Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
KYO MACLEAR is a beloved author of books for children and adults. Her recent children’s books include Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli, illustrated by Julie Morstad, Yak and Dove, illustrated by Esmé Shapiro, and The Liszts, illustrated by Júlia Sardà. She lives in Toronto with her two sons, two cats and a singer. BYRON EGGENSCHWILER is an award-winning illustrator whose recent books include The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, Operatic by Kyo Maclear (starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal and Quill & Quire), Coyote Tales by Thomas King and Beastly Puzzles by Rachel Poliquin (starred review from School Library Journal). Byron's work has also appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Walrus, GQ and O, The Oprah Magazine. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.<p>“Opera is an unusual but pitch-perfect match for that swell of overwhelming feeling, and Maclear.” — <strong><em>Booklist</em></strong></p>
<p>“Brimming with raw emotion, music references, and gorgeous art, this memorable and relatable graphic novel will linger with readers.” — <strong><em>School Library Journal</em></strong></p>
<p>“Operatic offers a deft look at adolescence, rich but subtle, accessible but beautifully complex. . . . Maclear has created a setting and a cast of characters that feel extraordinarily fresh, alive, and, above all, very real. . . . Eggenschwiler’s visual metaphors create their own network of social, emotional, and sensory connections. . . . This book will delight not only young people and graphic-novel aficionados but anyone who believes that art — especially opera — is a powerful force in the world.” — <strong><em>Quill & Quire</em></strong></p>
<p>“Maclear and Eggenschwiler cleverly weave together story, visual art, and music. . . . Clever and contemplative, with music history readers might find unexpectedly fun.” — <strong><em>Kirkus Reviews</em></strong></p>
<p>“Packed with music references and evocative illustrations, <em>Operatic</em> is a graphic novel that students will easily relate to and identify with.” — <strong><em>Vancouver Writers Fest</em></strong></p>
A story of friendship, first crushes, opera and the high drama of middle school told by award-winning Kyo Maclear in her debut graphic novel.
Somewhere in the universe, there is the perfect tune for you.
It’s almost the end of middle school, and Charlie has to find her perfect song for a music class assignment. But it’s hard for Charlie to concentrate when she can’t stop noticing her classmate Emile, or wondering about Luka, who hasn’t been to school in weeks.
Then, the class learns about opera, and Charlie discovers the music of Maria Callas. The more she learns about Maria’s life, the more Charlie admires her passion for singing and her ability to express herself fully through her music. Can Charlie follow the example of the ultimate diva, Maria Callas, when it comes to her own life?
Key Text Features
speech bubbles
captions
bibliography
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3
Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6
Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
REVIEW COPIES:
- Publishers Weekly
- School Library Journal
- Booklist
- Kirkus Reviews
- Horn Book
- This debut graphic novel is from acclaimed author Kyo Maclear, who has written picture books, novels and a memoir.
- This is a sensitive portrayal of friendship, shyness, bullying and sexuality in middle school.
- Includes biographical sections on opera singer Maria Callas’s life, as well as many references across musical styles.
- Byron Eggenschwiler is an illustrator to watch: this is his first graphic novel.
- There are three different color palettes: yellow for Charlie’s point of view; blue for Luka’s story; and red for the Maria Callas biography sections.
- Curriculum connections: language arts / graphic novel, biography; social studies / relationships; performing arts / music.