Jubilee's Review of Secret Coders

Secret Coders series

 Reviewed by Jubilee Stewart, Authors Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes

The series Secret Coders is an awesome story about three main characters, Hopper, Eni, and Josh. When Hopper moves to Stately Academy, she notices things. Why are there so many nines around the school? What's hiding in the janitor's padlocked shed? What's up with the birds? As she struggles to figure out these mysteries, Hopper learns to code, and we learn along, too. Repeats, parameters, Ifelse (If-fell-see) statements, and much more. Hopper, Eni, and Josh's struggle creates a beautiful story of friendship, courage, and laughter. As you get to know them, you'll agree; they make great secret coders.

The series is made up of 6 graphic novels which each have about 100 pages. I would recommend these books for ages 7/8-11. Though the books are small, it takes a bit of knowledge to understand the code. There are small puzzles throughout the book in the form of solving code. I thought that they were fun. Five out of five stars. If these authors ever paired up again, I would definitely be in line for their book! 

 

Superman Smashes the Klan

In this new graphic novel, Gene Luen Yang did a great job following a formula but still keeping things fresh. 

Gene Luen Yang is one of my favorite authors -- I'll buy a book of his before I've read it, I'll preorder books by him, and I'm constantly recommending his books. You can see all of my posts about him here. 

For Superman Smashes the Klan Yang took his inspiration from an old 1940's Superman radio serial. The Lee family has just moved to a new home to go with Mr. Lee's new job. It doesn't take long before they find out some people don't want them in the neighborhood, though. You see where this is going. 

But I love how Yang made the story complex and they characters two-dimensional. The young heroes have foibles, the villain has virtues, and Superman has a whole backstory to work out. It honestly surprised me how much happened in this slim volume, and I have high expectations for books by Yang. The story weaves in different kinds of racism, different reactions to racism, and other themes, too. 

I particularly like how anybody can read this book, regardless of how much they already know about Superman. Never heard of him? Everything you need to know is there. Already know everything and everybody from Lana to Lois, Kal-el to Kryptonite? You won't be disappointed. And the illustrations are flawless, making this an easy graphic novel to read even if you are new to the format. 

If you skip the backmatter in this book, you will be missing out! There's a fantastically done section in the back about Superman and about Gene Luen Yang, about the history of racism and hope. It's a great book, and the section in the back is MORE than the cherry on top. It's the whole cream layer on the banana cream pie. 

I'm not alone in thinking this book is awesome. It won the Young Adult Graphic Novel category of the Cybils this year. I think it fits well in the Young Adult category -- it deals with the heavy theme of racism and hate crime. There is violence and complexity. It's not gory at all, for which I'm thankful. I recommend it for 6th grade and up. 

The Top 7 New Graphic Novels for ages 8-12

Hi friends!

Your kids are always bringing home graphic novels, right? They love them and they can't get enough. I know because every time I tell someone I read graphic novels they say, "Oh my kids love graphic novels!" And they ask me for recommendations.

So let me tell you about the best ones of this year.

But first an embarrassing story:

Yesterday I posted about the 2015 Cybils Graphic Novel shortlist for teens, and I named some emotions each book made me feel. But right away I got a note from Sheila, reminding me that I'm not allowed to post anything about my own opinions (or those of the other judges) until after the big announcement on Valentines' Day. Oops! I am usually a round 1 judge for the Cybils, and round 1 judges are encouraged to post about nominees.

So I went back and edited the post to include the official Cybils summaries instead. Once the winners are announced, I'll fill that post back in with my original commentary, plus a little bit more. :)

Today I want to clue you in on the best graphic novels of the year for middle grade readers (ages 8-12). For now I'll put the Cybils summaries in, and after Valentine's Day I'll add my commentary. In the meantime the cover images will link to Amazon so that you can go there and read reviews and such. If you shop through my links (for anything on Amazon, not just books), I earn a small commission.

