Friday, November 26, 2010

Module 13: Babymouse Heartbreaker



Bibliographic Citation: Holm, Jennifer L. Babymouse Heartbreaker. New York: Random House, 2006.

Plot Summary:
Babymouse is excited about the Valentine's Day dance and can't wait for someone to ask her to the dance.  As the day progresses, Babymouse's day only gets worse.  Everyone she talks to already has a date for the dance and it seems she is th eonly one that hasn't been asked yet.  Babymouse began to get tired of waiting, so she made sure to "bump" into specific "boys" in her school in hopes that they would ask her to the dance.  Unfortunately, Babymouse did not have any luck, so after school she decides it's time for a makeover.  As Babymouse walks home with her new loook, she doesn't get the attention she expected. 

The next day, Babymouse is on a mission to find a date.  She asks different boys to the dance, and none say yes.  Babymouse begins to question herself, maybe something is wrong with her.  Then she realizes, she could go to the dance alone.  So, she convinces her mother to buy her a dress and soon enough, Babymouse is at the school dance by herself.  Once there, she decides maybe it wasnt such a good idea, that is until Georgie asks her why she isn't dancing.  Turns out Georgie wanted to ask Babymouse to the dance but assumed she had a date, and they dance the night away. 

My Impressions of the Book:
This was definitely an easy and quick read.  I really enjoyed looking at the pictures as I read and I found them to be rather humorous.  It seemed that Babymouse was desperate for a date to the dance, and she was willing to go with anyone that would look her way.  I found the pictures of the different possible dates to be hilarious, Babymouse is a cute little mouse and she was willing to go to the dance with anyone!  My favorite part of the book was when Babymouse turned into a secret agent and was determined to complete a mission by zeroing in on her target,  (p. 66-67).    

Review(s) About the Book:

Barnes & Nobles: Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature
As Valentine's Day approaches, Babymouse's head is filled with romance. Who will invite her to the school dance? As the days go by and no one asks her, Babymouse comes up with more and more elaborate plans to get a date (including a rather elaborate makeover inspired by Cosmouse magazine). Finally, she decides to ask someone herself, but even that fails to yield a date. Amidst Romeo and Juliet—and Gone With the Wind—inspired daydreams, Babymouse tries to navigate the winding path of adolescent love with often wacky results. This highly amusing graphic novel is a entertaining Valentine's story skillfully balancing romantic fantasy and school situations without ever being sappy. The illustrations are black and white with, of course, some valentine pink. The comments to the characters by the mysterious narrator/artist add another dimension to the story, ensuring that people of all ages can enjoy this tale.

Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

Babymouse: Heartbreaker

Jennifer Holm , Matthew Holm
Graphic Novel  
Series
For ages 7 to 10
Random House, 2006   ISBN: 0375837981
School is normally a very unromantic place and the only way Babymouse can inject a little romance into her daily life is to have a little daydream by herself every so often. But, wonder of wonders, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and maybe something will happen on this especially romantic day.
Babymouse loves Valentine’s Day and this year the school is going to host a dance. Babymouse imagines what the dance could be like and then she begins to worry that no one will ask her to go with them. If only a “handsome prince” would come along and take her to the dance but alas, no such person seems to exist for Babymouse. Is there something that she should be doing to attract such a person to her? Should she even take the drastic step of asking a boy to go to the dance with her instead of waiting for one to ask her?
Anyone who has gone through the heartache of waiting for someone to ask them to a dance will instantly appreciate what Babymouse is going through. One cannot help laughing at Babymouse’s daydreams and at the same time feeling very sorry for her when she cannot seem to get a date for the special night. The hilarious interaction between the narrator and Babymouse is, as always, a delight and the graphic format perfectly suits Babymouse and her story.


Use in Library Setting:
I have yet to see a book display in a library on graphic novels, so, I would definitely promote the reading of graphic novels by having a display.  This is one of the books I would display.  In encouraging kids/ teens to read graphic novels, I would use this book in a book talk as well. 

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