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Two mermen reject their destinies and embark on a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself—and a romance that nobody could have predicted—in the stunning second installment of the hit Webtoon series Castle Swimmer.The sharks want Kappa dead, and time is running out for Prince Siren to save him. Queen Susca knows Siren doesn’t have the courage to kill Kappa, and for the sake of the kingdom, she’s willing to do the deed herself. As tensions run high, neighboring queens pay the sharks a visit to offer an alliance, and while they might just be the means of escape the two mermen have been looking for, it’s unclear if they can be trusted.Siren will do anything to get Kappa to safety—even if it means never seeing him again, and even if all Kappa wants is to stay by his side. Yet escaping the queen’s spear will take all of Siren and Kappa’s courage and cunning, and there’s no guarantee they’ll both make it out alive.This beautiful graphic novel collects episodes 20-41 of Webtoon’s Castle Swimmer and includes a never-before-seen bonus chapter featuring Kappa and Siren.
Review:
Starting with the masterpiece that we are celebrating – Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez. Celebrating 25 years, this was a groundbreaking novel, making gay teens feel seen and quite possible the most accessible YA novel of its time. Rainbow Boys navigated they early 2000’s hetero-normative society with three seniors looking for their place. Full of emotion and cultural impact, the plot centers on the coming-out experience during the pre-technology onslaught, when there was still stigma around HIV/AIDS. Sanchez offered hope and this book is now an essential piece of YA queer lit history.
Because of what Rainbow Boys and other books have done, we have so many options within this space. Here are a few:
You have seen it everywhere, these bright, colorful graphic novels. A TV show now! This story had changed the narrative by offering a more-hopeful story of love and relationship in the queer space. It has the feel of a more ordinary teenage life where gay teens are free to find friendship, romance, and be joyful and awkward.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
One that I have not read yet, but it is
on my list! Centers on a black, queer, transgender teen that navigates self-worth,
community dynamics and some romance.
We are even graced with beautiful Middle Grade queer literature
now as well.
A coming-of-age story that explores
the nuance of coming out as a lesbian in middle school. Lacey is queer, Jewish
and the pressure around both. The emotion and bravery in this book were
absolutely beautiful.
Two witchy sisters find themselves framed for the disappearance of their elderly client’s substantial trust after her sudden death—from the New York Times bestselling author of Payback's a Witch and the critically-acclaimed author of All Dressed Up.As descendants of one of the original Salem Witch Trial victims, Tori and Cassie Bishop’s occult credentials are strong . . . but a trickle of tarot readings won’t pay the bills, and now they're facing eviction. When they’re offered a massive sum to play “witches in residence” to an elderly widow at her secluded Berkshires mansion, it feels like fate.But from the minute they arrive at the opulent country estate it’s they’ve been dropped into a far more dangerous game than their smoke and mirrors can save them from.The widow, Rose, is in her final days and desperate for the sisters to help with her unresolved spiritual needs before she passes. Her skeptical family and staff, however, are less enthusiastic about the sisters’ presence—with the exception of Rose’s nurse and her beloved great-nephew, who find themselves inexplicably drawn to Cassie and Tori.Thrown into a viper’s nest of competing motives and impenetrable intrigues, the sisters do their best to help Rose. But after Rose’s sudden death, millions of dollars disappear from the estate overnight, and Tori and Cassie quickly become the prime suspects. Someone in the house has framed the Bishop sisters, and in order to clear their names, the two must rely on their powers—magical or otherwise—to unravel the toxic family's tangled web of greed, resentment, and deceit. If they don’t, Rose won’t be the only victim at Berwyn House. . . .
Review:
It's Halloween night! Which means it's time to take your friendly neighborhood ghost trick-or-treating.You may not think of your ghost as being scared of many things, but that's something you should know up-front about your ghostie friend: they scare easily. And before you venture out, it's important to know that there are many rules to follow when meeting your local creepy crawlies. Please Don't Scare the Ghost is your one-stop shop to navigating Halloween night and its witches, ghosts, zombies, and vampires, so as not to offend any of your new friends.
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Halloween hijinks ensue when the monsters bring out their trampoline!A rollicking rhyming text that features the monsters we all know and love as they carry out their favorite Halloween routine--jumping on their trampoline!In the process, Vampire loses a fang while eating a tangerine and Werewolf howls at the moon while playing the tambourine. But the fun continues as they bounce high over pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and trick-or-treaters dressed nice and mean.
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A picture book about a lonely ghost who learns to share and is finally fulfilled through friendship.Gwei the ghost is absolutely famished, but unlike the other ghosts in the cemetery, he won’t eat just anything. Luckily, it’s Ghost Festival month: the one time a year when ghosts roam the realm of the living. Gwei flutters around the city eating steaming bowls of noodles, hot, hot, HOT chestnuts, and crispy fried fish with chili oil.Yet no matter how much Gwei eats, his hunger won’t go away. As he searches for the perfect meal, he catches someone following him. It's another hungry little ghost! When he hears her grumbling belly, he reluctanctly reaches into his pouch to share. To his surprise, he finally starts to feels full.With charming Chinese folklore-inspired text by Emeline Lee and warm, glowing illustrations by Basia Tran, Gwei the Hungry Ghost is a story about how friendship feeds the soul.
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It's Halloween and the Gingerbread Man can't wait to join his class in their celebrations. He even gets to make his very own costume and go trick-or-treating with friends after school!
But when his bat costume catches the eye of a hungry owl, this smart cookie will have to do some quick thinking if he doesn't want to end up as a treat!
The Gingerbread Man’s series of graphic novels—published in both hardcover and paperback editions—is ideal for first and second graders, full of the hilarious rhymes and action-packed escapades kids know and love from his picture books.
This was such a cute and playful Halloween adventure for young readers! The graphic novel format uses big, colorful images and short sections of text, making it an approachable read. I loved seeing a classroom Gingerbread Man step outside of his usual fairy-tale setting and join in on all the Halloween fun. He plays games with the kids, gets creative making a costume, and even heads out for some trick-or-treating.
