Guest post: by Meredith C.

‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’, by Brian Selznick, is a novel that uses both words and pictures to tell a mysterious and intriguing novel. The main character Hugo is a young orphaned boy who lives in a train station in France, 1931. He operates the clocks while avoiding being seen by the station inspector.

Hugo spends his spare time fixing his dead father’s machine, or automaton. However, to find the clogs and various other parts he needs, he steals them.

The toy store that Hugo steals from is run by an old, grumpy man. One day when Hugo is stealing something the man catches him and forces to work for him. While working for the man Hugo meets a young, bright girl named Isabelle.

The two children must embark on an adventure to discover the secret of the automaton and what lies within it. They also discover that the old, grumpy man from the toy booth is not how he seems, he has an exciting past.

I found the book interesting to use pictures to help tell the story; it was the first book I read with that kind of structure and I am so glad that it was so interesting and intriguing. I would recommend this book for a teenager. I would personally give it 4 stars.

For more information about Brian Selznick, Hugo Cabret and more of his books visit: http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm

10 Little Insects – Davide Cali

When I first heard of ’10 Little Insects’ at a recent CBCA conference in Adelaide, I thought it would be fun to read. I didn’t expect to be sitting and giggling as I moved through the pages – much to the mirth of my family, on a glum Saturday afternoon.

From the first pages of this new graphic novel, to the very end (which I almost missed…) there was a lot to keep you laughing and musing about along the way. In this whodunnit mystery, we follow the trails of 10 insects invited to Tortoise Island for a variety of curious reasons. Each ‘guest’ has come along with a different expectation of a weekend at an exclusive, but mysterious mansion on a secluded island.

Unfortunately, one by one, they meet an untimely death – reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ (or ‘Ten Little Indians’ as it was released in the US). Of course they attempt to solve the mystery of individual deaths along the way, but as in any good Agatha Christie novel, the crimes aren’t solved completely till the very end; in an extremely humorous way.

’10 Little Insects’ was launched in Australia by Nicki Greenberg, a very clever Australian writer and illustrator, with an affinity for graphic novels. You can read her comments from the launch, and thus understand why she was the ideal candidate to launch the book in Australia. Read her comments carefully, especially when she implores:

“…try, if you possibly can, to slow down just a tiny bit. Linger a little in the wonderful lush landscapes of the island and the fabulous interiors of the mansion. Enjoy the clever use of space in the page layouts, the colours and textures, and the complex blocking required to portray so many characters’ interlocking conversations.”  (Nicki Greenberg,  http://wilkinsfarago.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/guest-post-nicki-greenberg-on-10-little-insects/)

And since Nicki spoke so eloquently and effusively about this book, there is little more I can say – except to recommend your read this, whenever you get the chance… then read it again to pick up what you missed (either in the clever illustrations of Vincent Pianina, Davide Cali’s punctuating text) the first time.

Do you enjoy graphic novels? or are they something new you are yet to explore?  are you like me, and would like to compare them with the original (if they are an adaptation)? or would you just prefer to take them at face value?



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It’s Graphic!

Many years ago, graphic novels were restricted to those produced in Japan in the Manga style; today, there is great variety in both the format and subject matter covered in these books. As they become more widely available, the popularity of graphic novels is growing.

manga2The variety of graphic novels is well illustrated by our school’s collection. These start with the traditional Manga styles, which include Japanese characters, and which are read from back to front, and right to left.

Newer versions of graphic novels (often produced outside of Japan) are read like a normal book, though using the defining sequential art work in frames. The subjects covered in graphic novels now ranges from classic tales (e.g. Shakespeare) to series following the adventures of key characters, and from myths and legends to the reworking of popular authors (e.g. books from tales by Anthony Horowitz, Emily Bronte or Mary Shelley).

Our selections include series in:

  • Naruto
  • Fruits Basket
  • Fullmetal Alchemist
  • The Dreaming
  • Neon Genesis Evangelion
  • Grand Guignol Orchestra
  • as well as many re-creations of  modern books (like Twilight or Stormbreaker), and historic classics (like Shakespeare).

What are your favourites in graphic / manga novels? Do you prefer the traditional Japanese style or those created for English cultures?