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This beautiful interpretation of Victor and Nora’s relationship is essential for all graphic novel fans, especially lovers of superheroes.
PREMIUM
Rise Up
Walz brings his trilogy to a satisfying conclusion. A must for fans of the earlier installments.
Jennings paints an initially terrifying reality, highlighting the vulnerability of self-discovery and the tension of being from two different worlds and cultures. Part horror, part magical realism, this #OwnVoices story is a worthwhile addition to any collection.
PREMIUM
Juliet Takes a Breath
This comics version captures the intensity and brilliance of the source material and adds a layer of palpability to the coming-of-age tale. A strong choice for older teens.
PREMIUM
I’m a Wild Seed
De La Cruz’s work distinguishes itself from other memoirs in her recognition of how internalized stereotypes can stand in the way of self-acceptance.
A fun, straightforward graphic novel series for young readers interested in comical superhero type characters without too much drama.
PREMIUM
My Last Summer with Cass
A beautifully depicted friendship and self-discovery story that misses the mark. An additional purchase.
PREMIUM
The Backups: A Summer of Stardom
Come for the wacky shenanigans; stay for the heartfelt friendships. Ideal for teen pop enthusiasts.
PREMIUM
The Battle of the Bards
A solid purchase for libraries where graphic novels are popular, but for collections already familiar with Rickety, this one is a must.
A surefire recommendation for fans of the latest comics revival as well as the classic chapter books. Purchase alongside The Big Lie wherever adventure mysteries are in demand.
PREMIUM
The Spy Who Raised Me
This story of a girl secretly turned spy wrestles with an intriguing plot but fails to deliver.
PREMIUM
Tater Invaders!
The simple story and zany humor make this a fun and accessible comic adventure for even the most reluctant readers.
PREMIUM
Lemonade Code
A delightful addition to middle grade collections, this could introduce new readers to comics. For existing readers of comics like Captain Underpants, this can serve as a gateway comic to weirder fare.
PREMIUM
Girl Haven
Spunky, sweet, and full of magical high jinks, this is a first purchase wherever fantasy adventure comics are popular, and especially where titles by Noelle Stevenson and K. O’Neill circulate well.
PREMIUM
The Tiger’s Eye
With groan-worthy puns, light action, and loose, predictable plotting, these read more like books-by-committee than a youthful take on detective stories.
PREMIUM
Cat Ninja
Bright, funny, and brimming with kid appeal. It’ll be hard to keep this one on shelves, and readers will quickly demand a sequel.
Flash Facts is a new collection of short comics about science and technology featuring DC superheroes. Here's an exclusive preview of "Home Sweet Space" with Supergirl, written by Cecil Castellucci.
PREMIUM
Oh My Gods!
Sure to be a hit among readers seeking an exciting mystery with mythological flair. Purchase where Rick Riordan’s series are popular.
Those without a solid grounding in the graphic novel format may have a hard time making it through. Still, for intrepid readers, this is a thought-provoking tale of plant hybridization gone awry that will spur discussion on food genetic modification and business ethics.
PREMIUM
Katie the Catsitter
A winsome mix of adventure, humor, and realistic middle grade problems, ideal for readers seeking the whimsy of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” tempered with the reassuring tone of Raina Telgemeier’s work.
PREMIUM
The Leak
An absorbing work that emphasizes that even the youngest voices can have a resounding impact.
PREMIUM
Martian Ghost Centaur
Readers will appreciate this campy adventure that has touches of “Scott Pilgrim” and “Lumberjanes” and ends on a valuable message about maintaining boundaries between work and identity.
PREMIUM
Delicates
A strong second foray into Marjorie and Wendell’s slightly spooky world, this tale will be best appreciated by readers who can maturely manage difficult content about depression and suicidal thoughts.
PREMIUM
Averee
Though fans of speculative tales in the vein of Black Mirror will appreciate this one, so will anyone who loves friendship stories, such as Faith Erin Hicks’s One Year at Ellsmere. A good entry point for those unfamiliar with comics, too.
This fantastical, stunning tale shines in both story and artwork; a must for libraries serving teens.
PREMIUM
The Curie Society
Budding scientists and fans of exciting graphic novels are in for a rollicking journey that stresses that women in STEM truly are better together.
Despite occasionally clunky storytelling, this series starter will prompt teens to ask how they can make the world a better place. Perfect for fans of “Ms. Marvel” and “Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man.”
PREMIUM
Blue, Barry & Pancakes
Riotously entertaining. Readers will look forward to more adventures with this quirky trio.
Simon and Chester make a delightful detective duo; aspiring sleuths will snap this one up.
