Feeling Like an ADHD Alien by Pina Varnel

reviewed by Abby
grade 10

Have you ever thought that you aren't like other people? As if you stick out, do things differently, or aren't "normal"? In our society, anything or anyone out of the ordinary is seen as weird or alien-like and is often misunderstood. Feeling Like an ADHD Alien by Pina Varnel shows and tells how a teen with ADHD may feel, sharing her own life experiences, using her alter-ego Kiki. The book illustrates how Kiki realizes that her friends can do things that she finds difficult; she often forgets things, like why she walked into a room; wants to do things like others but finds it hard; her emotions feel sudden and uncontrollable; and she loses interest in hobbies she enjoys. It explains what goes on in an ADHD brain, and how it's different. The book doesn't just show the negatives, it also shows positivity.

I absolutely love Pina Varnel's art and writing! It feels like a comic book in the way everything is formatted. It allows us, the reader, to look into Kiki's life, and how it's relatable--trying your best at something everyone else can do, but you still can't seem to do it. Not only that, but also feeling immense pressure in trying to prove yourself to others instead of yourself. Unlike some graphic novels, it's illustrated in black and white, which can be hard for shading, but it's well made and it makes you want to look at each frame and detail because of how beautiful it looks. 

I would most definitely recommend this book to any teen and adult with or without ADHD because it shows that people are not alone in feeling certain ways, and that they are not "aliens.". Even those who don't have ADHD should read this book because it brings more awareness and understanding of those that do. Plus, it is an entertaining read with relatable situations and illustrations! 

Feeling Like an ADHD Alien is coming in September to Winter Park Library!

Epic Reading Challenge: November

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month select TBG members choose a book that fits the challenge's theme. Provided by Epic Reads, these challenges inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for November was… a graphic novel!

When you think of the word “novel,” you might imagine a thick, heavy book with pages jam-packed with dense text. But graphic novels are another form of book, one that became more common in the 1980s and continues to skyrocket in popularity today. 

Here are a couple graphic novels that TBG read this month + their thoughts!

Grace: Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper is a bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel following Nick and Charlie, two English schoolboys who become best friends after meeting in school and playing rugby together. The book series has also been adapted into a Netflix show starring Kit Connor and Joe Locke. 

If you somehow haven’t managed to read this graphic novel yet, then let this be your sign. The illustrations are wonderful and keep the reader fully engaged in the story, and the plotline is fast-paced and easy to follow. However, the best part is the characters, who are fun and easy to love. 

Luke: Deadendia by Hamish Steele

For this month’s challenge, I chose to read the first entry of the DeadEndia books by Hamish Stele. I really enjoy the Netflix series Dead End: Paranormal Park, and when I found it the show was based off a book series, I was eager to check them out. The Watcher’s Test, the first entry in the series, focuses on Barney who works at a theme park that’s secretly also serves as a portal to hell. Along with his friend Norma and his talking dog Pugsley, the group battles demons, time-traveling cowboys, and scariest of all, love interests. While I thought some of the ideas were executed better in the show, it was cool to see how concepts of the episodes were originally written in the book. The book also did a great job making all the characters extremely memorable and funny. This book, and probably the rest of the series, would be great to read during Halloween or other spooky seasons. 

Check out Luke's 5 Questions With... interview with Hamish Steele!

5 Questions With...Hamish Steele!

written by Luke M.
Grade 12

Welcome to another addition of 5 questions with…, where Teen Book Guilders connect with their favorite YA authors and ask them 5 questions about their books, careers, or even both. Today, I had the privilege of speaking with Hamish Steele, a London-based animator and writer best known for the Deadendia graphic novels, which have been adapted into the Netflix cartoon Dead End: Paranormal Park.

Q: Your website claims that you're an Animation Director, Comic-Book Creator and TV Writer. Which of these do you enjoy the most?

A: I love writing for TV but getting that kinda work is much harder. I wish I could do it more but I suppose by default comic-book creating is where I feel most at home. It's how most of my stories begin.

Q: What inspired you to create the Deadendia series?

