Intermediate Book List: Manga
All the books in this list have been read by either Jenn (proprietor of Comics in the Classroom), or one of her staff. They are certified to be appropriate for the elementary age group and have been chosen for their benefit to classrooms and libraries. Some books on the Intermediate List are also available on the Elementary and Secondary Lists. This is because we feel these books have a wide-ranging appeal. All books will be reduced by 25% at time of ordering.
Dramacon
Volumes: 3; complete
Written and Illustrated by: Svetlana Chmakova 
Genre: Manga, Fiction
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: 12.50 each
Synopsis: Christie is a shy girl by any definition. She's also a budding manga writer. She attends her first anime convention with her artist and boyfriend, who instantly begins to ignore her in favour of the attentions of female fans, and to hang out with friends. Christie, too new to the anime scene to feel comfortable, finds solace in Matt, who she initially hates, but finds herself ever drawn toward. Matt's dark glasses conceal an eye disfigurement, and a lot of bitterness. As the two grow closer, Christie develops the courage to take her destiny into her own hands, standing up to her boyfriend, and approaching her favourite manga artist. However, her relationship with Matt is not so easy, as although they find a connection in volume one, they both return to the anime con the next year in volume two, Christie with a new artist, and Matt with a new girlfriend. This series will appeal to manga fans, and especially those familiar with anime conventions. Also by this cartoonist: Nightschool: The Weirn Books
Fullmetal Alchemist
Volumes: 27; complete
Written and Illustrated by: Hiromu Arakawa
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: 11.99 each
Synopsis: While trying to use alchemy to bring their mother back from the dead, the brothers Elric both lost something important. Alphonse, the younger of the two, lost his body, and Edward, his older brother, sacrificed his own arm and leg to transfer Al's soul into an oversized suit of armour. Now both are searching for a way to return themselves to normal. To do so, Edward becomes the youngest member of the alchemy division of the military. This not only increases his abilities but gives them both a means of survival and access to the military's research materials. In a world of magic based on fair trade how would you calculate the cost of your own body? Is it the sum of the elements, or is there more to it than that? The manga series does differ in several ways from the anime series.
Hikaru No Go
Volumes: 21; ongoing
Written by: Yumi Hotta
Illustrated by: Takeshi Obata
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: 9.50-12.99 each
Synopsis: Hikaru is a sixth grader who finds an old Go board in his grandfather's attic. Trapped inside the board is the ghost of the ancient Go master who originally taught the game to the emperor of Japan. Hikaru and the master become one in order to compete in Go tournaments against veteran players, ever seeking the "Divine Move" that will allow the Go master to finally rest.
Inu Yasha
Volumes: 50; ongoing
Written and Illustrated by: Rumiko Takahashi
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: 12.50 each
Synopsis: Kagome is an ordinary teenage girl living with her family near the old Higure shrine. However, her life soon becomes something quite other than ordinary when she accidentally travels to feudal Japan and releases the half-demon half-dog Inu Yasha, equally accidentally. Kagome soon discovers she is the reincarnation of the priestess Kikyo, and the rightful owner of the Jewel of the Four Souls, which she unfortunately shatters into a thousand pieces. Now she had teamed up with Inu Yasha, a monk named Miroku, a demon hunter named Sango, and a fox-demon named Shippo to collect the fragments of the Jewel before the evil demon Naraku can get his hands on it. The series is very humorous, and highly action-packed. It does deviate from the anime series.
Naruto
Volumes: 56; ongoing
Written and Illustrated by: Masashi Kishimoto
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: 9.99 each
Synopsis: One of the most anticipated series in North American manga release history, Naruto is the story of a young boy trying to prove himself to his entire village. Each village has its own ninjitsu style, and to be a true member of society, the children must study and pass many exams to become full-fledged members of their home village's style. Naruto is the black sheep of his village. He is an orphan and none of the adults will acknowledge his existence. This is because he houses the spirit of a nine-tailed fox-demon that tried to destroy the city before he was born. This hasn't stopped Naruto though. Instead he tries twice as hard as every other student to become the best ninja in his class. He is usually unsuccessful, and that is where this action series gets its comedic relief. A good book for boys, containing exciting action sequences.
Nightschool: The Weirn Books
Volumes: 4; complete
Written and Illustrated by: Svetlana Chmakova 
Shaman King
Volumes: 32; complete
Written and Illustrated by: Hiroyuki Takei
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: 9.99-12.99 each
Synopsis: This series, based on the popular cartoon, delves into the spiritual world of the shaman. Manta Oyamada is leading a perfectly ordinary life until he meets teenage shaman Yoh Asakura who can tap into the swordfighting powers of a ghost samurai. The two quickly find themselves in action-packed situations.
Tsubasa
Volumes: 26; ongoing
Written and Illustrated by: CLAMP (a collective of female artists and writers)
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: Vol.1-8 15.95, Vol.9-26 13.99
Synopsis: How far would you go to bring back the memory of the one you loved? In Tsubasa (also known as Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle) this is the reality that a young man named Syaoran must face as the memory of his best friend, and possible love, Sakura, is split into hundreds of feathers and tossed through just as many dimensions. With the help of two others from alternate worlds, this motley crew of adventurers must seek out Sakura's memories and steal them back from those who would use them for evil. This series crosses over with XXXHolic, though it is not mandatory to read both titles to understand the story. Also by CLAMP: 
XXXHolic
Volumes: 19; ongoing
Written and Illustrated by: CLAMP (a collective of female artists and writers)
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Black-and-white
Softcover, digest-sized
SRP: Vol.1-6 15.95, Vol.7-8 14.50, Vol.9-15 13.99
Synopsis: Yuko, a wish granting witch, is at the heart of XXXholic. She runs a business that helps people deal with wishes and occult experiences, but charges the highest price, that which they hold most dear. When a young man named Watanuki Kimihiro finds himself at Yuko's shop as if by magic, he ends up working for her in exchange for her help with his visions of ghosts. Yuko uses this opportunity to make Watanuki's life a living hell, embarrassing him and blackmailing him at every turn. XXXHolic has a very unique art style, and will appeal to all lovers of occult fiction. This series crosses over with Tsubasa, but it is not mandatory to read both to understand the story. Also by CLAMP: 
