I grew up loving comics (not superhero ones, other kinds). Reading Persepolis & Maus as a teen was transformative, I particularly love the way graphic novels convey memoirs. I wanted to share 4 YA graphic novels that help bring discussions about oppression and personal responsibility into the classroom or home learning space. Kisses for Jet…
Tag: graphic novel
Geraldine Pu and Her Lunch Box, Too!
English, Mandarin & Taiwanese 6-10 Chinese Culture Food School Friendship Self-Advocacy Family Maggie P. Chang summary Geraldine loves her lunchbox, and that’s a hard same from me too. This introductory graphic novel follows Geraldine Pu as she brings her beloved biandang filled with delicious food that her Amah lovingly packs for her. Unfortunately, a classmate…
Witches of Brooklyn
Written & Illustrated by: Sophie Escabasse For Ages: MG Language: English Topics Covered: Family, Adoption, Magic, Fantasy, Graphic Novel. Summary: Late one night, 11 year old Effie is handed over to her elderly aunt by protective services. Her mother has died, and spitfire Effie now finds herself in Brooklyn with two elderly women who are…
Great Lives in Graphics Series
Series Produced by: GMC Publications For Ages: 8-12 years Language: English Topics Covered: History, Historical Figures, Graphic Novels, Racism, Politics, Segregation. Summary: This series is so cool! It combines history and an almost graphic novel layout to teach readers about different well-known figures throughout history. Currently, the set has books that teach about MLK Jr.,…
Surviving the City (Vol I & II)
Written By: Tasha Spillett-Sumner Illustrated by: Natasha Donovan For Ages: YA Language: English, some & Cree Topics Covered: Friendship, Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), Gender Identity, Indigenous Voices, First Nations, Cree, Two-Spirit, Family, Foster Care, Growing Up, Mentors. Summary: Surviving the City is a two-part (so far! I want more already!) graphic novel series…
The Tea Dragon Festival
Written & Illustrated by: Katie O’Neill For ages:4 years and up Language: English and ASL (American Sign Language) Topics Covered: Family, Fantasy, Friendship, Growing Up. Summary: This is the second story in the Tea Dragon Society books, but is actually a prequel to the first one. Longer than the first, it still took under an hour to completely finish…
This Place: 150 Years Retold
Written by: Assorted Indigenous authors Illustrated by: Assorted Indigenous illustrators For ages: YA & Middle Grades Language: Majority English, Topics Covered: Own Voices, First Nations, Indigenous Voices, Graphic Novels, First Contact, History, Summary: This Place is a graphic novel produced by one of my favorite Indigenous publishers, Highwater. It is an anthology of comics retelling history from a First Nations…
Northwest Resistance [A Girl Called Echo Vol 3]
Written by: Katherena Vermette Illustrated by: Scott B. Henderson, color by Donovan Yaciuk For ages: 12 years and up Language: English, minor French. Topics Covered: History, First Nations, Military Action, Growing Up, Family, Fantasy, Time Travel, Métis History. Summary: This is the third installment about the time-traveling adventures of Echo Desjardins, a Métis teenager learning about her own history. Echo…
Journey Under the Arctic
Written by: James O. Fraoili Illustrated by: Joe St. Pierre For ages: 8-12 years Language: English, gives a small Inuit phrase guide as well. Topics Covered: Historical Figure, Environmental Activism, Nature, Adventure, Global Warming, Graphic Novel, STEM. Summary: This comic book adventure is the second in the Fabien Cousteau Expeditions series, designed for upper elementary readers. The story follows an…
Arthur and the Golden Rope [Feb 4 2020]
Written & Illustrated by: Joe Todd-Stanton For ages: 5-9 years Language: English Topics Covered: Adventure, Mythology, Natural World, Supernatural, Magic. Summary: This is one of the Brownstone’s Mythical Collection books, and we really like the way that it’s set up like a comic book. Arthur is a young boy with a penchant for strange objects and spends a lot of time in…