graphic novel | Page 3 of 7

Cranky Chicken, early reader graphic novel that levels up for some

A child’s first graphic novel and those graphic novels that speak to reluctant, young readers are two different things. If the latter category addresses the book as being too young or does them in such a manner that mid-elementary kids would find them babyish then they’ll be exiled to the first grade classroom. Conversely, if the content is too much then those younger readers see too much text, or the words are too big, then they’ll get psyched out. If a graphic novel is aiming for the nebulous category then it has to be funny, but not too silly, have some attitude, but not too much, in addition to having a story kids want to read, with enough pictures and length to make it worth their while, so, no pressure. Cranky Chicken is a graphic novel that’s not a kid’s first graphic novel, but many first grade students will want to read it. It’s also a graphic novel the sublimely hits the Jell-O people who make up reluctant readers.

Cranky Chicken is a young enough for a kid’s first graphic novel, but has the intelligence that will also be attractive to reluctant readers.

Oh Cranky chicken, you had us at Cranky

Ghoulia and the Doomed Manor, a loved and detailed graphic novel

Readers love seeing one of their favorite book series as they continue to improve upon its initial quality or enjoyment. Ghoulia, a graphic novel series from author/illustrator Barbara Cantini has maintained its very high level of quality and proved that a dead girl, and her also dead family, can bring life and excitement to ages eight and up. Ghoulia and the Doomed Manor is the fourth book in this series that really has that something special.

The details on the cover allude to something really cool inside

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor, a graphic novel that upends its cover

The Dire Days of Willoweep Manor is a delightful surprise. As the adage goes, don’t judge a book by its cover, and this graphic novel gives a very self-aware wink to what people might be thinking when they see this book. The cover has a young girl with a sword, a young man with a small knife, and a swarm of rabbits with glowing green eyes all of whom are in front of a Victorian-era castle. If you’re an older reader and don’t like genre switching ploys your radar will go off. If you’re not a fan of Victorian or romantic era graphic novels-even if they have a twist, you’ll be on edge too. If you have those expectations then rest easy because The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor subvertsboth of them and is a fabulous graphic novel for ages nine and up. It’s a graphic novel that playfully goes between humor and science-fiction with ease and one that will satisfy girl readers, as well as boys.

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor tweaks the stereotypes of what you think it will be resulting in a relentlessly entertaining read.

A graphic novel that ages 9 and up will go bonkers for

Trubble Town: Squirrel Do Bad, graphic novel be excellent

Making something a long-form of entertainment when its traditional packaging is delivered in short doses is daunting. Peanuts has managed to do that successfully. Trubble Town is not a direct Pearl Before Swine story. It has all of the fingerprints and indelible characteristics of Stephan Pastis’ genius creations and wit. It even has some of the same characters that fans love from the comic strip, even if they’re only in a panel or two in the entire book. Trubble Town: Squirrel Do Bad is its own creation. It’s an original graphic novel that’s made up of just over a dozen chapters that has one of the highest laugh-to-page ratios of anything we’ve read in years.

This will easily be one of the top 10 all age graphic novels in 2021

Flash Facts is a big picture, STEM-based DC vignette

Which came first, the superheroes or the STEM facts? Flash Facts is an original graphic novel from DC Comics, specifically their imprint, DC Graphic Novels for Kids. It posits various STEM-minded questions and places them in the wheelhouse of DC superheroes that are more than likely to have knowledge on the subject matter. For example, The Flash probably knows a lot about forensic science and crime-solving, so let’s let him address that. As an educator and parent, I love Flash Facts. Middle school ages love DC superheroes, but will they dig them when they’re talking more about STEM than catching bad guys?

Flash Facts is STEM-minded fun for ages 9 and up

Long Distance, a great summertime graphic novel for ages 9 and up

Sixth grade is a magical time. It’s when kids are getting old enough to do some of the really cool things in life, are discovering their own social circles, and are just clinging on to that ability to be utterly silly. On the surface, Long Distance by Whitney Gardner, feels like some other early middle school graphic novels that you’ve seen. There are some overlapping themes and it’s easy to compare Long Distance to Lumberjanes as a sister by another mother. But just one moment, do not get lulled into a sense of malaise or that you fully know what to expect with this graphic novel.

Long Distance is a perfect summertime graphic novel that has familiar elements, but abrupty sets them on a 180 course for the better.

Don’t judge a book by its cover, it’s more than a friendship/camp jam

The Secret Garden, a graphic novel-elementary intro to a classic book

Have you seen those YouTube videos where creators listen to something that is well known in some circles, yet it’s the first time that they’ve experienced it? There’s the famous Phil Collins one and there are also some great ones that I like with Iron Maiden and Dream Theater. Those videos are fun to watch because they validate what we already know to be true, plus they’re entertaining and it’s great to see others enjoy what you personally, have liked for a while.

The Secret Garden is like that for me. I know it’s a classic and a book that millions, perhaps even every middle school reader alive have read. They’ve seen the movies, have dioramas about it, and more, yet I’ve never read it. The Secret Garden, a graphic novel is adapted by Mariah Marsden with illustrations by Hanna Luechtefeld and is a lovely piece of work.

The Secret Garden graphic novel presents the classic book via an all-age graphic novel that’s charming and great for ages 8 and up.

A graphic novel ye be, a reading this classic I will see

The Leak, mixed results for journo girls who are in 6th grade

The Leak is a graphic novel that centers around a tween girl and four issues that are central to her life. There are boys (actually one in particular), her family, her hobby-which is writing and creating her newsletter, and midnight black sludge that she finds near the lake that she goes fishing at. It’s written by Kate Reed Petty with illustrations by Andrea Bell. The graphic novel is interesting because it has a laser tight appeal to a certain age range due to several characteristics.

The Leak is a graphic novel with good intentions, but has a conflict between its content and appearance.

For lower middle school readers