New Graphic Novels to Add to Your Shelf
Taxi Ghost By Sophie Escabasse
In this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel, a young girl's first period brings an unexpected gift: the ability to see ghosts! As she meets these spectral visitors, she uncovers her family's secret lineage of mediums, while learning about the power of compassion and community.
Adèle just wants to spend her winter break at the library, cozied up with her favorite books, and completely forgetting abut her friends who are all traveling to warmer climates. Unfortunately, life has other plans...not only does Adèle get her first period...but she learns she comes from a long line of mediums!
And if seeing ghosts wasn't enough of a surprise, Adèle learns that not only can she interact with them, but apparently, they've been using her sister's car to get around the city for years! When the ghosts won't leave her alone Adèle starts to get to know about them and their problems. Maybe helping them out will be just what she needs for an exciting winter break!
From Sophie Escabasse, the author of the beloved Witches of Brooklyn, comes a brilliant graphic novel that explores growing up and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.
Sunset of the Sabertooth Graphic Novel By Mary Pope Osborne; adapted by Jenny Laird; illustrated by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews
Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked away to the Ice Age on a frozen adventure with brother-and-sister team Jack and Annie in the #1 bestselling chapter book series, now available as graphic novels!
The Ice Age is super cool…for two kids in bathing suits! Jack and Annie nearly freeze when the magic tree house whisks them back to the time of cave bears, early humans, and woolly mammoths. But nothing can stop them from having another wild adventure—not even a sabertooth!
For the first time in graphic novel--live the adventure again with new full-color vibrant art that brings the magic to life!
Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Tiny Forest Adventure By Emma Steinkellner
Nell of Gumbling and her diary are back! From the bestselling author of The Okay Witch comes another adventure from a twelve-year-old girl living an ordinary life in a magical land. Will an epically enchanted camping trip gone wrong...turn out fantastically right?
Welcome back to Gumbling—Nell Starkeeper's extremely normal fairy-tale hometown. And things couldn't be more happily-ever-awesome, because Nell is about to go on a Gumbling rite of passage—the Multi-Disciplinary Wilderness Engagement Adventure—when all of the seventh graders spend a whole week in the forest! Sure, it’s an Enchanted Forest that’s full of gumblecreatures, where your most secret wish could be granted at any moment, but that’s nothing unusual around here.
What’s REALLY magical is that Nell gets to be on a team with ALL her best friends, learning about nature stuff and teamwork and having their very own campout (including roasting marshmallows)! Great friends + forest fun = best summer ever…
Except her Thumbkin friend Gil has been a bit of a grump lately. And everyone's secret crushes are making things super awkward...So when the whole gang gets shrunk down to Thumbkin size after a wish gone wrong, Nell's problems get a whole lot bigger. Can Nell and her friends find a way to work together and celebrate each other’s strengths AND vulnerabilities...or will this camp-out be a GIANT disaster?
Turning Twelve By Kathryn Ormsbee; Illustrated by Molly Brooks
Turning twelve means big changes for Katie--first bra, first time babysitting, and a first crush that she knows not everyone will approve of, From the creators of the acclaimed graphic novel Growing Pangs, comes another pitch-perfect coming-of-age graphic novel, set in the same beloved universe.
What if a friend...is more than a friend?
Katie can't wait to turn twelve--pool parties! babysitting! friends! But sometimes it feels like there's so much new stuff she can barely keep up. First Job? (Yes!) Unfair dress codes? (No way!) Make up (Okay?!) Shaving? (Uh…!) Maybe growing up isn't as much fun as she had expected. But one thing does seem right--her new friend, Grace. Could Katie have a crush on another girl? Katie knows not everyone around her will approve...which is kind of scary. She might not be ready to tell anyone yet, and that’s fine...but can Katie stay true to herself and embrace the person she's growing up to be?
