"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Gris Grimly

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Author/Illustrator: Gris Grimly

Year of Publication: 2007

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9781416906254

Author/Illustrator Website: http://www.madcreator.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Watercolor, Ink

My Top 10 Favorite Picturebooks for Older Readers

Annotation

This graphic novel is an adaption of the story by Washington Irving that tells the story of the small town of Sleepy Hollow, the schoolteacher Ichabod Crane, and his terrifying meeting with the town’s ghost the Headless Horseman.

Personal Reaction

                This story is a particular favorite of mine because it is one of America’s best known folk tales.  It is a story I always like to read when Halloween draws near, as well as watch the Tim Burton adaption and the Disney cartoon as well.  This graphic novel adaption will be added to my yearly Halloween read-a-thon.

Grimly does a wonderful job of keeping the original text by Irving but still condensing it down, keeping the story authentic for fans while making it a good introduction for soon to be fans.  The vocabulary used in the text will be good for older readers who are currently working to improve their own vocabulary.

The illustrations are toned in yellows and oranges which provides an aged quality, giving a nod to Irving’s original story.  The macabre quality to the illustrations mixes well with the humor.  A reader cannot help but at one moment laugh at the lanky Ichabod Crane while the next moment jump seeing the shadowy figure of the headless Hessian.

"Moby Dick" by Lance Stahlberg, Illustrated by Lalit Kumar Singh

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Moby Dick

Author: Lance Stahlberg

Illustrator: Lalit Kumar Singh

Year of Publication: 2010                          

Publisher City: New Delhi

Publisher: Campfire Graphic Novels

ISBN: 9380028229

Author Website: No Author Website

Illustrator Website: No Illustrator Website

Media Used for Artwork: Watercolor, Ink

Fiction Graphic Novel

"The Classics Revisited" Group Project-  Please visit our presentation here to learn more about how this graphic novel and others can be used in a high school curriculum.

Annotation

Despite warnings, Ishmael boards a whaling vessel captained by Ahab who is out for revenge after being severely injured by an encounter with a whale.

Personal Reaction

(Provided by J. Knell)

Ishmael joins a crew of sailors to work aboard the Pequod, a whaling vessel captained by Ahab who seeks revenge after being injured during a whaling expedition. Despite Captain Ahab’s angry reputation, Ishmael embarks upon what turns out to be a turbulent ride. Readers will enjoy reading the dialog bubbles which are interchanged with antique looking scrolls. The text and illustrations capture the intellectual, emotional and intense aspects of Melville’s classic American maritime story, Moby Dick.  It makes for an enjoyable and thought provoking read for older readers interested graphic novels and those reluctant to read the lengthy unabridged version.

Curricular Connection: To extend and supplement the story, educators may draw student attention to the last few pages of the book where information about wailing and the historical significance it had on society during that era is discussed.

"Around the World in 80 Days" by Rod Espinosa

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Around the World in 80 Days

Author/Illustrator: Rod Espinosa

Year of Publication: 2008

Publisher City: Edina

Publisher: Red Wagon

ISBN: 1602700508

Author/Illustrator Website: No Website

Media Used for Artwork: Watercolor, Ink, Photography

Fiction Graphic Novel

"The Classics Revisited" Group Project-  Please visit our presentation here to learn more about how this graphic novel and others can be used in a high school curriculum.

Annotation

Phileas Fogg wagers that he can travel the world in 80 days. The next day he sets off to tour the world traveling by boat, train and many other modes of transportation.

Personal Reaction

(Provided by J. Knell)

In a smoky room, filled with card players discussing a recent robbery, Phileas Fogg states to his friends that “one can travel ten times faster now than a century ago. That will result in the rapid capture of the thief”.  Skeptical of Fogg’s assertions, he sets off to prove his friends wrong and travel the world in eighty days. The text and illustrations are rendered in comic book fashion in what appear to be watercolor, ink and photographs. The period looking illustrations will transport readers to another era and to the many exotic places traveled by Fogg. This is an entertaining and fun introduction to Jules Verne’s literary classic, Around the World in 80 Days.  

Curricular Connection: Educators may wish to have students read the unabridged and graphic novel editions together so as to discuss the differences and weigh the pros and cons of each.