A: DeadEndia began as an animated short on the Cartoon Hangover YouTube channel and while I always hoped it would go to series, it really did begin as a pretty self contained thing. But I just kept thinking about it and thinking about it and somehow everything I wanted to do with a comic book (supernatural stuff, queer representation, time travel, magic, teen drama) all felt like it had a place in this series. I really came up with DeadEndia as I went along, slowly expanding what was possible with this world with every page. I was inspired a lot by how free and anarchic psychedelic horror movies of the 70s and 80s were - stuff like House and Suspiria. So I felt very encouraged to let my imagination run wild.

Q: Do you see yourself in Norma, Barney, or any of the other characters in the series?

A: When I created the series, Barney was definitely who I saw myself more in. But I think Barney is who I wanted to be, and Norma what I really was. I wanted Norma to be relatable and at the time I hadn't received my autism diagnosis yet. Looking back, it's really obvious that that was the problems I was writing about through Norma. I really, really relate to her the most. But there's part of me in all the characters.

Q: The Deadendia series tackles a lot of sensitive issues, from sexuality to autism; is there anything that inspired you in real life to tackle these issues?

A: For all the demons and ghosts and stuff, DeadEndia is still meant to be set in the real world. And it's bizarre to not include real people in a real world setting. There's a lot of people who think the inclusion of a gay or trans person, or a person of color, is someone "forced diversity", as if there needs to be some story justification for that. But if you took any random street on Earth and made a show about all the people walking down it and you DIDN'T include those kinds of people, THAT would be forced. So it never really crossed my mind to include the kinds of people I hang out with in my stories. That's just how I see the world. And people come with baggage and it feels correct to write about it.

Q: What was it like adapting your books into the Netflix show Dead End: Paranormal Park?

A: Honestly, it was a blast. I feel so lucky. Truthfully, every day I feel lucky. How many people get this opportunity? The main thing I wanted to do with the show was allow it to be a collaborative experience. Making a comic book can be very solitary, so I was very excited to make Dead End with a team of writers and artists way more talented than myself. I really let them lead the way, only occasionally looking back to the books as a map if we got lost. I've written some things that if they were turned into movies or shows, I'd want a really faithful adaptation but for DeadEndia, it was already so anarchic, I encouraged us to not treat it with reverence.

Thank you to Hamish Steele! If you’re a fan of mystery and monsters, and want to support creative writers like Steele, check out the Deadendia books at the Winter Park Library and/or watch Dead End: Paranormal Park on Netflix.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons Why I’m Thankful for (These!) Books

Written by Em C. 

The Winter Park Library Teen Book Guild is one again happy to show its second installment of Top Ten Tuesdays. Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday is a widespread trend in which book bloggers create a “Top Ten” list in response to a different topic each week.

Top 10 Reasons Why I’m Thankful for (These!) Books 

 

1. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure - This series is what got me into manga and anime

2. Adachi to Shimamura - This is the first romance book I ever read, and it's now one of my favorite genres.

3. Girls Last Tour - The philosophy, aesthetics, and characters of this work really resonated with me.

4. Love Me For Who I Am - This is the first book I read that dealt with explicitly queer themes.

5. Nichijou - This series comedy is on point, it always lifts my spirits.

6. Uzumaki - This book is what made realize how much I love horror.

7. Topside - This science fantasy book is what got me started in reading Western graphic novels.

8. Squire - This series reignited my interest in fantasy works.

9. Boys Run The Riot - This manga series had very well written characters and story.

10. Clock Strikers - This book made me aware of manga-style works from the West.

 

All of these books have introduced me to new genres, given me new ideas, or simply made me happy, and for that I'm quite thankful! Please stay tuned for more Top Ten Tuesdays in the future.

 

-Em C.

Thieves by Lucie Byron

Reviewed by Yusmibel L.
Grade 11

Thieves by Lucie Bryon is a cute and captivating queer graphic novel. The book is split into two parts and follows a pair of high schoolers in France as they navigate the social messes of their senior year. Adventurous and bold, it’s a light-hearted read chock full of capers and charm.

The story follows the amiable and “cool” Ella, who’s biggest worry her senior year is talking to her sweet but reserved crush Madeline. So when she encounters Madeline while crashing a house party she’s more than thrilled to have a chance to talk to her. However, when a night of fun mixes with too many drinks, things quickly get out of hand, and she wakes up at home the next morning--hungover--in a pile of stuff she can’t remember stealing.

Even worse, the party she crashes turn’s out to be Madeline’s. So when Madeline rings on Ella’s door to check on her and tell her she’s been robbed, Ella panics and feigns ignorance. Desperate to set things right, Ella quickly comes up with the perfect plan--to secretly return the stolen items by crashing parties. She recruits Madeline to aid her and all seems well until secrets and feelings start bubbling up and threaten their escapades.

One of the best features of this book is the art style. Every character is unique and beautifully illustrated. A recurring motif in the book is Ella experiencing the sensation of “drowning” whenever she gets overwhelmed. Bryon, the creator, translates this feeling to the reader by drawing waves or “flooding” some of the panels. This is one of the many instances where a feeling or experience is conveyed by stretching the reality of the characters. It’s something that keeps an otherwise consistent setting dynamic and pleasing to the eye. 

Perhaps, just as charming as the art is the characters. The book mostly follows Ella’s point-of-view with a brief switch to Madeline’s midway through. Although there are some holes and parts of the story that aren’t fully fleshed, like some later introduced characters and sections of backstory it doesn’t take away from the story.

I highly recommend this book. Thieves was a delightfully fun read; I couldn’t put it down the second I opened the first page. The main characters throughout are complex and charming and the plot is straightforward but exciting. It’s an absolutely adorable and easy read that may just steal your heart.

Reviewed by: Makenna J.
Grade: 9

The Detective is Already Dead by nigozyu and mugiko had potential, but it fell short in many areas. I’ll first say that I’ve read a good amount of manga, but this is one of the few that I was pretty disappointed by. The plot was interesting, but I was so distracted by the undeveloped characters, the pacing issues, and how confusing most of the conversations between the characters were. This may just be because of translation errors, though. To be fair, the original language was Japanese, which sometimes doesn’t translate well to English.

The story began with the main character, 14-year-old Kimihiko Kimizuka, on a plane that was infiltrated by a hijacker. Kimizuka’s a “crisis magnet” who always gets caught up in trouble he doesn’t want to be in. The hijacker asked if there was a detective on the plane, and Kimizuka, sensing trouble, tried his best not to get involved. To his surprise, the pretty girl sitting next to him stood up and declared that she was a detective. An even bigger surprise was that she asked him to be her assistant and dragged him along with her. Her name was Siesta, and for three years after that, he helped her with her detective work. Until she died. This all happened in the very first chapter. The story flew through three very important years in just the span of 15 pages. Kimizuka kept a low profile for the next year, being a regular high school kid until a girl in another class asked him to help her find someone through an unnecessarily long conversation. But she didn’t know who she was looking for. That’s why she went to Kimizuka, a student that she believed was an ace detective. He finally agreed to help, and then she revealed that she received a heart transplant a year earlier. The original owner of the heart has a great urge to find someone, and she wants to help even though she doesn’t know who it is. All the while, Kimizuka can’t help but shake the feeling that the girl, Natsunagi, is eerily similar to Siesta.

I’d like to first say that it’s very obvious who the heart belongs to. I don’t even have to read the second volume to figure that out. And frankly, I don’t really want to. The first volume had nothing that hooked me on the story and made me want to find the next volume. I also had some other issues with this manga. The main character’s only personality trait is that he’s a crisis magnet. Other than that, he’s very plain. Siesta is only in one scene before she dies, so I’m not too invested in her. The main problem I have is with Natsunagi, the girl with the transplanted heart. I don’t like her at all. She doesn’t have any personality apart from being feisty, I’m not really attached to her and her story, and she’s very oversexualized. Many manga artists do that, they oversexualize many of the female characters.

