4 librarians and 5 titles

Once again, our 'comic book mafia' group of four NJ librarians will be presenting at this year's conference. All four of us are championing different graphic novels and trades at this session: Year’s Best Graphic Novels 2008.

As I am working on the handout and my slides, here are the five titles I will cover:

WHAT IT IS by Lynda Barry ADULT/YA

9781897299357

Writer and cartoonist shows readers how she makes art and encourages us to make our own. Each page is gorgeously illustrated with collage, letter fragments, monkeys, birds, and little Lynda Barry, whose trailer-park, TV-lit childhood and chain-smoking mother will be utterly familiar to devoted readers.

CAIRO by G. Willow Wilson ADULT/YA

9781401211400
A lush and energetic drawing style makes for a beautiful book,. Wilson, a journalist who has spent many years in the city of the book's title, constructs a gripping narrative, mixing magic, politics and romance. the knowledgeable view of the Islamic world and interesting visual effects do keep the reader's attention.

TONOHARU, Part 1 by Lars Martinson ADULT
978-0980102321

Daniel Wells begins a new life as an assistant junior high school teacher in the rural Japanese village of Tonoharu. Isolated from those around him by cultural and language barriers, he leads a monastic existence, peppered only by his inept pursuit of the company of a fellow American who lives a couple towns over.

TINY TITANS by DC Comics JUVENILE
Discover what life is like for the young heroes of Sidekick Elementary in this new collection featuring TINY TITANS #1-6! Kid-friendly versions of the Teen Titans and their rogues gallery star in this fun, light-hearted, all-ages romp beautifully written and illustrated by Art Baltazar and Franco.

MINI MARVELS by Chris Giarusso for Marvel Comics JUVENILE
Here come the Mini Marvels in their very own comedy/adventure digest! Featuring Spidey, Wolvie, Iron Man, Hulk and more Marvel favorites – reimagined for an all-ages audience!