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.
My daughter would love these.
My little girl would love this. Please enter me.
My daughter would love this! 🙂
The Bone comic book series looks like it’s one kids will enjoy very much. Heck, I would probably enjoy them, myself!
My grandkids would love to win these, thanks for a great contest!
The kids would get a kick out of this. SO funny
I know some children who would love this!
These would be just great for my nephews!
I have a young reader that I know would get a big kick out of these books!
I would like to enter, Thanks!
I LOVE Bone! I put a number of these books into my children’s library and they flew off of the shelves.
I LOVE books!
My boys would love these. Thanks for the chance.
I knew about Bone & Jeff Smith since I was a teen. It would be great to revisit those years!
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!
I’d love to win. Thanks!
i forgot all about this character! i remember reading some of the comics when i was a kid, such a cute series.
These would be great for my kids. I can hardly keep them in books.
Please enter me–thanks!
I’m very interested in this one!
i’m sure Alison the dog lover would enjoy the bone series, along with the plush dog. Thank you
This sounds like a great set for my son who is a reluctant reader.
I would like to give these to my granddaughters, enter me please.
i want this!
My son would really love this, thank you.
Good prize. Thank you!
This would be great for my son! Thanks
I would love to win this for my son!
want to win this
The Bone comics are great,thanks for this giveaway!
My son would love these goodies!!
Bones is adorable. I cant wait to read the books. Tahnks for the contest
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!
have heard about these books, would love to win, thanks
My girl would love these!!
I have been curious about this series for a long while. One extra large win please, hold the mayo.
seeing this bone guy all over the net, never heard of it before, so clue me in with a win!
Please enter me in the contest. Thank you, great site.
I have heard good thing about these. My kids are all wonderful readers, and I am sure they would love this fun addition.
these are supposed to be good. I’ll look forward to reading them w/ my grandkids
Sweet niblets!
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.
I’ve never heard of these before although we do read comics and graphic novels. Sounds great.
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)
Super fun stuff! Thank you!!
I Would Love To W
I Would Love To Win
Thanks for the chance to win.
What a great prize…thanks for the chance of winning.
I want to win