2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List

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ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is sharing the nominations for the 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children (BGNC) Reading List. These reading list nominations highlight the best graphic novels for children aged 5 – 12 years old, published in late 2023 through 2024, and it aims to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections.

The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) and its committees honor the entire creative team (including the writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, and translator) involved in the titles listed. All of these people play a critical role in the creation of the work, helping to lift the story and give it life.

Best Graphic Novels for Children 2024 Selection Committee

Natasha Carty, Committee Co-Chair
Karlie Herndon, Committee Co-Chair
Angie Rundle, Committee Administrative Assistant
Althea Georges
William Kist
Allison (Ally) Watkins
Michelle Young
Deborah Zeman
Andréa Fernandes
Paige Harp
Julie Novak
Scot Smith
Bethni King
Emilio Romero

2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Top Ten

The Circuit Graphic Novel. Written by Francisco Jiménez. Art by Celia Jacobs. Adapted by Andrew J. Rostan. 2024. Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358348214).
In this memoir, Francisco Jiménez describes his youth as a child in a family of poor Mexican immigrants living in California. To survive, he and his family performed the backbreaking work of harvesting crops by hand.

Ellie in First Position. Written by Brian Freschi. Art by Elena Triolo. Translated by Nanette McGuinness. 2023. Marble Press, $13.99 (9781958325001).
After her parents' divorce, Ellie has to deal with being the new kid at school. Her mother encourages her to join a sport to make friends, but no sport she tries fits. Ellie secretly desires to dance, an activity of which her mother disapproves.

The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival. Written by Estelle Nadel, Sammy Savos, and Bethany Strout. Art by Sammy Savos. Interior design by Yan May. Cover design by Sunny Lee. 2024. Roaring Brook Press, $17.99 (9781250247773).
Enia was only seven years old when the Nazis invaded Poland at the start of WWII, and she and her Jewish family went into hiding. She describes the hardships and tragedies the family faced during and after the war when she and her surviving brothers came to the United States.

The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower. Written by Lee Gee Eun. Art by Lee Gee Eun. Translation by Aerin Park. 2024. Levine Querido, $19.99 (9781646144594).
When a dandelion gets stuck to the tail of a grouchy tiger, the two soon become friends.

Lion Dancers. Written by Cai Tse. Art by Cai Tse. 2024. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $23.99 (9781665927246).
Wei dreamed of being a lion dancer until an accident led him to quit. Years later, a chance encounter leads him to try dancing again. But there's a slight hitch. One of his new teammates is Hung, his ex-friend who is bitter about Wei's return to the sport.

Plain Jane and the Mermaid. Written by Vera Brosgol. Art by Vera Brosgol. 2024. First Second, $22.99 (9781250314864).
When her parents die, Jane is evicted from her home. The only way to avoid homelessness is by getting married. Jane hopes a young man named Peter will be her salvation. But when Peter is kidnapped by a mermaid, Jane must journey underwater to save his life...and her own.

Poetry Comics. Written by Grant Snider. Art by Grant Snider. 2024. Chronicle Books, $18.99 (9781797219653).
Poems are grouped into seasonal themes and illustrated in the graphic novel format.

Saving H'Non: Chang and the Elephant. Written by Trang Nguyễn. Illustrated by Jeet Zdũng, Phuong An, Hoang Long, and Ngoc Hoan. Color by Nguyet Han. Translated by Hoang Duy. Designed by Lihn Phan. Edited by Lisa Edwards and Rose Ahmed. 2023. Dial Books for Young Readers, $23.99 (9780593406731).
Baseball has defined Elena's identity. When another season ends, she has no true friends to hang out with for the summer. After her brother invites her to play with his friends, she finds more to life than baseball - if only if she can rediscover her ability to imagine.

Wildflower Emily: A Story About Young Emily Dickinson. Written by Lydia Corry. Art by Lydia Corry. 2024. Godwin Books, $22.99 (9781250868213).
This graphic novel biography of poet Emily Dickinson beautifully weaves Dickinson's love of nature as a child into her development as a poet. The graphic novel includes beautiful four-color art and examples of Dickinson's poetry.

Wildful. Written by Kengo Kurimoto. Art by Kengo Kurimoto. 2024. Groundwood Books, $21.99 (9781773068626).
After meeting a new friend, a grieving young girl finds solace in the mysterious beauty of nature.

2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Official List

Fiction

Young Readers (ages 3-8)

Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Mayhem on Wheels. Written by Daniel Abdo and Jason Patterson. 2024. First Second, $12.99 (9781250829351).
Blue, Barry, and Pancakes ride a flood out of their house and roller-skate after a beachball, only to find themselves in a Roller Duck Ball rink. After a winning streak, the rival team shows up with giant robot replacements, and the three friends have to do some serious teamwork.

The Egg Incident. Written by Ziggy Hanaor. Art by Daisy Wynter. 2024. Cicada Books, $19.99 (9781800660434).
Humphrey and his parents live a cautious life, after what happened to Uncle Humpty Dumpty on that wall. When Humphrey finally ventures out into the world, the local princess helps him overcome his fears and even reveals the truth of his uncle's fate.

Everyone Gets a Turn. Written by Marianne Dubuc. Art by Marianne Dubuc. 2024. Princeton Architectural Press, $18.99 (9781797227290).
After Bear, Turtle, Hare, and Mouse find an egg in the woods, the four animal friends take turns trying to raise it.

Johnny Boo: Is Bored! Bored! Bored!, Book 14. Written by James Kochalka. Art by James Kochalka. 2023. Top Shelf Productions, $11.99 (9781603095334).
After giving away his magic hammer, Johnny Boo now finds himself extremely bored. Can he escape this horrible predicament?

Looking for Peppermint: Or Life in the Forest. Written by Maxwell Eaton III. Art by Maxwell Eaton III. 2024. Neal Porter Books, $18.99 (9780823452088).
Learn about the woods while trying to track down a girl's dog, Peppermint.

Walkies: A Dog's Tale. Written by Estrela Lourenço. Art by Estrela Lourenço. 2024. Page Street Kids, $18.99 (9781645678717).
In this wordless graphic novel, a boy and his dog take a walk in the rain.

Easy Readers (ages 5-9)

The Adventures of Penguin and Panda. Written by Brenda Maier. Illustrated by Fanni Mézes.

Surprise!, Book 1. 2024. Marble Press, $9.99 (9781958325056).
Penguin and Panda are very different, but they are best friends.
Fun and Games!, Book 2. 2024. Marble Press, $9.99 (9781958325070).
Penguin and Panda learn it's easy to get over-excited and sharing is cool.

Batcat: Sink or Swim!, Book 2. Written by Meggie Ramm. Art by Meggie Ramm. 2024. Harry N. Abrams, $13.99 (9781419756597).
Batcat is in desperate need of some alone time. However, he reluctantly gets roped into a quest on behalf of the island's skeleton mermaids who have mysteriously lost their tails' colors. Batcat encounters many quirky island characters and bravely takes on some of his fears as he solves the mystery.

Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck. Written by David Ezra Stein. Art by David Ezra Stein. 2024. Penguin Random House, $18.99 (9780593094792).
When a scammer duck comes to town, the local chef, inspector, and librarian must all deal with different scams, all while the town's inventor tries to balance babysitting and inventing. When the duck realizes his scams are temporary fixes, he turns to baking instead.

Bog Myrtle. Written by Sid Sharp. Art by Sid Sharp. 2024. Annick Press, $22.99 (9781773218922).
Cheerful Beatrice and grouchy Magnolia are sisters who live together in poverty. Since Magnolia is cold, Beatrice goes to the forest to find treasures to sell and knit her sister a warm sweater. In the forest, she meets Bog Myrtle, a reasonable giant spider concerned about sustainability.

Bunnybirds. Written by Natalie Linn. Art by Natalie Linn. 2024. Holiday House, $22.99 (9780823449262).
Princess Aster knows something is fishy when members of her flock are missing....She doesn't pay it too much mind until her father disappears. That's when she knows she has to do something! Adventure is on the menu as she joins up with another Bunnybird and a centipede-dog!

Cloud Puppy. Written by Kelly Leigh Miller. Art by Kelly Leigh Miller. 2024. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9781665932127).
Cloud Puppy is excited to attend her first Comic Con and to meet her favorite author. But when she finds out her best friend plans to dress up as the same character, will their friendship survive?

Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat. Written by Li Chen. Art by Li Chen. 2024. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $12.99 (9781524895167).
Detective Beans, a young cat with an eye for solving crime, loses his detective hat when it blows out the window. Beans follows clues and interviews suspects all over the town as he tries to solve the case of his missing hat!

Duck and Moose. Written by Kirk Reedstrom. Art by Kirk Reedstrom. Design by Phil Buchanan.

Duck Moves In!, Book 1. 2024. Disney Hyperion, $12.99 (9781368097277).
Moose prefers peace and enjoys being alone. Things change quickly for Moose when the talkative Duck lands between his antlers and insists on that very spot being his new home. Although they have opposite personalities, the two eventually become friends.
Moose Blasts Off!, Book 2. 2024. Disney Hyperion, $12.99 (9781368097307).
Moose loves to play the imaginary game of Astronaut, but a disagreement arises when Duck insists he wants to play along. The two friends learn that they must compromise to have fun together.

Frankie and the Beastly Bog Song. Written by Caitlin Rose Boyle. Art by Caitlin Rose Boyle. 2024. Oni Press, $12.99 (9781637154595).
Frankie and her naturalist mom explore together. Frankie admires her mom's fearlessness. However, she gets into scrapes and needs her mom to rescue her. She learns that her mom has fears, including when her daughter is hurt or in danger! But, she does what she has to do.

Gnome and Rat: Time to Party! Written by Lauren Stohler. Art by Lauren Stohler. 2024. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $10.99 (9780593487860).
Best friends Gnome and Rat celebrate holidays and Gnome's birthday together!

The Great Puptective. Written by Alina Tysoe. Art by Alina Tysoe. 2024. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9781665938242).
Truffles is a cat who enjoys peace and quiet. His serenity is interrupted when his owner adopts a new puppy named Poppy. Poppy is a self-proclaimed detective who is loud and annoying. How will Truffles deal with this new nuisance?

Hearing Things. Written by Ben Sears. Art by Ben Sears. 2024. TOON Books, $12.99 (9781662665431).
Tim wants to help his sister with her spooky song, so he and their cat explore a haunted house to record scary sounds.

Jackson's Wilder Adventures. Written by Sarah Davidson. Art by Sarah Davidson. 2024. Papercutz, $7.99 (9781545800843).
Think Calvin & Hobbes plus the TV show Bizarre Foods sprinkled with the Crocodile Hunter. Jackson Wilder has an imaginary friend named Irwin the Thylacine. When Jackson's dad serves him leftover casserole, Irwin takes him via transporter on a tour around the world where Jackson learns about gross things animals eat.

Monti and Leo: A Newcomer in Pocketville. Written by Sylvie Kantorovitz. Art by Sylvie Kantorovitz. 2024. Walker Books, $16.99 (9781536222777).
When a new person comes to town, Monti decides the change is bad. But when the newcomer turns out to be friendly and thoughtful, Monti changes his mind and helps the rest of the town accept their new neighbor, Leo.

Night Stories: Folktales from Latin America. Written by Liniers. Introduction by David Bowles. 2024. TOON Books, $17.99 (9781662665295).
A pair of siblings that can't fall asleep share spooky stories.

Otis & Peanut: Forever and Ever. Written by Naseem Hrab. Art by Kelly Collier. 2024. Owlkids Books, $18.95 (9781771474979).
Three interconnected short stories about a long-haired guinea pig, Otis, and a naked mole rat, Peanut, explore friendship and grief. The two friends eat cake, remember a loved one, and make new memories together.

Owl and Penguin: Here and There. Written by Vikram Madan. Art by Vikram Madan. 2024. Holiday House, $14.99 (9780823457120).
Owl and Penguin are friends who make pizza, make a snowman, and go for a hike together. With each adventure, they encounter difficulties, but their friendship and cooperation help them to work through problems in a way that is satisfactory to both friends.

Rover and Speck. Written by Jonathan Roth. Art by Jonathan Roth. Color by Paulina Suȧrez.

Splash Down!, Book 2. 2023. Kids Can Press, $16.99 (9781525305672).
Space rovers Rover and Speck explore a watery planet.
It's a Gas!, Book 3. 2024. Kids Can Press, $16.99 (9781525305689).
Space rovers Rover and Speck explore a gas planet.

Sky & Ty: Howdy, Partner!, Book 1. Written by Steve Breen. Art by Steve Breen. 2024. Pixel+Ink, $14.99 (9781645952145).
Join Sky as she goes looking for a loyal steed...not a pony, but a DINOSAUR! Who will win the dance-off between Dionsaur and Bear? WIll their parcel package arrive in time? Can you solve the riddles? Let's find out!

Super Magic Boy: I Am a Space Tiger. Written by Jarod Roselló. Art by Jarod Roselló. 2024. Random House Graphic, $10.99 (9780593427811).
A fun adventure for younger readers, full of silly and gentle humor. A younger version of "Calvin and Hobbes" for the kindergarten crowd.

Twig Friends. Written by Andrew McDonald. Art by Ben Wood. 2024. Bright Light, $11.99 (9781761214356).
Three short stories follow the adventures of Ziggy, Noodle, Red, and Stump. Readers learn the difference between a good and a bad surprise, explore a "volcano," and get creative with twig art!

Viewfinder. Written by Christine D.U. Chung and Salwa Majoka. Art by D.U. Chung and Salwa Majoka. 2024. Tundra Books, $18.99 (9780735268753).
In a science fiction future where humanity lives among the stars, a young space explorer encounters the beauty and wonder of Earth for the first time.

Zips and Eeloo Make Hummus. Written by Leila Boukarim. Art by Alex Lopez. 2024. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $11.99 (9781524884352).
Two aliens, self-proclaimed experts in human behavior, explain the process of making hummus.

Zooni Tales. Written by Vikram Madan. Art by Vikram Madan.

Keep It Up, Plucky Pup. 2023. Holiday House, $13.99 (9780823453573).
Zooni has lost a shoe. It might be here...or over there.
A Friend Till the End. 2024. Holiday House, $13.99 (9780823453580).
Zooni the Dog's friends stick together through every adventure—from cheese quests to road tests.

Middle Grade (ages 7-11)

The Adventures of Invisible Boy. Written by Doogie Horner. Art by Doogie Horner. 2024. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, $20.99 (9780593532645).
On Stanley's first day at a new school, he creates chaos at the science fair -- and winds up invisible!

Amber Brown is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel. Written by Paula Danziger. Illustrated by Victoria Ying. 2024. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, $19.99 (9780593615690).
Third grader Amber Brown must deal with her best friend moving away.

Animal Rescue Friends: Learning New Tricks, Book 3. Written by Gillian Goerz, Norm Harper, Megan Kearney, Katie Longua, Brian McLachlan, Leonie O'Moore, Barbara Perez Marquez, and Diana Peterfreund. Art by Shadia Amin, Kasia Babis, Ellen T. Crenshaw, Matt Kaufenberg, Maike Plenzke, Leo Trinidad, and Chelsea Trousdale. Color by Whitney Cogar. Edited by Stephanie Cooke and Harriet Low. 2023. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $21.99 (9781524882358).
A diverse group of kids encounters animals, including Whiskers the rat and Sergio the tortoise, through their work at an animal rescue organization. They learn that everyone could benefit from help.

Ant Story. Written by Jay Hosler. Art by Jay Hosler. 2024. HarperAlley, $24.99 (9780063294004).
A cartoon ant explains to the reader the lives of leafcutter ants and all the other bugs and animals with which they interact.

Anzu and the Realm of Darkness. Written by Mai K. Nguyen. Art by Mai K. Nguyen. 2024. Viking Books for Young Readers, $23.99 (9780593525272).
When a strange dog steals her necklace, Anzu follows the thief and ends up in Yomi, the land of the dead. If she does not escape by sunrise, she will be trapped with the dead forever.

Art Club. Written by Rashad Doucet. Art by Rashad Doucet. 2024. Little, Brown Ink, $24.99 (9780759556362).
Dale Donovan lacked focus until he was assigned to research his future career. He chose to present himself as a comic book artist, but his teacher dismissed him. To prove his teacher wrong, Dale created an art club that inspired other students to explore their interests in art.

Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem. Written by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith. Art by Molly Murakami. 2024. Candlewick, $22.99 (9781536204995).
Riley and Maya have moved from their homes and are living in Urbanopolis. Trouble comes when the Vice Principal plots to cut club budgets to fund more space for detention. Riley and Maya fight these budget cuts, but can they put their differences aside to stand up for what's right?

Break (Click Book 6). Written by Kayla Miller. Art by Kayla Miller. Color by Jess Lome. 2024. Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358393696).
Olive wants to spend Spring Break with her friends, but, instead, she is spending it with her dad and brother in her dad's new apartment in the city. Olive is still hurt by her dad moving far away and is consumed with her new phone and keeping up with her friends.

Buckle Up. Written by Lawrence Lindell. Art by Lawrence Lindell. 2024. Random House Graphics, $21.99 (9780593479797).
Lonnie grapples with changes after his parents' divorce. Living with his mom and sister, he misses his father and their talks during drives to school. Facing tough topics like divorce, sexuality, and racism, Lonnie navigates this new family dynamic, wondering if it will bring them closer or drive them apart.

Camp Prodigy. Written by Caroline Palmer. Art by Caroline Palmer. 2024. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $22.99 (9781665930383).
Tate's parents understand that music is one of their passions and enroll them in a summer camp for musicians. Tate meets the musician, Eli, who inspires them to become more confident about their musical abilities and find ways to open up about their gender identity to their peers and parents.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Forecast From Stonehenge. Written by Stephaine Phillips and R.A. Montgomery. Art by Dani Bolinho. Color by PH Gomes. Lettering by Joamette Gil. 2024. Oni Press, $12.99 (9781637152454).
Readers will choose their path in this tale set on the summer solstice in one of the most historically famous locations on Earth. Is Alistair a friend or a foe? Will wizards and fairies be helpful or harmful? You get to choose!

Continental Drifter. Written by Kathy MacLeod. Art by Kathy MacLeod. 2024. First Second, $22.99 (9781250813732).
Kathy lives with her family in Bangkok, Thailand, but she counts down the days every year until she can spend the summer with her American father's family in Maine.

Detective Sweet Pea: The Case of the Golden Bone. Written by Sara Varon. Art by Sara Varon. 2024. First Second, $22.99 (9781250236371).
When Parkville's communal chew toy, The Golden Bone, goes missing, the dogs of the town are in agony with stinky breath and rotten teeth. Detective Sweet Pea must enlist the help of all her neighbors to find the stolen bone and get everyone back to good dental hygiene.

DnDoggos: Get the Party Started. Written by Scout Underhill. Art by Scout Underhill. Color by Liana Sposto. 2024. Feiwel & Friends, $14.99 (9781250834348).
This tale follows the adventures of four Dungeons and Dragons lovin' doggies as they play a new campaign, led by their friend Tonka, and have to figure out how they respond to the new challenges that arise for their group.

Dog Trouble. Written by Kristin Varner. Art by Kristin Varner. Edited by Robyn Chapman and Michael Moccio. Cover and book design by Yan L. May and Molly Johanson. Veterinary consultation by Dr. Catherine Parks. 2024. First Second, $14.99 (9781250225917).
Ash's Mom sends him to live with his Dad on Ferncliff Island. Ash hates going to the boring island where he doesn't have friends and doesn't feel like he belongs. He chooses to work at the animal shelter and learns to love it so that he does not mind living on the island.

The Effects of Pickled Herring: A Graphic Novel. Written by Alex Schumacher. Art by Alex Schumacher. Color by Allan Ferguson. 2024. Mango Publishing Group, $32.99 (9781684813568).
Life is tough for Micah. Not only is he unpopular at school and struggling to prepare for his upcoming B'nai Mitzvah. But when his grandmother's strange behavior soon points to a heartbreaking diagnosis, his family relationships are pushed to the breaking point.

The Firelight Apprentice. Written by Bree Paulsen. Art by Bree Paulsen. 2024. Quill Tree Books, $24.99 (9780063266599).
Ada's younger sister Safi is developing her magic and they need to find an apprenticeship for her. When she is apprenticed under the king's magicians, everyone is thrilled. But things aren't always as they seem.

The Great Turkey Walk. Written by Kathleen Karr and Léonie Bischoff. Art by Léonie Bischoff. Translated by Michelle Bailat-Jones. 2024. Helvetiq, $29.95 (9783039640638).
Simon Green has been in school for a very long time, and he is not very good at it. In 1860 in Missouri, he finally gets an opportunity to make something of himself when he uses his teacher's savings to purchase 1,000 turkeys from a local farmer and plans to walk them to Denver to sell for a profit.

The Happy Shop. Written by Brittany Long Olsen. Art by Brittany Long Olsen. 2024. Oni Press, $14.99 (9781637152799).
When Darcy moves to a new country, she discovers a strange shop that sells happy feelings in jars.

The Inscrutable Doctor Baer and the Case of the Two-Faced Statue. Written by Jerzy Drozd. Art by Jerzy Drozd. 2024. Iron Circus Comics, $14.99 (9781638991434).
Doctor Baer provides a home for spirits by collecting the objects they haunt. When a sorcerer's attack destroys a powerful artifact and scatters his companions, he must go on a journey to restore things to right.

Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic. Written by Sangu Mandanna. Art by Pablo Ballesteros. Color by Pablo Ballesteros and Siobhan Keenan. 2024. Viking Books for Young Readers, $22.99 (9780593464472).
Jupiter Nettle achieves her life's dream of attending the Seven Schools of Magic -- but she is disappointed to be in the School of Earth Magic, which doesn't receive the same respect as the other six schools. But when a crisis occurs, Jupiter must save the day.

Lost Time. Written by Tas Mukanik. Art by Tas Mukanik. Inked by Winter Jay Kiakas. Edited by Chris Hernandez. Design by Danielle Ceccolini. 2023. Razorbill, $22.99 (9780593327036).
Evie is lost 65 million years in the past. She makes friends with Ada, a pterosaur, and learns to survive. Can she figure out how to fix the broken technology that can send her back home to her family?

The Mighty Onion. Written by Mark Crilley. Art by Mark Crilley. 2024. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $14.99 (9780316490313).
Eliot has a brilliant idea for a comic book that he's sure will make him famous. The only problem? He sucks at drawing! He recruits his artist classmate Pam to help him achieve his dream. But will their creative differences destroy their chance at greatness?

Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze. Written by Maple Lam. Art by Maple Lam. 2024. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, $23.99 (9780593524633).
Sun Wukong is the Monkey King, a powerful Beast with the ability to shapeshift. After being rejected, Wukong vows to become a god, hoping it will gain him admirers. The gods agree to his demand on one condition; he must defeat the monsters attacking the world.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck and Roll! Written by Stephaine Williams. Art by Asia Simone. 2024. Graphix, $9.99 (9781338785524).
A group of rollerskating thieves are no match for Moon Girl and her dinosaur sidekick! Things become more complicated when The Collector enters the picture!

The New Girl. Written by Cassandra Calin. Art by Cassandra Calin. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338762464).
Twelve-year-old Lia immigrated from Romania to Canada with her parents and little brother. Starting at her new school, she has to learn to adapt to her classes and friendships while dealing with a language barrier at the same time.

The Night Librarian. Written by Christopher Lincoln. Art by Christopher Lincoln. Color by Bonaia Rosado. 2024. Dial Books, $23.99 (9780593617656).
Page and Turner are plunged into a journey through one of their favorite places--the New York Public Library--to get answers about their father's signed first edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula. With the help of the Night Librarian, authors escape from books to help Page and Turner save the library.

Noodle & Bao. Written by Shaina Lu. Art by Shaina Lu. 2024. Quill Tree Books, $24.99 (9780063283411).
Through community organizing and resistance, Momo and the other residents of Town 99 come together to try and save their town from gentrification, especially their friends' beloved food cart, Noodle & Bao.

Pearl. Written by Sherri L. Smith. Art by Christine Norrie. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338029437).
13-year-old Amy is a Japanese-American girl living with her parents and baby brother in Hawaii in 1941. The story follows Amy who is dealing with being a part of both sides of the war while fearing for herself and her family in the U.S. and the possibility of being sent to an internment camp.

Pizza Face. Written by Rex Ogle. Art by Dave Valeza. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338575040).
Seventh grade hits Rex hard with a glaring pimple on day one. Battling acne, body odor, and puberty's embarrassments, he faces it all on a tight budget. With bullies and strained friendships, Rex feels like he can't catch a break. Seventh grade is a tough, awkward journey for him.

Poetry Comics. Written by Grant Snider. Art by Grant Snider. 2024. Chronicle Books, $18.99 (9781797219653).
Poems are grouped into seasonal themes and illustrated in the graphic novel format.

Punycorn. Written by Andi Watson. Art by Andi Watson. 2023. Clarion Books, $15.99 (9780358571995).
When the Chosen Ones go off on a secret mission, Punycorn is left alone to defend Carbuncle, a land of rainbows and cupcakes. Punycorn must face Sir Ogre with his ragtag Kinship: a sneezing dragon, a magical sword found in a landfill, and a Dung Elemental.

The Ribbon Skirt. Written by Cameron Mukwa. Art by Cameron Mukwa. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338843262).
Anang is a two-spirit Anishinaabe youth. They want to reclaim the ribbon skirt, a traditionally female Native garment, to wear at a powwow. With the help of their friends--human, animal, and spirit--they gather materials for the skirt and gain confidence in themself.

Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces. Written by Carlos Sánchez. Art by Carlos Sánchez. 2024. Flying Eye Books, $15.99 (9781838741211).
After being chased by bullies, Chiri and Dai stumble into Puddin', a magical land under siege by a sinister creature known as the Shadow King.

Shock City. Written by Aaron Alexovich. Art by Aaron Alexovich. 2024. Viking Books for Young Readers, $23.99 (9780593528112).
When shy Milo rings the doorbell of a house he believes is haunted, he encounters a surprisingly cheery monster girl named Sunny. A mysterious and sinister force has infected the city causing people to flee in terror. Can this odd pair put a stop to the source of this evil?

Squire & Knight: Wayward Travelers, Book 2. Written by Scott Chantler. Art by Scott Chantler. 2024. FIrst Second, $22.99 (9781250846907).
On their quest to take a child to wizard school, Squire and his knight find themselves going in circles. When enemies attack, Squire must use his intelligence to get them safely out of this mess and to the school. Squire's flashbacks of meeting a princess help guide him.

Stories of the Islands. Written by Clar Angkasa. Art by Clar Angkasa. 2023. Holiday House, $22.99 (9780823449781).
These graphic retellings of Indonesian folktales explore the beauty and magic of female relationships.

Swing. Written by Audrey Meeker. Art by Audrey Meeker. Color by Sarah Davidson. 2024. Feiwel & Friends, $22.99 (9781250864031).
Marcus is living under the shadow of his older soccer star brother, and Izzy is dealing with a controlling mom and being bullied by Marcus' soccer friend Ted. They enter a talent contest with a swing dance in which Izzy takes the lead.

Table Titans Club. Written by Scott Kurtz. Art by Scott Kurtz. Color by Steve Hamaker, Cole Roberts, Deon Parson, and Faby Saturn. 2024. Holiday House, $22.99 (9780823453160).
Valeria Winters is new to her middle school. When she joins the Table Titans, an afterschool role-playing gaming club, she begins to make new friends who like her for herself. When the club is in trouble, Val will do anything, including joining the boy's wrestling club, to save it.

Taxi Ghost. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse. Color by Kiwi Byrd. 2024. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593565988).
Over Winter Break, Adele gets her first period and learns she comes from a long line of mediums. Adele can see and interact with ghosts. Adele must work with ghosts and human friends to thwart an unscrupulous developer who wants to demolish a beloved old neighborhood and build condos.

Timid. Written by Jonathan Todd. Art by Jonathan Todd. Color by Dominique Ramsey. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338305722).
Cecil and his family recently moved. Anxious about fitting in, Cecil hesitates to make friends. His sister, Leah, suggests befriending other Black kids, but Cecil, aspiring to be recognized for his comics, faces challenges. When a misused drawing leads to trouble, Cecil must assert himself and discern who his true friends are.

