POE STORIES AND POEMS by Gareth Hinds.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2017. 110p. ISBN 978-07636-9509 pbk. $14.00  Gr.8-12   YA GRAPHIC

Several of Edgar Allen Poe’s haunting poems and short stories, including “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” "The Raven," and “The Tell-Tale Heart” have been adapted to graphic novel format by Hinds.  Poe’s original text is imbedded into the graphics.  Some readers will enjoy the illustrative interpretations of these famous works, while others may want to keep their own personalized visualizations of Poe’s rich text.  Hinds also modified “The Odyssey,” "King Lear," “Beowulf” and several other literature classics into a graphic novel format. 
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

THEY SAY BLUE by Jillian Tamaki. New York:  Abrams Books, 2018.  32p.  ISBN: 978-141972851-8 hc. $17.99   PreS - Gr. 1    E PIC

The full-spread illustrations, composed of acrylic paint on watercolor paper to give the effect of translucence, could almost tell the tale by themselves.  However, when you add the poetic text, the book comes alive with story.  With a little imagination, a trip to the beach becomes a discussion of blue sky and sea , a bus ride from school turns into a boat ride on waves of golden grasses, and a good night of sleep leads to waking up each morning with a renewed curiosity about nature and the colors that surround us.  Tamaki is a Caldecott Honor recipient for illustrating THIS ONE SUMMER, a middle school graphic novel which was written by her cousin, Mariko Tamaki.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

CHASING KING’S KILLER by James L. Swanson.  New York:  Scholastic Press, (2018) 364p. ISBN 978-054572666-6 hc. $19.99   323.092 SW

Swanson divides the book into four sections of story.  Part One introduces Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his philosophy of non-violent protest, the segregated southern states, and the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.  Things really speed up after 1963 with the bombing of a Birmingham, Alabama Church, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Malcolm X, and opposition to the Vietnam War. Part Two chronicles the life of felon and future assassin, James Earl Ray.  Part Three provides the detailed planning of King’s assassination on April 4, 1968, and Part Four delves into the manhunt for Ray.  The last 100 pages consist of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lasting legacy of peace, along with information for further study.  This very readable book is peppered with authentic black and white photographs from the time period. 
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

THE GREAT CHICKEN ESCAPE by Nikki McClure.  Petaluma, CA: Cameron Kids, 2018. 32p. ISBN 978-1-94490322-0 hc. $16.99     PreS-K     E PIC

McClure describes a single adventure from her time living in Alaska with monastic nuns.  She says that "Island life makes small events huge."  Her wordless story begins and ends with chickens in the fenced-in yard.  When the gate is left open, "Chickens run!" and prove themselves to be efficient escape artists.  They find interesting new landscapes and some danger, but seem to know that the setting sun means it's time to head home.  The stark illustrations were made by placing cut black paper over white for a striking visual experience.  It echoes her 2010 book, MAMA, IS IT SUMMER YET?, which incorporates a few shades of color, but stays true to the black and white art -and has now been printed as a board book.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI