Astro City: Confession by Kurt Busiek. New York: DC Comics, 2000.   Brian has come to Astro City to learn how to be a superhero. He wants to make something of his life, not die penniless like his father. But a superhero’s life is not always so rewarding…

Ages 12-18

Genre: Fantasy – superheroes, “magical” powers
Graphic Novel

Appealing aspects of this book – likeable protagonist; superheroes; comic book format; series fiction

Uses for this book in schools – examination of superhero fiction across time; superheroes across genres; superheroes in graphic novels vs. fiction; examination of flawed heroes across genres

Other books by this author:
Life in the Big City
Tarnished Angels
Family Album
Avengers series
Thunderbolts series

If you are interested in graphic novels read reviews of others at:
The Diamond Bookshelf: http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com/reviews/
No Flying, No Tights: http://www.noflyingnotights.com/
Graphic Novels and Comic Trade Paperbacks – an annotated list: http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com/reviews/