2016's Top 7 Graphic Novels for ages 8-12

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola

Masha is in a bit of a rough spot. Her mother died when she was young, and her beloved grandmother has died more recently. Her father, always distant towards her, has revealed that he’s marrying a woman she hasn’t met, much less heard of… and the new wife has her own young daughter who never misses an opportunity to point out that Masha doesn’t belong. Masha agrees, and sets out to find a place where she feels competent– in the chicken hut of Baba Yaga, whose stories play a huge role in her memories of family and belonging. Masha thinks she’s equal to any challenge Baba Yaga might set for her, but when her new stepsister and friends appear to be on the dinner menu, she finds that she’s not really up for murder. Now she must come up with a solution that will allow her to keep the kids alive… and follow Baba Yaga’s directions and keep her job. Many kids dealing with unpleasant family issues might dream of running away to a fairytale world. The macabre story choice here and the need to work out troubles in both places anchor what might otherwise feel escapist. It showcases Masha’s depth and kindness, and make this a compelling read. ~ Liz Jones, Liz Jones Books
Thoughts from Alysa: I liked this one a lot. It was very beautiful, and reminded me of fairy tales int he best way. My only complaint is that it went by too fast! I felt the pacing was so quick at times that I wasn't sure exactly what had happened in between panels.

Courtney Crumrin Vol 7: Tales of a Warlock by Ted Naifeh

In the new volume of Ted Naifeh’s Crumrin series, we get to read the back story of her Uncle Aloysius Crumrin as a young man…. err, warlock. Courtney herself has yet to be born, but the exciting tale of magical intrigue, greed, and murder features a tough heroine determined to do what’s right. Aloysius and Alice’s romance adds a lot to the telling, and though it’s not clear how things will play out in future volumes, longtime fans of the series will note Alice’s physical resemblance to Courtney. This volume works well as a standalone for readers new to the series, who will almost certainly seek out the rest of the books after reading this one. ~Liz Jones, Liz Jones Books
Thoughts from Alysa: Loved this one! However I was confused as to why it was in the Juvenile category, instead of the YA category. It definitely has a more YA feel, in my opinion. No language or gore or anything to make it necessarily for the older crowd, just the themes of it seemed better suited to an older audience. Anyway, it makes me want to read the whole series!  

Dragons Beware by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado

Dragons Beware! has all the cliches of the dragon-slaying genre, but the standard elements are turned on their heads with hilarious characters and dialogue. Claudette is the daughter of warriors (and the sibling of a young chef) who is set on recovering her father’s magic sword from the belly of a ferocious dragon while surrounded by an uproarious supporting cast of princes, princesses, soldiers and servants.

The kid appeal of Dragons Beware! is strong, and the messages about negotiation, courage, and family are subtly integrated into a highly satisfying adventure. ~Gary Anderson, What’s not wrong?
Thoughts from Alysa: This one was cute. I liked the teamwork and the humor and seeing the characters from the first book all over again. 

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Astrid is twelve years old, and has just developed a love for roller derby. She is devastated to learn that her best friend, Nicole, will not be joining her at derby camp. In fact, they are drifting apart, and Astrid can’t figure out why. Astrid learns that being honest with yourself and those you love is a difficult but important journey to take. With beautiful color illustrations and excellent storytelling Roller Girl is a fun take on that awkward time of life. ~ Sami Silva, Reading. Happily.
Thoughts from Alysa: This one was so much fun. And I will tell you that even though it contains my absolute pet peeve in middle grade books, which is kids lying to their parents, This is because I didn't lie to my parents. I still recommend it anyway. The lying was used to show that lying is bad, and the book was definitely worth reading. 

Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang

Fish-out-of-water, first-day-at-new-school stories are dime a dozen, but 12-year-old Hopper’s new school, Stately Academy, is something entirely different. For one thing, all the buildings have the number 9 on them, and in the trees all the birds have four eyes in varying combinations of being open and closed. But it’s the combination of discovering binary numbers and a secret robot hidden in the janitor closet that sends Hopper and her new friends on the path to opening a portal that will reveal the secrets hidden within Stately Academy… but only if they successfully can work out the code! The first book in a new series that sets out to teach readers how to code while solving a mystery, Secret Coders is an entertaining and accessible graphic introduction to the building blocks of computer programming. ~ David Elzey, Guyslitwire
Thoughts from Alysa: This one is my personal favorite on the list, but man oh man does it end on a cliffhanger! I reviewed it here, before the Cybils, if you want to see all the reasons I love it. 

