Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 05/15/2014 Beloved graphic novelists Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Babymouse) and Jarrett Krosoczka (Lunch Lady) have assembled a host of popular artists to create kids’ comics celebrating the joys of recess. Gene Luen Yang (Boxers & Saints, 2013) kicks things off with the tale of a geek who hilariously wins his way into “The Super-Secret Ninja Club.” “300 Words,” by Dan Santat (Sidekicks, 2011), stands out from the crowd: it is a beautifully subtle, funny, and slightly gross love story that features delightfully scruffy art and believable characters. Raina Telgemeier (Smile, 2010) and Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy, 2011) offer a more down-to-earth story about a group of dodgeball fans who discover the appeal of tabletop gaming while stuck inside in “The Rainy Day Monitor.” These eight comics by fan-favorite creators, including Ursula Vernon (Dragonbreath, 2009) and Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants), make up a collection with something for everyone, as long as they like a bit of silliness. Kids will eagerly pick up this lighthearted anthology, thanks to the cheerful cover and familiar characters. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2014 Young fans of middle-grade graphic novels-particularly those books that share a small, square-ish trim, a palette dominated by one bright color, and a general attitude of snark-will recognize the luminous constellation of author/illustrator contributors here, all riffing on the theme of school recess. The collection of eight entries starts off strong, with a tightly written number by Gene Luen Yang about a secret lunchtime ninja club and the nerdy guy determined to gain admission. It’s followed by an equally successful Dav Pilkey romp, in which Captain Underpants protagonists Harold and George produce one of their signature comics, which, while technically fulfilling the class assignment to write a piece to promote reading, leaves their beleaguered teacher in an angry froth. The Holmses’ Babymouse shines in her attempt to regain the recess privileges she keeps losing (“Typical!”), and Dan Santat offers up clever recess class debate on the merits of The Giving Tree (although the ending somewhat fizzles). With these and entries by Jarrett Krosoczka, Ursula Vernon, Eric Wight, and Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman, the collection functions as a terrific introduction to the styles of their individual creators, inviting GN newbies to wander through in search of a series that hits their own comic sweet spot. EB - Copyright 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2014 Gr 2–5—An all-star lineup of graphic novel notables contributes original works to this anthology, sharing the common thread of recess. Holm's Babymouse and Jarrett Krosoczka's Betty characters make appearances in their own vignettes, presented in orange-tinted, two-color palettes, while other characters, such as Eric Wight's Jiminy Sprinkles and Vernon's Scratch and Squeak, make their debut. A wide range of writing styles is featured, from Yang's 18 disciplines of the ninja to Dav Pilkey's tale of George and Harold's invented spelling in their "Tree House Comix," and in each entry, the storytelling is strong and the art reflects each cartoonist's unique style. Two stories that particularly stand out are "300 Words" by Dan Santat and "The Rainy Day Monitor" by Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman. In Santat's tale, two boys forget to complete a 300-word assignment on Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. Having only recess to complete the task, one painstakingly counts his words to meet the required quota in a scene that will elicit audible giggles. The other boy attempts to ask a female classmate if he could copy from her paper, all the while recalling a stomach-turning mishap with said female during the school play. The result is a touching and sweet story that will stick with readers. Telgemeier and Roman's story involves a tabletop game of kickball so fun that kids stuck indoors for recess may be quick to follow suit. This anthology will serve children well as an introduction to a variety of comic-creating talents.—Matthew C. Winner, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.