Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo

They tell me to “fix” my hair.

And by fix, they mean straighten, they mean whiten;

but how do you fix this shipwrecked

history of hair?

In her most famous spoken-word poem, author of the Pura Belpré winning novel-in-verse The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo embraces all the complexities of Black hair and Afro-Latinidad–the history, pain, pride, and powerful love of that inheritance.

Paired with full-color illustrations by artist Andrea Pippins in a format that will appeal to fans of Mahogany L. Browne’s Black Girl Magic or Jason Reynolds’s For Everyone, this poem can now be read in a vibrant package, making it the ideal gift, treasure, or inspiration for readers of any age.

3. Batter Royale by Leisl Adams

In this fun graphic novel, a talented young chef is selected to participate in a baking reality show and finds herself mixed up in spicy competition, bitter rivalry, and sweet romance In Leisl Adams’s debut graphic novel, Batter Royale, an aspiring amateur baker enters the toughest, ugliest, most fearsome fight she’ll ever a baking reality show.

When seventeen-year-old small-town waitress Rose impresses a famous food critic, she and her best friend, Fred, find themselves thrust into the tough world of competitive baking. The contest is an intense ten days of bizarre challenges, and the competition is cutthroat. Some competitors are willing to lie, cheat, and sabotage their way to the top. Rose may be in over her head, but she is determined to show that she can become a top chef. Batter Royale is a fish-out-of-water style romantic comedy about climbing out of the circumstances you’re in and making your dreams come true.

Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas

Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. It’s the highest military honor in the once-great Bayt-Sajji Empire, and as a member of the subjugated Ornu people, Knighthood is her only path to full citizenship. Ravaged by famine and mounting tensions, Bayt-Sajji finds itself on the brink of war once again, so Aiza can finally enlist in the competitive Squire training program.

It’s not how she imagined it, though. Aiza must navigate new friendships, rivalries, and rigorous training under the unyielding General Hende, all while hiding her Ornu background. As the pressure mounts, Aiza realizes that the “greater good” that Bayt-Sajji’s military promises might not include her, and that the recruits might be in greater danger than she ever imagined.

Aiza will have to choose, once and for all: loyalty to her heart and heritage, or loyalty to the Empire.

Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend by Alys Arden

Zatanna’s not your typical New Yorker. She walks her giant rabbit on a leather leash down the boardwalk, lives in a colossal architectural wonder known as the Golden Elephant, had her first kiss in the Haunted Hell Gate ride–and wouldn’t have it any other way.

But the time for having fun in Luna Park comes to an end when a mystic’s quest for a powerful jewel unravels everything Zatanna thought she knew about herself and her beloved neighborhood. Mysteries and magic surround her as she reveals the truth about her family’s legacy, and confronts the illusion that has been cast over her entire life.

4. Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo

Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power.

Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha—they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets have a way of revealing themselves …

book 0 in the Grishaverse series

Over My Dead Body by Sweeney Boo

Fans of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will love diving into the mysterious and witchy world of award-nominated creator Sweeney Boo. Enchanting full-color illustrations will be sure to charm readers as they explore the halls of Younwity’s Institute of Magic and the forbidden forest that lies beyond.

In the days leading up to Samhain, the veil between the world of the dead and the living is at its thinnest. One day, everything was exactly as it was supposed to be. And the next, the closest thing Abby ever had to a sister, Noreen, was just… gone. Distracted by the annual preparations for the Samhain festival, Abby’s classmates are quick to put Noreen’s disappearance aside. The Coven will find her, Abby’s friends say. They have it under control.

But Abby can’t let it go. Soon a search for answers leads her down a rabbit hole that uncovers more secrets than Abby can handle. As mounting evidence steers her toward the off-limits woods that surround the academy, she begins to see that Noreen’s disappearance mysteriously has a lot in common with another girl who went missing all those years ago…

The Witch’s Throne, Vol. 1 by Cedric Caballes

The Witch’s Throne, based on the hit Tapas webcomic, is a riotous action-packed graphic novel epic that blends fantasy, comedy, manga, and a love of RPG adventure stories.

A warrior. A rogue. A saint. And an alchemist with skeleton arms?

Every ten years, throne seekers compete to become the four heroes destined to slay the Witch threatening their world. Optimistic young alchemist Agni eagerly sets off to fulfill her dream of being one of these sacred heroes. She expects to save the world…and maybe make some friends along the way. But she soon realizes that nothing is as straightforward as it is in her childhood stories, and becoming a hero may come at a terrible cost.

book 1 in the Witch’s Throne series

7. Beastlands: Keepers of the Kingdom by Curtis Clow

In a medieval fantasy world filled with powerful companion creatures known as keepers, one boy and his friends are on a quest to find his missing father.

