Bone
By Jeff Smith
Cartoon Books
Age Level: All Ages

One of the most acclaimed series to appear for years, loved by everyone from wee kiddies to adults, Jeff Smith's Bone series is a bit like throwing Looney Tunes characters into a Tolkien-esque landscape with neither a map nor a friend. The Bone cousins have been exiled from Boneville and must make their way through treacherous deserts and towering forests, all the while contending with monsters and adopting allies into their crew. You won't soon forget the lovely Thorn, one of the great fantasy heroine's to come around in a while, her mighty grandma (yes, I do mean MIGHTY grandma), and the sinister Rat Creatures (who seem to be entirely set on cooking the Bone cousins into a quiche). Laugh out loud funny and at the same time full of tense adventure, Bone is not to be missed!

The Complete Bone Series
(reviewed on No Flying, No Tights)

Bone: Out from Boneville (1)
Bone: The Great Cow Race (2)
Bone: The Eyes of the Storm(3)
Bone: The Dragonslayer (4)
Bone: Rock Jaw Master of Eastern Border (5)
Bone: Old Man's Cave (6)
Bone: Ghost Circles (7)
Bone: Treasure Hunters (8)
Bone: Crown of Horns (9)

Related Titles
Stupid, Stupid Rat Tails: The Adventures of Big Johnson Bone, Frontier Hero
Rose

back to top

Alison Dare: Little Miss Adventures
ISBN: 1929998201
By J. Torres
Art by J. Jones
Oni Press 2002
Age Level: 9 and up

If this book were a movie pitch, I'd have to say that Alison Dare's story is the recent reincarnation of The Mummy crossed with Indiana Jones if Indiana Jones were a twelve-year old girl. In slick black and white, J. Torres and J. Jones introduce us to the intelligent, adventure-obsessed Alison Dare, daughter of an archeologist mother and a librarian/superhero father. Despite her parents attempt to keep Alison reined in a bit by sending her to a boarding school, she and her two buddies still manage to get into their fair share of trouble. Her various and sundry adventuresome relatives are always around to come to the rescue, however, and these infectious tales of adventure and romance revel in the traditions of classic serial adventures. Despite appearances, however, all is not fabulous in Alison's life-- her parents are divorced and the instances that remind her of this painful reality are subtle and feeling. It's fit and fun for all-- who doesn't need a witty archeologist-in-training bent on adventure in their life?

back to top