The Stone Heart

The Nameless City, book 2
by Faith Erin Hicks
Hennepin County Library hardcover 243 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, adventure

Oh my! This was so good! I would love to own the Nameless City books. These are "Yes!" purchases for a middle school or high school collection. I love Hicks' work! She's so talented.

Rat and Kaidu continue to be great kids who get into things over their heads. The Dao are split between those who want to fight and hold power versus those who see a need to change and work with others. The saddest part to me was the attack on the monks and the library! Mura is an interesting character. Enzi and Mura will have much to account for in the next book. . .

The Nameless City

by Faith Erin Hicks
PRMS paperback 232 pages
genre: YA fiction graphic novel

I love this!

Wonderful story of Kaidu (Dao boy warrior) and street girl Rat. It's a Nameless City because each conqueror gives it a new name and none of the names are meaningful to the people who live there. Joah, the monk, cares for Rat. There action, friendship, dilemmas, and the wonderful artwork Hicks continues to produce. I can hardly wait for the next book!

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong

by Prudence Shen & Faith Erin Hicks
PRMS paperback 280 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, realistic

Delightful story of Charlie (captain of the basketball team, mild-mannered), his neighbor / friend Nate (neurotic nerd), and Holly (superpowerful cheerleader who dumped Charlie via text). Both the cheerleaders and the robotics club want some school money for their organizations. When the principal says that the student council can decide between them, a fight for president ensues. Funny, cute, a bit stereotypical . . . delightful little book!

The Adventures of Superhero Girl

by Faith Erin Hicks
Hennepin County Library hardcover 106 pages
genre: YA graphic novel fantasy

I love Hicks' work! This delightful little story about a young woman who has a bit of an identity crisis about being a superhero is worth having in my collection. I especially like her dynamic with older brother Kevin, also a superhero.

Bigfoot Boy: Into the Woods

by J. Torres and Faith Erin Hicks
PRMS paperback 100 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, fantasy adventure

Quick. Fun. Rufus is left at his grandma's house, where he escapes her soap operas by following neighbor girl Penny into the woods. He finds a totem necklace and when he says the word on it, Sasquatch, he turns into one. A "younger" more innocent graphic novel.

Brain Camp

by Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan, Faith Erin Hicks
PRMS paperback 151 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, SciFi

Subtitled "A summer at Camp Fielding will really change you," I'm glad I finally read this book. Weird, fun, interesting. Jenna is unusual in her family of overachievers. Lucas is on his way to being just like his father - a criminal in jail. When they are sent to Camp Fielding they quickly realize that something strange is going on.

Creepy, fun, and a little bit romantic (though Lucas' wet dream is a bit TMI . . . not sure middle school readers will "get" it), this is a good read. The storyline and artwork work well together to communicate a middle school mystery.