The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger


Alexandra first encounters the Night Bookmobile after an argument with her boyfriend Richard. She's walking home late at night when she noticed the Winnebago. Thinking it odd, but not feeling afraid, she approached the vehicle and noticed an older man reading a newspaper. He invites her in and she quickly realizes the Bookmobile has every book she has read on its shelves. Confused by this, Alexandra starts to question Mr. Openshaw, but he politely tells her the library is now closed. Its hours are from dusk to dawn.

She returns home to find Richard waiting for her. She explains what happened, but Richard flat out doesn't believe her. From that moment on, Alexandra becomes obsessed with finding the Bookmobile again. Richard eventually leaves her and she spends every moment, when she's not working, reading Every night she walks in hopes of seeing the Winnebago. Nine years later, her path crosses with Mr. Openshaw again.

This time she asks him if she can work for him. He declines and suggests she becomes a librarian. She immediately goes to school and upon graduating, she is hired at a new library branch in Chicago. Years later she meets Mr. Openshaw again and asks if she can work for him. Again he refused.

This time, the rejection is too much for Alexandra to handle. She begins to resent all the time she has spent reading and that she allowed her life to pass her by while she primarily focused on books and building her collection.

I'm not sure what I expected when I picked up The Night Bookmobile. The ending definitely caught me off guard, so much so that I had to reread it. What began as a light, quick read turned very dark quickly. The ending left me full of questions as I wondered what will happen next for Alexandra.

Be sure to read the author's "After Words" upon finishing the story. It will provide insight on the novel.

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Pub. Date: September 10, 2010
Publisher: Abrams ComicArts (An imprint of Abrams)
Pages: 40
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9617-5
Genre: Graphic Novel
Source: Library

Mini-Review: Nancy Drew #20

Title: High School Musical Mystery - Part 1
Authors: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney
Artists: Sho Murase & Carols Guzman
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #20

Mini-Review:
Nancy Drew and The Dana Girls meet for the first time. The Dana Girls attend private school and their classmates consider them to be the best detectives in town. Not to be outdone, Bess and George stick up for Nancy and claim she's the BEST there is. After a lot of bantering back and forth, a mystery solving contest is formed. The first to solve the mystery, will hold the title.

While Nancy and The Dana Girls are trying to solve the clues, a real mystery is taking place. Nancy and The Dana Girls realize this a bit too late. The thief has stolen the original copy of Edgar Allan Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue. Nancy and The Dana Girls and their friends are in hot pursuit to capture the stolen item. The mystery continues in High School Musical Mystery Part 2.

Mini-Review: Nancy Drew #19

Title: Cliffhanger
Authors: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artists: Sho Murase & Carols Guzman
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #19

Mini-Review:
Nancy Drew and friends are accompanying Dr. Elise Carver on a hiking trip to find a rare plant that could help cure Alzheimer's. During their excursion, a roped drawbridge was tampered with causing them to detour from their planned route. Nancy thinks she knows who sabotaged the bridge and sets out to prove it. Unfortunately for her, the suspect follows her and pushes her over a cliff. Nancy is barely hanging on. Can Bess and George save her before a "certain someone" comes back to finish her off?

Nancy Drew - The Serect Within

Nancy Drew, girl detective, finds herself on another case. This case takes her to Turkey and is so big, it takes two books for her to solve the mystery.


Title: Night of the Living Chatchke
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #17

Summary:
Carson Drew is traveling to Istanbul, Turkey to settle a client's estate. Nancy joins him and winds up on another case. When things start to disappear in the house, Nancy wonders if the client's home is haunted! One night she hears strange noises and goes to investigate. She discovers the ruins of an ancient city and begins to wonder why Harland Severino really wants to purchase the estate. (This is book one of "The Secret Within".)


Title: City Under the Basement
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #18

Summary:
The story continues from the Night of the Living Chatchke. Nancy's sleuthing leads to the discovery of a lost city buried under Mr. Drew's client's estate. Her sleuthing also leads the three of them to be kidnapped. The kidnappers were hired by Harland Severino to find a lost, priceless artifact. And one of the kidnappers is someone Nancy met during one of her earlier cases! Can Nancy stop the kidnappers and get rescued before it is too late? (This is book two of "The Secret Within".)

More Mini-Reviews

Title: Tiger Counter
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #15

Summary:
Nancy, Bess and George are volunteering at the River Heights Animal Protection Center. They stumble on a mystery when the center gets a call about cat being attacked by a coyote. When the cat is returned to its owner, the girl detective learns about missing tigers in the woods. The woods where Nancy, Bess and George currently are! Nancy and her friends are on the prowl for the tigers before anyone gets hurts.


Title: What Goes Up
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #16

Summary:
Nancy and her friends are attending the River Heights Annual Balloon Expo. The girls were given a free balloon ride from Bess and George's Uncle Bob. After the ride, Uncle Bob is trying to keep the empty balloon on the ground when he loses control. Not knowing her foot is caught in the rope, Nancy is lifted off the ground when the balloon starts to rise. As they attempt to level the balloon and keep Nancy from flying away, a man is seen running. They think he has come to assist them. Actually, he's trying to steal the balloon and take Nancy with him! Turns out, he's a criminal on the run from the police. How can Nancy solve this mystery and keep herself on the ground?

3 Mini-Reviews

Title: Dress Reversal
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #12

Summary:
Nancy, Bess and George are shopping for dresses for Deidre's party. Nancy finally found a dress she likes. When she arrives at the party, she's shocked to see Deirdre in the same dress! Deidre thinks Nancy purposely chose the dress to spite her. Not wanting to ruin her party, Nancy decides to leave. As she is walking out, she's kidnapped! Later Deirdre is also kidnapped. The girl detective must work with her rival in order to solve the mystery.



Title: Doggone Town
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #13

Summary:
Nancy finds a lost dog. She convinces Ned to travel with her to return the dog to his owners. When they arrive, the town is deserted. Where is everyone? Nancy and Ned meet a strange, old woman. As Nancy tries to learn more information about the town and its missing people, Nancy soon realizes this woman is not going to help. In fact, she's rather. . .mean! Can Ned and Nancy discover the mystery behind the town?



Title: Sleight of Dan
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah McKinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #14

Summary:
George, Nancy's best friend, is a fan of magic. To her delight, a famous magician, Dan Deville is in River Heights. George wants to attend his show. Nancy doesn't like magic, but decides to attend anyway. When Dan ends his show with making his assistant disappear, the audience is stunned when he doesn't make her REAPPEAR! Not one to run from a mystery, Nancy is on the case to learn about the magician's tricks in order to find the missing assistant. When she doesn't show for his next show, Nancy agrees to be his new assistant.

Nancy Drew 3-Part Mystery

Mini-Reviews: The High Miles Mystery
Nancy Drew finds herself on a her biggest case yet. It takes three novels for her to solve the crime.

Title: Ghost in the Machinery
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #9

Summary:
Nancy invites friends Bess and George to go camping in the woods. Little do they know, Nancy has motive for the camping trip. Strange lights have been seen in the woods and Nancy wants to get to the bottom of it. When the girls see the lights, they run towards them and discover an old government factory no longer in use. Or so they thought. They enter the rundown building and meet Roy Hinkley, an engineer. He explains he's there to find the hidden magnetic tank engine that can operate on 200 miles per gallon. Problem is, he thinks there is a ghost in the building trying to protect anyone from locating the tank. Nancy and her friends find themselves on the case looking for both the ghost and the tank.


Title: The Disoriented Express
Authors: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #10

Summary:
Nancy and friends are invited to transport the tank engine to a research facility to be studied. The tank is being delivered on Ralph Credo's privately owned train. Unfortunately Nancy's archenemy, Deidre, has also been invited. The trip starts out fine until weird things start happening. Obvious that the train has been tampered with, Nancy immediately jumps on the case to ensure a safe journey.


Title: Monkey Wrench Blues
Author: Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #11

Summary:
Nancy and Bess are driving an experimental car made from the tank engine's magnets built by Roy Hinkley. They've entered a government sponsored race in hopes of winning a developmental contract. Nancy is up against stiff competition. During the race, the girls realize one of the other drivers will stop at nothing to win the race. Even if it means sabotage Nancy and Bess. Ride how Nancy solves the case and find out if she wins the race.

