The Buffalo Are Back by Jean Craighead George and Wendell Minor

George, J. C., & Minor, W. (2010). The Buffalo Are Back. New York: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN: 978-1430109785.

Annotation

Jean Craighead George’s picture book that details the almost eradication of the buffalo and how that effected the plains Indians and the near destruction of the Great Plains environment.

My thoughts

"In the mid-1800s seventy five million buffalo roamed in North America. In little more than fifty years, there would be almost none." “What happened? The answer is a story of the American Indians, the buffalo, and the grass.”

In The Buffalo Are Back, Jean Craighead George (Julie of the Wolves and The Wolves Are Back) explains in detail the historical events that lead these majestic animals to the edge of extinction. In a very clear narration, the reader is taken back through an eco-history of the Great Plains. The journey begins in the 1800s with the birth of a single orange buffalo then tells the story of the Native Americans/Plains Indians, the white fur hunters, and westward expansion. In a mere fifty years, the Great Plains was an environmental disaster. 

This is a great book to use for discussing the environment and ecology. This is the story of not only the rescue of the buffalo and Great Plains but also the history of American Conservationism with a very important message.

Curricular connections

Subjects: History, Science/Ecology, Biology/Life Sciences, Science/ endangered species, History/environmental history, Biology/environmental issues.

Grade: 5-12

Literary devices

Use of Simile:

"A lark flew to the top of a six-foot blade of grass and sang as sweetly as a panpipe".

"The green-gold grasses of the plains rippled like waves from horizon to horizon.

Use of Repetition:

"A lark flew to the top of a six-foot blade of grass and sang as sweetly as a panpipe"(2). “A lark flew to a blade of grass and and as sweetly as a panpipe.” (17) "A lark flew to the top of a six-foot blade of grass and sang as sweetly as a panpipe." (27)

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grade 3 and up.

Reviews and Awards

Junior Library Guild Selection

Teacher’s Choice Award / Intermediate Readers, 2011

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 2011 (Books published in 2010) Life Science division

Author website: http://www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com/

Illustrator website: www.minorart.com/

Media: Watercolors (based on photographs taken by Charlie Craighead and Thomas D. Mangelsen).

Genre: Nonfiction

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham

Kerley, Barbara, & Fotheringham, Edwin. (2010). The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy). New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 978-0-545-125086.

Annotation

Based on thirteen year-old Susy Clemens’ secret biography of her famous writer father Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain).

My thoughts

Barbara Kerley shows a side of Mark Twain by using quotes from Susy Clemens’ journal. The book tells about Twain’s family and personal life and interspersed are Susy’s comments about her father. It starts off with Susy stating that most people don’t really know Mark Twain and that he was so much more than a humorist. Susy proceeds to describe her father. She writes about his flaws (smoking too much), his likes (billards), makes observations about his temperament, and describes his physical appearance. Susy gives the reader an honest account of one of America’s greatest writers.

Edwin Fotheringham’s bright glossy digital illustrations add humor and details that bring the reader back to Twain’s time. The illustrations support the text without distracting the reader. The journal “mini-book” pages inserted between the pages written with cursive with the misspelling of youth give insight and make this a good example of primary and secondary sources.

The book includes a timeless of Mark Twain’s life in the back along with instructions about how to write a biography.

Curricular connections

Elementary school 5^th grade- Middle school: Humanities/English: biographies

Using the page in the book, Writing an Extraordinary Biography (According to Barbara Kerley*), as a guide for students to learn how to write a biography. Then have them write a biography on someone who they know well utilizing observation, research, examples and quotations, and specific details. Students can use the mini-diary for inspiration.

Lesson Plan

See 'Lesson Plan' page

Literary devices

Use of Alliteration:

“the busiest bee in the household hive”

Use of Repetition

The cursive line work in the background of the illustrations which seem to represent Mark Twain's verbose nature and remind the reader that this is a story told from a young perspective. 