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm

In 1976, Sunny Lewin is sent to spend part of her summer is her grandfather in Florida. Sunny is upbeat about the trip, but quickly loses her optimism the more her grandfather takes her on errands and not to Disney World. Sunny knows, however, that she was sent to be with Gramps for a reason that had nothing to do with Disney World. Her older brother has started to act strangely mean and aloof, and she thinks it’s all her fault. With cute color illustrations and a story that connects with younger readers, Sunny Side Up, proves to hit a tough subject with grace and understanding. ~ Sami Silva, Reading. Happily.
Thoughts from Alysa: This was probably my most highly anticipated book of the year. I love the Holm's work, and plus there was all kinds of buzz for this book before it came out. I liked it, and thought it was really cool. But I guess it didn't really strike a particular chord with me. I have been thinking about it though, and about how I want my kids to know the lesson that Sunny learns in the book: you don't have to keep big ugly secrets. 

The Marvels by Brian Selznick

In Brian Selznick’s unique graphic hybrid style, The Marvels draws the reader into a dizzying tale of shipwreck,, theater, family, and legacy. We follow the generations of Marvels as they perform on various stages, and lead lives both admirable and dissolute… and then look again, as a modern descendant, Joseph, tries to put all the pieces together after running away to his uncle’s house in London, and discovers a truly marvelous testimony to family, and to love. As the book says –you either see it… or you don’t. ~ Liz Jones, Liz Jones Books
Thoughts from Alysa: This was probably my least favorite of the finalists. I think that's because I like Brian Selznick's other two books so much, and that this one didn't jive with me as well. There were definitely moments in the narrative when I was confused as to what was happening. I thought it was a bold move for Selznick to tell a story that spans such a long timeline (3 or 4 generations, if I remember right). Overall though, the book just left me feeling kind of sad. So, check it out when you're in the mood for it. 

Geeking out over Secret Coders

For those of you who don't know, I'm a big fan of Gene Luen Yang. It seems to me that he's got a solid head on his shoulders and he writes darn good stories. I don't think I'm alone in thinking this, because he's won gobs of awards and written stories in impressive worlds like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Superman. (Yes, Gene Yang is now writing the Superman comics, and for the first time I'm interested in picking one up! haha)

Anyway, when I heard he was coming out with a series of graphic novels that would teach kids how to code, I was very excited. I emailed the publisher, and they sent me a copy for review. Huzzah!

We all loved it.

We loved it so much that we downloaded the Logo interpreter suggested in the back of the book (and linked from the website), and spent some fun times making the turtle follow our commands.

getting the hang of coding

I even caught Jacob reading it, and got some good pictures of Benjamin's work after he finished the book and before he knew we could play with this information on the computer.

 

So. Let me give you a little breakdown.

What colors is it? Interiors are black, white and green.

What is the story about? A new girl at a new, strange school, trying to solve the mysteries of her environment. She just happens to learn some basic coding, on the way.

Strong: It's definitely got emotional grab. Humor, especially between the students, Drama, in Hopper's family life, school life, and when they unexpectedly meet, hehe. I expected the bookto be a little dry at times, but I was wrong. This book isn't just "not dry," it's downright JUICY.

Weak: Nothing that I can think of! My only problem is that the rest of the series isn't out yet.

How it has changed my life: I now understand how to work in a binary number system better than I ever have before! I definitely learned about binary numbers in childhood (sister of a nerd), and in college when we covered how to teach number systems (elementary education graduate), but man! Those birds! I will not forget those birds. Also I know how to do some basic coding in Logo, which, admittedly, is not super useful in my every day life.

Here's something cool though. Watching Benjamin get really into this book and then begin to program -- to notice his errors and go back and fix them -- made me think he might be ready for piano lessons. He's seven, if you were wondering. So, Jacob and I signed him up. He's taking to piano very nicely.

I definitely recommend this book. It could be a really fun Christmas gift. Read it on Christmas morning and spend the afternoon doing a little bit of coding. Good, clean fun!

I'll make the cover image here an affiliate link, so that you can shop for the book if you like. If you shop through my affiliate links, I get a small commission.

You can check out all the books by Gene Luen Yang that I've reviewed here on Everead by clicking here.

Are your kids doing anything with coding? I've heard that some schools are starting to teach it, and Benjamin came home and played a coding game that he had played at school. Do you view coding or other computer skills as "essential skills" for the next generation? Leave me your thoughts in a comment below. 

Please make this book into a movie: The Shadow Hero

More books like this, please!

1. What is it about? 
   The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang & Sonny Liew is, first, the story of Hank Chu, living in *almost* the 1930's. Hank likes working at the family grocery store in Chinatown with his dad. But from the day his mom is saved by asuperhero, The Anchor of Justice, she knows exactly what her son should do with his life. This is a book in the great tradition of superhero comics, but it's also very self aware. Reading the end material made the book (which I loved) even cooler. Because it told me that, secondly, this book is an imagining of the origin story of what might have been the first Asian American superhero.
   
2. Who would like it?
   Alexander. All of my former GN book club (Jesse, Lauren, Amanda and others!). ME! Jacob. The general superhero-loving public. According to the NY Times, "any Taiwanese-Chinese-American." This book is just so spot-on in it's tongue-in-cheek awesomeness. I'd give it to 12 up. Plenty of superhero violence, but no gore, no language, no sexual content. (The author did dedicate it, "For my kids.")
   
3. What is your favorite line from the book?
   "I'm going now. When you get home, wake me up, all right? I'll make you something to eat." Or maybe, "Bleh! I'm dead! I'm dead!"
   
4. Who is your favorite character? Definitely the mom, Hua Chu. But I also love the dad, and Red, and the Tortoise, and Uncle Wun Too . . .

The final word: Read it before the movie comes out! You've got a little time because it's not optioned yet, as far as I can tell. :) But seriously. This book rocks.

The story is awesome, and Sonny Liew's art is great at depicting motion and fight scenes that don't confuse. In fact, it's great at everything! Except everybody has duck lips. But you get used to that. Seriously -- framing, coloring, unique and varied panels that improve the story instead of distracting from it. The art flows amazingly well, and adds SO much.    

If, like myself, you would like to purchase this book, you are welcome to use my affiliate links, below.

Barnes and Noble

 




By the way, I simply had to ask author Gene Luen Yang where he came up with one of the villains' names. This particular gangster is named Mock Beak. Where does a guy get a name like that? Here's what the author had to say:

The Shadow Hero's Mock Beak is inspired by (1) Mock Duck, this really intense Chinatown gangster, and (2) the 1 tile of the "sticks" suit in mahjong. All the gangster characters are named after mahjong tiles. -- Gene Luen Yang, (@geneluenyang), here and here 10/29/14.

Totally awesome. And now I want to play mahjong. In the book, the gangs are called "the tong of sticks" and "the tong of stones." I can definitely see the bird influence in the art & actions of Mock Beak. Those talons! *shiver*

I hope you read this book and then tell me how much you love it. Ok? Ok.
___________________
(Notes about the special way I'm reviewing Cybils nominees, here.)
Other books by Gene Luen Yang that I have reviewed, here.
I reviewed Wonderland, with art by Sonny Liew, 5 years ago.

Comics Squad: Recess!

This was such a fun book! I've been hearing a lot about it, so I was thrilled to get my grubby hands on it at the library. I literally snatched it up with glee, then looked around to make sure no young people were going to give me puppy dog eyes.

photo by Alysa

It has eight little comics in it, unrelated to one another (well, there is a little Lunch Lady cameo in the Babymouse short!) Each short comes from different creators -- some of the best-known names on the children's graphic novel scene.

{This image is an affiliate link*!}

I read Comics Squad: Recess! in one sitting. It was such fun and so easy that I thought, "why stop reading?" Hopefully kids feel the same way. Levi, for one, was right next to me and insisted I read out loud. He loved the stories, though some of them were definitely over his 4-year-old head. I would put this book in the hands of strong 1st grade readers, on up through middle school. Levi particularly liked the Dav Pilkey's back-and-forth animation page, and exclaimed "Oh! That's how that works!" Benjamin is taking a peek at it as I type.


Comics Squad: Recess! would be fantastic for teaching about art style, because it has eight different, unique styles. The collection showcases pencil work, pen work, watercolor, and digital art (and I might be missing something)! It would be *great* for compare/contrast activities.

{So is this* one!}

You can read my review of other works from Comics Squad: Recess! authors: Jennifer and Matthew Holm (Babymouse), Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), and Raina Telgemeier (Smile), and Gene Luen Yang (Boxers and Saints).

These guys also contributed, and I've read and loved their work, too, but haven't reviewed it personally:
Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle books), Ursula Vernon (Dragonbreath books), Dan Santat (Sidekicks), and Jarrett Krosoczka (Lunch Lady books).

The bottom line: So fun for kids, so perfect for educators. Sequels planned, I believe!
__________________________
*If you make a purchase after clicking through one of my affiliate links, I get a small commission. That's just one way I can get a return on the effort I put into this blog. And my commission comes at no extra cost to you. ;)

Twin graphic novels that suprised and educated me -- Boxers and Saints

Boxers by Gene Luen Yang
Saints by Gene Luen Yang

If I were on Jeopardy and I chose "Boxing for 400" Alex might say to me, "In the late 1800's this country was home to The Boxer Rebellion." At which point I would be like, "Oh shoot, I think I've heard of that?" and Ken Jennings would be like "What is China." But not anymore! Now I'm probably never going to forget that!

I just finished Boxers and Saints, these two graphic novels about The Boxer Rebellion in China by Gene Luen Yang. They were really, really well done, which is what I've come to expect from Gene Luen Yang. Boxers follows Little Bao's journey from small-town kid to rebel leader. Saints follows Four-girl's life and conversion to Christianity.  Both Four-girl and Bao receive visitations from spirits within their religious traditions. Both of the books are awesome.

However, I didn't expect them to be quite as somber as they were. I mean, the tone of them is perfect, don't get me wrong. They should be dark; they are companion books from each side of a war. The subject matter is heavy but kept appropriate for 14+. If the books were made into a movie, it would definitely be PG-13.

To balance the seriousness of the books, Yang sprinkles in humor. At one point I even laughed out loud. But Boxers & Saints are definitely more dark than America Born Chinese*, and more bloody by far than Level Up. Though they were bloody, I'm thankful the books weren't gory. I mean, there was lots of full-color red blood, but no very realistic looking guts (though there is a head on a pike).

The art is awesome and I loved Yang's use of color. Looking back at Saints, I see that it is really only 2 toned, but I thought it was in full color, like Boxers is. Ah! Surprised again. Anyway, the colors really make the spirits stand out from the living.

The characters were so sympathetic. I loved Bao and Four-girl. I felt for both of them and to see them sometimes making bad decisions just killed me. It was so apparent that Bao especially is trying to do the right thing, but everybody makes mistakes and oh my goodness there are some doozies.

There was nothing I didn't like about this book. I would own it. It surprised me and intrigued me and I feel smarter now that I've read it. The two books should definitely be read together, I think of them as one! I recommend reading Boxers first and then Saints. If you'd like to buy them, you're welcome to use my affiliate links to Barnes and Noble and Amazon, for which I will receive a small commission.

What do you think? Have you ever read a story that told both sides? Would you ever read Boxers & Saints?
____________________
(*My review of American Born Chinese was posted over seven years ago! Say whut?)

You are still more than welcome to sign up for my newsletter!