are as lively as the rhymes themselves.
• Owly & Wormy: Friends All Aflutter by Andy Runton. Owly and his best friend, Wormy, plant flowers to attract butterflies, but instead, they’re stuck with caterpillars. But one day, after the insects have vanished, all that’s left are some odd cocoons. What happened? Owly fans will enjoy his first full-color picture book, featuring the same wordless fun as his comics.
• Sidekicks by Dan Santat. In this heartwarming, fast-paced comedy, four house pets team up to save their absentee master, Captain Amazing, from his arch-nemesis, Dr. Havoc. Though Sidekicks is a winner on a number of levels - with its great artwork, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters.
• Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke. When Zita and her best friend, Joseph, find a mysterious device, they’re catapulted across the universe in this tale that features plenty of action, humor, and heart. Zita is ready to stare down any danger-from doomsday space aliens to mystifying monks.

I hope you will enjoy these as much as I have!  Happy Holidays!