Stay Out of the Basement-Goosebumps graphic novel gives them what they want

Getting elementary-aged students to read can be tough.* Getting elementary-aged students, especially boys, is marginally easier to do if it’s though a graphic novel. ** The resistance decreases even more if the book’s cover has a gross, but age-appropriate monster or mysterious being. If the audience already has name recognition, then the book is like butter in the hands of a kid who’s been outside all day in the summer heat. Stay Out of the Basement is a graphic novel that lives in the Goosebumps world, and checks off all of the boxes that young readers want.

Stay Out of the Basement is a Goosebumps graphic novel that has what kids love about the series into a format that they want more of.
But read this graphic novel if you’re in elementary school

Much Ado About Numbers, fun for history and story folks, plus the obvious

I had the Shakespeare talk with a class the other day. Why do high school students read Shakespeare? Why do high school students study algebra or other advanced mathematics that they likely won’t use in life? As a high school ELA teacher, I understand both of those queries, but am only able to empathize with one of them. However, they both have the teachable aspect as to why they’re taught and what students can learn from both of them. Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare’s Mathematical Life and Times is a surprisingly fun book that combines both subjects and adds some history for good measure.

Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare’s Mathematical Life and Times is more than the Bard and numbers, it’s breezy history and readable for us common folk.
Much to do, and enjoy from this book

The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia, doesn’t miss the mark or measure up to it

I like this illustrated novel trend. It’s enjoyable as an older reader (who is certainly not the intended demographic), and for the younger readers in elementary school who need a nudge to get them into a book. The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia has a gorgeous layout. Its illustrations add to the readability factor, and it certainly speaks to upper-elementary-aged readers. Older readers will have some issues with the pacing of the book. Middle school audiences will also be able to see through the plot twist in short order. Does any of that matter to the book’s key demographic, those fourth or fifth graders who simply want to have fun while reading?

The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is an illustrated novel that speaks to the mglit, upper-elementary faithful, despite its desire to cast a wide, reluctant reader net.
If if’s and buts were candy and nuts. for some.

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: The Web of War, is the series’ magnum opus

We are big fans of the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales book series. It’s the New York Times Bestselling series of non-fiction graphic novels that makes history fun. Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: The Web of War is the 14th book in that series and the best one yet. All of his graphic novels are enjoyable on some level. Our only complaint with them as a whole was that their font was small. Fast forward to The Web of War, my glasses have a new prescription or this book operates on a higher plane that encourages my middle-aged eyes to lock in more and get lost in a book.

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: The Web of War is a non-fiction graphic novel that’s as good as the medium gets.
Wow. #awesome on every level.

Spooky Rivers, oversized aquatic fun and curiosity for ages seven and up

Spooky Rivers is based on the TikTok Series. I know I sound like the oldest person in the room, but I never thought a book would come from social media. Is this a case of man biting dog, or am I as old as Methuselah? Regardless, the first thing you’ll notice about Spooky Rivers: 25 Strand and Mysterious Rivers That Snake Across our Planet is its size. It’s one of the three largest illustrated books we’ve received at Daddy Mojo. This is a book that makes a statement and is impossible to ignore.

Spooky Rivers is an oversized book for ages seven and up that inspires curiosity with monsters and treasure, but also adds STEM 411 for all.
Spooky Rivers run with STEM curiosity and fun

The Nature of our National Parks, a go-to guide for kids to planning a trip

An attorney friend of mine is visiting as many United States national parks as possible. There are 63 of them, and I think his family has visited about 50 of them.  The Nature of our National Parks is a children’s illustrated reference book that inspires the wanderlust in any age. The book isn’t automatically intended for children, it’s just that we group illustrated books with children. In this book’s case that’s not entirely accurate because The Nature of our National Parks also includes a handful of photographs from the places in question. Whichever way you approach the book, you’ll develop a case of the arm-chair traveler.  Another effect is that you’ll start scheming a manner in which you can write a book exploring these 63 parks so that you can write them off as a work expense too, which could be what my attorney friend is doing.  

The Nature of our National Parks includes every U.S. national park, some of its flora and fauna and corner-to-corner illustrations to motivate your visit.
Oh the places you’ll want to go

Exposures, a graphic novel on OCD and life you didn’t know you needed

Don’t feel guilty for enjoying a graphic novel about a medical condition. Exposures: A Story About Life with OCD and the Power of Facing Your Fears is an unlikely graphic novel about life. Its protagonist is Peyton, who has a sister, Taylor, with the two living with their parents in the mountains. Peyton is growing older and realizes she’s not like other girls. She obsesses over things that keep her from living a more normal life. She has to touch things a certain number of times. She has a constant fear that her sister or family are going to die in the near future. Peyton realistically thinks her food is poisoned, doesn’t like change and has anxiety that is crippling at times. If you’re in high school, the preceding sentences describe you or someone you know. Exposures is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel by Lily Williams.

Exposures, a graphic novel about a teen with OCD and her life is on par with Maus and El Deafo on the medium’s ability to deftly handle realistic issues.
More helpful than the self-help books you’ve read

Socks & Secret Quests: The Wandering Shop, your favorite new mglit series

This is quite the adventure, I thought to myself as I was one chapter into reading Socks & Secret Quests: The Wandering Shop. That further got me thinking of how few books I read that can truly be called “an adventure”. There are a majority of books that are entertaining, and some that are great, but “an adventure”, that all-but reads itself is quite rare. Socks & Secret Quests: The Wandering Shop so perfectly nails the it factor that some books lack.  

Socks & Secret Quests: The Wandering Shop knows what you’re thinking about “middle Earth” or fantasy mglit books. It includes what you need, doesn’t include the boring stuff and is the start of a series that runs with fresh energy.
In our top 5 at year’s end for sure

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