Literary Merit: Good
Characetrization: Great
Recommend: Yes
Level: high school

I’ve really been enjoying graphic memoirs lately so I wanted to give this a try. This story is about the destructive, toxic patterns people can’t get themselves out of and how it affects kids. Travis’s father becomes addicted to drugs after his brother suicide and is violent and abusive to those around him. Travis’s mom wants what’s best for her family but is also unable to escape an abusive relationship. Travis and his brothers witness events that are harmful and abusive with the adults in their lives causing more pain than they protect them from. I think this story shows how these cycles can ruin lives and just how hard it is to escape them. ( )

***Graphic novel about the author’s childhood; some abuse and drug use scenes. Black line illustrations range from intricate to simple cartoon and back again showing various emotions and action. ( )

Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Excellent
Recommended: Recommended
Level: High School and above

This was quite an interesting one. King of King Court is Travis Dandro’s childhood autobiography told in the graphic novel format. The artwork was simple and enjoyable and easy to follow, and I really liked his style. The story is quite heartbreaking as it depicts Travis, beginning at the age of 6, as he is introduced to his birth father. From there, Travis grows up dealing with said birth father having a drug problem, his step-father having a drinking problem, and a whole lot of drama that stems from the two.

The graphic novel shows everything happening from Travis’s POV, with a childlike filter overtop. The way he uses his imagination to escape is very telling and I would imagine a way a lot of children try and escape rough parts of their lives.

This is a very emotional graphic novel, and some scenes are hard to stomach. It’s difficult to see Travis’s mother go through everything and still continue to give his father chances until she just can’t anymore. It’s heartbreaking to see someone so overcome with addiction that they’d do literally anything to get a fix.

Overall, I’d say this is a very interesting, informative read that may appeal to a lot of kids who may be in similar situations. ( )

A pretty standard graphic memoir about a childhood marred by domestic turmoil and violence. Most of the problems stem from the relationship of the author and his mother with his biological father, a troubled man dealing with his own trauma, drug addiction, and anger issues. The page layouts are ambitious, cinematic and laden with symbolism, though the finished art lacks the polish to really pull them off. But for making the attempt, I’ll forego deducting a rating star for the annoying and useless dream sequences. (God, I hate those things.) ( )