92. Into the Bewilderness

92. Into the Bewilderness. Gus Gordon. 2025. 192 pages. [Source: Library] [graphic novel, children's graphic novel, 5 stars]

First sentence: One spring afternoon, deep in the woods, far from anywhere, friends Luis (the large furry one) and Pablo (the small furry one) are on their way home after a successful outing picking gooseberries. 

Premise/plot: Luis (a bear) and Pablo (a mole) are best, best, best, best friends. They live in the woods and have a great life. But Luis is a philosophizing bear who wonders about the world outside the woods. He's a bear that is considering leaving the woods to go on the occasional adventure. When Luis wins theater tickets for the Big City production of a play, the two leave for the City....but will the City live up to everything Luis has imagined it to be? Can their friendship withstand such a big adventure?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It was a delightful read. I loved the dialogue. I loved the friendship. I loved how they have so many nicknames for one another.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

8. Bluffton

 

 

8. Bluffton: My Summer with Buster Keaton. 2013. Candlewick Press. 240 pages. [Source: Library, 5 stars, graphic novel, historical fiction]

First sentence: Life in Muskegon, Michigan, was quiet. Ordinary. 

Premise/plot: Bluffton is a graphic novel with a historical setting (1908-1910?). The book focuses on the summer vacations of a young Buster Keaton. These special summer days are told not from his point of view, however, but from a local boy named Henry Harrison who absolutely idolizes the show people.

Henry Harrison is thrilled when a troupe of vaudeville performers settles down to summer near Muskegon, Michigan. There are boys his own age among the troupe. One of these boys is Buster Keaton. Henry had not heard of Buster before, but he becomes mesmerized by his new friend. Buster? Well, he enjoys clowning around and making the local folk laugh now and then, but, mainly he wants to play ball. He wants to play, have fun, relax. He's shown as wanting to pack a whole summer into each and every day. I got the impression that Henry didn't really see things clearly; he saw what he wanted to see: the glamor, the wow.

The story of several summers (and winters) are told through art and dialogue. An epilogue informs readers of Buster Keaton's transition from stage to film.

My thoughts: I first read Bluffton in 2013 (and rated it three stars). At the time I had never seen a single silent movie. I was unfamiliar with the subject--vaudeville, silent movies, etc. It was "just" a book about boys playing baseball. Now that I've fallen deep, deep, deep, deep into all things Buster Keaton, I have a new appreciation for this fictional graphic novel. I do think most of my review stands true. I think I read it "right." However, I now have a stronger appreciation for the story. 

For example, having no familiarity with "The Great Stone Face" I didn't really appreciate the illustrations. I didn't have a likeness to which to compare the illustrations. Now I do and this one works.

I would DEFINITELY recommend reading this one AND diving into Buster Keaton's films--short and feature. At the very, very, very least seek out compilations of Buster's work. 

The movie I would recommend for pairing with this one is COLLEGE which has a sporty theme.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

62. Winnie the Pooh (Graphic Adaptation)

62. GRAPHIC NOVEL ADAPTATION. Winnie the Pooh: The Graphic Novel Adaptation. A.A. Milne. Illustrated by Travis Dandro. 2024. 248 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] 

First sentence: That buzzing noise means something. You don't get a buzzing noise like that, just buzzing and buzzing, without its meaning something. If there's a buzzing noise somebody's making a buzzing noise, and the only reason for making a buzzing noise that I know of is because you're a bee and the only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey and the only reason for making honey is so as I can eat it.

This is a graphic novel adaptation of A.A. Milne's classic Winnie the Pooh. The original, I believe, has always had *some* illustrations. Now it gets the graphic novel treatment. The dialogue remains much as it always was. Though I haven't read the original in a few years so I cannot say with one hundred percent certainty that all of the dialogue has made the transition. I only noticed a few additions to the text. Notably, the bees get some dialogue which is adorable. This is just the first book, so NO Tigger. 

