Book Dweeb

Find out what lies beneath the mask. From the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Jazmin’s Notebook, comes the story of eighteen teenagers who find their voice through a weekly open mic poetry event at their school. With distinct styles the teens tackle issues ranging from teen pregnancy to domestic abuse. Through the course of the semester the teens’ lives intersect, and in the end their voices join together in  a painful, frustrated, but also hopeful harmony.

DweebMeter: 4/5

Nikki Grimes’ Website

This deliciously twisted story follows one man on his journey into a  surreal urban wasteland. Dark creatures stalk the man through the city, increasing his confusion with the foreign landscape. By accident, he befriends a lizard-like creature, and little by little he begins to feel at home in his strange new surroundings. This quirky tale reveals a dark but ultimately hopeful take on the immigrant experience. Readers of all ages will be drawn in by Tan’s captivating art, and some will find fertile ground for further discussion.

DweebMeter: 4.5/5

Shaun Tan’s Website

NY Times Review of The Arrival

Cute, demented, heartbreaking. Sara Varon’s latest graphic novel proves that words are overrated.  Varon relates the fated friendship of a dog and a robot with unusual tenderness, charming cartoons and absolutely no words. Fans of her first graphic novel, Chicken and Cat, will be happy to see that Varon is still on top of her game. 

DweebMeter: 4.5/5

Sara Varon’s Website 

Here there be fairies! Check out this “awesome” reenactment of the young adult fantasy Fablehaven. Thirteen-year-old Kendra and her eleven-year-old brother Seth dread spending two weeks at their Grandpa’s isolated estate in the Connecticut wilderness. However, their vacation gets interesting when the two realize that Fablehaven is no ordinary estate, it is a preserve for magical creatures.The story suffers from some exaggerated drama and an overcomplicated plot, but fans who love fantasy and larger-than-life monsters will probably stick around to check out the sequel: Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star.

DweebMeter: 2/5

Fablehaven Official Website