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grade 3-6

Reviews and Awards

2010 CYBILS Nonfiction Picture Book Award

NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book

Best Children’s Books 2010 -- Publishers Weekly

Best Books 2010 -- School Library Journal

Best Books for Children and Teens 2010 -- Kirkus Reviews

Best of 2010: Books for Young Readers -- Washington Post

Oregon Book Award Finalist

Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee

Author website: www.barbarakerley.com/

Illustrator website: www.edfotheringham.com/

Media: digital media

Genre: Juvenile fiction, biography

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. New York: Pantheon Books. ISBN: 978-0375714573.

Annotation

Autobiographical graphic novel depicting Marjane Satrapi’s childhood to teenage years in Iran during the Islamic revolution.

My thoughts

Persepolis is a compelling story of one young girl’s experience growing up during the Islamic Revolution and the following political and cultural changes. During this time, Satrapi’s family suffered under the Shah and the Islamic Regime. Satrapi describes having family members imprisoned, tortured, and executed, being forced to wear a veil and the fear of living in a city being bombed. Satrapi also chronicles what it’s like to try to be a typical teen living in this situation. As a teenager, she loves rock music and American fashion (i.e. jeans, sneakers, and punk fashion during a time).

Black and white illustrations accentuate the seriousness of the story and transport the reader to Tehran, Iran and Satrapi’s adolescence.  There are some very moving parts to this story. The struggle for intellectual freedom and free expression will resonate with teens and will also make readers appreciate their rights in America. In addition, Satrapi serves as a good role model for teenagers. She is strong, smart, independent, and tries to ask questions while seeking answers for herself.

This is a great book for many reasons. Aside from the strength of the character the book gives a little insight to Iranian culture from a teenagers perspective. For teenagers, reading a perspective of another teenager makes it easier to understand a culture that is different. It is through seeing human similarities and struggles that prejudices can be breeched.

Reading level/ Interest Age

High school/ Adult

Reviews and Awards

2001: Angoulême Coup de Coeur Award for Persepolis

2002: Angoulême Prize for Scenario for Persepolis: Tome

2007: Jury Prize for Persepolis (tied with Silent Light), Cannes Film Festival

Alex Award Winner 2004

Amelia Bloomer List 2004

Booklist Editors Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults 2003

Capitol Choices 2004

School Library Journal Best Adult Books for High School Students 2003

School Library Journal Best Adult Books for High School Students 2004

School Library Journal Best Books 2003

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2003

Author website: No official website found.

Media: ink

Genre: Graphic Novel, autobiography

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down.

Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, illustrator (2010).  Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down.  New York City, NY: Little, Brown and Company.  ISBN: 978-0-316-07016-4

Author website: No website found.

Ilustrator website: http://www.brianpinkney.net/

Media: watercolor and india ink

Genre: biography, non-fiction, juvenile literature, civil rights movement, history

Annotation

Four African American students in Greensboro (NC) peacefully refuse to leave Woolworth’s lunch counter that only served white people. Their peaceful nonviolent act would inspire others to follow and led to more sit-ins and the end of segregation.

My thoughts

Many have said ‘this is a powerful book’ and it really is. Based on true events that happened in Greensboro in 1960, this book serves as a pictorial representation of a pivotal turning point in our country’s social history. Sit-in: How Four Friends Stood up by Sitting Down is also is a good representative for the power of a good picture book. The storyline, quotes, comments, and illustrates all combine to make this a great multicultural picture book that showcases the Civil Rights and the struggle for equality of the 1960s.

Andrea Davis Pinkney takes this great event and through the personal perspectives of the teenagers and storyline she makes it come alive and become more relatable for children and teens. The book effectively demonstrates the power of people when they work together for a cause that is right inspired by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Actual quotes from Dr. King's speeches within the text to help explain the protesters motivation to keep peaceful. These teenagers sat at a counter and asked for a simple doughnut and coffee. This was a peaceful sit-in for justice and equality not a complex revolution or a political scheme.

The watercolors by Brian Pinkney come across as modern and classic. They added to the story and did not distract from the powerful words and storyline.

The food metaphor and the story really hits you in the gut. Typically, the Civil Rights Movement is one that young people have trouble relating to because of its complexity, but stories such as this really help bring it to life. I also really enjoyed the back of the book's Civil Rights Timeline (in paragraph form from 1954 to 1964), the photograph of the "Greensboro Four" in Woolworth's, the more in depth look at the incident and the times, and additional recommended book and website resources. These 40 pages are really packed with information!