For me the first and second books blend together into "The World of Pooh" (quite literally that is the omnibus edition I grew up with). These illustrations are not exactly like the original OR like Disney. I thought most characters were illustrated fairly well. The only one I did NOT care for was Rabbit. But I did appreciate revisiting the book, the characters, and the HUMS.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

55. Blades of Freedom

Blades of Freedom: A Tale of Haiti, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase. (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #10) Nathan Hale. 2020. [November] 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Gather round young and old! Step up and see the hanging! The execution of the spy Nathan Hale is about to begin. And by execution, you mean story time.

Premise/plot: Out of all the Hazardous Tales, Blades of Freedom may be the most complicated/complex. It isn't the story of one man. Or two. Or three. Or four. Or even a dozen. The book's subject matter is so complex that it requires a WHEEL to spin. Each chapter, the wheel is spun and two characters--historical figures?--are chosen. Obviously, this is a plot device. Hale knows exactly how he wants his story spun. Some of the characters are mosquitoes. (I'm not lying.)

It is a LONG, LONG, LONG answer to the question how did America acquire the Louisiana territory. It spans CENTURIES. The subtitle helps clarify a little. (But only a little).

My thoughts: I am going to be a voice of dissent--for better or worse. (Probably worse since this one has so many five stars and four stars). I did not care for this one...at all. Which is sad since I typically love this series and get so excited to read another installment of it. The books have explored some dark, tragic, bleak, horrible, troubling times. None of the books have been happy-happy-cheery-cheery. But this one felt a little bit more extreme. 

I am not for softening history, sugar-coating it, making it all warm and fuzzy for modern readers. Nor am I all about shallow, surface-only story telling. So I'm not saying that Hale should "change" history to keep the series age appropriate. But I can't imagine a kid being emotionally ready--mentally prepared--for the HEAVY, HEAVY, SUPER-HEAVY weight of this one. For better or worse, I just imagine handing this book to a child to be like handing a kid a hundred pound weight like it's nothing.

In some ways--perhaps not all ways--it is a very political tale. To the extent that human rights have been politicized, you could say it is all politics. But rather you slant it all human rights or slant it politics, it is heavy. We have parallel accounts of the French revolution (and its aftermath, namely Napoleon trying to be like Pinky and the Brain and conquer the world) AND the Haitian revolution. You can believe that slavery is wrong, wrong, super-super-wrong, completely unjustifiable; you can believe that it's wrong for the nobility to let the peasants starve without any concern and compassion--and still be blown away by how wrong mass slaughter, mass murder, the brutality of it all really is. It's a BLOODY, BLOODY, BLOODY book. The book explores--to some extent--the mentality of revolutionary politics. Anything is justifiable if you get the desired end results. 

The world view isn't new to me. In fact, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables explores many of the same themes and views. But Hugo wasn't trying to entertain children. If Blades of Freedom was marketed for adults, I wouldn't have any issue with it at all. The themes explored are worthy of thought.

I was also bothered by how the mosquito (mosquitoes) were the heroes of this one. To the extent that Yellow Fever was seen as a SAVIOR and every time someone died of it the readers were supposed to cheer. (Or at least that's how I felt it was being pushed.) Like the mosquitoes were fighting on the right side, and were doing their part to rid the island of evil.

The book also ended in a very ODD place. It was almost like Nathan Hale ran out of paper and said, well, that's good enough. I've reached my goal for page counts. I'm done. 

 The book also explores voodoo. Yes, voodoo. I guess this is inescapable in a way since it's about the history and culture of Haiti. So expect several (a handful?) of scenes with characters drinking animal blood. And then there's Pauline--Napoleon's sister--she is kind of traumatizing in my opinion. If I was a kid, I'd be having nightmares.

 Reading is 100% subjective. Every single reader is different. Some readers may think this is the absolute best book ever. And I do not think every reader has to agree about a book. That is always important to keep in mind. So many people think that their subjective opinion is the one and only valid opinion. It doesn't bother me at all that 87% of readers (so far) have given this one 4 or 5 stars.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

54. Major Impossible

Major Impossible. (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #9) Nathan Hale. 2019. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I've been on this gallows long enough! It is time to execute this spy! 

Premise/plot: The provost and hangman are joined by an eavesdropper leavesdropper, Bill Richmond, in Major Impossible. Nathan Hale, our hero, talks his way out of execution and straight into another tale. This time he's telling the hazardous tale of John Wesley Powell and company as they explore the Colorado River and (discover?) explore the Grand Canyon. There were ten that set out to explore on this expedition. (But how many would make it to the end?)

This story also uses flashbacks--which definitely annoy the hangman, especially at first.

The adventures mainly focus on the "present day" (1869) exploration of the river/canyon AND through the flashbacks events like the civil war.

For those not at all familiar with Nathan Hale and his hazardous tales, the series is a graphic novel series rooted in history. Nathan Hale, our hero, is facing execution by the British in 1776. He's prolonging his would-be execution by telling tales from history. Though to the provost and hangman, these "historical" events are from the future. He's an entertaining storyteller and he always leaves them wanting more, more, more.

The graphic novels aren't without some lighthearted moments (though perhaps the one on the Donner Party is an exception). In this one, some humor comes in as one of the adventurers lose all their clothes but their long john underwear.

My thoughts: I am not the target audience of this one, not really. That's a given. My complaint--really my sole complaint--is that the font size is teeny-tiny. I have to squint my way through the whole book. Seriously hard on the eyes. BUT again I am not the target audience. I do think younger readers--with better vision--will not have a problem reading and enjoying this one.

I have nothing but solidly good feelings about the series as a whole. I really do enjoy sitting down and enjoying Nathan Hale's hazardous tales. I think the series is super fun. I like learning about different historical figures in a fun and entertaining way.

I'm not sure this one is my absolute favorite and best from the series. But I definitely enjoyed it as part of the whole. I do recommend the whole series.

I do think you could read the series out of order.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

World at War: White Bird

White Bird: A Wonder Story. R.J. Palacio. 2019. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Julian, no more video games. Do your homework. This IS my homework. I’m FaceTiming Grandmere for my humanities project.

Premise/plot: White Bird is a Wonder story told in graphic novel form. The framework of the story stars Julian, a character first introduced in Wonder. If you need a refresher, he was one of the main bullies tormenting Auggie Pullman. But the heart and soul of this one is Julian’s assignment. His grandmother, Sara, is sharing her war story, her life-changing experiences as a Jewish girl in hiding. When the Second World War begins, Sara and her family aren’t panicking yet. They live in Free France, not the Occupied Zone. But changes come one after another. Soon there are all sorts of restrictions, rules, and dangers. Jewish people have even begun to be rounded up. Sara didn’t exactly plan out a place to hide, or even to hide at all. But a series of events soon leave her just one choice to trust a “crippled” often bullied and teased boy with her life. His name is Julian.

My thoughts: I was unfamiliar with this story. Though apparently much of it is told in a previously published novella/short story. I absolutely loved the story. I loved the relationship between Sara and Julian—both Julians. It is a heartwarming, heartbreaking story of love, endurance, kindness, and hope.

I believe that Holocaust stories both nonfiction and fiction are important—even essential. Children need to be introduced to the Holocaust. We cannot afford as a society to forget.

This is a love, love, love for me.

I believe that all people have a light that shines inside of them. This light allows us to see into other people’s hearts, to see the beauty there. The love. The sadness. The humanity. Some people, though, have lost this light. They have darkness inside them, so that is all they see. In others: darkness. No beauty. No love. Why do they hate us? Because they cannot see our light. Nor can they extinguish it. As long as we shine our light, we win. That is why they hate us. Because they will never take our light from us.

You might forget many things in your life, but you never forget kindness. Like love, it stays with you forever.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Lafayette! (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales)

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #8 Lafayette! Nathan Hale. 2018. [October 16] Harry N. Abrams. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This title page would be better with sound effects. Whang! Klang! Shing! Slice! Stab!

