Take a photo of a barcode or cover
meganshallx's reviews
609 reviews
Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel by Zachary Sterling
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A fast paced middle grade weaving together Filipino folklore with family, identity and magic. I enjoyed this book but I'm not the biggest fan of middle grade so I think others would really love it. I loved learning a little about Filipino food and culture. It showed the racism of being considered other in a way that kids could see and learn from E.g. constant mispronunciation of the family's surname, calling the family weird, teasing about food, etc. In the end the kids learnt that they should be themselves and learnt an appreciation of their culture. At the end a number of characters also reinforced that their culture and food was a positive.
Filipino words are used throughout and there are pronunciations at the bottom of the page as well as a glossary at the back.
Also there is a recipe for chicken Adobe that I will be trying at the end of the book.
Filipino words are used throughout and there are pronunciations at the bottom of the page as well as a glossary at the back.
Also there is a recipe for chicken Adobe that I will be trying at the end of the book.
White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better by Saira Rao, Regina Jackson
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
“Dismantling your racism isn’t about learning something new, it’s about unlearning what you know deeply.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
Flamer by Mike Curato
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist Awakening in China by Leta Hong Fincher
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
An interesting and detailed look into the feminist movement in China. Looking at the Feminist Five, the treatment of women and girls in China, domestic violence and the impact /reach of the communist party/government.
The conflict between the Chinese communist government "supporting" gender equality and their need for women to remain subjugated. The government uses censorship, threats, surveillance, imprisonment/detainment and people's schools/workplaces/families to maintain control and dispell activism and social change.
It's terrifying especially in the current political climate of many countries turning to conservative governments. With these governments wishing to strip rights from women and other minorities.
The conflict between the Chinese communist government "supporting" gender equality and their need for women to remain subjugated. The government uses censorship, threats, surveillance, imprisonment/detainment and people's schools/workplaces/families to maintain control and dispell activism and social change.
It's terrifying especially in the current political climate of many countries turning to conservative governments. With these governments wishing to strip rights from women and other minorities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment
Vera Bushwack by Sig Burwash
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I found this queer graphic novel on Libby and borrowed it without really knowing anything about it.
The protagonist Drew is non-binary and is building a cabin in the woods with their new dog Pony. When Drew is engrossed in physical activities like chainsawing or riding their motorcycle they are shown as their alter ego Vera Bushwack. Vera is a naked apart from ass less chaps and is a badass!
The book covers themes of masculinity, mansplaining and sexual assault. The art style is minimal with mostly just one colour as a background.
The protagonist Drew is non-binary and is building a cabin in the woods with their new dog Pony. When Drew is engrossed in physical activities like chainsawing or riding their motorcycle they are shown as their alter ego Vera Bushwack. Vera is a naked apart from ass less chaps and is a badass!
The book covers themes of masculinity, mansplaining and sexual assault. The art style is minimal with mostly just one colour as a background.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America's First Openly Transgender Senator by Meeg Pincus
medium-paced
5.0
I loved the art style, particularly the colour choices that evoke the trans flag when Sarah comes out (pages 13 & 14) and the clever use of different queer flags with the kids on page 15. Oh and the end papers at the start all of the doors are blue and then at the end the doors are rainbow wish a swirl of the trans flag flowing out.
The author did a great job of telling Sarah’s story in a children’s book format. It was great to see Sarah’s childhood without deadnaming or misgendering.
The author did a great job of telling Sarah’s story in a children’s book format. It was great to see Sarah’s childhood without deadnaming or misgendering.
Father Sky And Mother Earth by Oodgeroo Noonuccal
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0