Two out of the three female characters in this manga have this problem, but she’s in high school which makes it worse in my opinion. But even if you ignore all this, all the story boils down to is a couple of boring characters trying to figure out a mystery that the reader can deduce in five seconds. 

Even though I didn’t really enjoy this book, I have to give credit to the author and artist. nigozyu, the author of the original light novel story, got a manga and an anime adaptation out of The Detective is Already Dead, which is also his most notable work. The artist, mugiko, stated in an afterword at the end of the manga that it was their first-ever published manga volume. I think they both have some things to work on. I personally would not pick up the second volume, but this doesn’t mean other people wouldn’t enjoy it.

I’ve looked at other reviews, and many people say they really liked it. It even got an anime adaptation as well. So, if you are looking for a chill and easy read, then The Detective is Already Dead might be for you.

Our take on Printz

 Written by Hope M., Lauren M., and Lisa W.

Each year, the American Library Association "honors the best best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit." Sometimes these books really resonate with teen readers (like Looking For Alaska) and other times they are head-scratchers that don't really appeal to your average teen. We take a look at this year's Printz winner and honor books and share our own thoughts on their merits.

2021 Winner
Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) by Daniel Nayeri depicts the life of the author and narrator throughout his childhood. In one book, Nayeri weaves together a tale of facts and feelings, struggles and strength, fiction and nonfiction, and so much wisdom. While reading, I felt like the author was speaking directly to me. Furthermore, his personal questions and thoughts caused me to reflect in ways I haven't before. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel. On a grading scale of A-F, Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) gets an A+ from me!

-Hope

2021 Honor Books

Apple (Skin To The Core) by Eric Gansworth is a memoir depicting the author's life growing up in the Onodaga Tribe in America. Written in verse, Gansworth uses his experiences (and a few Beatles references) to empower Native Americans and help them embrace their identities. Honestly this book was slightly confusing, especially at the beginning; I've read many books written in verse before, however the format of each line had me wondering whether I was reading the book itself or a strange (and long) prologue. Nevertheless, I do feel as if the book allowed me to fully comprehend the horrors that most Native Americans had to endure. If I were to grade Gansworth's work, I would give it a B.

- Lisa

In Dragon Hoops, Gene Luen Yang's newest graphic novel, we dive deep into Bishop O'Dowd High School's basketball team as they make their way through the 2014-15 season with hopes of finally winning the State Championships. Striking and thought-provoking, Dragon Hoops introduces readers to the members of the team and explores the principles and mannerisms that make a winning team that go far deeper than drills and practice--principles the apply to every area of life. An A on the grading scale of A-F, Yang's latest will have readers cheering the Dragons on throughout. 

-Lauren

Every Body Looking by Candace Iloh portrays the life of Ada, a young woman who struggles to find her identity and take control of her own destiny. The novel goes back and forth between her present and her past, illustrating the difficult circumstances Ada has experienced from her childhood up to her life at college.Many mature themes are presented in the story, and the author's unique writing style allowed me to empathize with the character's trials. Despite this, I didn't really enjoy it. For this reason, I would give this book a D.

-Hope

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee World War II is a subject that is approached frequently by authors, however Traci Chee finds an innovative and enlightening way to utilize that topic to introduce another part of history that is, sadly, not as well known. We Are Not Free is a passionate and heart-wrenching story about 14 Japanese-American teenagers whose lives are uprooted when they are placed in incarceration camps during World War II. I recommend this book, not because it was an enjoyable read, but because the abuse and racism that Japanese-Americans had to face should not be an obscure part of history. The only negative comment that I have for We Are Not Free is that 14 different points-of-view are a bit difficult to tolerate, seeing as every time the reader begins to sympathize with the character, the POV is switched to someone else’s. Ergo, I wasn’t able to connect to any of them. I would give this book an A-.

