Comics Squad: Recess

Holm, J., Holm, M., & Krosoczka, J.  (Eds.).  (2014).  Comics Squad: Recess!  New York: 

Random House.

Within these pages are a collection of comics that focus on the adventures kids and grownups take when it’s time for recess.  A boy learns to master the art of what it takes to be a ninja to join a cool group of kids during their secret ninja meetings.  A lunch lady mistakenly creates a pizza monster and she needs to destroy it before recess is over.  A monitor is able to make indoor recess fun for disgruntled kids by creating a kickball game using dice and a sheet of paper.  No matter the challenge that these characters are faced with, they are able to overcome them just in time for recess.  These illustrations use various shades of orange to make certain aspects of the comic stand out, whether they be scenes or characters.  This allows the reader to really notice each individual illustration and the details that went into balancing the colors of white, black, and orange together.  The body language and facial expressions of the characters are comical and overly dramatic to provide tone for the words within the word bubbles.  This is a definite read for elementary kids, although the misspellings from one section of the comic may confuse the younger ones.  Here is the link to the publisher’s website: http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/comics-squad/