Two New Graphic Series from Scholastic

Last week I attended Professional Day at New York Comic Con (thank you New York Public Library for a generous and brilliant job hosting) and picked up two exciting arcs from Scholastic. Both new launches are from previously released series with legs and have enormous potential for high circulation. I am very excited to make both titles available to my young readers.

Karen's Witch
Ann M. Martin
Katy Farina, Illustrator
Scholastic, December, 2019 140 pages
Grades 2-5
Graphic Novel
Babysitters Little Sister series #1

Karen spends the weekend at her Dad's house with her other family, including Kristi of Babysitter's fame. Among one of the rules at Dad's house is "no spying". We find out why as Karen's imagination gets the best of her, as she becomes convinced that her elderly next door neighbor is a witch. Karen gets all fired-up, even to the point of scaring herself, and becomes determined to expose the neighbor and become the town hero. Friend, Hannie, gets pulled into the scheme reluctantly and the two plan an elaborate plot to save the day--only it all predictably backfires.

Much as it was when the original series was launched in the 1990's, this is a perfect fit for those kids who are bursting to read The Babysitter's Club, but aren't quite ready. The full-color illustrations are rounder and better suited for a younger audience than the original graphic series and the panels are simple with a linear story-line that sticks very close to Martin's. The pictures help to move the plot along and the witch is not quite scary, but just creepy enough for the audience to get where Karen's brain is going. This book is sure to fly off the shelf and wake up the imaginations of this new video-game-obsessed generation and hopefully encourage them to go out to their own backyards to find adventure.

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912
Lauren Tarshis/Adapted by Georgia Ball
Haus Studio, Illustrations
Scholastic, 2020 157 pages
Grades 3-6
Graphic Novel
I Survived series #1

George and his little sister, Phoebe, are traveling first class on the maiden voyage of the much lauded Titanic with their Aunt Daisy. Excited to explore the ship, George has many adventures, usually landing him in trouble. His curiosity comes in handy when the great ship begins to sink and Phoebe is nowhere to be found. The small family finds themselves below decks and it’s up to George to lead them through unknown passageways up to the main deck. Aunt Daisy and Phoebe find a place in a boat, but there is no room for George. What will he do? There is only one answer: to jump, but will he drown in the frigid arctic waters?

Tarshis' popular series gets the graphic treatment in this new launch that is sure to appeal to fans and attract new readers. This exciting series has always been aimed at reluctant readers and now in this new format, it’s a slam dunk. As with the chapter books, the action never stops and readers will be at the edge of their seats flipping pages to see what happens next. The full color illustrations are a bit more sophisticated than what is generally seen for this age group, reflecting more of a superhero vibe. The text is in full caps, also giving the superhero comic feel. It is clear who the target audience is--and they will eat this series up. The end of the volume contains historic information told in a highly digestible way, leaving readers with some knowledge about the truth behind the event. A bibliography is included in the back, nudging readers to read more on the topic.