Essex County

19. Essex County by Jeff Lemire

Type: Graphic Novel

Title: Essex County

Author: Jeff Lemire

ISBN: 9781603090384

Pages: 510

Ages: 14 and up

Reader's Annotation: Snow, Hockey, Family Drama and Canada. Welcome to the relatively simple life in Essex County. 

Plot Summary: This trilogy comprises the three graphic novels into one (Tales From The Farm, Ghost Stories, and The Country Nurse).  Tales From The Farm focuses on the story of Lester, his uncle and Jimmy Lebeuf.  The story revolves around Lester, and how he becomes friends with the gas station attendant, Jimmy, and their adventures fighting aliens in their own make believe world.  Ghost Stories is about the lives of two brothers who grow up playing hockey professionally, until an event sends them their own way.  Also, The Country Nurse, focuses on the nurse, Anne Quenneville and her involvement into the lives of her patients.  The last collections of the graphic novel series brings together the characters from the first two series.          

Critical Evaluation: This graphic novel is a winner of the ALA/YASLA's Alex Award, which "are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18" (YASLA Website). It's not surprising that this graphic novel received this award because of how fluent the storytelling is.          

This graphic novel is an excellent example of great storytelling through a combination of artwork and text.  The reader is easily attracted into the lives of the characters in Essex county and somehow falls in love with the environment that is Canada.  The juxtaposition of flashbacks makes each story very complex and dramatic.  Even though it's in black and white, there is plenty of emotion, drama and heartbreak.

What I found very interesting was the constant imagery of the crow/bird in the novel.  It seems to be throughout the story and really resonates as the constant that is within all three stories.  I believe that the crow represents the truth of things, such as _ having sex with his brother's wife.  It is there and you cannot forget it.  It still happened, and the bird is there to remind you of it.       

Challenge Issues: This comic book has very minimal amount of words for such a long book. Teenagers would be better off reading classic literature. This novel also has some foul language. 

Challenge Ideas: 

• Be familiar with the themes in the book and how they relate to children today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller

17. Batman: Year One by Frank Miller

Type: Graphic Novel

Title: Batman: Year One

Author: Frank Miller
Publisher: DC Comics; De Luxe edition edition
Year: 2007
ISBN: 978-1401207526
Pages: 187 pages

Reader's Annotation: Batman as you've never seen him before.  Before he was dark, before he was Batman. Discover his creation and emergence as one of our greatest hero's of Gotham.

Summary: Opening with the arrival of Lieutenant James Gordon in Gotham's police force, the story goes on to inform readers about the level of corruption permeating the force. They also witness Bruce Wayne's first encounter with the prostitute named Selina, who will become Catwoman. Wayne speaks to his dead father, asking for guidance, and is answered with a bat on the windowsill, and Batman is born. The remaining chapters highlight Gordon's continuing difficulties with the corrupt police force, Batman's early difficulties in protecting and using his arsenal of weapons, and the first villains he chooses to pursue (Amazon).

Critical Evaluation: This Batman is similar to the gritty and darker Batman that was in the Batman Returns. You really feel emotionally attached to the characters by the end of the story. 

Challenge Issues:

• Too much violence for teenagers.
• Teenagers should not be reading graphic novels, but classics.

Challenge Ideas: 

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.

Author: Frank Miller is considered as one of the greatest graphic novelist. He "is an American writer, artist, and film director best known for his dark comic book stories and graphic novels such as Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300" (Wikipedia).

World Book Encyclopedia

15.  World Book Info Finder Encyclopedia Subscription Database

Type: Subscription Database

Link: http://www.worldbook.com

Ages: 12 and up

Summary: This is the online encyclopedia that features millions of entries for United States and world history.  This encyclopedia has been printed since 1922 and is considered to be the #1 encyclopedia in the United States. The subscription version features is viewable in the library for free in the library, or at home if patrons have a library card.   

This is the online equivalent to the print encyclopedia, including a general encyclopedia, a Spanish encyclopedia, a Kids version of the encyclopedia, and an Advanced version with additional content. This database is the Public Library edition.

Critical Analysis: Whats great about this quick reference is that it features a ton of information.  Most libraries do pay for this subscription, but it would be in the best interests of your patrons to keep paying for it due to the access of information that they will receive from it.  

To buy this collection may be pricey, but the online version would highly used by teenagers if properly marketed in the library.  At home, patrons are able to use this database by inputting the library card and pin number and have access to the reference material.   

Challenge Issues: 

• Encyclopedias are old and are not good reference material. 
• Libraries should spend money on non-fiction books of various topics for teenagers. 

Challenge Defense Ideas: 

• Encyclopedias provide fast access to information. 
• Encyclopedias are a good resource for those that are leaning English as a second language. 
• Be familiar with the themes in the book and how they relate to children today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.