Kids Graphic Novels

Newbery medalist Jerry Craft does it again. This companion to New Kid focuses on Jordan as well his friend Drew who, unlike light-skinned Jordan, faces othering based in colorism. How Craft takes serious subject matter and makes it hilarious remains a mystery to me, but I was literally laughing out loud while reading, just like I did with New Kid. A great choice for fans of the first installment, school stories, socially conscious books, and those who—like me—love to laugh! — Stephanie

Lora, an occult-obsessed 12-year-old, doesn’t want to grow up. She feels left behind as her friends trade make-believe for makeup. Then she befriends Alexa, a ghost from the ’70s. Lora’s coming-of-age story is quirky and relatable, while Alexa’s is touching and poetic. The drawings are energetic and whimsical, with panels bursting with life and margins decorated with doodles. This magic-infused tale is an excellent choice for readers who loved The Witch Boy, Ghosts, or The Okay Witch. — Molly

This book is a gift. In it, Nguyen offers readers a beautiful tale of immigration and coming out that weaves Vietnamese fairy tales into something magical and deeply moving. The art is nothing short of gorgeous. Being the daughter of immigrants myself, Tiến’s struggle to connect with his refugee parents resonated deeply with me, but this is a story that anyone can sink into and appreciate. I can’t wait to read what Nguyen does next. — Stephanie

Fifteen-year-old Will gets on the elevator with a gun in his waistband. On his 60-second journey to the lobby, Will has “the Rules” in mind: No crying, no snitching, and get revenge. Who he meets on the elevator will help determine what Will does when he hits the lobby. This graphic novelization of the award-winning novel in verse chronicling one Black boy’s dilemma will grab you and not let go. A great choice for middle-grade to adult readers. — Noreen

Francine and Maureen are best friends who happen to be identical twins. Starting sixth grade, Maureen doesn’t want things to change, but Francine suddenly wants to be Fran and pushes her sister away. Everything comes to a head when the sisters run against each other for class president. Both girls are realistically drawn (figuratively and literally) and I found myself bouncing between sides. If you’ve read Real Friends or Invisible Emmie, you’ll want to check out this series-starting graphic novel! — Ivy
 

Sara, a Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France, has only ever wanted a normal life, but in a single, fateful day everything she knows and loves is destroyed. Relying on the everyday courage and kindness of friends and strangers, Sara fights for survival, finding hope in the unlikeliest of places. A companion book to her beloved novel Wonder, Palacio’s graphic novel debut is a harrowing but ultimately inspiring read. - Katherine

Moth Hush loves fun witchy stuff. So she’s delighted to discover she’s a real-life witch from a line of powerful witches. But being a witch isn’t all fun and games. The historical bits add gravitas to this tale, making it one full of humor (Mr. Laszlo, Moth’s familiar, is one quippy cat) and heart. Fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jameison are sure to love this story about families, identity, and finding a place where you belong. - Stephanie

It’s the crossover everyone’s been waiting for: Zita the Spacegirl & Mighty Jack get an adventure together! When an army of creatures bent on destruction attempt to portal to Earth, it’s up to the dynamic duo and their friends to save the day in this out-of-this world adventure. A great place for new readers to jump in, this story’s sure to please long-time devotees of Zita and Jack, and is a perfect choice for fans of Amulet and Cleopatra in Space. - Stephanie

Meet Jordan, an African American boy attending a prestigious New York middle school where he’s torn between two worlds—rich and working class, black and white. On the first page, Jordan says, “This is how I feel every single day of my life, like I’m falling without a parachute,” and illustrates his experiences (via a book within the book) with insight and ironic humor that all young students, especially students of color, will really appreciate. A humorous yet poignant story. - Noreen

If you don’t know Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, you need to correct that immediately! Lunella (a.k.a. Moon Girl) is a nine-year-old genius who teams up with Devil Dinosaur when he appears in her modern-day NYC neighborhood. Can Moon Girl solve the mystery of her own DNA, field havoc-wreaking cavemen and aliens bent on destruction, and still make it home for dinner? Full of laughter and lots of heart, this story of finding one’s voice is sure to delight. - Jax