Human Body Theater

Wicks, M. (2015). Human body theater. A nonfiction revue. New York: First Second

A non-fiction graphic novel all about the human body, humorously narrated by a skeleton that adds a layer at each act, to eventually become "a fully formed human being." Each act gives facts, and sometimes quick anecdotes, jokes, and random facts, about the different body systems.  The characters in each act are made up by the different components of that particular system.  The book also includes a glossary of terms in the back.  

What a great way to explain the functions and components of the human body systems!  It is clear why this book is on the list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens!  The characters are funny, the text is easy to read, the vocabulary is well defined and accompanied by pictures and facts to help one remember the components.  This would be such an excellent resource to use during a human body unit.  Students would definitely appreciate the vacation from boring text books, and this book has all the facts to ensure you wouldn't have to revert to a textbook.  The full-colored graphics are eye-catching as well as detailed and helpful in creating visuals for the reader.  Read from left to right and top to bottom (unless there is a full page diagram), the book is not made up entirely of the same kinds frames- in fact, frames vary throughout the book.  Many of the pages with lots of facts have typical frames.  Some pages have frames with a few frameless illustrations.  Space is excellently used throughout the entire book.  

Other books on the same topic, that readers may find useful, include: The Way We Work: Getting to Know the Human Body by David Macaulay; The Human Body: An Illustrated Guide to its Structure, Function, and Disorders by Dr. Charles Clayman; Human Body by Steve Parker.