Review: Junior High Drama by Louise Simonson and Jane B. Mason

JUNIOR HIGH DRAMA

by Louise Simonson and

Jane B. Mason

Illustrated by Sumin Cho

Stone Arch Books

Middle Grade Graphic Novel

256 pages

Welcome to Memorial Middle School, where drama fills the classrooms and follows students home on the bus. Social awkwardness. Mean girls. Hallway gossip. It's all part of life in junior high, but maybe it helps to know you aren't alone. Can Lucia avoid the boy-girl party? Will Kamilla overcome her self-consciousness and try out for the play? Can Allie keep anyone from finding out her secret? Told in graphic formal, Junior High Drama shows that while you can't escape the drama, you can certainly survive it.

MY TIDBITS

This is a treat for middle school/junior high girls who love diving into school life and it's problems, and especially enjoy the graphic novel layout.

This book is a collection of several stories, each rotating around difficult situations girls in this age group can face. Because life in junior high isn't easy. The problems surrounding self-consciousness, rumors, mean girls, first dates and so forth are placed in engaging junior high settings with characters which are easy to connect with. Each situation is done well, allowing the characters to gain footing before facing their troubles. The solutions aren't always easy but do-able. And the entire thing never runs into the realm of ridiculousness or over emphasis. These are normal girls who are up against hurdles very typical for a junior high setting.

Each story centers on different characters, showing that everyone faces troubles. The characters are also very diverse, keeping stereotypes at bay. These girls may make mistakes, but most have good hearts and simply aren't sure how to handle the situations. The results and solutions hit real life possibilities, and bring encouraging messages which strengthen self-esteem. After each chapter, there's a slightly more in-depth question and answer section (in form of interviews) and sometimes, extra tips. While these tales are entertaining, the book also offers realistic help on how to deal with such things and where girls can find more assistance if they need it.

Even with all the messages and help, this is simply an enjoyable read. The illustrations allow the emotions to flow and the scenes to come to life. The characters hold depth and make understandable decisions. Plus, there's more than just the drama. These girls have lives and will connect with the readers. The stories are quick paced, not overly dramatic and hold enough tension to keep the pages flipping until the end of the story. It's a lovely read and holds tons of purpose as well.

Review: What's Inside Your Gut, Shmut? by Kount Kracula

WHAT'S INSIDE YOUR GUT, SHMUT?

by Kount Kracula

Illustrated by Mr. Watt

TWI Media

Comic/Humor
Picture Book for Pre-/Teens

Havoc breaks loose, in Hollywood's 'Beastie Canyon', U.S.A ---

When, the infamous, grumpy movie-monster: Grok, a fiery, giant dragosaur, arrives home to find his ditzy, 150 foot wife, Shmut (the world's last dumbosaurus), back from a long 10 month vacation; with a mysterious, mountainous 'belly bundle'!

 Kount Kracula's 'stomach -churning' adventure tale ensues, as the kooky orange, female behemoth, colorfully explains her controversially bloated situation!

MY TIDBITS

These pages take a dive into an entirely different type of quirky humor, which reminds maybe a tad bit of Mad Magazine.

Grok is a hot tempered, full of himself dinosaur who is married to a dizzy—and much bigger dinosaur—Shmut. She returns home after a month long vacation with a huge belly...and Grok suspects the worst.

This is a picture book/comic but not for little ones. The subject matter and writing hit the older group of younger and older teens. It's quirky...very much so..., obscure and simply hits a certain type of humor which isn't often touched upon, but will have the right reader laughing and loving every page. Grok and Shmut pack emotion pure, and it bursts from the page.

Although short at twenty-eight pages, each one holds punch. The illustrations are bold and bright with an addicting, chaotic flair. The personalities of Grok and Shmut shine through with power, and there are humorous details sprinkled in to make each one worth a careful look. The speech bubbles and comic text squares plaster the rest of the page, not only narrating the story briefly but expressively with punches of sarcasm, wit and sheer ridiculousness thrown in. The puns and pokes are pointed, spiked and taunting a dash of shock as they mix right in with the ranting and racing feel of the text. A couple taboos are neared but not really pressed upon, giving the entire thing the edge this special humor requires.

While this won't be every reader's thing, it's definitely something others will devour and enjoy. 

And here he is...

This is the first picture book for the kooky, benevolent author/storyteller:  Kount Kracula ( a TV Horror Host); who lives (and lurks) in Hollyweird, Canada, North America  ( with the assistance of his minion Illustrator & intrepid coffee-boy: Mr. Watt ! )

The this book is #1 in a series of upcoming books in the upcoming, satirical "Kount Kracula Picture Book" series. The Kount's hobbies include: watching schlocky, old B-Movies, scaring small animals & writing satirical picture novels, for the
“tween-ager” & juvenile publication market.

Extras!!!

Kount Kracula was one of the authors featured in  the year long  Brampton, Ont. Canada Local Authors Showcase. The annual Local Authors Showcase was unveiled  during the local After Hours Book Bash on August 17th. This event celebrates a great summer spent reading. Here are some pictures to get a feel of the fun!