Nancy Drew - 2 Mini-Reviews

Title: The Charmed Bracelet
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Artist: Daniel Vaughn Ross
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #7

Summary:
Nancy Drew finds herself on another case. A top-secret computer chip has been stolen which could cost the company millions. At a loss for clues, Nancy mysteriously receives a charmed bracelet. Thinking she may have a secret admirer, she barely notices the charms. That is until she realizes each charm represents a crime that is about to take place. Nancy is determined to solve these crimes before another one can happen. Too bad Nancy's boyfriend, Ned, gets arrested for shoplifting. The girl detective cannot help him out of this one. But the question remains: why would Ned shoplift? Is he jealous of Nancy and her new-detective fame? Join Nancy and her friends as they try to solve the case and Nancy's relationship troubles.


Title: Global Warning
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #8

Summary:
Nancy Drew and her friends Bess and George have been invited to tour the new Bio-Dome Eco-Park prior to its grand opening. Carson Drew, Nancy's father, is the lawyer for Cheri Goale, the inventor behind the new park. As Nancy and her friends are enjoying the tour, Nancy recognizes a man that she once came into contact with on a prior case. Thinking the man is still up to no good, Nancy decides to keep a close eye on him. When a substance causes one of the domes to collapse, Nancy is positive she knows the culprit. Can she solve the mystery in time to save the remaining domes?

Mr. Cheeters is Missing - Stefan Petrucha

Mini-Review:
When Blanche Porter's pet, Mr. Cheeters, goes missing, she seeks the help of Nancy Drew and her friends. Oh, by the way, Mr. Cheeters is a chimpanzee wearing a diamond necklace. Despite the town thinking Ms. Porter is an oddball, Nancy is taken with the love she has for her pet and agrees to search for Mr. Cheeters.

When Blanche's brother, Lawrence comes to town to calm his sister, Nancy believes he's there under false pretenses. Can she find Mr. Cheeters before it's too late?

Book details:
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #6
ISBN-10: 1-59707-030-0
Pages: 84
Year Published: 2006
Genre: Graphic Novels (Children's)
Format: Hardback
Source: Library

The Fake Heir - Stefan Petrucha

Mini-Review:
A missing safe full of jewels has just been found. When the heir of the fortune isn't able to claim the jewels, his wife seeks Carson Drew's help with gaining access to her husband's family fortune. But something doesn't seem right to Nancy. Where is Mr. Druthers? And what secret is Mrs. Druthers hiding?

When Mr. Druthers magically appears to claim his inheritance, Nancy is certain her hunches are right. Can she solve the mystery before she finds herself in danger?

Book details:
Artist: Vaughn Ross
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #5
ISBN-10: 1-59707-024-6
Pages: 84
Year Published: 2006
Genre: Graphic Novels (Children's)
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

The Girl Who Wasn't There - Stefan Petrucha

Mini-Review:
Nancy Drew needs help with her computer. During a call to customer service, she meets Kalpana, the CS representative. Long after Nancy's computer is fixed, she remains in contact with Kalpana, who resides in India. One night Nancy receives a distressing call from Kalpana who believes someone is in her house to kidnap her.

It just so happens Nancy's father has a scheduled business trip in India and purchases additional plane tickets for Nancy and her friends Bess and George. Shortly after arriving in India, Nancy stumbles across clues to the case and finds herself on the trail of the kidnappers. Can she rescue Kalpana in time before she becomes the kidnappers' next victim?

Book details:
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #4
ISBN-10: 1-59707-012-2
Pages: 84
Year Published: 2005
Genre: Graphic Novels (Children's)
Format: Hardback
Source: Library

The Haunted Dollhouse - Stefan Petrucha

Mini-Review:
It's nostalgia week in River Heights. The residents have given up modern technology and fashion to return to the simple life of the 1930s. Nancy and her friends, Bess and George are going to the antique auction celebrating the Stratemeyer Foundation. Emma Blavatsky donates a dollhouse that's rumored to be haunted. Not believing it for second, Nancy is determined to solve the mystery behind the secrets of this dollhouse.