Premise/plot: Nathan Hale is still prolonging his life by telling stories to his two executioners. The story he is sharing with them today is of Major General Lafayette, a Frenchman who came to help Americans fight for their independence from Britain, a good friend to many of our founding fathers including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, etc. It is set in France, America, and Canada. Nathan Hale's STORY of Lafayette ends with the American Revolution. This book does NOT in any way cover Lafayette's involvement in the French Revolution. What it does cover are many, many battles in the American Revolution.

My thoughts: I really have loved this graphic novel series. Nathan Hale doesn't just tell stories about the American Revolution, though in this case he does. He also tells entertaining, adventure stories from many different wars, conflicts, and battles. OR even episodes in history like the DONNER PARTY, the underground railroad, or the exploration of the Grand Canyon. The series could go on for quite a while since Nathan Hale is in no rush to get to his own execution.

I will say that the size of the font seems to have shrunk since the last time I read and reviewed one of the series. Surely it's not just my eye sight?! Okay. It could be just my eye sight. There were days when I couldn't even read it with squinting. But eventually I did get through all of it! It was a good read though perhaps not as compelling  as some of the other books in the series.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Tea Dragon Society

The Tea Dragon Society. Katie O'Neill. 2017. [Oct. 31, 2017] 72 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Once upon a time, blacksmiths were as important as magicians. They made tools for the healers to cure the sick. Shoes to shod the hooves of working animals. Swords for adventurers to slay monsters. The world was forged in iron...Once upon a time.

Premise/plot: Greta is the heroine of Katie O'Neill's The Tea Dragon Society a middle grade graphic novel. It is a fantasy. Greta finds a small, injured dragon. The dragon is a tea dragon. Her father recognizes the dragon and knows the owner. Greta returns the dragon to its owner, Hesekiel. Seeing her interest in the tea dragon, he invites her to visit his tea shop anytime and learn more about tea dragons and how to take care of them. She also meets Minette and Erik. All three have tea dragons. The book is divided into four sections--the four seasons. Will Greta be lucky enough to get a tea dragon of her own one day?

My thoughts: Odd can be good. It can. I'm not sure that I love, love, love this one. It's not quite my cup of tea. But I liked it. So what makes a tea dragon a tea dragon? I can't tell you their origins of how they came to be, but, I can tell you a little bit about them. Tea dragons grow tea leaves off their horns. The tea leaves--when dried and brewed--offer tea drinkers (especially their owners) a magical trip down memory lane. The shared memories of tea dragons and their caretaker are imparted to the leaves themselves. Drink the tea and you'll be taking a trip.

There are many different kinds of tea dragons: Jasmine Tea Dragon, Rooibos Tea Dragon, Chamomile Tea Dragon, Ginseng Tea Dragon, Earl Grey Tea Dragon, Hibiscus Tea Dragon, Ginger Tea Dragon, and Peppermint Tea Dragon. Each has its own personality. I get the idea that no two tea dragons are alike. These dragons offer a rewarding relationship with their owners, but, it isn't easy-going especially in the beginning.

Katie O'Neill has without a doubt spent a great deal of time world-building. This especially comes through in the appendix. 

I love, love, love, love, LOVE tea. I've had all the teas listed above with the exception of Ginseng. (I've never drank Ginseng before.) I've never had a magical trip as a result of tea drinking. But I've made plenty of happy memories. I love to drink tea and read; I also love to drink tea and watch stuff. (For example, I love to watch Call the Midwife with a cup of tea in hand.)

If I had an equally strong attachment to dragons, I imagine this one would have delighted even more.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Raid of No Return

Raid of No Return. (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #7) Nathan Hale. 2017. [November] Abrams. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On March 8th, 1862, near the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, the confederate ironclad CSS Virginia steamed into battle.

Premise/plot: Raid of No Return is part of a graphic-novel historical series written by Nathan Hale and starring Nathan Hale. Nathan Hale is joined by his executioners. He is delaying his execution by telling super-exciting action-packed stories from history, from the future. In this seventh adventure, he is turning to the second world war. This book is ALL about the Doolittle Raid or the Tokyo Raid of 1942. The adventure begins with the Japanese training to attack the United States.

My thoughts: I love, love, love this series. This is a good addition to that series. I love that the book follows all sixteen planes and their crews that took part in the raid. A few of the names were familiar to me, but not all of them. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys history. You don't have to "love" graphic novels to be swept up into this story. 

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Real Friends

Real Friends. Shannon Hale. 2017. 214 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When I was little, I didn't worry about friends. After all, I had Mom.

Premise/plot: Shannon Hale has written a memoir of her early school years in graphic novel format; the novel covers kindergarten through fifth grade. It is illustrated by LeUyen Pham. The graphic-novel-memoir opens in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the fall of 1979. Throughout the book, readers see Little Shannon struggle at school and at home. At home, Shannon doesn't always, always, always get along with her sister, Wendy. (I believe Shannon's name is the only one that was not changed?) At school, Shannon struggles with distinguishing real friends from dare I say it here-today-gone-tomorrow friends. (You know friends that laugh with you one minute, and another minute are laughing at you. Or, you know friends that talk about you behind your back. Friends that leave you questioning where you stand with them. Is this a day they'll like you or hate you?!?!)

One thing that I loved throughout the book was Shannon's creativity and individuality. I loved seeing her imagination at work. I loved that she was never bored, but, was always inventing something new and wonderful to play. I also loved that storytelling was always involved whether it was acting out a story with friends or writing down a story. I also love that Hale didn't create a perfectly-perfectly-perfect heroine. Little Shannon struggles with anxiety and some OCD tendencies.

The novel covers the joys and sorrows of growing up. There are plenty of good and happy times depicted. But there are also other emotions as well. The book feels genuine, authentic, easy to relate to.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. Shannon Hale is a great writer, I think this may be my favorite so far. (She has written plenty of fantasy novels for various age groups.) I love LeUyen Pham. She is one of my favorite illustrators. I adore her work. Though graphic novels aren't usually something I gush like crazy about, I just have to say this one was wonderful. I would definitely recommend it!

I think it needs a NEWBERY.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Snoopy Contact!

Snoopy Contact! Charles M. Schultz. 2015. 176 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: (Lucy) How can you be happy when you don't know what this year has in store for you? Don't you worry about all the things that can happen? That's better...live in dread...and fear...be sensible... (Snoopy) He he he he he he he.

Premise/plot: Snoopy: Contact! is a collection of Peanuts comic strips. Probably half of the comics in this collection feature Snoopy as a World War I Flying Ace in pursuit of the Red Baron. The other half in this collection focuses on all the characters and takes readers through all four seasons.

One of my favorite Flying Ace strips has Snoopy imagining himself landing behind the trenches having to crawl over/under barbed wire before he's spotted by enemy machine gunners. The barbed wire is really a jump rope in action. That comic is on page 14.

Another favorite strip has Snoopy singing for his dinner. I could really RELATE to this one. Charlie Brown ends the strip saying, "I must admit he's a very satisfying person to cook for." This strip is on page 29. (Page 30 has a great summer-themed strip.)

A little later on readers see Snoopy going through a photo album. What's making him so happy? He's looking at pictures of all the supper dishes he's ever owned. (107)

Ever wondered if Snoopy is the kind of dog to make plans?

(Charlie Brown) Well, Snoopy, what are your plans for today?
(Snoopy) Plans? I hadn't even thought about it. But I suppose I'll sleep a little this morning...then this afternoon, I'll take a short nap, and later on I'll try to get more sleep...those are good plans. (54)

One of my favorite winter-themed strips has Snoopy skating. Snoopy has had to do a lot of his practicing at night...because otherwise he's "surrounded by flocks of admiring girls..." (141).

My thoughts: I really love this collection. Snoopy and Linus are my favorite characters from Peanuts. The book is a quick read. I often found myself wanting to share strips with others.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews