Who knew you could learn some History while reading comics. In Kate Beaton’s Hark! A Vagrant, that’s exactly what you experience.  Sure, you’re thinking, learning while reading comics? I think I’ll skip this one.  But trust me when I tell you that this book will have you laughing out loud.  Beaton leaves no moment of History untouched with her witty comic strips; which range from history to literature to just plain random and hilarious observations. For example did you ever wonder how to spot a wise owl? Well obviously it’s the one with a beard.

I’ll admit though, there were moments were I had no idea who she was referring to in certain comics, but a quick browse through Wikipedia and I knew exactly who that person was and look at that, I learned something new. Sneaky Beaton! The author also adds some commentary to explain why she created certain comics, and at times a little brief description of the historical person she is referring to in her comic.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading comics, but also those who enjoy their history with a side of humor.

To get a taste of what’s in the book, you can visit Beaton’s website where she posts comics frequently.

Hark! A Vagrant

Flight of the Sparrows by Laura Baumbach

Read by: Anna/Copley Teen Room

This was an awesome book about a British teenage boy who’s on his own, looking for his father, by becoming a computer hacker. But when he and his friends steal important government files, they get more than they bargained for. Special Ops from the American Army show up to arrest them along with the British MI5 who want more than to simply arrest them. This is the heart wrenching and action packed story of how one teen finally meets his real father and claims a new family among military veterans, even as MI5 are still tracking him down, wanting him dead for the information he knows. Definitely a don’t miss novel! I loved it. Once I got started, I couldn’t put it down to save my life. I highly recommend it.

His Eyes by Renee Carter

Ready by: Anna/Copley Teen Room

This was a short, sweet, romance novel. Again, another book I couldn’t put down. Amy is a down to earth girl, about to graduate high school, and needing money to be able to attend her dream college. How she gets that money, is the interesting part. She’s hired to babysit a blind teenager from a very preppy school filled with rich kids. Only this kid, Tristan, newly blind from a show jumping accident, doesn’t want anything to do with anyone. Will he come around before it’s too late? Or will his ex-girlfriend, who doesn’t know he’s blind, and who’s intent on using him to get her on the cover of People Magazine, grab him up before Amy can get through to him? If you love romance novels, check this one out. A fast paced book, you won’t be able to put down.

I can personally relate to the character because I too , am a dj . There are many difficult challenges that must be overcome in order to achieve what you want to accomplish . The way the character accomplished his goals were staying true to himself & caring for the others that are around him . Because of that , I feel as thou this book connects with everyone who resides in an urban area . There is always going to be someone who hates on your success , this book simply proves that as long as you stay true , you’ll get thru any hardships that comes your way .

Kyle, age 17
Mattapan

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Davida Wills Hurwin brings you a book about hate, survival, hope and forgiveness. The book  is very good and is a very great lesson after you read it. Nothing is sugar-coated, which is great because it doesn’t lie. Hurwin tells the truth of real life in the book and shows that everything has bumps along the way.  (Cherokee, Grove Hall)