Author: Gene Ambaum

Graphic Novel Review: Trespassers by Breena Bard

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

Trespassers by Breena Bard. Scholastic, 2020. 9781338264210. 256pp. Gabby is in eighth grade and she loves reading mysteries. Her family takes a week-long trip to the lake cabin her mom grew up visiting. In addition to their long-time neighbor there, […]
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Fiction Review: A Deadly Education: Lesson One of the Scholomance by Naomi Novik

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

A Deadly Education: Lesson One of the Scholomance by Naomi Novik. Del Rey, 2020. 9780593128480. 324pp. The Scholomance is a high school where teens learn magic. It is in a mystic void and barely connected to the real world. There […]
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Graphic Novel Review: The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith. Little Brown, 2020. 9780316485982. 256pp. Twin brothers Grayson and Hawke manage to escape during their cousin Mirelle’s coup against their grandfather. Needing a place to hide, they disguise themselves as girls and […]
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Graphic Novel Review: Kodi by Jared Cullum

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

Kodi by Jared Cullum. Top Shelf, 2020. 9781603094672. 176pp. Katya loves comics, and prefers them to hanging out with kids her age. On the way to her grandma’s house after getting a snack at the corner market, she falls off […]
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Graphic Novel Review: Mister Invincible: Local Hero by Pascal Jousselin

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

Mister Invincible: Local Hero by Pascal Jousselin. Translated by David Bryon, James Hogan, and Ivanka T. Hahnenberger. Magnetic, 2020. 9781942367611. 96pp. Mister Invincible is the only true comic book superhero! He has the power of comics — he can hop […]
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Graphic Novel Review: Roald Dahl’s The Witches: The Graphic Novel adapted and illustrated by Pénélope Bagieu

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

Roald Dahl’s The Witches: The Graphic Novel adapted and illustrated by Pénélope Bagieu. Translated from French by Montana Kane. Scholastic Graphix, 2020. 9781338677447. 304pp. A young boy who has just lost his parents lives with his grandma, who can’t give […]
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Graphic Novel Review: Umma’s Table by Yeon-Sik Hong

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

Umma’s Table by Yeon-Sik Hong. Translated by Janet Hong. Drawn & Quarterly, 2020. 9781770463868. 360pp. In this follow-up to Hong’s Uncomfortably Happy, South Korean manhwa artist Madang moves to a small house in the outskirts of Paju with his wife […]
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Graphic Novel Review: The Grot: Book One in the Story of the Swamp City Grifters by Pat Grant

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

The Grot: Book One in the Story of the Swamp City Grifters by Pat Grant with colouring by Fionn McCabe. Top Shelf, 2020. 9781603094665. In The Grot a family (two brothers and a mother) sets out to make their fortune […]
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Graphic Novel Review: When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2020. 9780525553915. 264pp including an afterward to the graphic novel and author’s notes by both Mohamed and Jamieson, plus photos of Fatuma, Hassan, and Omar. […]
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Graphic Novel Review: Livi & Nate by Kalle Hkkola and Mari Ahokoivu

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Gene Ambaum

Livi & Nate by Kalle Hkkola and Mari Ahokoivu. Translated by Owen F. Witesman. Owlkids, 2019. 9781771473729. 72pp. In this Finnish graphic novel the two title siblings live with their mom and grandpa. The landscape is covered in snow. Livi […]
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