Buddha Boy

Koja, Kathe. Buddha Boy. Penguin Group, 2003. ISBN 0-14-240209-5

Plot
Jinsen is the new kid at high school. It's hard enough to fit in but then Jinsen soon shows that he is truly different from the rest. First, he always wears these oversized bright t-shirts with weird patterns and big dragons. He goes begging for change during lunch and when people poke fun at him, he laughs like he really doesn't care. Justin is reluctantly assigned to be his partner in a school project and finds out more about his odd partner, like how he keeps talking about something called karma and hungry ghosts. He also finds out about his extraordinary talent which makes him question his own ideas and the ideas of others in school.

Critical Evaluation
Koja has a talent of having a clear narrative and doesn't need to use elaborate language to convey the raw feelings of her characters. Readers are able to quickly relate to the feelings of characters even though they are bottling it all up inside. This book also addresses bullying and how high school social circles can prevent victims from getting help. The book is not a difficult read and does a good job addressing a serious issue without getting too preachy or ambivalent.

Reader's Annotation
Justin, a high school student is reluctantly paired with the new student at school. However, this new boy has an extraordinary gift which Justin soon comes to discover. This discovery also forces Justin decide whether to let high school dictate his actions or to stand up for something different.

About the Author
Kathe Koja was born and raised in Detroit and has been writing since she was small. She says that it is only when she attended the Clarion Workshop did she start to get serious about her writings.

Koja has written many other books for adults as well as teens. She currently resides with her husband and three cats near Detroit.

Genre
Bullying Fiction

Curriculum Ties
High School Life
Peer Pressure

Book Talking Ideas
Do you think high school pressures students to keep quiet when bullying happens?
When someone has a different but special talent, is it better to be discreet about it or to be yourself?
What do you think Jinsen means by "hungry ghosts"?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 12 and up

Challenge Issues
Use of strong language

Challenge Answer
The language is not heavy or too profane. Most of the language is used by high school students and only sparingly appears in conversation.

Why Included in Selection
A well written book addressing the serious problem of bullying and standing up for what you believe in.

Flight Volume 1

Kibuishi, Kazu. Flight Volume 1. Villard Books, 2004. ISBN 978-0-345-49636-2

Plot

Give twenty-one aspiring comic artists the common theme of "flight" and let them take that idea as far as they can. This book is the result of their work and collaboration. Each artist has a distinct style and take on the theme which makes for a diverse collection of ideas of flight. From the comedic dreams of a penguin hoping to feel that exhilaration of soaring through the air to the poignant story of spiritual emptiness and the underlying want of religion or some spiritual connection to keep them from "falling", this graphic novel is a unique with its varied art forms, stories, genres and stories.

Critical Evaluation

This work will keep its audience interested. There are many stories that vary from just being funny and adventurous to being deep and void of any dialogue. Each short story is filled with beautiful and sometimes abstract artwork. What makes this graphic novel special is its diversity. There are so many different kinds of stories and styles of storytelling. Audiences interested in art will also enjoy the different styles artists used such as, computer coloring, chirigami, pastel and watercolor.

Reader's Annotation

Twenty-one young and talented artists share their personal interpretation of "flight". Their artwork and stories express the how vast and unique the definitions of one word can be.

About the Author

Kazu Kibuishi is an illustrator as well as a writer for comics and films. He not only contributed to the artwork of Flight but was also the founder and recruited fellow artists for the creation of the comic.

Born in Tokyo, he later immigrated to the United States and attended the film program at the University of Santa Barbara. He now focuses on comic books creating Amulet: The StoneKeeper series as well as other projects. He currently resides with his wife in Pasadena California.

Genre

Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties

Art

Abstract interpretations of themes

Book Talking Ideas

Which story did you feel best represented flight?

Did you feel you understood the story better with dialogue or without?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Teens

Challenge Issues

There is brief nudity in one story

Challenge Answer

The nudity included is not malicious or sexual in nature. It shows a aboriginal woman giving birth. It is not the focus of the comic and is appropriate to the cultural setting of the story.

Why Included in Selection

It is a teen graphic novel with varying art forms and stories.