Memorable Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quotes.

“We must meed violence with nonviolence.”

“Demonstrate… calm dignity.”

“We are all leaders.”

“We must… must meet hate with love.”

“Be loving enough to absorb evil.”

Other memorable quotes:

“They sat straight and proud. And waited. And wanted. A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side.”

“Practicing peace while other showed hatred was tougher than any school test.”

“… it’s not about food – it’s about pride.”

Curricular connections

This material can be added into a Civil Rights Lesson plan for History and Social Studies (grade 4-6). Both the words and art can be added to a discussion.

Literary devices

Use of Metaphor: The recipe for equality and integration throughout the book.

Use of Repetition: “They did not need menus. Their order was simple. A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side.”

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grades 4-6

Reviews and Awards

Jane Addams Honor Book (Awards)

Booklist Starred Review

School Library Journal Starred Review

Boys of Steel by Marc Tyler Nobleman and Ross MacDonald

Marc Tyler Nobleman, - author. Ross MacDonald - illustrator. Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman. New York: A.A. Knopf, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-375-8385-02-6.

Author website: http://noblemania.blogspot.tw/

Ilustrator website: http://www.ross-macdonald.com/pages/illusmain.html

Media: ink and watercolor

Genre: juvenile fiction, biography

Annotation

In 1934, during the economic despair of the Depression, two shy teenagers created the original social crusader- Superman. Tells the story of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and the story behind Superman.

My thoughts

“It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Siegel and Shuster!” (quote from book jacket) Based on the true story of the comic book creators, this book disguises a biography book as pop lit but with classic comic illustrations. The author, Nobleman, weaves research seamlessly into the story and maintains an accurate biography. The illustrations mimic Joe Shuster’s original superman style and the general comic style of the 1930s. The choice to illustrate the biography similarly to the original is in this case important for the comic book biography and adds a bit of art history into the picture for juvenile readers.

Boys of Steel does a good job at providing a visual story driven biography for one of the most famous superheroes. The boys met in high school and sold their idea to DC Comics when they were 24 after years of visualization and trying to sell the character. One of the key points that hit me was the idea that Jerry Siegel came up with as his inspiration for Superman. “People wanted a hero they knew would always come home. Jerry and Joe gave them that- the world’s first superhero.”

Nobleman adds important social context that accelerated Superman’s popularity. This was after the decade of the economic despair of the Depression and the brewing war (WWII). “Everyday people were about to be called to duty, and many would prove to be real-life heroes. But if there was ever a time for a fantasy hero, particularly one with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, it was then.” People also needed escape.

The last three pages provide a more advanced look into Superman and the sad part of the story where Siegel and Shuster sell all rights to the character to DC Comics for $130. Nobleman gives a legal history and the rights controversy behind Superman including facts that while Superman made millions the author and illustrator often bordered on poverty.

Curricular connections

This book can be suggested to grade school students writing reports on events and biographies. This is a good book to suggest to children complaining about the typical biography book style (complaining about length, lack of interest, lack of pictures, lack of interest) or say that the reports are boring. Also recommended for comic book fans.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grade 5 and up (Booklist recommends this books for Grade 1-3)/ Ages 10 and up

Reviews and Awards

Booklist Starred Review

Kirkus Starred Review 2008- "The battle for truth and justice is truly never-ending."

Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review 2008- “Nobleman details this achievement with a zest amplified by MacDonalds -- punchy illustrations.”

Dante's Divine Comedy by Seymour Chwast

Chwast, Seymour. (2010). Dante's Divine Comedy. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN: 978-1608190843.

Annotation

Dante’s Divine Comedy is Seymour Chwast’s graphic adaptation of the classic, allegorical epic poem written in three parts: Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise.

My thoughts

This is a much lighter version of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. The original 14^th century allegorical masterpiece has over 100 cantos chronicling a journey through hell, purgatory and paradise. The original poem is intended to be horrifying and is supposed to give a basic education of Christian theology. Chwast’s graphic adaption is much easier to stomach and the summarization takes the text slightly away from the Christian theology making it more entertaining than dogmatic. Overall, this is a good introduction that is amusing and not overwhelming.

