People often ask me for similar titles to my work, so I thought I’d pull a few together a few of my favorite middle grade and YA graphic novels into a gift guide! Remember to buy from independent bookstores, and to put in holiday orders early because the supply chain is absolutely wacky right now.
"Laura Dean" was such an eye-opener the minute I picked it up - and I mean that for more than just its stunning artwork, which deserves all kinds of acclaim in its own right. But the story, its message, the weight of it in the world - I couldn't help but imagine it in the life of my younger self. Maybe that's just my background of teaching literature to young adults talking, but this book really, truly is the game-changer Molly portrayed it as.
Gotta put in a good word for "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe here as well because very honestly, it changed my life and answered so many questions I had long had about myself, just below the surface. It's facing blowback in more conservative school districts around the US right now, but if anything, that's a clear indication of the "good trouble" a one-in-a-million book like this can create.
Oh, and "Be Prepared" by Vera Brogsol! I picked this one up because it was just plastered with Scouting imagery and having been a Scout myself, I knew immediately I could connect with the story. But even if you were never a Scout yourself or never spent a week away from home, sweating and trying to make the best of it at summer camp in the woods, you'll connect with the main character's desire to fit in, with her peers and with a culture she is both a part of and, in some ways, disconnected from.
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness cuts real deep! Especially if you have difficulty in social situations or (in my case) agoraphobia. Quick note that there is a sequel (My Solo Exchange Diary) about the author's ongoing journey of improvement, and how things can get better.
Okay so a goo book to read that doesn’t nearly get enough attention is “Cucumber Quest” by Gigi D.G. Its a book about a young boy named cucumber on a quest to save his world from an evil force, the Nightmare Knight. It’s just a really fun and spunky story, suitable for all ages, and easy to read. There are currently four books out, and the fifth book might not get finished, but im looking forward to it, if it ever does! If you are uncomfortable with anthropomorphic characters, well, the people in this book have animal ears and noses, so um- but anyway it also has some sneaky queerness snuck in there if you're looking for that. I give this a four and a half out of five because the fifth book isn't finished, but i enjoy everything else about this book. Please go read it! (You can buy it at barnes and nobles or look it up as a webcomic. Theres some good other webcomics recommended there too in you look around, like monsterkind and demon street :0)
Thanks for the recommendations! I've already read through all of Cosmoknights online, and it's FANTASTIC! I will definitely be adding book one to our collection as well as following the webcomic and getting book two as soon as it comes out.
Anything written by Tillie Walden. Tillie has the gift of creating worlds that you just don’t want to leave. Just finished reading “Are You Listening” and ahhh it’s just so good. Also Snapdragon made me cry it was such a good book to read😩. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (although an illustrated Novel) really captures the feeling of loss and mortality children go through when they are in the process of losing a parent. It handles the topic really well and with having lost a parent that book honestly spoke to what I am feeling. And those illustrations are filled with so much raw energy.
"Laura Dean" was such an eye-opener the minute I picked it up - and I mean that for more than just its stunning artwork, which deserves all kinds of acclaim in its own right. But the story, its message, the weight of it in the world - I couldn't help but imagine it in the life of my younger self. Maybe that's just my background of teaching literature to young adults talking, but this book really, truly is the game-changer Molly portrayed it as.
Gotta put in a good word for "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe here as well because very honestly, it changed my life and answered so many questions I had long had about myself, just below the surface. It's facing blowback in more conservative school districts around the US right now, but if anything, that's a clear indication of the "good trouble" a one-in-a-million book like this can create.
Oh, and "Be Prepared" by Vera Brogsol! I picked this one up because it was just plastered with Scouting imagery and having been a Scout myself, I knew immediately I could connect with the story. But even if you were never a Scout yourself or never spent a week away from home, sweating and trying to make the best of it at summer camp in the woods, you'll connect with the main character's desire to fit in, with her peers and with a culture she is both a part of and, in some ways, disconnected from.
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness cuts real deep! Especially if you have difficulty in social situations or (in my case) agoraphobia. Quick note that there is a sequel (My Solo Exchange Diary) about the author's ongoing journey of improvement, and how things can get better.
Okay so a goo book to read that doesn’t nearly get enough attention is “Cucumber Quest” by Gigi D.G. Its a book about a young boy named cucumber on a quest to save his world from an evil force, the Nightmare Knight. It’s just a really fun and spunky story, suitable for all ages, and easy to read. There are currently four books out, and the fifth book might not get finished, but im looking forward to it, if it ever does! If you are uncomfortable with anthropomorphic characters, well, the people in this book have animal ears and noses, so um- but anyway it also has some sneaky queerness snuck in there if you're looking for that. I give this a four and a half out of five because the fifth book isn't finished, but i enjoy everything else about this book. Please go read it! (You can buy it at barnes and nobles or look it up as a webcomic. Theres some good other webcomics recommended there too in you look around, like monsterkind and demon street :0)
Thanks for the recommendations! I've already read through all of Cosmoknights online, and it's FANTASTIC! I will definitely be adding book one to our collection as well as following the webcomic and getting book two as soon as it comes out.
Also another book like these I recommended is hearstopper! Lots of lgbtq+ representation and graphic novels. I’m obsessed
I’ll make sure to check these out from the library! 📚
Anything written by Tillie Walden. Tillie has the gift of creating worlds that you just don’t want to leave. Just finished reading “Are You Listening” and ahhh it’s just so good. Also Snapdragon made me cry it was such a good book to read😩. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (although an illustrated Novel) really captures the feeling of loss and mortality children go through when they are in the process of losing a parent. It handles the topic really well and with having lost a parent that book honestly spoke to what I am feeling. And those illustrations are filled with so much raw energy.
Oh awesome! I've been after some graphic novel recs for the holiday so I'll give some of these a look.