Stuck in the Middle

Stuck in the Middle: Seventeen comics from an unpleasant age (2007). Edited by Ariel Shrag

ISBN: 978-0-670-06221-8

Each comic sequence is written and illustrated in black and white line drawings, showcasing the many different styles of the cartoonists. Each contributor shares stories from their personal middle school experience.

Angst, love interests, annoying people, gossiping, zits, making good impressions, parental divorce, name calling, going to a new school, worried about what people are thinking. All common and familiar themes in middle school life.

Some edgy topics and dicey language. Interesting glimpse into middle school once lived. Good for students 11 to 13 years old.

Simpsons Comics Madness

Simpsons Comics Madness (2002) by Matt Groening. 158 pages.

ISBN-10: 0-06-053061-8

This is a compilation of the Simpsons comics #43 to #48; featuring the talents of a variety of writers, artists and editors.

The first comic is an urban legend told backward, a twisted and quircky story about Bart, Lisa, Milhouse and Martin looking for 'Brain Freeze Steve' under the Kwik-e-Mart. In another, Lisa becomes a substitute teacher after Bart pulls one of his classic antics. Comics continue with Sideshow Bob struggling with going straight in one and Santa's Little Helper, the Simpsons' dog, becoming a Hollywood media mongrel. One of my favorites is when Homer unwittingly gets on the wrong game show and wins a date. To get out of his date, he signs a contract to go on another game show, "Escape from emperor Burnsimoto's Castle", which could be life threatening. Several more entertaining comics are featured.

The comics can be read on their own and the reader can easily see them as a TV show, as each page provides scene panels with a lot of visual activity. The reader will get classic Simpsons, with all the jokes, puns, parodies, pranks and gags. References to movies Manga, reality TV shows and advertising add to the fun and brain teases.

Simpsons graphic novels are a constant favorite among middle school students and this will not disappoint. Fun antics for 9 to 12 year olds.

More on Matt Groening and The Simpsons.

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