★   ★   ★

Image

Graphic Novels

Committee: Jasmine Amiri, Angie Jameson, Rosemary Kiladitis, Andrea Lipinski, Allison Tran

ALGARMI, Wahab. Almost Sunset. HarperAlley. ISBN 9780063355675.
Gr 4-8–Hassan must learn to balance middle school life with family and religious traditions when he commits to fasting during Ramadan. Without Muslim peers, Hassan finds it easier to not explain Ramadan to his teachers and friends, adding to his stress and isolation. A heartfelt, winning look at Muslim identity and the struggle to find harmony with culture, faith, and the social and educational demands of being a tween.

BABBITT, Natalie & K. Woodman-Maynard, adapt.Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel. illus. by K. Woodman-Maynard. Farrar. ISBN 9780374391850.
Gr 4 Up–Vibrant illustrations bring Babbitt’s beloved classic to life for a new audience to mark its 50th anniversary. The story of an immortal family and the girl who stumbles upon their secret is just as riveting in this graphical retelling, enriched by excerpts of the original text woven into the illustrations with stunning effect.

BASS, Guy. Stitch Head. illus. by Pete Williamson. Random House Graphic. ISBN 9798217026166.
Gr 4 Up–Stitch Head, the forgotten first creation of Professor Erasmus, has always longed for family, but when a traveling circus ringmaster shows up offering just that, he soon learns what real monsters look like. Dressed in whimsical, macabre art filled with creatures both scary and endearing, this tender story of a boy’s wish to be seen will challenge readers’ expectations of good and evil.

BENTON, Summer. Zilbo’s Forest: What’s Up with That? HarperAlley. ISBN 9780063460454.
K-Gr 2–Zilbo’s bad attitude ripples through the forest until Mara the mouse takes the time and care to ask her friend Tango the turtle why she was so rude. Working to discover the root of the neighborhood’s troubles, the friends learn the importance of empathy and helping one another.

CAMPBELL, Scott. Cabin Head and Tree Head. Tundra. ISBN 9781774885055.
K-Gr 3–Cabin Head and Tree Head are the best of friends, living in a whimsical world where everyday objects sprout personalities and communities. The text explores themes, such as friendship, helping others, and appreciating life’s simple joys, including tacos and art. A heartwarming, hilarious gem with exceptional, unique illustrations that young readers will return to again and again.

COLOSSAL, Eric. Ghost Town. Abrams/Fanfare. ISBN 9781419745843.
Gr 5 Up–The town of Crater is falling apart, but it’s the only home Lily Cole has ever known. With an impending family move, Lily is determined to make this last summer with her friends worth remembering. When they discover that Crater is haunted by thousands of ghosts, she might get her wish! With all the fixings of a classic kids-on-bikes tale, this book bursts with visual gags and expressive illustration, punctuated with shimmery ectoplasmic spirits that deliver liberal doses of humor and chills.

COMBS, Alex L. & Andrew Eakett. Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to the Present Day. Candlewick. ISBN 9781536219234.
Gr 9 Up–An encompassing overview of trans history, highlighting how, across cultures, continents, and time, trans people have always been here. Organized chronologically with vivid art, the book guides readers from ancient times to modern days, dispelling the myth that gender expression is a modern concept. Packed with an impressive amount of information and with resources listed, this essential nonfiction title is attractive, accessible, and fun to read.

EMBERLEY, Michael. Night Light. Holiday House. ISBN 9780823458165.
PreS-Gr 1–A luminescent tale of a parent, a child, and the stars. When a blackout hits during bedtime storytime, a parent borrows some starlight to continue reading, only to encounter the ramifications of their actions. Breathtaking illustration, spare dialogue, and gentle storytelling make this an essential transitional reader.

FAHMY, Huda. Huda F Wants to Know? Dial. ISBN 9780593855614.
Gr 7-10–Third in the semi-autobiographical series that chronicles the ups and downs of the author’s high school life as part of a tightly knit Muslim family in Michigan. Filled with humor, heart, and visual gags, this volume centers around Huda’s parents’ divorce announcement and will appeal to fans of the series and new readers alike.

GUOJING. Oasis. Macmillan/Godwin. ISBN 9781250818379.
Gr 3-8–Siblings in a postapocalyptic society repair an AI robot to keep them company while their mother toils in a futuristic city called Oasis. With the robot’s “Mother Mode” activated, the three form a family unit, until the children’s mother returns and must confront the role the AI has taken in their lives. Moody sepia artwork with splashes of color enhances meaningful narrative moments. A deeply moving story of technology, family, and survival.

HALE, Shannon. Dream On. illus. by Marcela Cespedes. Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781250843067.
Gr 3-6–When Cassie receives a generic sweepstakes mail flyer that states “you have already won,” she takes it at face value and gets carried away dreaming about how the prizes could change her life and get her friends and family to stop overlooking her. A sweet, poignant, and exuberant story that will touch the hearts of anyone who has ever been told they’re too sensitive.

LAMBELET, Anne. I’m a Dumbo Octopus! A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods. Lerner/Graphic Universe. ISBN 9798765603055.
Gr 2-4–In this accessible and phenomenal celebration of cephalopods, Grimpy, a Dumbo Octopus, takes readers on an adventure to meet a range of different escape artists. Full of fascinating facts about the clever creatures and standout illustrations, this nonfiction book is lively, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny.