“Twelve cheers for TURNING TWELVE! Readers will root for Katie as she navigates seventh grade and stays true to her own heart.”—Megan Wagner Lloyd, author of Allergic
Katie the Catsitter 4: The Purrfect Plan By Colleen AF Venable; illustrated by Stephanie Yue
Katie the Catsitter is back with her next adventure, and this time she may need the help of an . . . elephant? This irresistibly fun, bestselling, girl—and cat—power graphic novel series is perfect for fans of Sweet Valley Twins and the Babysitters Club!
"A little evil and a whole lotta fun." --Kirkus Reviews
WANTED: TOP SECRET PLAN
Katie is rocking 7th grade and being a superhero sidekick, so when a new threat puts the whole city in danger she's ready to spring into action! She'll just need one super secret plan, a little help from her friends (okay a lot of help!), an invitation to the city's fanciest party, 217 slightly unusual cats, and . . . maybe a new superhero outfit. Can Katie pull off the plan of the century?! Get ready for more drama, more disguises, more fun, more friends, more secrets and more surprises than ever before! (Plus cats, definitely more cats!)
Bonus: Don't miss the Which Cat Are You Quiz inside!
Greater Secrets By Ananth Hirsh and Tess Stone
In a family gifted with the ability to see a mysterious light in the distance, one teen embarks on a fantastical journey to find her missing sister, and finally answer the question: is this ancestral gift a blessing or a curse? This surreal graphic novel is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Mariko Tamaki.
Maya’s family is cursed.
Or blessed, it depends on who you talk to. For as far back as anyone can remember, her family has had to ability to see a mysterious pillar of light in the distance. Those who have tried to find it have never come back. Maya has no idea what you're meant to find if you follow the light. Adventure? Destiny? But what if your destiny isn't a good thing?
Maya’s sister left to follow her light…and has been missing ever since.
That’s how Maya finds herself on a surreal road trip with two people she barely knows, headed towards a ghost town where her sister was last seen. Unfortunately, the closer Maya gets to her sister...the closer she gets to her own pillar of light. Maya doesn't know if she's ready to face her destiny but if it means finding her sister then she'll do whatever it takes.
Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation By Kaeti Vandorn
He's a little mean, definitely green, and now Dr. Seuss's beloved and iconic character, The Grinch, is starring in his very own chapter book graphic novel! Everyone's favorite holiday grump is back in a brand-new adventure and he already needs a vacation!
It's vacation time in Whoville but The Grinch doesn't understand...what is a vacation?
Determined to learn what the Whos seem so excited about, The Grinch decides to give a vacation a try! Unfortunately the mountains are too snowy, the beach is too sandy and the theme park is too loud . . . vacations just might not be something that Grinches do? Thankfully, his dog Max isn't letting the Grinch give up that quickly!
Will there be some fun in the sun for everyone's favorite Grinch or is the Whos' favority grumpy neighbor doomed to stay home?
Tryouts By Sarah Sax
It's warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title?
Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only.
Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?
Summer Vamp By Violet Chan Karim
What happens when a very human kid ends up at the wrong summer camp—FOR VAMPIRES?! This quirky and heart warming graphic novel about making friends and getting in trouble is perfect for fans of Witches of Brooklyn.
After a lackluster school year, Maya anticipates an even more disappointing summer. The only thing she’s looking forward to is cooking and mixing ingredients in the kitchen, which these days brings her more joy than mingling with her peers . . . that is until her dad's girlfriend registers her for culinary summer camp! Maya's summer is saved! . . . or not.
What was meant to be a summer filled with baking pastries and cooking pasta is suddenly looking a lot . . . paler?! Why do all of the kids have pointy fangs? And hate garlic? Turns out that Maya isn't at culinary camp—she's at a camp for VAMPIRES! Maya has a lot to learn if she's going to survive this summer . . . and if she's lucky, she might even make some friends along the way.
Sink or Swim By Veronica Agarwal and Lee Durfey-Lavoie
Summer is here! School’s out, the pool is open, and new adventures with friends await! But what happens when twelve year old Ty’s anxiety has other plans? From the world of Just Roll With It comes a boy-centric graphic novel about accepting yourself even when it’s a little scary.
Bouncing back from a broken arm should be no big deal—but when Ty spends a month off the swim team the thought of getting back in the water is suddenly not as fun as it used to be.
After weeks of ignoring his friends, Ty isn't sure how to connect with them again in summer camp. They used to have swim team together but after so long without swimming he's out of shape and afraid of failing in front of them. With his friendships fracturing, will Ty be able to gain confidence in himself and fix everything before it's too late?
We Are Big Time By Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui
SWISH! Cheer courtside for a Muslim teen as she joins an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team and learns that she’s much more than a score. This energetic graphic novel is inspired by a true story!
“A slam dunk!" —Minh Lê
Aliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic school is bigger, the city is colder, and her new basketball team is…well, they stink.
Aliya’s still excited to have teammates (although the team's captain, Noura, isn't really Aliya's biggest fan), and their new coach really understands basketball (even if she doesn't know much about being Muslim). This season should be a blast...if they could just start to win. As they strengthen their skills on the court, Aliya and the Peace Academy team discover that it takes more than talent to be great--it's teamwork and self-confidence that defines true success.
For fans of The Crossover and Roller Girl, this graphic novel goes big with humor and heart as it explores culture and perceptions, fitting in and standing out, and finding yourself, both on and off the court.
Buckle Up By Lawrence Lindell
Figuring out family is no easy street, especially in a divorce. Perfect for fans of New Kid and Smile, this contemporary graphic novel introduces a young boy navigating life with his dad, one car ride at a time.
Lonnie is going through big changes in his life—with his parents newly divorced, he's trying to figure out his new normal. He likes living with his mom and sister, but misses spending time with his father—and the short drives to and from school just aren't enough.
His dad is determined to make every moment count, relying on the car rides to talk about all of the big things that are hard to talk about elsewhere—divorce, sexuality, racism and more. As Lonnie gets used to this new dynamic and hard conversations, will he be better able to connect to his dad? Or will this new family structure force them even further apart?
First Test Graphic Novel By Tamora Pierce; Illustrated by Becca Farrow
This eagerly awaited graphic novel adaptation of the iconic fantasy novel First Test reimagines the classic knight's tale, but with a twist. In a world not quite ready for her ambition, a determined girl seeks knighthood and finds herself on a mission to prove it.
Keladry is the first girl who dares to take advantage of a new rule in her homeland, Tortall--one that allows women to train for knighthood. She knows she’s ready for the traditional hazing and grueling schedule of a page, but standing in her way is the knights’ training master, Lord Wyldon.
The training master is dead set against girls becoming knights, and in an attempt to further hold Kel back, Lord Wyldon decides that she must pass a one-year trial that no male page has ever had to endure. But she is not to be underestimated. She will fight to succeed, even if the test is purposely unfair.
The Protector of the Small series gets its first graphic novel adaptation, bringing to life Tamora Pierce’s bestselling First Test in an exciting new format. This graphic novel story about believing in yourself and overcoming all odds combines action and adventure in a way that new and old fans of the series will love.
Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever! By Stephen Shaskan
Have Pizza and Taco been naughty or nice? These foodie besties are getting ready for the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER in this hilarious graphic novel chapter book!
IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME....in a few months!!! But Pizza and Taco have decided it's never too early to make their Christmas wish lists and check them twice. Now all they need to do is make sure they’re super nice and well-behaved because Santa Slaw is always watching! Taco has no problem helping neighbors and doing his chores...but Pizza, on the other hand...! Will Pizza and Taco get all the presents they ask for?
This hilarious young graphic novel—with chapters—will tickle the funny bones of kids ages 5-8 and bolster their reading confidence. It's the perfect stepping stone for readers who are transitioning to longer chapter books and graphic novels.
Readers will be hungry to collect all eight books in the series! Here are a few titles to look out for:
Who's the Best?
Super-Awesome Comic!
Too Cool for School (A Parents Magazine Best Book!)
Dare to be Scared!
Wrestling Mania!
