Silver Spoon 2 by Hiromu Arakawa

銀の匙 Silver Spoon 2 [Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 2] by Hiromu Arakawa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge, award winner of great graphic novels and what a great series! Yugo Hachiken is easing into his first year, making friends and learning a lot about cows, horses, and much more at Oezo Agricultural High School! He finds an old oven and together with everyone, students, teachers and more they all collaborate to help Hachiken make pizza. Then when students go on break, Hachiken does not intend to go home and ends of staying at his classmates' farm and helping out. There was much to laugh about and learn about the farm families and Hachiken is changing and growing as a result.

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Royal City Vol. 3: We All Float On by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 3: We All Float on by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Using a surprise member of the family and magical realism, Jeff Lemire sympathetically works with all the characters in the Pike family to lay beare answers and reasons to persevere as each sorts through life and how Tommy's death affects each of them many years later. An ending that is both honest, bittersweet; once again I am in awe of Lemire's graphic novels and his view of cities, families, and dead-ends.

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Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the 2nd volume of Royal City as part of the Great Graphic Novels Awards in the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and this book shows what life is like for the Pike family as it leads up to Tommy Pike's final days. The sad, dead-end part of the town has infiltrated this dysfunctional family - mother, father and the kids. I loved Lemire's detailed, authentic illustrations as a teen goes through life normally but then headaches start, pain pills are thrown down with alcohol and you see the picture. I ached for this family, the loneliness and alienation are pervasive and awful. Can't wait to read Vo. 3!

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Silver Spoon (Book 1) by Hiromu Arakawa

銀の匙 Silver Spoon 1 [Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 1] by Hiromu Arakawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this award winning Great Graphic Novels book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I liked the urban teen, Yuugo Hachiken, who chooses to go to the country and attend an agricultural high school.

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My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 (My Brother's Husband Omnibus, #2) by Tagame Gengoroh

My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 by Gengoroh Tagame
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this award winner (Great Graphic Novels) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and oh did I love this 2nd book in the series! Tagame's illustrations of all three individuals (Kana, Yaichi & Mike) were done in B&W pencil and so realistic--Kana is a smart, sweet girl who loves Mike with all her heart and helps to change her father's (Yaichi) thoughts on being gay as she whole heartedly loves her Uncle Mike. I also liked Kana's mom, she was a truly remarkable, even character and it was interesting to see her dynamic with her ex. This is manga and high school students will learn much as they find not all cultures are accepting of "differences" in others. A must read!

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On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

On A Sunbeam: A Webcomic by Tillie Walden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this webcomic (Amelia Bloomer Top 10, Great Graphic Novels) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Telling a story of past and present---Mia is in the present working on a dig in outer space and as she becomes friendly with the crew she tells them of her past- falling in love in boarding school with Grace and then losing her. She asks her family/crew to help her find Grace in the outer reaches of space known as the Staircase. You will love the cast and crew and root for them. Wonderfully illustrated, beautifully told by Tillie Walden, teens will love this space opera.

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The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Dan Brown

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Great Graphic Novel Award Winner and Nonfiction Award Winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Brown's illustrations and accompanying words/stories of the Syrian Refugees was horror filled with immigrants suffering death, beatings, and racism as they flee because of the reign of terror of the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad. Neighboring countries extend aid but it becomes too much for many and they stop allowing the refugees to enter and extend them aid. A must read as this crisis continues to unfold.

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