In addition, Chwast’s summarization takes away the original poetry that can be up to over 900 pages and condenses the text to 128 pages. The poetry is not as lyrical and has been so summarized that it has been lost so this book might not be good if the intent is for poetry. Then again, many readers shy away from the text because of the poetry. This is a good version to recommend to those who do not enjoy poetry or might not want to read the religious version. The historical names (Euclid, Aristotole, Socrates, Plato, Aeneas, Soloman, etc.), religious figures (St. James, St. John, St. Peter, Adam, Moses, St. Anne, St. Lucy, etc.), canto numbers, key terms (gate of Dis, the river Acheron, etc.) and religious concepts remain the same.

Focus on Artwork
The illustrations are appealing whereas other versions (like William Blake and Dore’s) can be horrifying for readers. I remember my own dismay reading this at a very young age. The illustrations scared me. They still do. These illustrations are humorous and modern. Dante is illustrated like a 1930s Dick Tracy sunglass wearing sleuth-like individual and Vigil wears a bowlers hat and bow tie. The way that these two figures are illustrated make this historically fear-mongering piece of literature less intimidating. This graphic novel version balances out the original Divine Comedy and can be used to modernize the teachings and reading of this western literature classic. 

Curricular connections

High school: Religious Studies, Catholic Dogma, or English.

Literary devices

Use of Sophisticated Language: gluttony, usurers, abstain self-indulgences, wanton, sower of discord, and other terms related to the religious poem.

Use of Allegory: Dante's journey through the levels of inferno, purgatory, paradise is an allegory for the soul’s journey to God.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grade 7- High school and up: due to mature themes. Hell, inferno, purgatory and the various punishments for sinners aren’t really good for young minds. This is a classic, however, and these illustrations are less intense than William Blake, Dore, or other illustrated texts.

Reviews and Awards

Starred review, Publisher’s Weekly           

Author website: www.pushpininc.com/

Media: ink

Genre: graphic novel

Ubiquitous by Joyce Sidman and Beckie Prange

Sidman, J., & Prange, B. (2010). Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors. Boston [Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN: 0618717196.

Annotation

Joyce Sidman combines poetry and science to examine some of the oldest living evolutionary survivors on Earth. Ubiquitous celebrates these survivors’ unique traits.

My thoughts

Ubiquitous means “somewhere that is (or seems to be) everywhere at the same time. Given that these species are prevalent and exist all over the world many of them are overlooked or assumed to be simple. This book reveals that these prevalent species are anything but simple. They are survivors for certain reasons and while this may seem mysterious, Joyce Sidman writes about some of the unique traits of these species that have made it easier for these species to survive.

This book highlights these special adaptive species and celebrates their unique traits for informational blocks, poetry, and detailed illustrations. Key pieces of information make this book interesting for children for example“…it is said that industrious squirrels plant more trees than humans do.” Crows have been “observed dropping large nuts at highway intersections so that passing cars will crack them open!” “Geckos can literally break their tail in two to escape from predators.”

The timeline in the beginning of the book is probably one of the better Earth timelines that I’ve seen for awhile. It really puts time into perspective. A mass of lines wind around each other like a giant fingerprint and spread across the inside cover and title page. For the scale, each centimeter represents one million years. It begins with Earth’s birth at 4.6 billion years. Humans, only come into the picture at the end of the timeline.

The prints are also creative and appropriate. Everything blends seamlessly.

 These are an impressive set of poems that tribute our planet’s survivors.

Curricular connections

Elementary school science- Biology

Students can reenact this timeline and bring their own timeline into the class using a 46 meters long string and cards to label the key events. Different colored string can be tied together to represent the different geologic periods.

Lesson Plan
See 'Lesson Plan' page

Literary devices

Use of Rhythm

First Life

(a diamante)

Bacteria

Ancient, tiny

Teeming, mixing, melding

Strands curled like ghostly hands

Winking, waving, waking

First, miraculous life

Use of Allusion

“… I am Sheath-wing, beloved of ancients. You have never seen armor like mine. As the sun-god rolls his blazing disk overheard, so I roll my perfect sphere of dung across the sands.” – Alluding to the Egyptians and the Sun-God Ra.

