Book of the Week
A Drop of Venom by Call Number: F Pat
About Graphic Novels
Graphic Novels are similar to comic books in that the story is told through panels of artwork, with text incorporated into the panels. However, a graphic novel typically tells its full story in one volume or in a set number of volumes, rather than the ongoing serialized format of comic books. (Some of the CMC's superhero titles are comic books, although we typically will only have one or two issues.) Graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular with young readers and provide a great opportunity to discuss the way art and text work together to tell a story.
- Superheroes: This is what most people's first thoughts are when hearing the words "graphic novel" or "comic book." These are stories of people with supernatural powers and (typically) their triumph against evil. Some of these titles are about established characters (Ms. Marvel, Wonder Woman, the Avengers), while others introduce new and original heroes.
- Adaptations: Retells a familiar story in the graphic novel format. Graphic novel adaptations exist for many of the traditional classics of the western canon, such as The Odyssey or the works of Shakespeare, as well as modern classics and popular fiction.
- Nonfiction: Often memoirs or biographies, but informational graphic novels are also available.
- Original Fiction: Everything not included in the other categories! Fictional stories, told through art panels and limited text, that are not based on or adapted from an existing story (some of the titles in the superheroes section are also original fiction).
Examples of YA Graphic Novels
Groot by Call Number: GN LovWhen Rocket and Groot are on an intergalactic roadtrip and calamity strikes, the two get separated—and for the first time in years, Groot's on his own! Whatever may be coming Groot's way, one thing's for sure—it's going to be a Groot adventure!
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1: Squirrel Power by Call Number: GN NorDoctor Doom, Deadpool, even Thanos: There's one hero who's beaten them all - and now she's starring in her own series! That's right, it's SQUIRREL GIRL! The nuttiest and most upbeat super hero in the world is starting college! And as if meeting her new roommate and getting to class on time isn't hard enough, now she has to deal with Kraven the Hunter, too? At least her squirrel friend Tippy-Toe is on hand to help out. But what can one girl, and one squirrel, do when a hungry Galactus heads toward Earth? You'd be surprised! With time running out and Iron Man lending a helping hand (sort of), who will win in the battle between the Power Cosmic and the Power Chestnut?
The Rise of Aurora West by Call Number: GN PetA prequel to Battling Boy , The Rise of Aurora West follows the young hero as she seeks to uncover the mystery of her mother's death, and to find her place in a world overrun with supernatural monsters and all-too-human corruption.
Runaways by Call Number: GN VauIn Pride & Joy, six young friends discover their parents are all secretly super-powered villains. Finding strength in one another, the shocked teens run away from home and straight into the adventure of their lives—vowing to turn the tables on their evil legacy. Plus: who do you send to catch a group of missing, runaway teenage super-heroes? Marvel's original teen runaway crimefighters, Cloak and Dagger, make their first major appearance in years in The Good Die Young. The world as we know it is about to end, and the Runaways are the only hope to prevent it. Our fledgling teenage heroes have learned how their parents' criminal organization began, and now they must decide how it should end.
Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal by Call Number: GN WilKamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts?
Kindred: a Graphic Novel Adaptation by Call Number: GN DufButler's most celebrated, critically acclaimed work tells the story of Dana, a young black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre-Civil War South. As she time-travels between worlds, one in which she is a free woman and one where she is part of her own complicated familial history on a southern plantation, she becomes frighteningly entangled in the lives of Rufus, a conflicted white slaveholder and one of Dana's own ancestors, and the many people who are enslaved by him. Her survival, her very existence, depends on it.
Macbeth by Call Number: GN HinSet against the moody backdrop of eleventh-century Scotland, Gareth Hinds's captivating, richly illustrated interpretation takes readers into the claustrophobic mind of a man driven mad by ambition. An evil seed takes root in the mind of Macbeth, a general in the king's army, when three witches tell him he will one day be king. At the urging of his wife, he resolves to take the throne by the most direct path: a dagger in the heart of King Duncan. But "blood will have blood," and when others grow suspicious of his sudden rise to power, is Macbeth prepared to commit more murders to keep the crown?
Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" by Call Number: GN HymShirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" continues to thrill and unsettle readers nearly seven decades after it was first published. "The Lottery" raises troubling questions about conformity, tradition, and the ritualized violence that may haunt even the most bucolic, peaceful village. This graphic adaptation by Jackson's grandson Miles Hyman allows readers to experience "The Lottery" as never before, or to discover it anew.
A Wrinkle in Time by Call Number: GN LEgThe world already knows Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, Calvin O'Keefe, and the three Mrs—Who, Whatsit, and Which—the memorable and wonderful characters who fight off a dark force and save our universe in the Newbery award-winning classic. A Wrinkle in Time. But in 50 years of publication, the book has never been illustrated. Now, Hope Larson takes the classic story to a new level with her vividly imagined interpretations of tessering and favorite characters like the Happy Medium and Aunt Beast. Perfect for old fans and winning over new ones, this graphic novel adaptation is a must-read.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians the Lightning Thief: the Graphic Novel by Call Number: GN RioMythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus.
A Quick and Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Call Number: 428.2 BonArchie, a snarky genderqueer artist, is tired of people not understanding gender neutral pronouns. Tristan, a cisgender dude, is looking for an easy way to introduce gender neutral pronouns to his increasingly diverse workplace. The longtime best friends team up in this short and fun comic guide that explains what pronouns are, why they matter, and how to use them. They also include what to do if you make a mistake, and some tips-and-tricks for those who identify outside of the binary to keep themselves safe in this binary-centric world. A quick and easy resource for people who use they/them pronouns, and people who want to learn more!
Science Comics: Sharks by Call Number: 597.3 FloFor over 400 million years, sharks have been the ocean's top predator! They're vital to our ecosystem, but their importance is often overshadowed by our own fear--even though they hardly ever threaten humans. Dive in for an intimate look at the dynamic hammerhead, infamous great white, primordial megalodon, and the gentle nurse shark, the rare species that will let a scuba diver pet them! This book is filled to the gills with jaw-dropping illustrations and razor-sharp facts that shed light on these fascinating creatures of the deep, including their undersea terrain, cunning adaptability, and staggering variety.
Brazen by Call Number: GN BagThroughout history and across the globe, one characteristic connects the daring women of Brazen: their indomitable spirit. With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Pénélope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.
The Complete Persepolis by Call Number: GN SatPersepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming—both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.
This Place by Call Number: GN ThiExplore the past 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in this groundbreaking graphic novel anthology. Beautifully illustrated, these stories are an emotional and enlightening journey through Indigenous wonderworks, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact. Each story includes a timeline of related historical events and a personal note from the author.
This Was Our Pact by Call Number: GN AndIt's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend has it that after drifting out of sight, they'll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars, but could that actually be true? This year, Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanterns really go, and to ensure success in their mission, they've made a pact with two simple rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back. The plan is to follow the river on their bikes for as long as it takes to learn the truth, but it isn't long before the pact is broken by all except for Ben and (much to Ben's disappointment) Nathaniel, the one kid who just doesn't seem to fit in. Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel farther than anyone has ever gone, down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship.
The Witch Boy: a Graphic Novel (the Witch Boy Trilogy #1) by Call Number: GN OstIn thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted...and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help—as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family...and be truly himself.
Nimona by Call Number: GN SteNimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are. But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up with Me by Call Number: GN TamLaura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley's dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There's just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend. Reeling from her latest break up, Freddy's best friend, Doodle, introduces her to the Seek-Her, a mysterious medium who leaves Freddy some cryptic parting words: Break up with her. But Laura Dean keeps coming back, and as their relationship spirals further out of her control, Freddy has to wonder if it's really Laura Dean that's the problem. Maybe it's Freddy, who is rapidly losing her friends, including Doodle, who needs her now more than ever. Fortunately for Freddy, there are new friends and the insight of advice columnists like Anna Vice to help her through being a teenager in love.
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Call Number: GN WanA fairy tale for any age, Jen Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart. Paris, at the dawn of the modern age: Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride--or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia--the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion! Sebastian's secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances--one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone's secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. This title has Common Core connections.