-Lisa

Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

When most people think of basketball, an image of a basketball, a hoop, and a few star athletes come to mind and that is all. Perhaps some remember a game, and perhaps some remember a name or two. I used to fall into the first group, imagining a non-descript game, usually just a photograph from CNN, and that is all. However, Gene Luen Yang’s newest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, has completely turned my thinking. Basketball, as it should turn out, is about less than sport and technique and more about teamwork, sacrifice, and commitment.

In the fall of 2014, Gene Yang was at an impasse. He had finished his latest graphic novel and felt the gap in his life. Searching for a new story, he found himself intrigued by all the talk going around his workplace (Bishop O’Dowd High School) about the upcoming basketball season. A hater of sports, he rejected the idea, but soon found himself standing outside Coach Lou Richie’s office, and later, following the team from one game to the next throughout the 2014-15 season as they aimed to finally win the California State Championships after decades of defeat.

Dragon Hoops is structured around the games and the players. Each chapter covers one of the games, a select star member of the team (Bishop O’Dowd Dragons) during that season, their head coach, and their former head coach, with a history of basketball in each non-game chapter. Although character development is minimal and focuses solely on the star players and two coaches, backstories are given along with court dynamics which help the reader understand relationships between the players and coaches. A winning team is not just the players but the attitudes they have towards the game and their teammates--they sacrificed for each other, and encouraged each other until they became one strong organism hurtling toward victory, some having to sacrifice valuable floor time so the others can shine. Something I found especially striking was the dedication they had to their sport--one even leaving his family in a different country to come play and build his skills. Each came with an open mind, and each tried his best to make the highest contribution he could make to his team, and that spirit is what makes basketball such a great sport so that, win or lose, the team would forever be marked by the dedication they put into their craft, taking those invaluable life skills into the rest of their lives.

I would recommend this book highly to anyone who is curious about basketball. Although I would have liked to see the perspectives of all the team members, there was enough characterization to keep me happy. It is a graphic novel, so it is mostly pictures and even though it is a thick book, it is a relatively quick read, with Yang’s writing style being easy to follow. All in all, I would give Dragon Hoops a four out of five-star rating. 

Graphic novel series featuring young authors and their true stories

Written by Kaitlyn K., Lisa W. and Taylor K.

Through the graphic novel medium, Zuiker Press has been able to both convey the stories of real people as well as help young readers understand and relate to the situations described. This graphic novel series, which currently contains nine stories, explores a variety of topics, some of which include racism, suicide, bullying, and divorce. One graphic novel, titled Activist, describes the story of a student during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. This does not only especially impact young readers in Florida but also shows how Zuiker Press has committed itself to help readers “cope with the challenges they face today” (Zuiker Press). While reading is a powerful tool on its own, these graphic novels will strengthen this power. By giving young readers the ability to explore various emotional and social issues, this series acts as a guarantee that they are not alone and empower them. 

Here's a closer look at some of the titles:

Activist tells the story of a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting in Parkland, Florida. Lauren lost two very close friends that day, and 15 other students lost their lives. Instead of choosing to let her grief overwhelm her, Lauren became an activist and was determined to march for the right for every kid to be safe in their school. 

Brother tells the story of Bridget Hudgens and her brother Carlton, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at an early age. As she grows up, Bridget realizes that, even though she acts as Carlton’s protector, there are other people in his life who can guide and aid him. Through the ups and downs of life, Brother demonstrates that even though someone has special needs, they still have the ability to live and learn, and don’t always need a “protector”. 

The story of Click begins with Lexi leading a normal teenage life, participating on sports teams and hanging out with her friends. However after a misinterpretation, Lexi becomes the target of cyberbullying at the hands of her peers. While it does depict a specific story of cyberbullying, the emotions Lexi experiences are universal to those who have faced bullying of any kind. By showing how one can rise up against their bullies, Click leaves readers feeling empowered.

Goodbye is the story of Hailee, told through her parents. Two days after her 13th Birthday, she committed suicide. Hailee's parents decided to tell her story in the hopes that they can reach other people in time, and the result is a book that highlights the struggles of a mourning family.