“Who swirled your whorls and ridges? Was it the shy gray wizard shuttered inside you? I hear he walks on one foot and wears a magic mantle, trailing stars. O shell, if only I could shrink! I’d climb your bristled back, slide down the spiral of your heart. I’d knock on your tiny door and ask to meet the mollusk that made you.”

Use of Sophisticated language

Adaptability, diamante, diverse, mutate, photosynthesis, prolific, organism, ubiquitous.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Age 6 and up.

Reviews and Awards

Awards and Honors: Starred reviews in Booklist, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus, Horn Book; Junior Library Guild Selection; Publisher's Weekly, Best Books of the Year; Washington Post, Best Books of the Year; Kirkus, Best Books of the Year; School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year; National Science Teachers Association/Children's Book Council, Outstanding Science Trade Books, K-12, 2011; Boston Globe, Top Ten Children's Books of 2010; New York Public Library's "100 Best Books"; Booklist, Top 10 Sci-Tech for Youth; Book Links, Lasting Connections for 2010; Finalist for the 2011 CYBILS Poetry Award; Association for Library Service to Children Notable Children's Book; The John Burroughs List of Nature Books for Young Readers

Author website: www.joycesidman.com/

Illustrator website: http://www.beckieprange.com/

Media: linocuts, hand-colored with watercolor

Genre: nonfiction, poetry

Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story by Thomas F. Yezerski

Yezerski, T. (2011). Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux. ISBN. 978-0374349134.

Annotation

Nonfiction picture book that is an environmental education and exploration of the wetlands known as the Meadowlands outside of New Jersey.

My thoughts

This nonfiction ecological picture book looks back at the history of the Meadowlands and examines the biological diversity of the wetlands. Overall, I found it to be a very thorough and impressive book. The book provides a rich ecological history through prehistory to contemporary efforts of preservation and conservation of the Meadowlands.

Yezerski looks at how the wetlands were used as a garbage dump and filled with trash until the mid-80s. The effect that the pollution had on the environment became evident through the declining species and overall quality of the wetlands. Shifts of public awareness in the mid80s helped recover the wetlands and the waning biodiversity.

The truthful look at the effects that civilization has had on the region is eye opening while the account of preservationists is hopeful. The balance is perfect and leaves the reader with a sense of hope for not only the Meadowlands but also for other affected areas. It also gives the message that urbanization effects the environment but we can do our part to also save the animals and rich diversity of these regions.

Even though this book is about a specific region, it is a perfect book for learning more about the environment and ecology. Its detailed framework can really be applied to most natural environments near urbanized areas. Hopefully, the last pages will inspire people to look for there own ‘Meadowlands’ to preserve.

Beautifully detailed watercolor illustrations frame each double spread picture make reading this book a field study experience within itself. Children can seek out objects so this book can also be used as an activity search for the objects book and vocabulary/concept builder.

Curricular connections

Grade 4 or 5- Science- Yezerski provides the perfect amount of information for an elementary school audience.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Ages 7-10

Reviews and Awards

A New York Times Notable Children's Book for 2011

One of Horn Book’s Best Nonfiction Books of 2011

Author website: www.thomasfyezerski.com/

Media: ink and watercolor

Genre: nonfiction, environment

The Money We'll Save by Brock Cole

Cole, B. (2011). The money we'll save. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN: 978-0374350116.

Annotation

Times are tough in this nineteenth century New York City tenement, so Ma asks Pa to try to save money while grocery shopping. Pa takes her suggestion. He comes home with a baby turkey that’s alive.

My thoughts

Talk about great timing. Illustrated to appear out of the turn of the nineteenth century, this book shows a struggling family making do and living happily with what they have. 

This book has a lot going for it. There is the unique situation of a small New York City tenement with a country turkey. The humorous antics that transpire when trying to keep the pseudo-wild bird in the unnatural captivity of the home. There is the unique text that flows and makes this a great read along for younger audiences. There is the concept of being content in owns environment without falling into over consumerism. (As implied by the family existing on their means without sketching debts to buy the best groceries and appearing happy- Pa doesn’t appear despondent. He makes it work). And finally, there is the art.

