Great Graphic Novels
2020-21 Recommendations
Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
After Tyler's freshman year of college, she found out her mom had cancer. By spring break of her sophomore year, her mom was dead. Tyler, who loved and admired her mother, now had to navigate the world without her. She quickly discovered that American society does not quite know how to deal with death, so she has often felt so alone as she has worked to process her grief. Tyler created this graphic memoir to share her honest account of how it was to lose a parent at such a young age and how her mom's death continues to affect her. She wanted other young people going through this to feel seen and to help those around them better support those who are struggling with a loss of this magnitude. She also uses this book as a love letter to her mom, and it is heartwarming to know her mom will now be known and beloved by the world. Every daughter will want to read this celebration of a mom's love. Feder's depiction of her mom is so real you can almost smell her mom's signature cocoa butter hand cream. As a reader your heart will grow big as Tyler shares her intimate relationship with her family and her grief. Be warned: This book can cause gut-wrenching sobs, so you may not want to read it in a public place. However, you need to read it. This book is definitely one of the best books that I have read this year. Highly, highly recommended!
After Tyler's freshman year of college, she found out her mom had cancer. By spring break of her sophomore year, her mom was dead. Tyler, who loved and admired her mother, now had to navigate the world without her. She quickly discovered that American society does not quite know how to deal with death, so she has often felt so alone as she has worked to process her grief. Tyler created this graphic memoir to share her honest account of how it was to lose a parent at such a young age and how her mom's death continues to affect her. She wanted other young people going through this to feel seen and to help those around them better support those who are struggling with a loss of this magnitude. She also uses this book as a love letter to her mom, and it is heartwarming to know her mom will now be known and beloved by the world. Every daughter will want to read this celebration of a mom's love. Feder's depiction of her mom is so real you can almost smell her mom's signature cocoa butter hand cream. As a reader your heart will grow big as Tyler shares her intimate relationship with her family and her grief. Be warned: This book can cause gut-wrenching sobs, so you may not want to read it in a public place. However, you need to read it. This book is definitely one of the best books that I have read this year. Highly, highly recommended!
Fence by C.S. Pacat
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Charlie is a 10th grader at British all-boys school. After he was outed as gay last year, he survived bullying year, and this year seems to be going better. It gets especially better when he meets Nick, a relaxed and kind rugby player. As they become teammates and friends, Charlie can't stop himself for falling for this boy who goes out of his way to care for and protect him. Based on Nick's dating history, Charlie knows that his feelings will probably be unrequited, but as the boys get closer, Charlie begins to have hope. Heartstopper is a WebToon that is so popular that it got published, and I can see why. This gentle yet honest story will make your heart stop as you cheer for Charlie and Nick to come together. Oseman deftly balance the ability to make her characters lovable and realistic, and readers will not be able to stop themselves from falling in love. I cannot wait for the next volume in the series! Highly, highly recommended!
Charlie is a 10th grader at British all-boys school. After he was outed as gay last year, he survived bullying year, and this year seems to be going better. It gets especially better when he meets Nick, a relaxed and kind rugby player. As they become teammates and friends, Charlie can't stop himself for falling for this boy who goes out of his way to care for and protect him. Based on Nick's dating history, Charlie knows that his feelings will probably be unrequited, but as the boys get closer, Charlie begins to have hope. Heartstopper is a WebToon that is so popular that it got published, and I can see why. This gentle yet honest story will make your heart stop as you cheer for Charlie and Nick to come together. Oseman deftly balance the ability to make her characters lovable and realistic, and readers will not be able to stop themselves from falling in love. I cannot wait for the next volume in the series! Highly, highly recommended!
Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
After graphic novel author and high school computer teacher Gene Luen Yang finished his last book, he was not sure what he wanted to write about next. Then, he heard students talking about how this year would finally be the year their boy's basketball team would win the state championship. Although the Dragons had been to the state championship finals many times, they had yet to win the title. Yang didn't know anything about basketball, but he felt like this was the story he needed to tell. As he gets to know the boy's basketball coach and the players on the team and began following the games, Yang starts to fall in love with game of basketball. As the Dragons fight to make it to the championship, Yang knows this is an epic story that will change everyone involved. Yang's story is interspersed with basketball history, so this is the perfect read for basketball fans and for anyone looking for an inspirational story. I read this in one setting, and this is an exceptional basketball story and graphic novel. Highly, highly recommended!
After graphic novel author and high school computer teacher Gene Luen Yang finished his last book, he was not sure what he wanted to write about next. Then, he heard students talking about how this year would finally be the year their boy's basketball team would win the state championship. Although the Dragons had been to the state championship finals many times, they had yet to win the title. Yang didn't know anything about basketball, but he felt like this was the story he needed to tell. As he gets to know the boy's basketball coach and the players on the team and began following the games, Yang starts to fall in love with game of basketball. As the Dragons fight to make it to the championship, Yang knows this is an epic story that will change everyone involved. Yang's story is interspersed with basketball history, so this is the perfect read for basketball fans and for anyone looking for an inspirational story. I read this in one setting, and this is an exceptional basketball story and graphic novel. Highly, highly recommended!
2019-20 Recommendations
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
As kids, we are told America is the great melting pot, the land of the free where no one is discriminated against. At age 4, George Takei discovered how false this statement was when he woke up to find his family was being forced to leave their home, jobs, and most belongings behind and was sent to a detention center with other Japanese Americans. George's family did nothing wrong and had been in American more than one generation. They just happened to be Japanese American in 1942, when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese, which gave America license to give into racial prejudice, fear, and hate. George's family, and all other Japanese Americans, lost everything when their finances and homes were seized. In this graphic novel, George shares his family's experiences and how this event dramatically changed the lives of all American citizens with a Japanese heritage. America vowed never to let prejudice and fear win again. Read this book to learn about one of America's greatest mistakes, so we are not sentenced to repeat it again. This is an essential story to read as we continue to detain more people at our border. George Takei, who went on to become famous for his role as Captain Sulu in Star Trek, has become a human rights activist whose words inspire empathy and kindness. Becker's black and white images mirror George's innocence as a young child who is protected by his parents as they deal with a horrific reality. The reader will mimic George's move from innocence to anger as he realizes what has happened to his family and all other Japanese Americans. This is a moving introduction to a terrible event in American history, and it should be incorporated into all American history classes. Highly, highly recommended!
As kids, we are told America is the great melting pot, the land of the free where no one is discriminated against. At age 4, George Takei discovered how false this statement was when he woke up to find his family was being forced to leave their home, jobs, and most belongings behind and was sent to a detention center with other Japanese Americans. George's family did nothing wrong and had been in American more than one generation. They just happened to be Japanese American in 1942, when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese, which gave America license to give into racial prejudice, fear, and hate. George's family, and all other Japanese Americans, lost everything when their finances and homes were seized. In this graphic novel, George shares his family's experiences and how this event dramatically changed the lives of all American citizens with a Japanese heritage. America vowed never to let prejudice and fear win again. Read this book to learn about one of America's greatest mistakes, so we are not sentenced to repeat it again. This is an essential story to read as we continue to detain more people at our border. George Takei, who went on to become famous for his role as Captain Sulu in Star Trek, has become a human rights activist whose words inspire empathy and kindness. Becker's black and white images mirror George's innocence as a young child who is protected by his parents as they deal with a horrific reality. The reader will mimic George's move from innocence to anger as he realizes what has happened to his family and all other Japanese Americans. This is a moving introduction to a terrible event in American history, and it should be incorporated into all American history classes. Highly, highly recommended!
Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu
Eric Bittle, aka Bitty, is a former figure skating champ turned hockey player. Bitty is from Georgia, loves baking pies, constantly vlogs about his life, and likes boys. Luckily for him, his college teammates like him as he is, especially when his skating skills help the team win games. Check Please! follows Bitty's experiences in college and his role on his hockey team, the Samwell Wellies. This graphic novel is a "Bitty" masterpiece. Scenes depicting crazy college/hockey hijinks are honestly portrayed with very colorful (and honest) language and are hilarious. However, Bitty's journey as he becomes the heart of his team and falls in love will is so endearing and sweet. I think I reread the ending five times because Ukazu's text and images were so romantic and heartfelt. You won't be able to stop yourself from cheering for Bitty's success. My students who have read this have now headed to the webcomic to read the rest of the story. I can't wait for the second part. This graphic novel is better than one of Bitty's pies. Highly, highly recommended!
Eric Bittle, aka Bitty, is a former figure skating champ turned hockey player. Bitty is from Georgia, loves baking pies, constantly vlogs about his life, and likes boys. Luckily for him, his college teammates like him as he is, especially when his skating skills help the team win games. Check Please! follows Bitty's experiences in college and his role on his hockey team, the Samwell Wellies. This graphic novel is a "Bitty" masterpiece. Scenes depicting crazy college/hockey hijinks are honestly portrayed with very colorful (and honest) language and are hilarious. However, Bitty's journey as he becomes the heart of his team and falls in love will is so endearing and sweet. I think I reread the ending five times because Ukazu's text and images were so romantic and heartfelt. You won't be able to stop yourself from cheering for Bitty's success. My students who have read this have now headed to the webcomic to read the rest of the story. I can't wait for the second part. This graphic novel is better than one of Bitty's pies. Highly, highly recommended!
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Prince Sebastian's parents may be planning his wedding, but he has very different plans. He has a secret identity. He loves to dress in stunning dresses, transforming into Lady Crystallia. With the help of Frances, a talented, young dressmaker, Lady Crystallia becomes the toast of Paris. Everyone wants to dress like her. In order to keep Crystallia's true identity secret, Frances must stay a secret, which is stifling the future of the talented designer. With so many secrets, it is only a matter of time before the truth is uncovered. In its wake, the prince and Frances will find out who truly loves them, the power of forgiveness, and what the future can be for those who dream. My daughter read this graphic novel before me, and she loved it so much that she read it seven times in a row! I read it, and I fell in love as well with this story of complex characters, beautiful dresses, unyielding dreams, and true love. This modern day fairy tale is gem that readers of every age will treasure. I have read many graphic novels, and this is one of the best ever. Highly, highly recommended!
Prince Sebastian's parents may be planning his wedding, but he has very different plans. He has a secret identity. He loves to dress in stunning dresses, transforming into Lady Crystallia. With the help of Frances, a talented, young dressmaker, Lady Crystallia becomes the toast of Paris. Everyone wants to dress like her. In order to keep Crystallia's true identity secret, Frances must stay a secret, which is stifling the future of the talented designer. With so many secrets, it is only a matter of time before the truth is uncovered. In its wake, the prince and Frances will find out who truly loves them, the power of forgiveness, and what the future can be for those who dream. My daughter read this graphic novel before me, and she loved it so much that she read it seven times in a row! I read it, and I fell in love as well with this story of complex characters, beautiful dresses, unyielding dreams, and true love. This modern day fairy tale is gem that readers of every age will treasure. I have read many graphic novels, and this is one of the best ever. Highly, highly recommended!
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Osterag
Mooncakes by Wendy Zu and Suzanne Walker