Americus

Reed, MK, & Hill, J. D. (2011). Americus. New York: First Second.

ISBN: 9781596436015 | paperback | 216p. | $14.99 USD

Annotation:  Oklahoma teen Neal Barton stands up for his favorite fantasy series, The Chronicles of Apathea Ravenchilde, when conservative Christians try to bully the town of Americus into banning it from the public library.

Cover image courtesy of goodreads.com

Book Talk:  Neil has the opportunity to incite change in his small town, Americus, but will he take it?  His favorite fantasy book series is under fire and will potentially be banned from the town’s library.  Sitting among citizens of Americus at the library’s board meeting, will Neil have the courage to find his voice and defend the books he cares so much about?  Let’s take a look through his eyes…

[Use props to create Neil character: put on black hoodie & hold a mock copy of The Chronicles of Apathea Ravenchilde] 

Scanning the crowd, I see the menacing face of Mrs. Burns, the instigator of the campaign to ban my favorite books, The Chronicles of Apathea Ravenchilde.  She’s already managed to gather a mob of supporters, and I can feel their hatred for the books filling up the room.  Gulp! My palms are instantly sweaty.  The room has gone quiet…Charlotte, the librarian trying to save my books, gives me a big nudge.  Ohhhh, my face has gone bright red.  Can I do this?  Can I really stand up in front of all these people and profess my love for…of all things…BOOKS?

[hold up mock book]

Pick up a copy of Americus to find out if Neil’s courage will outweigh his shyness and save his favorite books from being banned.  

My favorite thing about the book:

The story shows how books (and music too) can help you make friends.  It’s refreshing to read a book with this theme—sharing a great book or music can bring all sorts of people together in lively dialogue.

First Sentence:

“ ‘America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw, con-‘ Hold it, hold it!”

Favorite character:

Charlotte the librarian

Awards/Honors:

ABC New Voices Title 2011

YALSA Best Graphic Novel Nomination 2012

Junior Library Guild Premier Selection Fall 2011

Learn More:

Catch up with the illustrator, Jonathan Hill, on his blog One of the Johns.

Listen to author MK Reed discuss the book on Inkstuds, a radio show about comics.

Hear MK Reed discuss the appeal of Americus and upcoming projects.