Tensions rise as the angsty teens run out of clues and face unexpected peril at every turn. A grieving tyrant has outlawed keepers from the land and sent his murderous soldiers to exterminate every one of the beasts they can find. Mac, Ava, and Ping will have their friendship tested as they struggle, tooth and claw, to save each other and as many keepers as they can.

books 1-5 in the Beastlands series

5. M Is for Monster by Talia Dutton

When Doctor Frances Ai’s younger sister Maura died in a tragic accident six months ago, Frances swore she would bring her back to life. However, the creature that rises from the slab is clearly not Maura. This girl, who chooses the name “M,” doesn’t remember anything about Maura’s life and just wants to be her own person. However, Frances expects M to pursue the same path that Maura had been on—applying to college to become a scientist—and continue the plans she and Maura shared. Hoping to trigger Maura’s memories, Frances surrounds M with the trappings of Maura’s past, but M wants nothing to do with Frances’ attempts to change her into something she’s not.

In order to face the future, both Frances and M need to learn to listen and let go of Maura once and for all. Talia Dutton’s debut graphic novel, M Is for Monster, takes a hard look at what it means to live up to other people’s expectations—as well as our own.

The Crows by Anders Fager and Peter Bergting

What lurks in the corners of the house originates in the corners of the mind.

When Kim inherits an old family house in rural Sweden, there are notes posted everywhere. On the walls, the doors, even the ceiling. Reminders. And drawings. Of the monsters that still haunt this house and the land on which it sits. But the monsters aren’t just outside; they’re in Kim’s head, in the traumatic memories of an upbringing as different, other, alone. Dive into this stunning graphic novel full of darkness, reconciliation, and exploration of the self.

Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto

The overly confident Fujino and the shut-in Kyomoto couldn’t be more different, but a love of drawing manga brings these two small-town girls together. A poignant story of growing up and moving forward that only Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man, could have crafted.

Two young artists from a small town inspire each other to improve their art and become manga creators. But as they grow up, a terrible tragedy will change their lives forever.

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao

After spending her early years in Wuhan, China, riding water buffalos and devouring stinky tofu, Laura immigrates to Texas, where her hometown is as foreign as Mars–at least until 2020, when COVID-19 makes Wuhan a household name.

In Messy Roots, Laura illustrates her coming-of-age as the girl who simply wants to make the basketball team, escape Chinese school, and figure out why girls make her heart flutter.

Insightful, original, and hilarious, toggling seamlessly between past and present, China and America, Gao’s debut is a tour de force of graphic storytelling.

1. Issunboshi: A Graphic Novel by Ryan Lang

An epic graphic novel retelling of the Japanese folktale about the one-inch Samurai, Issunboshi.

In a feudal Japan where creatures of myth and folklore are real, a demon sets out to reforge an ancient weapon to take over the world. The only person who can stop him is a six-inch-tall would-be samurai, who also happens to be the final and most important piece of the weapon.

A Graphic Novel is a lush retelling of the classic Japanese folktale reminding us that one is not born a hero –– you must discover the courage to become one.

2. Sea Serpents Heir, Vol. 1: The Pirate’s Daughter by Mairghread Scott

For teenage Aella, growing up is hard. Even harder when you find out that you’re the reincarnation of an ancient sea serpent that’s destined to destroy the world, in a graphic novel trilogy from acclaimed creators Mairghread Scott and Pablo Tunica.

THE END OF THE WORLD IS COMING.

For Aella, life on Kinamen Isle is one of boredom. Spending her days fishing and minding her aunts, she dreams of life beyond the horizon.

Everything changes, however, when she awakens an ancient evil within herself as it’s revealed that she’s the reincarnation of Xir, the serpent that almost destroyed the world. Worse yet, a fanatical religious organization has arrived on Kinamen Isle in search of Xir.

As Aella is forced to fight for her life, she’ll discover that her entire world is not what it seems. Her aunts know more than they let on and what exactly does the infamous Pirate Queen want with Aella?

book 1 in the Sea Serpents Heir series

The Subtle Knife: The Graphic Novel by Stéphane Melchior-Durand

The stunning full-color art in this graphic novel offers both new and returning readers a chance to experience the story of Lyra, an ordinary girl with an extraordinary role to play in the fates of multiple worlds, in an entirely new way.

