Graphic Novel: Nimona review by Terrie

Graphic Novel review by Terrie        Spring 2016

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Meet Nimona. She's brash, violent, and the shape shifting evil side kick she believes Balister Blackheart truly needs. While Lord Blackheart isn't as sure, their villain/sidekick relationship builds from disturbing misadventures and wisecracking to a story of acceptance and protectiveness. Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, Blackheart's former friend and current arch nemesis, works for the (not always heroic) Institute of Law Enforcement and Heroics.  When the director of the Institute orders Ambrosius to "dispose of" Nimona, the plot takes unexpected turns for all three of our characters.

Stevenson has created characters that begin as two dimensional  and are almost four dimensional by the end of the story. Her drawings capture the fidgety nature of Nimona in a unique way. Never do any of these characters seem static. The artwork in this graphic novel is exceptional in its portrayal of the emotional upheavals through simple yet multi-faceted drawings.  In this alternate fantasy universe, Stevenson reminds us that hidden motivations can make black and white very gray.  This book is recommended for students in eighth through twelfth grades.

Stevenson, N. (2015). Nimona. New York: Harper Teen.

 The original blog can be found here: http://www.gingerhaze.com/nimona/comic/page-1

You will find, though, that the original artwork in the book does not match what you will see online.  As Stevenson let Nimona evolve through her magnificent mind, Nimona representation changed.  In the book format, Stevenson went back to the first few chapters and re-drew Nimona and friends so that all would be consistent. 

For an interview by NPR with Noelle Stevenson: http://www.npr.org/2015/05/13/406467585/nimona-shifts-shape-and-takes-names-in-sensible-armor-of-course

 I'm not the only one who likes this book!
*National Book Award Finalist
* New York Times Bestseller
* New York Times Notable Book
* Kirkus Best Book
* School Library Journal Best Book
* Publishers Weekly Best Book
* NPR Best Book
* New York Public Library Best Book
* Chicago Public Library Best Book
* A Spring 2015 Indie Next List Pick

For more YA graphic novels:
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/great-graphic-novels

Teacher's guide to using graphic novels
http://www.penguin.com/static/pdf/teachersguides/you_can_do_a_graphic_novel_TG.pdf 

Graphic Novels in the Classroom by Gene Yang
https://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/trc/upload/Gene_Yang_article.pdf