2023 was a year full of excellent graphic novels! Below are a few of my favorites that I read this year.
Estranged is a fun adventure for those fond of old-school fantasies full of fairies, knights, and hidden realms. Here, Ethan Aldridge takes the folkloric element of the changeling and explores the repercussions, not just from the perspective of the duped parents, but also from that of the boys whose lives have been swapped. Readers will be instantly immersed in their worlds as the Childe experiences the pain of being a mere court novelty in the World Below and the changeling Edmund lives in fear that his human family will discover he is not who they think. Beautiful, detailed illustrations add to the magic of the story, making this an adventure readers will be thrilled to embark upon!
Jerry Craft has done it again! Aspiring artist Jordan Banks and his friends set off to France in the third installment of the New Kid series, but still must navigate the rough waters of middle school: friendship, crushes, awkward social settings, and sometime bullies. Craft's signature heart and humor imbue the story even as it addresses difficult topics like racism, microaggressions, and the rise in book bans. Fans of the series will not be let down–each sequel has been just as good as the first book!
Ghost Book is a phenomenally spooky middle grade graphic novel for those readers looking for a story as full of heart as it is full of adventure. July Chen can see ghosts, though her father insists they are not real. So when she runs into William, a boy caught between life and death, she initially pretends she cannot see him. Soon, however, it becomes clear that their lives are intertwined and that for William to live, July must die. Their adventures will take them to the underworld where they meet a cast of characters ranging from the humorous to the truly terrifying. A recommended read for those who love a good ghost story!
Those already familiar with Shannon Messenger's bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series will need no introduction to this new graphic novel adaptation. The main question is whether the adaptation can live up to the original. And, in many ways, it has. No artistic representation can capture exactly how an individual imagined a character or a scene, of course but it can capture the spirit of the work. And this adaptation does. The sense of excitement, the over-the-top drama, and all the sparkles are here. So if you are a fan of Sophie and her friends, get ready to live the excitement all over again!
Four Eyes shows how powerful a book can be when an author can still imaginatively tap into the emotions of childhood. Rex Ogle draws upon his own life to tell the story of being bullied in middle school after getting (an ugly pair of) glasses. Even his former best friend mocks him in order to get in with the popular kids. This starts off a heart wrenching tale of Rex trying to keep his head down and survive school unscathed. A must-read for anyone who has experienced bullying, or maybe even been on the other side.
K. O'Neill (author of the Tea Dragon books) introduces readers to a new and magical world. One just as full of wonder and caring as readers would expect. In this book, Anya has been chosen as the next Moth Keeper–a great honor, but also a great burden. Each night as the village comes awake and gathers together, she must walk alone to protect the moths that pollinate their plants and keep them alive. Messages about community, inclusion, and the ways we all rely on each other (and the planet) make The Moth Keeper another stunning read.
The graphic novel of the Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell offers readers a glimpse of what might have happened had Ariel not defeated Ursula at the end of The Little Mermaid. The result is a story that attempts to address some of the aspects of the original film that have not aged well (particularly Ariel's desire to get married to a man she's barely met at the age of 16), and that digs deep into what a repentant Ariel might feel and do. The illustrations match the tale perfectly, feeling reminiscent of the film, but darker. If all the Twisted Tales are this compelling, I hope that more will be adapted as graphic novels soon!
Parachute Kids is inspired by the childhood experiences of the author, as well as the real-life experiences of other parachute kids. This makes the somewhat grim nature of the story all the more heart-wrenching, despite the colorful, cartoony illustrations–which might lull one into a false belief that this is a fun book. It has its moments, of course, of lightness and warmth, but the overall tenor is quite serious, and I felt terrible for the protagonists, who have to navigate a new country with no parents or adult help, and with varying fluencies in a new language. I suspect younger readers might find the idea of living parent-free to be more of an interesting novelty if not downright desirable, but, as adult, I found reading Parachute Kids to be emotionally difficult at times. Still, it's an important read--and the characters will capture your heart.
A retelling of Beowulf in verse for middle grade readers may not seem like an obvious choice. However, Bea Wolf delivers drama and laughs for kids and grown-ups alike. Children will likely delight in the depiction of kids triumphing over adults who want to ruin all the fun. Adults, meanwhile, will appreciate some of the jokes that might fly over kids' heads (digs at credit scores, political commentators, etc.). The illustrations by Boulet bring the world to life, delivering hard-hitting emotion and action, while also helping readers follow along (if the verse seems a bit difficult). Bea Wolf is a rollicking good time for all!
Hungry Ghost is an emotional and thought-provoking look at one person's struggle to fit an idealized body standard. Growing up, Valerie has always heard from her mother that she needs to be thin. And, wanting to be a good daughter, she obeys–to the point where she purges after each meal. However, when tragedy strikes her family, Valerie begins to consider that she has not yet lived fully, but instead as a prisoner to her own body. Hungry Ghost sensitively and empathetically navigates a difficult topic to give readers a message of hope: that people can change, even when those around them refuse to change along with them.
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