Saturday, January 17, 2009

A MOMENT OF CLARITY


By Chris Wilson
Editor-in-Geek



Author & Illustrator: John Bintz
Publisher: Clarity Comic
Genre: Realism

Format: Soft cover
Volume: 1
Pages: 176
Color: Black and white


REVIEW
The transition from elementary to middle school is so difficult, emotionally and academically. The movement from Mommy and Daddy to ‘rents is enough to send a boy skyward. Many a kid is not quite ready to move on from being a child to being … something older and more mature.

A MOMENT OF CLARITY provides young readers – those nearing the end of childhood and those who’ve recently but barely crossed the line – with an authentic story about cartoons, bullies, video games and [gasp] girls.

John Blitz touches on the sweetness and struggles of preteen boys, young lads who will soon be teenagers, but might be a bit resistant to the great change. Blitz understands these boys and gives them a piece of literature that is wholly their own and gives them that much needed moment of clarity in a confusing world.


ART REVIEW
If you have ever read a GARFIELD book by Jim Davis, then you have an excellent idea of the art in A MOMENT OF CLARITY. I was transported back to my elementary days when the only books I remember wanting to read were those rectangular black and white comics of that famous and precocious fat cat. I had a stack of them and read them till the covers came off. Were A MOMENT OF CLARITY around in those days, I would have read it, too.



AGE RECOMMENDATION
Chris’ Rating: Ages 10 and older
Publisher’s Rating: Ages 10 and older

This book is aimed squarely at the tween lot, especially the boys. It’s perfect for them.


BE AWARE
Johnny puts up with his bully, Tyler, till he can’t take no more. He decides to kick Tyler’s “butt”, but the bully backs down and moves on to another victim when Johnny stands up for himself.


IN THE CLASSROOM
The lives of tweens are on the table in this sweet and endearing story, which started as a web-comic. Their struggles – told from the pre-teen perspective – is ever-present, youthful and endearing. The students will be able to relate to A MOMENT OF CLARITY, giving the teacher so many opportunities for text-to discussions and journal writings.

Blintz continues to publish his mini-comic on his website, so students in a technology-based classroom could access the story on a regular basis.


CHRIS’ RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
What’s not to like? This is a story for those often overlooked pre-teen youngsters, a story I think they will enjoy and relate to. It’s the common tween struggle.

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