Elementary/Middle Grade | Young Adult
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE-GRADE GRAPHIC NOVELS
Anzu and the Realm of Darkness: A Graphic Novel
Mai K. Nguyen, illustrated by Mai K. Nguyen
Viking Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Gary Anderson
Anzu and the Realm of Darkness takes readers into the mythological Japanese underworld called Yomi. Anzu inadvertantly finds herself there after following the dog who stole her necklace through a rift. Anzu must leave Yomi quickly or stay there forever. She finds herself pulled into a conflict between Queen Izanami and the Gatekeeper (the dog) of Yomi. Throughout her journey, Anzu must find her voice and courage in order to save not only herself, but other children the queen has imprisoned. Not only is Anzu and the Realm of Darkness an exciting adventure story but it’s a story of learning to speak up for yourself and others.
Continental Drifter
Kathy MacLeod
First Second Books
Nominated by: Christopher Helton
In Continental Drifter, Kathy, the daughter of a Thai mother and an American father, feels the tug of two different cultures but isn’t sure where she truly belongs. In Thailand, she dreams of summers in Maine filled with clam chowder and blueberry pie. But when she’s there, she feels like the outsider, standing apart from the kids who’ve known each other forever. This heartfelt story explores the experience of feeling caught between places and identities, capturing the ups and downs of making new friends and finding confidence in who you are. With a relatable voice and engaging storytelling, Continental Drifter speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they’re on the edge of fitting in, but not quite there yet.
Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze
Maple Lam
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Maureen T
In this clever and engaging myth-blending graphic novel, the titular Sun Wukong (Monkey King) is invincible. Yet, he doubts his place in the world, yearning to be a god instead of a beast. After getting caught gatecrashing the Heavenly Kingdom, Wukong is offered an irresistible challenge: help the gods hunt down monsters infected with an evil energy known as Yao-Qi and in return, they’ll make him one of their own. Accompanied by an unusual sidekick (the most adorable Cerberus ever!) and armed with his magic staff, quick wit and irrepressible bravado, Wukong journeys to Athens, Greece to confront the horrific Minotaur. In the ensuing battle, Wukong uncovers the bull-headed creature’s sad story while discovering what it means to be a true hero and how to earn the affection and love of others. Rib-tickling humour and universal themes make this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Pearl: A Graphic Novel
Sherri L. Smith, illustrated by Christine Norrie
GRAPHIX
Nominated by: BradB
In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, Pearl by Sherri L. Smith and illustrated Christine Norrie, tells the story of a young teenage Japanese-American girl from Hawaii who gets stuck in Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On a trip to visit family, Amy is challenged by both language and cultural barriers as she tries to adjust to visiting her extended family. She has to navigate the experience of her Japanese heritage with her American upbringing. But once the war closes the borders, she faces questions of loyalty as she is conscripted to translate wire transmissions for the Japanese army in Hiroshima. When she hears rumors of internment camps in the United States, her fears for her family complicates her stance on loyalty as she struggles to survive the war. Powerful imagery and storytelling explores themes of loyalty, family and nationality in this historical tale told from a new perspective.
Puzzled: A Memoir about Growing Up with OCD
Pan Cooke, illustrated by Pan Cooke
Rocky Pond Books
Nominated by: Rachael
We found Puzzled to be a deeply emotional graphic novel that combines expressive artwork with a poignant exploration of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Through the perspective of its main character, the book thoughtfully portrays the inner turmoil and struggles of managing OCD, emphasizing the confusion and isolation that often accompany the condition. The title handles the subject with compassion and sensitivity, offering readers a nuanced understanding of mental health while showing the power of self-acceptance and support.
Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back
Ruth Chan
Roaring Brook Press
Publisher/ Author Submission
What would you do if you had to uproot your entire life and move to a country that you’ve rarely visited? Ruth Chan takes an interesting spin on this question and the new kid archetype as she recounts her family moving from Toronto to Hong Kong. With true-to-life descriptions and illustrations about living in Hong Kong and a compelling storyline about Ruth adjusting to life in Hong Kong, readers will not get enough of this book and maybe even want to visit Hong Kong.
We Are Big Time: (A Graphic Novel)
Hena Khan, illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Corian Clark
Readers will cheer for this all-girl Muslim basketball team in a story inspired by actual events. Aliya is the new kid in a Wisconsin school, having moved from Florida, and joins the basketball team. As the team starts winning games, the focus is on the girls: or rather, their cultural identity. The team perseveres through racism, microaggressions, and the friction between Aliya and her co-captain. Khan gives all of the players voice in this compulsively readable story that gives readers a sports story with heart.