More about the book- moral issues of eating animals are implied. This book doesn’t get into depth that but it certainly is implied by the family’s resistance to eating the turkey claiming it would be like eating their neighbor. This would be a nice book for parents, children, teacher’s to use for related discussions. It doesn’t toss out the point and say think about food sources, but it certainly leads the reader down that path of thinking about where the meat comes from.

I highly recommend this book! In fact, it is the new “Christmas Story” (80's movie) of my family.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Editorial reviews suggest that this book is for 4 and up (I would suggest that the up equal older readers and anyone looking for a humorous/holiday picture book).

Reviews and Awards

Horn Book’s Best Picture Books of 2011

Starred reviews

Author website: No website found.

Media: Ink and watercolor.

Genre: holiday, juvenile picture book

Blankets: A Graphic Novel by Craig Thompson

Thompson, C. (2003). Blankets: A Graphic Novel. Marietta, Ga.: Top Shelf. ISBN: 978-1891830433.

Annotation

Autobiographical graphic memoir that takes major “coming of age” themes (first love, spirituality, angst, anxiety) and puts them into comic-strip form.

My thoughts

Blankets details the story of Craig Thompson’s life starting from his childhood to adolescence.  It tells the story of his first-love, Raina, his wish to become an artist, and his search for faith. Even though, this is the story of a specific person in a specific place (Wisconsin), it really can be a story for everyone. The tenderness and sincerity make this a beautiful story that should be experienced.

There is so much to write about and so many great interpretations of this near 600-page story, and I encourage readers to seek out other opinions after reading the memoir. A couple of things that must be noted- this will be the quickest 600-page book that most readers will encounter. This is not because the pages are lacking content but because they are quite full and will draw the reader’s heart into the story.

In addition to the story, there is Thompson’s art. He knows how to take advantage of the comic median. There were panels that left my eyes teary (his account of his brother’s molestation and the cubicle incident along with all of his recounting of his first love experiences). The art creates a great part of the book’s emotional tone and the line work is beautiful and expressive.

I can’t seem to write anymore. This really is a sentimental book. I highly recommend it.

Curricular connections

Thematic connections with religion, family issues, and literature. It would be great to see this in the classrooms, but high school is so brief and there are so many great literature choices. Plus, there is some mature content that parents might see as inappropriate for the classroom setting.

Favorite Quotes

“Which is scarier-- lust or temptation? ”

“Sometimes, upon waking, the residual dream can be more appealing that reality, and one is reluctant to give it up. For a while, you feel like a ghost -- Not fully materialized, and unable to manipulate your surroundings. Or else, it is the dream that haunts you. You wait with the promise of the next dream.”

“On my first visit to the public library, I was like a kid at a candy store where all the candy was free.

I gorged myself until my tummy ached.”

“I wanted a heaven. And I grew up striving for that world-- an eternal world- that would wash away my temporary misery.”

“Shame is always easier to handle if you have someone to share it with.”

“How satisfying it is to leave a mark on a blank surface.”

“To make a map of my movement--no matter how temporary.”

“I couldn't fathom that the soul trapped in my child body would be transplanted to its grotesque adolescent counterpart.”

“Maybe I'm sad about wanting you. I'm not too comfortable with wanting someone.”

“We both knew that nothing existed for us outside of the moment.”

“Even a mistake is better than nothing.”

“But in that little pathetic clump of blankets there was comfort.”

Reading level/ Interest Age

High school and up.

Reviews and Awards

2004 Harvey Award for Best Artist

2004 Harvey Award for Best Cartoonist

2004 Harvey Award for Best Graphic Album of Original Work

2004 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album

2004 Eisner Award for Best Writer/Artist

2004 Ignatz Award for Outstanding Artist

2004 Ignatz Award for Outstanding Graphic Novel or Collection

2005 Prix de la critique

Author website: http://www.dootdootgarden.com/

Media: Pen and ink

Genre: Graphic Novel, fiction