In The Subtle Knife, Lyra steps into a new world and meets Will–a boy on the run, a murderer–a worthy and welcome ally. For this is a world where soul-eating Specters stalk the streets and witches share the skies with troops of angels.

Each is searching–Lyra for the meaning of Dark Matter, Will for his missing father–but what they find instead is a deadly secret, a knife of untold power. And neither Lyra nor Will suspects how tightly their lives, their loves, their destinies are bound together…until they are split apart.

book 2 in the His Dark Materials: The Graphic Novels series

Supper Club by Jackie Morrow

Nora, Lili, and Iris are seniors at Seaside High. Their differing schedules and mounting extracurriculars inspire the girls to form a secret club where they can hang without sacrificing their future aspirations.

Enter Supper Club, the delicious solution to their problems. When life starts to crumble like a cookie under the girls’ feet, they rely on comfort food to hold it together. Can Supper Club endure life’s most challenging recipes without burning to a crisp?

SUPPER CLUB is The Baby-Sitters Club meets Relish in this foodie fusion of feel-good friendship and coming-of-age drama perfect for Raina Telgemeier readers.

The Crumrin Chronicles, Vol. 2: The Lost and the Lonely by Ted Naifeh

Imagine waking up one morning and realizing that fifty years have gone by and you hardly noticed, let alone aged. That’s what happens to Calpurnia Crisp, a humble schoolteacher from Hillsborough. Agent Odell of Homeland Security is convinced Calpurnia was the victim of magic, and wants her to join him in his crusade against what he sees as a conspiracy undermining the country.

Odell recruits her as an undercover asset to infiltrate the world of Courtney Crumrin, the mysterious teenager who left a trail of unexplained horrors in Hillsborough, and Courtney’s younger brother Will, the strange boy who appeared out of nowhere.

But as she penetrates the world of the Crumrins, Calpurnia begins to suspect the gap in her memories is due to her magic being erased. She must ultimately decide between the world of magic or helping the reactionary agent determined to eradicate it.

book 2 in The Crumrin Chronicles series

Hawkeye: Kate Bishop by Marieke Nijkamp

Kate Bishop has her sights set on the Big Apple! But a lot has changed since she was last in New York. So before she completes her journey back, she’s taken on a pit-stop case first. A confidence-booster, to prove to herself that she’s making the right decision and not going to backslide into her old ways just by changing time zones. Besides, the case is perfect: Swanky resort? Check. Jewel heist? Check. Almost definitely 100% a trap? Check!

But when Kate learns who invited her to Resort Chapiteau in the first place, she has a triple mystery on her hands: Can she find a missing girl, discover what the resort is hiding…and work out what all of it has to do with her family? Get ready for your favorite Hawkeye in a high-octane thriller!

books 1 – 5 in the Hawkeye: Kate Bishop series

The Runaway’s Diary by James Patterson and Emily Raymond

I’m running away. Not to a place—to a person.

Eleanor is happiest when she’s left alone to dream up elaborate stories. Sam is polished, fun, and popular. Still, the sisters have always been there for each other—until everything changed.

Now Sam is somewhere in Seattle, and Eleanor runs after her. Nothing is easy in the big, unforgiving city. As Eleanor faces new setbacks, she also makes new friends and tells new stories. Eleanor can rewrite her life in so many ways . . . but can she make a happy ending her reality?

Needle and Thread by David Pinckney

Choosing between living the life you want and living the life you’re “supposed to have” is not always an easy choice. Noah, embracing his true-self, wants to pursue a career in costume design, something his loving, public service parents would never approve of. Azarie, the perfect, model daughter of a very stern, traditional family, dreams of embracing the hobbies she secretly loves, hobbies her social circle would never abide by.

The two live different lives and their social statuses keep them from ever crossing paths until they have a chance encounter that exposes some common ground: the desire to be who they truly are. Together, the two set out to put it all on the line and show everyone what they’re made of and what they want to achieve in the form of cosplay. Their growing friendship will be tested and their faith in themselves, as well as each other, will be tried.

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin

Jason Reynolds and his best bud, Jason Griffin had a mind-meld. And they decided to tackle it, in one fell swoop, in about ten sentences, and 300 pages of art, this piece, this contemplation-manifesto-fierce-vulnerable-gorgeous-terrifying-WhatIsWrongWithHumans-hope-filled-hopeful-searing-Eye-Poppingly-Illustrated-tender-heartbreaking-how-The-HECK-did-They-Come-UP-with-This project about oxygen. And all of the symbolism attached to that word, especially NOW.