YOUNG ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS
Age 16
Rosena Fung
Annick Press
Nominated by: Rosemary Kiladitis
Spanning three generations of a family’s history, Fung reminds readers that Age 16 isn’t always sweet. Mei Laan consents to an arranged marriage in order to leave her rural China home in 1954. Lydia, her daughter, heads to Toronto in 1972 to escape her mother’s harsh criticism. Roz struggles with her weight and self-image in 2000. Mei Laan visits her daughter and granddaughter, bringing years of frustration to a head. Flashbacks tell each woman’s story at age 16 and conversations and character interaction peel away layers of emotion and trauma. Fung skillfully blends three individuals across three generations at a pivotal age to illustrate that key issues facing women never seem to change, while new challenges pop up all the time.
Ash’s Cabin
Jen Wang
First Second Books
Nominated by: Sondra Eklund
In this gorgeously illustrated, earth-tones-hued graphic novel, sixteen-year-old Ash plots their boldest plan yet: to find their grandfather’s secret cabin in the forest and to stay there forever. Trouble is, no one knows if the cabin exists or not, but Ash is determined to find it. Armed with wilderness skills gleaned from books and Grandpa’s old journals, brave and resourceful Ash trades in the world in which they feel misunderstood for the unknown of the Great Outdoors. Ash’s poignant story of survival and self-identity will captivate and inspire hope in anyone who has ever felt lost, ignored and disappointed by humanity.
Brownstone
Samuel Teer, illustrated by Mar Julia
Versify
Nominated by: Kristen
Coming of age is difficult enough without having to parent your own forgetful mother. But when Almudena’s white mother drops her off for the summer to live with the Guatemalan father she never knew while she is on a dance tour, turning 15 gets a lot more challenging. Her father, Xavier, is happy to have her with him. The two of them try to connect over the renovation of a brownstone that Xavier hopes will counteract the gentrification affecting his neighborhood’s rents. However, Almudena must navigate both language and cultural barriers that she is not used too. She has to rely on her father’s girlfriend to translate and feels out of place in the very close community that she now lives in. But as she gets to know and understand those in her father’s community, she realizes that one summer might not be enough time for the two of them to spend with each other. This is a hopeful story about navigating your cultural heritage, community and family when you feel like an outsider
Homebody
Theo Parish, illustrated by Theo Parish
HarperAlley
Nominated by: Tamara S
Homebody is a tender and introspective journey of self-discovery, following Theo as they navigate the often rigid and unspoken expectations of gender in high school. Through a mix of traditional comics and journal-like reflections, Theo’s story is personal but deeply relatable, offering comfort and affirmation to anyone questioning their identity or exploring new facets of themselves. Told with warmth and understanding, Homebody emphasizes that finding your true self is a process—one that’s allowed to shift, pause, and evolve and the idea that home can exist within us.
Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account
Ernesto Saade, illustrated by Ernesto Saade
Graphic Universe
Nominated by: Ry Ry
Just Another Story follows Carlos and his mother, Elena, as they make their way from El Salvador to the United States. While fictionalized, the story is based on the experiences of thousands of immigrants wanting to start a new life in the U.S. Facing many challenges and dangers, Carlos struggles with anger at his mother for choosing to make the journey. As Carlos shares his story with his cousin, Ernesto, readers get a reminder that each immigrant has a story to tell. Told through the powerful images and text, readers can’t help but empathize with Carlos and his mother and their struggles. Just Another Story is an emotionally powerful story of resilience and hope despite seemingly impossible circumstances.
No Rules Tonight: A Graphic Novel
Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada, illustrated by Ryan Estrada
Penguin Workshop
Nominated by: Jacob C.
Set amidst a repressive South Korean government that wasn’t too long ago, readers gain insight on how the hopes and dreams of young people still thrive even under the hardest times in this companion novel to Banned Book Club. Kim Hyun Sook and her folk dance troupe travel to the mountains for their one night of “freedom” on Christmas Eve in this graphic novel.
Safe Passage
G. Neri, illustrated by David Brame
Tu Books
Nominated by: Richetta
Safe Passage by G. Neri is a powerful graphic novel that uses its artwork to vividly depict the harsh realities of gang violence in south side Chicago. The story explores the difficult choices the young protagonists face, as well as the ways people within these communities strive to bring about positive change despite the overwhelming challenges. The book highlights the resilience of individuals who, through small acts of courage and solidarity, work to carve out safe spaces and fight for a better future amidst the chaos.