Invisible

 Invisible by Christina DIaz Gonzalez & Gabriela Epstein

1.Bibliography 

Christina Diaz Gonzalez. (2022). Invisible: A Graphic Novel. ILL: Gabriela Epstein. Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 9781338194548 

 

2. Plot Review 

This is the story of 5 students in middle school who are Latinx. They do not know each other in the beginning. They all come from different backgrounds, and each has their own personal struggle. They work early in the morning in the cafeteria for “Community Service” hours for their school. They do not get along at first. One day they notice a little girl in the park behind their school. They befriend her and find out that the little girl and her mother are living out of a van. The students begin to find ways to help the little girl and her mom. They bring the family milk, and other food they have bought from the cafeteria to share with the woman and her daughter. The group puts aside their differences and comes together to help the little girl and her mom. After some time, the woman and her daughter leave the park. The students were then called to the principal's office about what happened on April 18th. Each student tells their perspective of what happened and the story concludes with a surprise ending.                                                                

3. Critical Review 

The author has written a graphic novel about 5 Latinx students. Their group is like the characters in the movie “The Breakfast Club.” There is the brain, the jock, the snob, the loner, and the troublemaker. Each one of these students has their own inner struggle. The reader can understand the challenges of the students by the graphic novel artwork and understands the fear, uncertainty, and anxiety each student deals with. The author allows the characters to “explain” themselves when they are being interviewed in the principal's office. This is when the reader sees who these students really are because they tell their side of what happened on April 18th, but you also see inside each character's life and what they are facing not only at school but at home as well. These 5 students eventually form a bond and a friendship and even though they may want to be “Invisible” to others around them, their actions show that there is much more to who they are than just from their physical appearance.  This graphic novel is also a multi-language book. The artwork in the book helps the reader feel the struggles that the students face. You see their emotions on their face. The illustrator did an amazing job of capturing the unique personality of each character.

 

4. Review Excerpts 

Horn Book Guide, 09/01/2022 

The vivid, nuanced illustrations feature bold colors and dynamic movement and enhance character development. 

School Library Journal Starred, 08/01/2022 

What makes this modern Breakfast Club story truly unique is the use of Spanish and English text to expose readers to the complexities of multi-language literacy. 

Booklist Starred Reviews, 07/01/2022 

With a sweet twist at the end, multifaceted characters, and moments of genuine comedy, this is pitch-perfect for anyone who loves Raina Telgemeier or Varian Johnson." 

 

5. Connections 

• Have you ever worked in a group with people who were not your friends? How easy or how hard was it to get work completed? Write about your experience.  
• In the novel each character had their own set of problems. Each one figured out a way to work through their problem. Choose one character and write about his problem and how he had changed. 
• The author titles the book Invisible. Turn and talk with your partner discussing why the author chose this word for the title. 

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Liin

1.Bibliography 

Lin, G. (2009). Where the mountain meets the moon. Little, Brown And Company. 

ISBN: 9780316114271 

2. Plot Review 

This is the story of a young girl named Minli who lives with her mother and father. They live in an extremely poor area, and they work hard every day. The mother is a little frustrated and grumpy with the daughter and the father who is always telling stories. One day the little girl hears about the old man of the moon and decides to go look for him to see if he will change her family's fortune. The little girl encounters many different characters along the way from the talking goldfish, the dragon, the boy with the buffalo and other characters on her adventure to find the old man of the moon. Finally, the little girl reaches the old man on the moon, and while she is gone, her mother and father begin to learn to live without their little girl, and the two parents change their outlook and themselves while waiting for their daughter to return. The little girl is told that she only has one question that she can ask the old man. She realizes that her question is not for herself but for another, because she has discovered in her adventure the meaning of true fortune. 

3. Critical Review 

The author has created an adventure story that is a mixture of fantasy and folktales all wrapped in one. The story is also written like a story within a story.We have the main story of Minli and her Ma and Ba. Then a second story is created as folktales to explain different characters in the story and different reasons why situations are the way they are. The author has talking dragons and goldfish in the story which bring in the part of the fantasy. The author also adds her own artwork into the story. The pictures look like they could have been on a tapestry with the different choices of color that was chosen. The author creates a story that teaches the reader a lesson. As the little girl travels in search of the old man on the moon. She meets many different characters that aid the girl in her travels. The conclusion of the story reveals to the little girl what is most important. Helping others and being grateful for the family you have. 

4. Review Excerpts 

School Library Journal Starred, 07/01/2009 

The author’s writing is elegant, and her full-color illustrations are stunning. Minli’s determination to help her family, as well as the grief her parents feel at her absence, is compelling and thoroughly human. 

Booklist starred (May 1, 2009 (Vol. 105, No. 17)) 

Lin creates a strong, memorable heroine and a mystical land. Stories, drawn from a rich history of Chinese folktales, weave throughout her narrative, deepening the sense of both the characters and the setting and smoothly furthering the plot. Children will embrace this accessible, timeless story about the evil of greed and the joy of gratitude. Lin’s own full-color drawings open each chapter. 

Kirkus Reviews starred (May 1, 2009) 

Lin deftly incorporates elements from Chinese folk- and fairy tales to create stories within the main story and provide context for Minli's quest. With her "lively and impulsive spirit," 

 

5. Connections 

 

• Minli constantly asks her father to tell her stories. What does Minli’s mother think about the stories? Why do you think she feels this way? 
• There are many characters in this story. Choose one character and write about the character and the traits that they have. Use text evidence to support your response. 

• The author has crafted many similes and metaphors throughout the story. Choose one example from the book. Write the sentence and explain the meaning.