Gr 5-8 Williams introduces the characters and plot of Hugo's classic novel in 15 short chapters presented in comic strip format with brief narrative text placed beneath each cartoon illustration. Characters' own comments appear in speech balloons within the cartoon frames. This is the story of Jean Valjean, who leaves prison a bitter man after having served 19 years of hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread; Valjean's honorable treatment by the Bishop of Digne after he steals the man's silverware; his remorse after taking a young boy's only coin; and his decision to spend his life helping others. Readers familiar with the classic story will recognize his later appearance in the city of Montreuil as a kind and successful businessman who hires honest, hardworking people. Valjean makes a promise to the dying Fantine to care for her young daughter, Cosette, endearing him to the people who appoint him their mayor. Only the single-minded Inspector Javert is convinced that Valjean continues to break the law. Williams's talent for telling a story in cartoon format is evidenced by the variety in her page layouts, which range in size from tiny squares to quarter-, third-, and full-page cartoons filled with movement, emotion, and fine detail. Small gray, brown, and black birds; dogs with pointy muzzles; fluffy orange, gray and black cats; roosters; and an abundance of rats appear in and around many cartoon cells. Good people are drawn with rounded, often cute, faces; evil people, like the Thénardiers, with long, pointy noses and shifty eyes. VERDICT Children who are daunted by the length of Hugo's masterpiece may find this brief introduction to the story more palatable. Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OH

The epic tale of Les Miserables is retold in comic-book style for younger readers. Watercolor-and ink-illustrations are filled with myriad details and do a commendable job of showing the classic story of injustice, redemption, and love. Told in concise language, the narration is placed under its corresponding illustration, and the dialogue is shown in speech bubbles. The colorful drawings are framed in a variety of sizes; sometimes, one illustration takes up an entire page, and at other times, several smaller vignettes appear on a single page. The artist's inclusion of rats, cats, and mice cavorting outside the framed pictures seems disconnected to the seriousness of the tale, which involves death, suicide, and revolution. Even within the framed pictures, there appear smiling squirrels and cats walking on two legs. Those quibbles aside, this is essentially a good introduction to the classic tale for middle-grade readers.