PREMIUM
Witches of Brooklyn
Hand to readers looking for a cozy fantasy like Eiko Kadono’s Kiki’s Delivery Service or Katie O’Neill’s The Tea Dragon Society.
A funny, ridiculous journey into space infused with a thoughtful ecological message.
Children who recruit anyone and anything nearby to set the stage for their imaginative play will have no trouble keeping up with Lola.
PREMIUM
The Adoption
An aching drama filled with family triumphs and tensions. For libraries with strong graphic novel collections.
PREMIUM
Forever Home
Announce this presence to upper elementary and middle grade readers who love their spook tempered with fun.
PREMIUM
Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic
Great for fans of the “Hilda” tales and Adventure Time, this title is a recommended purchase, especially for collections that include the first book.
PREMIUM
Anne of Green Gables
A strong choice where manga and graphic novel adaptations are popular. Fans of the original and historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy. This can be read alone or alongside the prose novel to enhance the experience.
PREMIUM
We Found a Monster
Sweet rather than scary, this tale of loyalty and friendship is sure to delight fans of supernaturally silly stories that avoid full horror.
A strong start to this trilogy about the last days of Krypton. Will thrill Superman fans and action fans alike.
A satisfying continuation of the first book; fantasy and graphic novel readers, especially those who love Rick Riordan, will enjoy reading more of Nico’s escapades.
PREMIUM
Pacey Packer: Unicorn Tracker
Action and imaginative peril propel this girl-powered story of bad unicorns in a magic land. Readers will look forward to more smart-mouth heroics from Pacey and Slasher.
Verse meets illustration in an animal adventure that sees each format enhance the other.
PREMIUM
Julian in Purgatory
Though the book would benefit from the inclusion of addiction resources, the accessible story and strong art make it a poignant examination of the toll addiction takes, both on those who are addicted and those in their orbit.
PREMIUM
Graveyard Wars: Vol. 1
Mature readers who do not mind being kept in the dark will find this a fun action story.
This cute mystery with a flair for natural history makes for a solid secondary purchase.
PREMIUM
Dinomighty!
This absurd team-up tale is chaotic in the best way. Recommended for kids looking to branch out from Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” series.
PREMIUM
The Invasion
Sure to be a hit, this looks to be a strong start to a new graphic novel series for young readers.
PREMIUM
Measuring Up
Purchase wherever feel-good family stories are in demand, and recommend especially to readers who love cooking-filled comics.
PREMIUM
The Witches: The Graphic Novel
Warts and all, whether witches or Dahl, the book will be devoured by readers and shared widely among peers.
PREMIUM
The Sacrifice of Darkness
The quest for love, identity, and the power of family carries Gay’s adaptation. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Kevin Panetta’s Bloom or Tillie Walden’s Are You Listening??
In the latest installment of "Stellar Panels," Brigid Alverson recommends graphic works that use the medium to teach how government works and how to change it.
Recommended only for libraries with high demand for Disney properties.
PREMIUM
Pistouvi
A dreamscape of a graphic novel about the changing friendship between a young fox and his best friend. A good additional purchase.
Like other graphic novelizations of canonical works, this adaptation explicitly intended to serve an auxiliary role stands as its own immersive accomplishment.
A promising start to a new series that embraces friendship, action, and teamwork; sure to find an audience in any library serving young audiences.
Reynolds’s words paint pictures of their own in this tragic yet poignant illustrated tale that offers no answers to the seemingly impossible choices some communities face.
A must-read for middle grade comics lovers. Expect high demand from fans of comics like those by Svetlana Chmakova, Jerry Craft, and Raina Telgemeier.
Lightning strikes twice as Craft again produces a funny and appealing yet sensitive and nuanced middle grade tale of inequity and microaggressions.
A frank Q&A with First Second publisher Mark Siegel on the desire to look beneath the surface and ask difficult questions, as well as his quest to build a better world through comics.
A roundup of manga covering a range of sports, from soccer and basketball to ice skating and volleball. Most geared for grades 8 and up.
Hey, friends! It’s been quite awhile since we’ve done a comics roundup here at TLT, so here’s a few MG and YA comics and graphic novels releasing in September and October that you might be interested in! Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse. September 1. Random House Graphic. Effie has a new life with new […]
PREMIUM
The Tea Dragon Tapestry
As comforting and emotive as the autumnal palette, this work tugs at the heartstrings as it champions love and inspires finding home in those you most care about.
PREMIUM
Mega-Dogs of New Kansas
This space age graphic novel doesn’t quite live up to its premise, but dog fans will be pleased.