Identity is the story of Corey, a transgender girl. Corey, with unconditional support from her mother, moves from school to school in the hopes that she might fit in somewhere. Along the way she has to deal with bullies and other obstacles, but later in life she joins pride parades and becomes a beacon of hope for other transitioning teens. 

Imperfect portrays the struggles that come with Body Dysmorphic Disorder through the voice of Dounya Awada. Transfixed by her body image, Dounya finds herself at a point of self-destruction, by starving herself and purging. This graphic novel is an ideal way to bring awareness to Body Dysmorphic Disorder and portray the horrors faced by many teens in this day and age. 

Mend depicts the story of nine year-old Sophia as she navigates through her new life following her parent’s unexpected divorce. Focusing on a topic familiar to many readers, Mend provides hope to those who have experienced divorce by helping them understand what it is they may be feeling. 

Displacement by Kiku Hughes

Reviewed by Taylor K.
Grade 12

When asked what the most powerful weapon is, most would probably say things like a machine gun, nuclear bomb, or maybe even something fictional, like the Death Star from Star Wars. However, author Kiku Hughes offers a different answer in her graphic novel Displacement, where she writes that it is in fact memories that are the most powerful weapons.

This concept is the basis of the story, in which young teenager Kiku is suddenly displaced back in time to the 1940s and forced to live through Japanese internment. She first experiences these displacements during her trip to San Francisco, where her mother hoped to show her more about her family. Kiku is startled by this phenomena, but believes it is only possible in San Francisco and that the displacements will stop when she goes back home to Seattle. However, just like history can’t be erased, the displacements didn’t stop even when Kiku changed locations. Since she is now aware of the internment camps, she will never lose this knowledge. As the displacements continue, Kiku finds it harder and harder to go back to her time. Despite being from the future, Kiku feels it doesn’t mean anything since she never knew much about the past. While forced to confront the dehumanization felt at the internment camps, Kiku encounters numerous people who help her understand the situation and more about her culture.

One of the greatest strengths of this graphic novel rests within the main character, Kiku. Teenage characters written by adult authors are either treated with sympathy and understanding or filled with stereotypes of what they perceive teenagers to be. With the addition of focusing on intense topics such as racism and intergenerational trauma, it was incredibly important that Kiku fell into the former and was someone who young readers could relate to. Kiku is written in a very natural manner, which therefore helps the audience navigate this strange time displacement storyline. Some readers may identify with Kiku more than others, mainly readers of marginalized groups who can personally relate to some of the feelings Kiku experiences. Nevertheless, she is someone who everyone can find a little of themselves within. Kiku isn’t someone who automatically knows what to do, and she doesn’t always feel like she made the right choice but that’s completely fine. She, like nearly everyone else, experiences doubts about themselves and frustrations at the world around them. However, Kiku is someone who the audience should aspire to be because she doesn’t let these things hold her back. She listens to those around her and teaches herself when she feels she doesn’t know all the information. Rather than just getting upset about the situation, Kiku shows readers how one person can always make a difference so long as they listen and keep standing up for what they believe in.

I would highly recommend this book. Not only is it a relatively short read with a great art style to captivate you throughout, the moral of the book is one that is incredibly important and will impact readers of all races, ethnicities, and ages. By focusing on generational trauma and depicting various instances of racism as well as social movements from different periods of time, Hughes shows how it’s important to not forget our history. The Japanese internment camps from eighty years ago were a dark stain on this country, but it’s definitely not the only stain. This country has brutalized Native Americans, Black people, and countless more. 

To continue on this thought, it's also important to note that this graphic novel is set in both the 1940s and present-day. Kiku and her mother are shown numerous times watching news reports of (now former) President Trump spewing racist rhetoric. The racism and prejudice depicted during Kiku’s time in the forties is the same racism and prejudice spoken by one of our presidents. While it may not seem like anything has changed, by not forgetting what these different marginalized groups have been through, we can start making reparations and work towards a future that doesn’t hide from the dark truths but instead confronts them. We sadly can’t physically go back in time like Kiku can, but we can keep sharing the memories of those affected in the past, not forgetting the horrors they experienced and making sure it never happens again.