Graphic Novel Reviews
by Fiona McCann, age 15
Graphic novels are my hobby. When I was younger I didn't like to read. But I loved graphic novels. They were my gateway into reading. I think for other kids who don't like reading, graphic novels can pave the way. I read a ton of them and I want to share my favorites with other kids (And parents trying to buy presents for kids. And teachers or librarians looking for good books to recommend).
Anya's Ghost
by Vera Brosgol
For ages: 10+
Teen Anya is trying to survive high school social life when she falls down an old well and meets a ghost. She befriends the ghost named Emily, who takes her down a dark path. this is a story about friendship and figuring out who your real friends are. I love the artwork in this book. Vera's artwork is cute and simple. She does a really nice job of keeping each panel neat and easy to follow.
I really like the concept of the story, Anya's Ghost is definitely in my top 3 favorite graphic novels--probably even my favorite.
★★★★★ out of 5 stars
Amelia Rules: The Whole World's Crazy
by Jimmy Gownley
For ages: 6+
This is an amazing book about Amelia and her crazy imagination. She's a kid who loves to daydream almost as much as she loves her band of fellow "crime fighters." This is a great book about friendship that encourages you to enjoy your childhood to the fullest. If you like the first one, it's one of a long series of great graphic novels. Go get the next one.
It's also in my top 3 best graphic novels. I have so many great memories from this book.
★★★★1/2 out of 5 stars
Rapunzel's Revenge
by Shannon, Dean & Nathan Hale
For ages: 9+
This wonderful Rapunzel spin-off is all about strong female characters and crazy hair skills. After a long, boring life of being locked away, Rapunzel wants to see the real world, not the one her "mother" has made for her. She journeys to find herself and along the way she makes a new friend. She struggles to save her mom and defeat the evil witch. I love this book because I'm all about strong women and Rapunzel, even though she is a princess, she is also a hero.
★★★★1/2 out of 5 stars
Zita the space girl
by Ben Hatke
For ages: 6+
This compelling sci-fi graphic novel is about a girl from Earth named Zita who goes on a long journey across the galaxy to find her best friend and save a foreign planet from a harsh fate.
Ben Hatke is one of my favorite artists. I love how adorable all his little creatures are. I love his whole Zita series and he just came out with another book called Mighty Jack. I hope he writes more. Really, you can't go wrong with any of his books.
★★★★★ out of 5 stars
Amulet: the stonekeeper
by Kazu Kibuishi
For ages: 9+
Full of magic, monsters and robots, this wonderful graphic novel really captures the feeling of family when Emily's mom gets captured by a tentacled slimy monster young Emily and her little brother Navin go on a challenging mission to save her life.
I love the amulet series and so does everyone else who has read it, there are already 8 books in the series for you to read after you have finished this one.
★★★★1/2 out of 5 stars
drama
by Raina Telgemeier
For ages: 8+
Callie loves plays and drama and as much as she would love to be in her school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't. Callie has been cursed with lack of musical talent, so instead she works with stage crew.
Almost anyone who has read any graphic novels has heard of Smile, but not to many have heard of Drama. As much as I love Smile, I think I might like Drama more.
★★★★1/2 out of 5 stars
cardboard
by Doug TenNapel
For ages: 8+
Cam is a very imaginative kid with very few friends. for his birthday his dad buys him an enchanted cardboard box and decides to cam build himself a friend and accidentally makes a real one along the way.
Cardboard is my favorite book by Doug TenNapel but he also wrote so many other great graphic novels.
★★★★1/2 out of 5 stars
MUDDY MAX
by Elizabeth Rusch and Mike Lawrence
For ages: 7+
Max's parents always told him to stay away from the mud, which confused him because they lived in a town called Marsh Creek, the muddiest town in the country. One day he swallowed some mud and all of a sudden it gives him super powers. This story is all about friends, family and a little bit, no, a lot a bit of mud.
I really like Muddy Max. I definitely think it is an easy read for a lot of ages and personalities. I just got the illustrator Mike's new book, Star Scouts, at a book signing where I met him and author Elizabeth.
★★★★out of 5 stars
princess princess ever after
by Katie O'Neill
For ages: 10+
Princess Princess Ever After is about two princesses who find each other and fall in love. Princess Amira journeys to Princess Sadie's tower and rescues her. Little does she know that Sadie's evil sister is tracking them, plotting Sadie's doom.
This graphic novel is different from any I've ever read before. The main characters are two strong, feminist women, a prince, and a fat little dragon named Oliver.
★★★★out of 5 stars
dragon girl
by Jeff Weigel
For ages 8+
Alanna's brother Hamel always brings her along when he goes hunting so she can pick fruit and other plants for their dinner. On one particular hunting trip, Hamel is about to shoot a deer but Alanna feels sorry for it, so she drops an apple on Hamel's head. He sends her away so he can continue hunting--thats when she stumbles into a cave full of dragon eggs.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy. This graphic novel is full of action and comedy and really cute dragons.
★★★1/2 out of 5 stars
Bloom
By Kevin Panetta
For ages: 11+
Bloom is a charming story about romance, friendship and heartbreak. After his sister gets married, Ari is left looking for a new assistant for the family bakery. He meets a happy-go-lucky boy named Hector and they immediately become close friends (or maybe more). Ari struggles to maintain healthy relationships with his friends and family when it seems everyone is leaving him behind.
This book is heartwarming and full of beautiful art. It is easily one of my favorite graphic novels. It’s a powerful LGBTQ love story, I hope a lot more like this follow.
★★★★★ out of 5 stars
Hey, Kiddo
By Jarrett Krosoczka
For ages 12+
A true story about the life Jarrett Krosoczka or “Ja”. Jared lives with his grandparents. His mom is an addict and is not ready to raise a kid and his dad was never in the picture. Jarrett’s grandparents acted as his guardians for most of his life. As Jarrett gets older he is ready to see his mom again and start looking for his dad. He struggles as the truth about his mom’s condition is revealed.
Hey, Kiddo is a coming of age story for a boy struggling to find his family. It is a sad story but it is wonderfully told. The art is charming and very unique.
★★★★ out of 5 stars
primates
By Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks
For ages 9+
A story about the lives of researchers, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Gladikas. Jane Goodall did research on chimpanzees, Dian Fossey studies gorillas, and Birute Gladikas observed orangutans.
These three women learned bits of information about primates that is still astonishing today. The book is a non-fiction biography. I found it to be a entertaining story and simultaneously an informative resource.
★★★★ out of 5 stars
CLYDE
By Jim Benton
For ages 8+
This book is about a grumpy bear named Clyde. clyde goes on a journey to find Grizzly city so he can embrace his inner jerk, but on the way he meets a friendly butterfly named Melissa Sue, she convinces him that grizzly city isn’t a place he would want to be.
Clyde is a great book for younger age groups, it is a great story with cute illustrations. My favorite part of this book was its characters, each one of them is is amusing and quirky.
★★★★ out of 5 stars
If you have a graphic novel that you want me to read and recommend, send me an email about it.