The Book Search

 I might have mentioned before that I'm not typically a fan of graphic novels.  I like creating my own mental images of characters and settings and so I don't usually choose graphic novels. BUT, holy cow, these two new ones have such interesting story lines and the art work is SO compelling, you have to look for them! The first one is called Atana and the Firebird by Vivian Zhou .  This is her first book, but it better not be her last!  The cover is stunning and that's exactly what made me want to read it.   All the art work has this magical, glowing quality to it, which is perfect because it's about Atana, a mermaid, who is living alone on an island.   One day, a Firebird comes to earth.  Her name is Ren and she has been hearing stories all her life about how wonderful Earth is and so even though it's been hundreds of years since a Firebird has come to earth, Ren has come to experience Earth life.  But there are evil forces afoot and it's not safe for Ren and s

 Still reading for the CYBILS award, but coming down the end of the pile.  Today I found this really great one lurking! It's called "If you meet the Devil, Don't Shake Hands" by Sylvia Whitman.  I'd never read anything by Whitman before, so this one was a very pleasant surprise.  The narrator is Gavin, a worrier who is in middle school.  His best friend, Javi, is an excellent support system because Gavin's dad has been deployed in the military and Gavin's worrying has really ramped up.  He has a big (annoying) sister and his mom, but Javi is his closest ally.  Javi lives upstairs from Gavin and they are in and out of each other's homes all the time.  But when Javi's mom sends Javi a text that the Devil has returned, Javi's grandfather, who left when Javi's mom was a little girl.  A magician and card sharp and general rogue.  Gavin goes with Javi to his apartment as support for him.  But the man sitting at the table doesn't seem that evi