Sunday, March 21, 2010

Town Boy


Lat. Town Boy. First Second, 1980. ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-331-1

Plot
Mat is a village boy from a poor family living in a small town in Malaysia. He soon makes a friend Frankie and soon the two are off on adventures and trouble. Soon the boys are adolescences going about life despite all the political and physical changes of the town around them. Soon the two boys now face if they can afford to go for their dream or if they must stay forever in town.

Critical Evaluation
This is a funny and poignant coming-of-age graphic novel. Not only are readers allowed a glance at the upbringing of boys in Malaysia, but also see the universal theme or people going through life and trying to accomplish their dream or accept what others expect of them. The art is unique and perfect for portraying the sometimes silly side in life.

Reader's Annotation
Mat is a poor village boy living in a town in Malaysia. It is when he meets Frankie, a spunky classmate do the two really start getting into trouble!

About the Author
Lat had his cartoons first published when he was just thirteen years old. He then went on to do political, gag, and social cartoons in addition to animation and commercials. His achievements in art earned him the prestigious Malaysian honorific title Datuk in 1994.

Genre
Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties
Art
Culture
Coming-of-Age

Book Talking Ideas
What themes of growing up is in this graphic novel?
What kind of feelings come up in the tone of the art when Frankie and Mat say goodbye?
What similarities do you see in Mat's life with your own?


Reading Level/Interest Age
12 and up

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
This graphic novel was so unique in art and story. It was also able to convey so much emotion in simple drawings.

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