A super-cute, heartstring-strumming, accessible rendition.
An obvious buy for those that already have plenty of titles featuring Greco-Roman and Norse deities.
PREMIUM
Last Dance
Light on horror, heavy on personal responsibility in the cutthroat world of ballet.
PREMIUM
My Riot
Narrative missteps detract from a story of making bold moves to find one’s place in the world.
PREMIUM
Fox & Rabbit Make Believe
Confectionary days of ice cream and playgrounds, coupled with cooperation and respectful communication, make this an easy recommendation for young readers.
Though the text is a little too dense for early elementary schoolers to read on their own, slightly older students will snatch this one up. Funny, punny, fearless, and even corny, Smith is a master wordsmith with an innate sense of what makes children chuckle.
PREMIUM
Fantastic Tales of Nothing
A new contender for Kazu Kibuishi and Ethan M. Aldridge die-hards (with a higher page count to boot).
Curato has created a beautiful story of a teen who must decide if he will force himself into the mold of what he thinks a “normal” boy is, or if he can allow himself to live life on his own terms. An essential book that shows readers that they are never alone in their struggles.
Majestic artwork, a burgeoning friendship, and the promise of adventure keep the pages turning in this to-be-continued tale. For readers who enjoyed Ryan Andrew’s This Was Our Pact and Kazu Kibuishi’s “Amulet” series.
PREMIUM
Mister Invincible: Local Hero
This mind-bending and fun escape from the confines of reality will entice readers looking for a collection with a hint of newspaper comics nostalgia.
A bright pick-me-up in the form of strong friendships and aspirational career daydreams.
Here’s some news for Avatar the Last Airbender fans: Toph Beifong will get her own spinoff graphic novel series, Avatar: The Last Airbender—Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy, to be published by Dark Horse in February 2021. Faith Erin Hicks, who took over as writer from Gene Luen Yang, is the writer for this graphic novel as well, […]
PREMIUM
Smoove City
Hand to graphic novel enthusiasts who enjoy quirky art and pop culture satire. For large collections.
PREMIUM
Shark and Bot
Shove Shark and Bot into the bottomless pit that is the elementary schooler’s appetite for funny graphic novel chapter books.
PREMIUM
The Inkberg Enigma
Leaving readers with a satisfying open-ending, teasing at the potential for more stories to come, this tale will have readers searching for further clues on their own.
PREMIUM
Maurice and His Dictionary
Succinct and sincere; another accessible middle grade window into World War II.
PREMIUM
Girl on Fire
An engaging title with an entertaining story and deft use of color and design. The clever premise will entice readers, who will eagerly anticipate future installments in this new series.
A quick, cute, and obvious elementary whodunit.
PREMIUM
Séance Tea Party
A beautifully illustrated, bittersweet coming-of-age story for anyone grappling with the joy and sorrow of growing up, growing old, and moving on.
PREMIUM
Max Meow: Cat Crusader
Fans of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” series will love this quirky graphic novel.
PREMIUM
King of the Birds
Crows get their day in the sun, both as protagonist and subject. Give this to readers who enjoy animal friendships and learning a thing or two along the way.
PREMIUM
Donut Feed the Squirrels
Independent readers will devour this sweet and scrumptious heist story.
PREMIUM
Wild Thing: Or My Life as a Wolf
An intriguing, colorful read, intentional in execution and ripe for discussion on liberty and interconnectedness.
Cookie and Broccoli find that communication is key, and this story, read independently or with an adult, is a great start to a conversation between early elementary students and their grown-ups about kind, confident social interaction.
PREMIUM
Asterix
While clever wordplay and wit are abundant in this historical romp, like many cartoons produced in the last century, it is also ripe with racist stereotypes and offensive visuals. For adult collectors and collections; not appropriate for school or public library collections serving young readers.
Though middle graders will appreciate this one, it will resonate with graphic novel lovers of all ages.
These graphic novels—all featuring girls as the main characters—bring the camp experience to life, complete with campfires, cabins, and cliques. For kids stuck at home due to COVID-19, a good camping book is the next best thing to being there—maybe better, depending on how you feel about spiders.
A tween reviews several recent graphic novels including Click, Camp, The Breakaways, Snapdragon and Be Prepared
Sure to delight children looking for a cozy adventure, as well as fans of the series.
Lois Lane’s colorful riot of an adventure will entice readers of “Lumberjanes” and devotees of Raina Telgemeier and Svetlana Chmakova.
This is a series to watch and one that fantasy fans are likely to return to.
A lighthearted romp through sibling rivalry and school-age chaos. Recommended where Dav Pilkey is popular.
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