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: ya graphic novel
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.,…
Beetle & The Hollowbones
Written & Illustrated by: Aliza Layne For Ages: MG & YA (graphic novel) Language: English Topics Covered: Witchcraft, Non-Binary Identity, Graphic Novels, Friendship, LGBTQ, Magic. Summary: Spooky fantasy graphic novel with LGBTQ representation for middle grades? Sign me up! Beetle is a goblin being homeschooled by her grandmother in magic. Beetle’s best friend is Blob…
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…
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…
They Called Us Enemy
Created by: George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, Harmony Becker For ages: YA-Middle and High School Language: English, some Japanese. Topics Covered: Japanese Internment, Historical Figures, Historical Events, WWII, Growing Up, LGBTQ, Japanese-American Experience, Own Voices, Graphic Novel. Summary: This is an incredible graphic novel, telling of historical events that are rarely taught in schools. Deciding to post it today,…
Becoming RBG
Written by: Debbie Levy Illustrated by: Whitney Gardner For ages: 10 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: History, Legislation, Women in Leadership, Trailblazers, Historical Figure, Historical Events, Activism, Graphic Novel. Summary: This is an AWESOME graphic novel! Something we like about it very much is that while it very closely follows the life of the one and only powerhouse Ruth…
Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists
Written by: Mikki Kendall Illustrated by: A. D’Amico For ages: YA older teens (mature topics-violence, assault, enslavement, death) Language: English Topics Covered: Activism, Historic Figures, Historical Fiction, Enslavement, Women’s Rights, Suffrage, Women in Politics, Women in Leadership, Assault, Death, Indigenous Voices, POC-Centric Narratives, Marginalized Populations, Modern Black Freedom Struggle, LGBTQ, Black Feminist Thought. Summary: Triple A, how much do I love you?…