LARSON, Hope. Very Bad at Math. HarperAlley. ISBN 9780063311299.
Gr 4-8–Verity Nelson is popular enough to be class president and smart enough to have good grades, but despite her efforts, she can’t improve her math grade, threatening her perfect image. Verity’s path to understanding her dyscalculia is portrayed with care and nuance, inviting readers to see themselves in her story. A thoughtful and moving look at friendship breakups and learning disabilities.

MIYARES, Daniel. How to Say Goodbye in Cuban. Random/Anne Schwartz. ISBN 9780593568293.
Gr 5 Up–Rendered in graceful watercolor illustrations, this poignant narrative about a young boy and his family during the Cuban Revolution explores a historical moment that feels timely for today’s readers. In a story based on the author’s father’s youth, the vivid depiction of normal life disrupted by political upheaval is sure to invite discussion.

MOREAU, Jérémie. Alyte. Milky Way. ISBN 9781990252471.
Gr 4 Up–Through liminal, profound storytelling, readers are guided by a small frog named Alyte on a journey through the cycles of life. Minimal text allows for an art-forward meditation on the natural world and humanity’s impact on it. Blending hard truths with moments of hope, this resonant work will remain with readers long after the final page.

PARK, Barbara & Colleen AF Venable, adapt. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel. illus. by Honie Beam. Random. ISBN 9780593706701.
K-Gr 2–Junie is back and just as spunky as ever! The graphic adaptation remains true to the original story, incorporating updates to bring the Jones family into the present day. The cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious dialogue bring Junie B.’s character back to life.

PERSICO, Zoe. How to Talk to Your Succulent. Tundra. ISBN 9781774883129.
Gr 4 Up–After the death of her mother, Adara tries to find her new normal, but her father’s overprotectiveness feels suffocating. Adara discovers her gift of speaking with plants, and she delights in discovering her mother’s plant family. With enchanting artwork and profound storytelling, this debut offers a window into the grieving process and will move readers to tears—in the best way.

ROBIN, Taylor. Hunger’s Bite. Union Square & Co. ISBN 9781454950240.
Gr 7 Up–Neeta and Emery grew up on the SS Lark and are ready for a more exciting voyage. But when the ship’s new owner, Mr. Honeycutt, is not what he seems, they must uncover the truth before Honeycutt’s greed swallows them, and everyone on board, whole. From Coraline-level creepiness to blood-chilling horror, the story’s mesmerizing progression and commentary on work culture will enthrall.

TAMAKI, Mariko. This Place Kills Me. illus. by Nicole Goux. Abrams/Fanfare. ISBN 9781419768460.
Gr 10 Up–Transfer student Abby is a shy, unpopular, and curious girl. These qualities combine to make her the right person to solve the mystery of why one of the most popular girls in school was found dead after starring in the school play. An intriguing whodunit for readers who enjoy stories about school, friendship, popularity, and hidden secrets.

TELGEMEIER, Raina & Scott McCloud. The Cartoonists Club. illus. by Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud, & Ray Baehr. Scholastic/Graphix. ISBN 9781338777222.
Gr 5 Up–Encouraged by their middle school librarian, four students form a club dedicated to creating comics. A brilliant blend of fiction and nonfiction, the story features character subplots and a common team goal and acts as a primer on comics and the comics industry for tweens and young teens.

TERCIERO, Rey. Dan in Green Gables: A Modern Reimagining of Anne of Green Gables. illus. by Claudia Aguirre. Penguin Workshop. ISBN 9780593385579.
Gr 8 Up–This uplifting graphic novel reimagines L.M. Montgomery’s classic orphan as a queer teen at odds with his estranged grandparents in 1995 Tennessee. Beautifully told, with themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and family, Dan’s story will be embraced by Anne devotees as well as readers unacquainted with the source material.

UKAZU, Ngozi. Flip. First Second. ISBN 9781250179517.
Gr 9 Up–Chi-Chi, one of the few people of color at her boarding school, keeps crushing on rich white boys. When her current crush, Flip, accidentally plays her promposal video in front of the whole class, that should’ve been the worst part of the day. But when they switch bodies, things get even more chaotic. This thoughtful spin on the Freaky Friday plot is a sweet and funny reflection on perspective, perfect for fans of awkward romances.

VAN LIESHOUT, Maria. Song of a Blackbird. First Second. ISBN 9781250869814.
Gr 10 Up–An omniscient blackbird weaves together the story of one young woman’s bravery in the Dutch Resistance in 1943 and another’s search for clues to her family history in 2011. Brought to life through eye-catching illustrations and historical photographs, this gripping tale of risk, resilience, and hope invites readers to consider what impact they might make in their everyday lives.

WALZ, Jason. The Flip Side. Penguin/Rocky Pond. ISBN 9780593617991.
Gr 8 Up–After his best friend dies from cancer, Theo’s grief fractures reality itself, manifesting into a world turned upside down where he is hunted by the monstrous embodiment of his depression. Rendered in cinematic panels, this brooding supernatural adventure doubles as a highly relatable exploration of loss and how to survive it.

WILLIAMS-GARCIA, Rita. One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel. illus. by Sharee Miller. HarperCollins/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780062935595.
Gr 3-7–Bringing Williams-Garcia’s award-winning novel to a new generation, this graphic adaptation follows three sisters in 1968 as they travel from New York to California to visit their estranged mother, who sends them to a day camp run by the Black Panthers. Over the course of the summer, they are shaped by complex, funny, and sometimes difficult lessons about family and racial identity. Rendered in a youthful art style, this graphic adaptation captures a pivotal cultural moment in Black history, while remaining humorous and deeply moving.