From the back cover: Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike … [Read more...] about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl: A-
Avatar by John Passarella: C+
From the back cover: When Angel arrived in Los Angeles, he assumed he'd find enough evil to keep himself busy for, well... eternity. Up until now, he's had his hands full in real time. So when Cordelia suggests starting up a web site for their detective agency, he's hesitant. As Doyle puts it, "People in trouble want to interface with a face." Soon, though, the police discover … [Read more...] about Avatar by John Passarella: C+
Natsume’s Book of Friends 1 by Yuki Midorikawa: B+
Takashi Natsume has been able to see yokai ever since he was little, an oddity that resulted in the boy being shuffled from one relative to the next after the death of his parents. Lately, though, the yokai are getting more insistent, mistaking Natsume for his grandmother, Reiko, and pestering him relentlessly. After an encounter with a yokai residing in a ceramic cat, Natsume … [Read more...] about Natsume’s Book of Friends 1 by Yuki Midorikawa: B+
Monkey High! 8 by Shouko Akira: B
Beginning with volume seven, the age rating of Monkey High! was changed from Teen to Older Teen to reflect the leads’ growing interest in consummating their relationship. They finally achieve their goal in the first chapter of this final volume, but thereafter are kept busy with studying for exams and preparing for their final school festival. An irksome last-minute rival … [Read more...] about Monkey High! 8 by Shouko Akira: B
Monkey High! 7 by Shouko Akira: B
From the back cover: Different classes, college preparations, and a disapproving father all make it hard for Macharu and Haruna to be together. So when they win tickets for an overnight stay at a resort, it seems like a great chance for them to take their relationship to the next level... Review: Although I liked this volume of Monkey High! somewhat less than the others, it … [Read more...] about Monkey High! 7 by Shouko Akira: B