Book details:
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #3
ISBN-10: 1-59707-008-4
Pages: 84
Year Published: 2005
Genre: Graphic Novels (Children's)
Format: Hardback
Source: Library

Writ in Stone - Stefan Petrucha

Nancy Drew is babysitting Owen when a thunderstorm hits River Heights. As a result, a truck jackknifes and a SUV crashes into the truck. Just so happens, this accident happened near Nancy's charge's home. Charlie Adams, a tow truck driver and good friend of Nancy's, calls in a favor of Nancy: he wants to bring the SUV driver by because he has precious cargo that he refuses to part with.

When Charlie arrives with Professor David Severe, an archeologist, he informs Nancy he has proof the Chinese were in America prior to Christopher Columbus. He shows her the artifact (or a "rock" as Owen calls it) and shares its history. Nancy asks Professor Severe to tell his findings at the museum fund raiser. He agrees.

The night of the fund raiser, the professor begins talking about his research and just when he's about to show the artifact, he realizes it's missing! And that's not the only thing that is missing. Owen is missing too. Immediately Nancy is on the case hunting down clues. The first clue leads her to the museum security guard. Did he steal this "rock"? And if so, why? Nancy is determined to find the answers to these questions.

Like book one of this series, the mystery is light and Nancy does a fantastic job with solving the case. I have to say though, I love how the criminals just confess EVERYTHING to her prior to the police showing up. What is it about Nancy that just makes them want to talk??

Yes these graphic novels are not the Nancy Drew I grew up with. I do have to admit, though, I am enjoying them and for now will continue with the series.

Book details:
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #2
ISBN-10: 1-59707-002-5
Pages: 84
Year Published: 2005
Genre: Graphic Novels (Children's)
Format: Hardback
Source: Library

The Demon of River Heights - Stefan Petrucha

Book Synopsis:
Join Nancy Drew, along with Bess and George, as they search for missing student filmmakers and discover the deadly secret behind the local urban myth known as "The Demon of River Heights".
(From the back cover)

My thoughts:
I tend to stick with what I know. Especially with my reading. This year, I'm challenging myself to read more outside of my comfort zone. During my last visit to the library, I found myself feeling very nostalgic. I wandered into the children's section and headed for straight for Nancy Drew. Ahhh... Nancy Drew... where my love for series first began.

Imagine my surprise when I realized Nancy had branched out since I read her years (many years!) ago. So I thought why not allow a childhood favorite to introduce me to a new genre: graphic novels. I've only read one other graphic novel: Wonder Woman: Love and Murder by Jodi Picoult. (Honestly I only read it because Ms. Picoult wrote it and she's one of my favorite authors.) Not knowing what to expect with the Nancy Drew graphic novels, I decided to check out books one and two.

In The Demon of River Heights, Nancy is starring in a movie written by two college students, who are convinced there's a monster lurking in the woods of River Heights. After filming one night, Nancy, Bess and George invite the guys to meet them later at the local coffee shop. When they fail to appear, the girls return to the woods to look for them. Evidence is left behind that alert Nancy the boys may not be too far off about the monster. Can she shed some light on this myth and save the boys in time?

And the answer is: of course she can. After all, she IS Nancy Drew.

Ok, I have to admit, the mystery is very light. It's obvious who the "bad guy" is as soon as he's introduced to the reader. But, then I had to remember the target audience for this book. I definitely think young readers will love this series. The graphics are vivid, as the characters practically jump off the page! However, I did find the story a bit lacking and almost decided not to read book two. As I continued to flip through the pages, I noticed a sneak peek for Writ in Stone, the second installment. Curious, I read it and wouldn't you know it ended in a cliffhanger! Of course I HAD to know what happens next.

To be continued...

Book details:
Artist: Sho Murase
Series: Nancy Drew Graphic Novel #1
ISBN-13:978-1-59707-000-3
Pages: 84
Year Published: 2005
Genre: Graphic Novels (Children's)
Format: Paperback
Source: Library