graphic novel suggestions for my kiddos

[lorijds]

They like comics like Get Fuzzy, Asterix and Obelix, and the Far Side. My 9 year old in particular likes them, and would like to read more graphic novels. She checked out a couple of "Bone" issues out of the library, but I'd like to help her find some others.

Any suggestions?

[carriebft]

I can't really help with western graphic novels, but my husband and I both love manga (Japanese comics/graphic novels). They are really growing in popularity...usually they are right next to the graphic novels in the store/library. Some series that we really love:

Rurouni Kenshin: this one is a historical Samurai legend kind of manga. It's one of the most popular out there.

Naruto: This one is about Ninjas

Hikaru no Go: This one is about the game GO and a master player with lots of legend and magic thrown in

Ranma 1/2: This is the story of a boy and his friends who become cursed. Ranma turns into a girl everytime he is splashed with cold water.


For girls:

Fruits Basket: This is the story of a family that is cursed by the zodiac...everytime they get hugged by someone of the opposite sex, they turn into an animal! It sounds crazy, but it's a fun story and is the most popular manga right now.

Fushigi Yugi: This is another historical one. It uses a lot of Chinese history and legend to tell the story of a girl who is pulled into a book and ends up as the savior of a city.

[lorijds]

Manga is good--the kids love the Studio Ghibli (sp?) movies, so this would be a nice continuation. Thanks!!!

[KaraBoo]

What about Tintin?

good list, carrie!

[Thalia the Muse]

Tintin is awesome, especially if they already like Asterix and Obelix.

Also, check out Polly and the Pirates by Ted Naifeh.

[carriebft]

Many of the Ghibli films have a manga to go along with them! At least I know Kiki's delivery Service and Spirited Away do.


Others that we like:

Someday's Dreamers: This is a Harry Potter kind of story where a female wizard goes to continue her education as an apprentice. It's an interesting world where people who can do magic use it to add nonmagical people (such as healing or fixing things)

Ayashi no Ceres: There is a legend in Japan that angels (this isnt the right word but i cant remember what they are called right now!) come down from their realm and a human steals one of their "coats", stranding that angel on earth. The stranded angel reincarnates through the generations searching for the relatives of the man who took her coat so that she can find it and get it back. This is by the same author as Fushigi Yugi.

Kare Kano: this is one of my favorites but I warn that it has some adult situations in it. It's a romance and it's very comedic. Yukino starts off hating the head of the class (Arima) and soon she realizes that she loves him. They are both top of their class and work to maintian their relationship and their grades. Lots of side characters and lots of fun, but, again, a few adult situations such as around volume 8 or so it is implied that Arima and Yukino have had sex.

Ah! My Goddess: This is the story of the friendship between a boy and 3 goddesses. A very popular manga.

Saikano: This is also one with some more adult situations. The plot is about a girl who has been transformed into a weapon by the military. It's about the pain of war and how it affects the lives of the characters.

[lemurmommies]

As a children's librarian and a lover of graphic novels and manga, here are a few that I would recommend for a 9 year-old girl:

Peanutbutter and Jeremy's Best Book Ever by James Kochalka. Just be careful - most of Kochalka's other stuff is really adult.

Owly by Andy Runton. These ones don't have any text, but the images are excellent. And often kids like to make up their own stories to go with the pictures.

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic novels. They just started coming out with them last year, using the old stories by Ann M. Martin. Really great stuff.

Any of the books in the Little Lit series, edited by Art Speigelman.

Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters by Jef Czejak.

Also, the manga of Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki (you may have seen the movie) is also excellent.

Happy reading!

[JessicaS]

Owly is quite cute. There was an issue availible for Free Comic Book day which was last weekend. You might try calling a local comic shop and see if they have any left over.

There are a *few* words but not more than one or two per page.

I would recommend practically anything by Miyazaki. We love his work.

The Books of Magic are good.

The main character might seem familiar but the comic was out BEFORE Harry Potter The original series was written by Neil Gaiman, he has a lot of fans here.

Here is a site giving reviews for graphic novels and it includes an area for reviews with younger audiences in mind

[katybear mama]

Black Beauty, Treasure Island
(& other classics that are now avail. as graphic novels)
Nancy Drew
Babymouse
W.I.T.C.H.
Lookit! A Cheese Related Mishap
Totoro
Owly

[lorijds]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I will say that, although the nine year old is a girl, she is a total skate rat, loves rodents and slimey things, and enjoys Captain Underpants. She's writing her own comic right now that is something about rats at nuclear waste sites. So, basically, she likes her some morbid stuff.

A few friends recommended "Bone" and "Lenore the Cute Little Dead Girl." Any thoughts on these?

I'm excited about the manga recommendations--because i've never had any prior exposure to eastern history or lit, the stories are all so fresh and interesting. Every culture repeats/recycles their stories--but the eastern ones are just new to us.

If we ever have another child, I think I'll name it Totoro---I heart Totoro.

[lemurmommies]

Bone is really excellent, wether boy or girl. As for Lenore, I'd take a look at it first. Some people might not want their 9 year old to read it.

[salmontree]

I grew up loving ElfQuest by Wendi and Richard Pini. I has some adult situations in parts but I started reading it when I was 9 and it was my favorite book immediately.

[knitterma]

My 8 yr old son enjoys the Goosebumps graphic novels.

Stephanie

[Thalia the Muse]

I didn't know they had Goosebumps graphic novels! Are they anything like the old EC horror comics? Goosebumps always struck me as an homage/rip-off of those in the first place.

[simple living mama]

My children are enjoying the Akiko series. Especially my 10 year old girl since the main character is about a pre-teen girl.

Yes, Tin Tin's are wonderful.