Watchmen

Author: Alan Moore
Publisher: DC Comics
Year Published: 1987
Cost:$21.46
Other Bibliographic Information:
ISBN:0-9329289023-4
ISBN13:978-0-930289-23-2
Reading Level:6
Interest Level:9+

Plot Summary:
This graphic novel story by Alan Moore is spent detailing information from the past, including the origins of Nite Owl I, Rorschach, and Doctor Manhattan. It also describes many cultural details which only turn out to be relevant at the end of the book; for example, the writer of a famous series of pirate comics is one of the people hired by Ozymandias to create his monster. It also spends a great deal of time detailing the everyday comings and goings of the people around a small newsstand in New York City, which turns out to be ground zero for the teleported monster. Knowing that Rorschach and others would investigate the murder of the Comedian, Ozymandias started the smaller falsehood of a serial killer or plot murdering masked heroes in order to hide the true reason for the Comedian's death. Ozymandias also orchestrated the media rumour and false evidence of cancer victims that forced the exile of Doctor Manhattan, the only figure he felt he could not completely control and counter.

Issue for being Challenged: Violence, Graphic illustration of sexual intercourse, violence, rape, and use of profanity.

Evaluation:
The artwork is a little sparse, but it fits for the tone and feel of the story. This graphic novel is told in a more cinematic style. Readers should pay attention to the panel flow and the stories in the story to find hidden correlations in the story.
Overall, Watchmen is an amazingly well constructed story, both in dialogue and the visual aspect of the art.

Reader's Annotation:
What would happen when former members of a disbanded group of superheroes called the Crimebusters start turning up dead? The remaining members of the group try to discover the identity of the murderer before they, too, are killed.


author's website:http://www.alanmoorefansite.com/


Trailer From the Movie Adaptation from YouTube:

The Boy Who Lost His Face

Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Alfred A Knoft, Inc.
Year Published: 1989
Cost:$11.30
Other Bibliographic Information:
ISBN:0-679-88622-2
ISBN13:978-0-679-88622-8
Word Count:39,823
Reading Level:4
Interest Level:5-9

Plot Summary:
This book is about a boy named David tries to get in the cool group by helping his friend Scott, and two troublemakers named Roger and Randy (the former being the leader) carry out a prank. Their target was an elderly woman who was called a witch by all the kids in the neighborhood. When they attacked her and stole her cane David flicks her off to try to impress Roger. But when they leave the old lady cried out to David "Your Doppelgänger will regurgitate on your soul!" The following days David finds himself experiencing strange happenings that lead him to believe that he is cursed. Eventually, David begs the elderly woman to remove the curse, but she asks for her cane to be returned first. David finally decides to fight for his dignity, and, with his friends and little brother by his side, he goes to face Roger's gang and get the cane back, not suspecting that many things, including the curse, are not as they seem.

Issues for being Challenged:

A boy gives the middle finger to an old woman during an episode of peer pressure and bullying. This book can be challenged for obscene gestures, profanity, bullying, and the fact that the story revolves around "curses" / witchcraft/ occult.

Evaluation:
This book by Louis Saccar is an excellent example of realistic fiction. If you loved reading Holes then you will enjoy this book. The author does a fantastic job of describing the truths about growing up and doing what is right. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Boy Who Lost His Face. I think you will really enjoy this book. It is an intriguing book, that's mostly a look at peer pressure, but also considers friendship and responsibility.

Reader's Annotation:
Stealing a cane from a old lady to look cool in front of the "cool" kids... then cursed by the old lady. David's life gets complicated.

Author Website:http://www.louissachar.com/