I wrote a while ago about the importance of including “fun books” in a child’s library. For strong readers, it helps keep their interest in reading when so many things begin to compete for their love.
When Scholastic asked me to take a look at the new Bone comic book series, I was definitely interested. They fall into this “fun book” category for booklovers, and can be enticing for reluctant readers, or those for whom reading can be frustrating. My daughter Amanda (who is almost 10) has enjoyed the graphic novels that are designed for younger readers as a break from her wordier novels.
But I was also a bit wary. Comic books and the more updated, thicker graphic novels are often aimed at much older readers (teens and adults), and so a cartoonish look can be deceptive. To me, they can just convey something of a more mature attitude, even if they aren’t meant to. For that reason, I had to look into the graphic novels Amanda wanted to read and verify, “Yes, they are fine. And fun. Go ahead and enjoy them.”
Unlike the pink and girly Babymouse and Babysitters Club graphix that she’s been enjoying, Bone looks more boyish (however, that didn’t stop her from reading the copy of Out from Boneville that I received for review and telling me that she wanted to read another in the series). There are eight volumes out so far (and they have all received fabulous reviews on amazon).
Bone is a sort of white amorphous creature (even others in the story don’t know what he is). He is kicked out of town for a business deal that went sour, gets separated from his cousins, and finds a lovely lady to help him try to get back to Boneville after being breathed on by a dragon.
Yeah, the plot is hard to describe. In fact, when I asked Amanda how she would describe it, she said, “It’s good. Funny.”
“But what happens?” I asked her, hoping for a good two-line summary.
“I don’t know. Nothing really.”
In spite of the lack of a plot that can be summed up in a sentence or two, this is a neat series. If your child likes to read the Sunday morning comics, he or she will enjoy this. It is written very much like a comic strip–short scenes, block type, shadowy drawings–it’s all there. Also like the Sunday comics, there is a bit of material that is not suitable for younger eyes (or goes right over their heads). That’s for you to decide. I would recommend it for ages 10 and up, because of some more mature content: an OMG or two, a character who smokes cigars, a bar setting, and a little romance.
Another compelling reason to hand this over (especially to your reluctant reader) is that Bone is a reader! He carries comic books around with him, but also discusses his love of Moby Dick with one of the characters. I think that this was an intentional insertion to try to encourage additional reading. I love that.
FIVE of you can try out this series yourself:
One grand prize winner will receive the first three books in the series, a 12 inch plush character and a Bone action figure.
Four runners up will receive volume one: Out from Boneville
Leave a comment here if you’d like to win. I’ll post the winners on August 27.
tracey c says
My daughter would love these.
Anita Yancey says
My little girl would love this. Please enter me.
Julie Lawrence says
My daughter would love this! 🙂
Douglas R. Cobb says
The Bone comic book series looks like it’s one kids will enjoy very much. Heck, I would probably enjoy them, myself!
Albert Egnosak says
My grandkids would love to win these, thanks for a great contest!
RHicks says
The kids would get a kick out of this. SO funny
Donna Wilde says
I know some children who would love this!
Shelley Slider says
These would be just great for my nephews!
Abby says
I have a young reader that I know would get a big kick out of these books!
Peter Orlowski says
I would like to enter, Thanks!
Karen Everrett says
I LOVE Bone! I put a number of these books into my children’s library and they flew off of the shelves.
karen says
I LOVE books!
Kathy Scott says
My boys would love these. Thanks for the chance.
cathleen n. says
I knew about Bone & Jeff Smith since I was a teen. It would be great to revisit those years!
Melissa Sciandra says
My son just learned how to read last year and he is the hungriest child to learn and fine tune his reading skills that I have ever seen. This would be an awesome treat for him as his birthday is coming up in October!
Stacie Ruyle says
I’d love to win. Thanks!
doe says
i forgot all about this character! i remember reading some of the comics when i was a kid, such a cute series.
Paula H says
These would be great for my kids. I can hardly keep them in books.
Cassandra Janda says
Please enter me–thanks!
Chrysa says
I’m very interested in this one!
Kelly Ann T. says
i’m sure Alison the dog lover would enjoy the bone series, along with the plush dog. Thank you
Donna Kozar says
This sounds like a great set for my son who is a reluctant reader.
Bobv says
I would like to give these to my granddaughters, enter me please.
Danielle Harris says
i want this!
Felicia Lockamy says
My son would really love this, thank you.
Irma Doherty says
Good prize. Thank you!
Erma Hurtt says
This would be great for my son! Thanks
Della says
I would love to win this for my son!
veronica sandberg says
want to win this
linda says
The Bone comics are great,thanks for this giveaway!
Marion B says
My son would love these goodies!!
Kim B says
Bones is adorable. I cant wait to read the books. Tahnks for the contest
Adena says
I heard about this series. A friend’s daughter doesn’t like to read and needs to work on her reading skills. Any book that would spark her interest to read would be a lifelong gift!
sharon says
have heard about these books, would love to win, thanks
Brandy Holzapfel says
My girl would love these!!
Michael says
I have been curious about this series for a long while. One extra large win please, hold the mayo.
Ron Miller says
seeing this bone guy all over the net, never heard of it before, so clue me in with a win!
Billy Y. says
Please enter me in the contest. Thank you, great site.
Jodi says
I have heard good thing about these. My kids are all wonderful readers, and I am sure they would love this fun addition.
JONI CHADWELL says
these are supposed to be good. I’ll look forward to reading them w/ my grandkids
Ed Nemmers says
Sweet niblets!
Julie K says
I used to read the Bone comics when they were put out by Dark Horse? or Image? comics (I can’t remember now.) I think my son would like these a lot.
Elizabeth M. says
I’ve never heard of these before although we do read comics and graphic novels. Sounds great.
Tom McCurry says
My grandaughter is so hooked on these books that she calls me up every week to read a chapter to me. This would be good to get another 50 phone calls from her. (insert cheer here)
Jean says
Super fun stuff! Thank you!!
Jayme Isaacs says
I Would Love To W
Jayme Isaacs says
I Would Love To Win
Jim Cincinello says
Thanks for the chance to win.
Don says
What a great prize…thanks for the chance of winning.
Joshua says
I want to win