The Arrival

Tan, Shaun, The Arrival, A.A. Levine, 2006, 128 pgs.

Summary: This novel, completely in pictures, illustrates the struggles of leaving the familiar and going on a journey to far away unknown places. Even without words, the struggles, fears, and joys felt by the main character are very clear and the wonderment of “new” is hard to miss. Finding new work, meeting new people, and learning a new language are all illustrated rather than written. The illustrations are full page with some pages being one full picture and others be multiple framed pictures. The story does a great job in displaying what it feels like to be a foreigner without any familiar objects. Even with only illustrations to tell the story the storyline is still clear.

Evaluation: I found that although words would have limited this novel, some direction would have been very helpful in the beginning and the end so as to feel more confident while reading. I did find it amazingly easy to follow the story line once I started. Once I got over the feeling of having to take in the whole picture at once, I could easily gaze at the different elements and get more from the story. Overall I feel this is a great example of how pictures can speak a thousand words.

Annotation: New land, new people, new language. All alone, no family, no home, nothing familiar. A foreigner exploring an unknown world.

Significance of Book: One of the first of its kind, this whole book is written without words, but still has a clear storyline and purpose.

Genre/subject: science fiction, graphic novel

Awards:

National:

• · ALA Notable Children's Books: 2008
• · Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2008
• · Booklist Editor's Choice: 2007
• · Boston Globe-Horn Book award: 2008
• · Bulletin Blue Ribbons: 2007
• · Capitol Choices: 2008
• · Horn Book Fanfare: 2007
• · Notable Books for a Global Society: 2008
• · Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People: 2008
• · NY Times Best Illustrated Books: 2007
• · NY Times Notable Children's Books: 2007
• · Parents' Choice Gold Award: 2007
• · PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS: 2007
• · SLJ Best Books for Children: 2007
• · USSBY-CBC Outstanding International Books: 2008

State:

• · Kentucky: Bluegrass Award Nominees: 2009
• · New Jersey: Garden State Teen Book Award Nominees: 2010
• · Virginia: Readers' Choice Award Nominees: 2009

Why I selected the book: I was intrigued by the format. I wanted to see if it would still be clear if there were no words.

Price: $19.99