And so for anyone who didn’t really know what it means to not be able to breathe, REALLY breathe, for generations, now you know. And those who already do, you’ll be nodding yep yep, that is exactly how it is.

6. Tomb Raider King, Vol. 1 by Yuns (REDICE)

THE SECOND CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

Fortune favors the opportunistic, and when mysterious Tombs housing ancient Relics started to appear, those lucky enough to first discover and harness the supernatural powers within them established a new world order. Others rushed to join the playing field, just to find that the only option available to them was to be a pawn for the elite.

Jooheon Suh was one such latecomer but still a talented raider in his own right, too talented to die in some random Tomb after falling into a trap—and clearly, a higher being out there agrees because instead of dying, he finds himself waking up fifteen years in the past! Armed with years of experience and foresight, Jooheon’s determined to pave a different path for himself as the Tomb Raider King!

book 1 in the Tomb Raider King series

The Nightmare Brigade, Vol. 1: The Case of The Girl from Deja Vu by Frank Thillez

The Nightmare Brigade is a dream team led by Professor Angus. With his two young sidekicks, 14 year-olds Esteban and Tristan, they have one goal: help people get rid of their worst nightmares. With unique skills, the team members can literally infiltrate their patient’s nightmare to seek its root and destroy the cause.

Things are shaken up a bit, however, when they meet the young Sarah. The Brigade has a feeling they have seen her before… Then, an insomniac is invading other’s dreams. How does he do it and how can he be stopped? It’s a paranormal story you won’t want to sleep on!

book 1 in The Nightmare Brigade series

Ralph Azham, Vol. 1: Black Are The Stars by Lewis Trondheim

After failing the test of the Chosen One as a young duck, Ralph had a tough time growing up as the village pariah, often getting into trouble due to an innate extra sense that’s rather unbelievable, embarrassing, and unfortunate. That was only compounded by the constant visit of spirits that only he, Ralph, could see.

Cut to today, his village is threatened by a vicious Horde, an apocalyptic flood may take the life of Ralph’s only supporter, his father, and the Wise Men’s Counsel are out for Ralph’s hide after rumors he had his way with one of their daughters. Ultimately Ralph must leave the village and unlock the secrets of his childhood as he journeys to the Kingdom of Astolia, but not before he takes a young ward, Raoul, who bears an uncanny similarity to Ralph.

It’s a sprawling story of fathers and their sons, magic, mysticism, with plenty of action, adventure, and signature Trondheim madcap humor.

books 1 – 3 in the Ralph Azham series

8. Ralph Azham, Vol. 2: The Land of the Blue Demons by Lewis Trondheim

In this sprawling adventure by award-winning cartoonist Lewis Trondheim, filled with heavily-guarded castles, apocalyptic red skies, flying beasts, and deep mythos, our protagonist Ralph Azham discovers he has a long-lost sister, Captain Rose Azham. She had a vision that the two siblings will fight to the death sometime in the future.

To interrupt the family reunion, a King possessed by the wicked sorcerer Malick declares a vendetta against Ralph, after Ralph’s uncanny power to conjure spirits. Now, guided (and sometimes dragged) by spirits, Ralph and his loyal page Yassou must flee the puppet king’s forces through treacherous mountain passes to hazardous high seas …

Nowhere is safe for Ralph and his scrappy entourage. But how long can he run for? And what of the rumors Ralph has been spotted in cities causing more chaos and destruction? The fate of the world, or the end of the world, might depend on Ralph’s next step.

books 4 – 6 in the Ralph Azham series

The Well by Jake Wyatt

Li-Zhen’s life on the archipelago is simple. Known to friends and family as Lizzy, she takes care of her grandfather and their goats, she flirts with the woman who helps row the ferry, and she stays away from the fog that comes in the night―and the monsters hiding within it.

But Lizzy’s life comes apart when she steals a handful of coins from a sacred well to cover a debt. The well requires repayment, but it doesn’t deal in coins. It needs wishes, and its minions will drown Lizzy in its depths if she doesn’t grant them. Lizzy finds herself on a quest to uncover hidden memories, bestow great wealth, and face the magical secrets that nearly destroyed her family―and are now returning to threaten everything she has ever known.

Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet, Vol. 1 by Mika Yamamori

Fumi Oono, second-year high-school student. Stuck with the debts of her father, she needs a job—fast. While she did indeed manage to find one as a housekeeper for THE Akatsuki Kibikino, it leaves much to be desired. After all, the novelist has a mean glare and an even worse attitude…And on top of that, she has to live with him?!

book 1 in the Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet series