Cowa! by A kira Toriyama Date of Publication: 1998 ISBN: 1-4215-18056 Number of pages: 187

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: Low
GENRES: Adventure,
THEMES: Good versus Evil, Life versus Death

SUMMARY: This graphic novel should be called "Captain Underpants meets Manga." A half-vampire, half 'were-koala' named Paifu gets into trouble with his best ghost buddy, Jose. The two monsters begin an adventure when Monster Flu begins to make all of the adults sick. Paifu and Jose are joined by Mr. Maruyama, a former killer wrestler, and Arpon, Paifu's arch rival. Together, it is up to them to find the monster medicine before everyone dies.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- enjoys Captain Underpants or Dragonball Z
- enjoys silly humour
- enjoys reading Manga

WHAT ELSE? The adult wrestler smokes and uses an arsenal of guns to search out enemies. Parents may not approve of the smoking or violence. It is written in Manga format (read back to front). It is an easy read full of silly humour to engage reluctant readers.