The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel adapted from a story by Deborah Ellis

Pages: 78

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Contemporary / War

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital city. Parvana’s father—a history teacher until his school was bombed and his health destroyed—works from a blanket on the ground in the marketplace, reading letters for people who cannot read or write. One day, he is arrested for having forbidden books, and the family is left without someone who can earn money or even shop for food.

As conditions for the family grow desperate, only one solution emerges. Forbidden to earn money as a girl, Parvana must transform herself into a boy, and become the breadwinner.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a graphic novelization of the 2000 novel of the same name written by Deborah Ellis, and its graphics are based on the animated feature film released in 2017.

What’s good?

It’s a simple, yet powerful story of an Afghan family trying to survive in their war-torn community under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. Parvana is a formidable girl, brave, and determined to keep her family together. The artwork, adapted from the animated film, is beautiful and the color palette sets a haunting tone. The story has good structure, is filled with tension and danger, and touches on topics like politics, religion, corruption, inequality, fear, and injustice.

Best Part: Parvana is an amazing character.

  

What isn’t good?

The story is a very abridged version of the book and the animated film. It’s obvious that a lot of scenes are missing from the graphic novel that lend itself to story development. Some facts are also changed from the original.

Worst part: Nothing is terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

It was an excellent graphic novel, but I gave it only three out of five because the book and movie are better. This makes a great companion, but doesn’t capture enough of the story to be a proper stand alone. Regardless, it’s beautifully done and I recommend it (along with the book and movie).

Ellis, Deborah. The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2018. Adapted from the feature film directed by Nora Twomey, produced by Aircraft Pictures, Cartoon Saloon, and Melusine Productions. Text adapted by Shelley Tanaka from a screenplay by Anita Doron.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Pages: 444

Intended Audience: Mature Teens

Genre: Contemporary Issues / Racism

Notes for Parents: Contains coarse language, violence, drinking, sexuality, and some very mature scenes.

The Inside Cover

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor black neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, Khalil’s death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Starr’s best friend at school suggests he may have had it coming. When it becomes clear the police have little interest in investigating the incident, protesters take to the streets and Starr’s neighborhood becomes a war zone. What everyone wants to know is: What really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or doesn’t not—say could destroy her community. It could also endanger her life.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The novel has been made into a movie set for release October 2018.

What’s good?

It’s a story ripped from the headlines when Star witnesses her unarmed friend being shot and killed by a police officer. Star struggles with what follows, as her family and community react to what has happened. She also faces a different kind of reaction from her friends at her mostly white, out-of-district high school. The story is raw, but kept relevant and never preachy. While there’s plenty of social commentary about racism and injustice, the story focuses on Star’s emotional state and her experiences in the aftermath of the shooting. The plot is exciting, but not overdramatic, and offers a balanced view of a very harsh reality. Themes include family, friendship, community, racism, activism, courage, and choices. Through it all, it also manages moments of joy and humor. The ending was good.

Best Part: Star. The character was well-developed, genuine, and experienced realistic growth throughout the story.

What isn’t good?

It took me a little time to get used to the slang and speaking style of the characters, but eventually it became hardly noticeable.

Worst part: Nothing.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

Many of us take for granted that the police are there for our protection. We turn to them in time of need and they make us feel safe. This isn’t true for a large number of African-Americans and other minorities who are compelled to be cautious of the police and distrustful of their intentions. This is a disconcerting tale that is far too real. It’s emotional, provocative, but most of all, heartfelt. Definitely recommended.

Thomas, Angie. The Hate U Give. New York: Balzar + Bray, 2017.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Pages: 435

Intended Audience: Mature Teens

Genre: Dystopian

Notes for Parents: Contains violence and death

The Back Cover

A world with no hunger. No disease. No war. No misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own. They learn living in a perfect world comes only with a heavy price.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a Printz Honor Book and is the first in a series.

What’s good?

Citra and Rowan are drawn in to an extraordinary world when they’re chosen to apprentice to a scythe. I was quickly drawn in to this story thanks to its engaging plot and fast past. There was tension, suspense, moral complexity, and a mystery in need of solving. Many twists and turns and moments I never saw coming kept me reading well past my bedtime. Both main characters were sympathetic, but different than each other in so many ways. This story is a clever exploration of morality, humanity, and the practice of mercy. The scythe community was intriguing and unique.

Best Part: “My greatest wish for humanity is not for peace or comfort or joy. It is that we all still die a little inside every time we witness the death of another. For only the pain of empathy will keep us human. There’s no version of God that can help us if we ever lose that.” ~ from the gleaning journal of H.S. Farady (pg. 388)

What isn’t good?

The premise wasn’t logical to me. Why kill randomly? Why not just limit how long people can live? The twist at the first conclave is unfair and contradicts what seemed to be a moral tone set earlier. Why would everyone agree to it? And why does no one have a problem with what Scythe Goddard’s group is doing. I don’t understand.

Worst part: The worldbuilding is weak.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

This was an unexpected and unique story. Despite the weakness I felt permeated the worldbuilding, I was quickly drawn into the plot and championed the main characters instantly. The writing is strong and the characters are well-developed. Definitely recommended.

Shusterman, Neal. Scythe. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2016.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Pages: 326

Intended Audience: Mature Tweens & Teens

Genre: Contemporary / Social Issues

Notes for Parents: Contains coarse language and some sexual situations.

The Inside Cover

Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with her small-town Texas high school where the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes and hallway harassment. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.

Viv’s mom was a punk rock Riot Grrrl in the’90s, so now Viv takes a page from her mother’s past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She’s just blowing off steam, but other girls respond. Pretty soon Viv is forging friendships with young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings and she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction in 2017.

What’s good?

Inspired by her mom’s youth, Viv cautiously steps up to bring attention to the injustices and inequalities she’s witnessing at school. She’s not looking to crush or humiliate anyone, just to make people aware of what’s happening and encourage them to speak out. A broad exploration of topics like rape culture, the boys-will-be-boys attitude, inequality, sexual harassment, and male privilege bring attention to real issues facing young women today. The plot is easy to understand and moves at a good pace. Character growth is exponential for most of the main players. There’s friendship, empowerment, some romance (but not enough to override the story), and a pretty amazing ending.

Best Part: The dedication – “For all the teenage women fighting the good fight. And for my twelfth-grade Current Topics teacher for calling me a feminazi in front of the entire class. You insulted me, but you also sparked my interest in feminism, so really, the joke is on you. Revenge is best served cold, you jerk.”

What isn’t good?

I hate to say it, but many of the scenarios seemed forced. I know these things really happen, but are adults really this complicit? Where are the female staff members who would be just as offended by the t-shirts as the female students? Why isn’t Viv’s mom or other parents more upset by the treatment of their daughters during the dress code incidents? It’s not just these female students who should be upset – it should be staff and parents, and at least a few boys!

Worst part: Nothing was terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

So often feminism is considered a negative term. But this is what real feminism looks like – stand up, be brave, make yourself heard, speak the truth, support each other. Feminism means advocating for equal rights, equal treatment, and equal opportunities for men and women. This story is a small but great example of how it works, by using education and peaceful protest, rather than anger and violence. It was a great story, and I totally recommend it.

Mathieu, Jennifer. Moxie. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2017. (Hardcover)