Ramp Rats: A Graphic Guide Adventure
by Liam O’Donnell
illustrated by Mike Deas
Orca Book Publishers, 2008
ISBN 978-1-55143-880-1
$9.95, 64 pp, colour illustrations, ages 8 – 14
www.orcabook.com
www.graphicguideadventures.com
This is the second in Orca Book Publishing’s series of graphic novels for readers aged 8 to 14 with a unique concept: comic book panels depict contemporary characters as they engage in adventures and teach skills of interest to young people. In Ramp Rats, step-by-step instructions are given for skate board tricks as Bounce and his friends try to find places to practise their skate boarding while avoiding bullies, gang members and prejudiced adults. Fast paced action in an urban setting will capture the attention of the target audience, keeping them turning the pages as Bounce learns to stand up to someone who has been pushing him around for too long.
Wild Ride, an action packed adventure set in a remote valley and teaching survival tips, is the first in the series, and Soccer Sabotage is due to be released in 2009.
This review is from Canadian Teacher Magazine’s January 2009 issue.