Travis Daventhorpe Powers Up!, Book 2. Written by Wes Molebash. Art by Wes Molebash. 2024. First Second, $22.99 (9781250801425).
After sending robot-dinosaurs back to their dimension, Travis must continue to train with his sword and rely less on his technological prowess. He discovers that his worst enemy isn't that bad, and he learns to trust himself and others.

Tryouts. Written by Sarah Sax. Art by Sarah Sax. 2024. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $21.99 (9780593306925).
Al just wants to play baseball, but being the only girl on a team of boys comes with a lot of unexpected attention. When an interview focused on Al causes tension between her and her teammates, they must solve this conflict before their championship dreams go up in flames.

Unhappy Camper. Written by Lily LaMotte. Art by Ann Xu and Sunmi. 2024. HarperAlley, $24.99 (9780062973900).
Michelle wants to fit in with the popular kids and is appalled when her parents sign her up for a Taiwanese American summer camp with her sister Claire, who proudly identifies with her heritage. Immersed in her culture, Michelle learns to embrace her culture and solidifies her sense of identity.

Unico: Awakening (Volume 1), An Original Manga. Written by Samuel Sattin. Created by Osamu Tezuka. Art by Gurihiru. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781339036342).
A young unicorn with powerful magic is pursued by the evil forces of an envious goddess.

Upstaged. Written by Robin Easter. Art by Robin Easter. 2024. Little Brown Inc, $24.99 (9780316429528).
In their final summer at theater camp, shy Ashton Price hopes to confess their feelings to their crush, Ivy Santos, before they part ways for high school. As Ivy rehearses and Ash manages the stage, their friendship faces its biggest test. Will they drift apart or grow closer?

Wagnificent: The Adventures of Thunder and Sage. Written by Bethanie Murguia. Art by Bethanie Murguia. 2024. Roaring Brook Press, $21.99 (9781250835307).
Thunder loves her human, Sage. Unfortunately, Thunder's wild ways sometimes get her into trouble. Can Thunder be the Good Dog that Sage needs her to be?

Wires Crossed. Written by Beth Fantaskey. Art by O'Neill Jones. 2024. Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358395447).
Mia must deal with the odd changes in new and old relationships while trying to win a robotics competition.

Tween (ages 10-13)

The Cool Code 2.0: The Switch Glitch. Written by Deirdre Langeland. Art by Sarah Mai. 2023. Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358549338).
When the coding club discovers a malicious user, Morgan, Zoey, and Daniel collaborate to develop an update to address the mischief caused by an AI llama influencing Marcus, a less-popular student, to create chaos in the school.

Curlfriends: New in Town. Written by Sharee Miller. Art by Sharee Miller. Color by Luke Healy. 2023. Little, Brown Ink, $24.99 (9780316591478).
Charlie is starting over at a new school...again. To make friends and fit in, Charlie erases herself, pretending to be someone different, someone cool. After everything goes wrong, can Charlie find a way to make things right and be her true self?

Curveball. Written by Pablo Cartaya. Illustrated by Miguel Díaz Rivas. Color by Lauren "Perry" Wheeler. 2024. Disney Hyperion, $24.99 (9781368090094).
Baseball has defined Elena's identity. When another season ends, she has no true friends to hang out with for the summer. After her brother invites her to play with his friends, she finds more to life than baseball - if only if she can rediscover her ability to imagine.

Fake Chinese Sounds. Written by Jing Jing Tsong. Art by Jing Jing Tsong. 2024. Kokila, $23.99 (9780525553427).
When fifth-grader Mĕi Yīng becomes a target of racist bullying, she must find the courage to stand up for herself.

Haru: Spring, Book 1. Written by Joe Latham. Art by Joe Latham. 2024. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $22.99 (9781524889616).
Outcasts and friends, Haru and Yama, must return a magical artifact to a place called "The Beacon," while being chased by sinister beings. The small bird (Haru) and young boar (Yama) are unlikely heroes and have insecurities to confront on their quest.

Hilo: Rise of the Cat, Book 10. Written by Judd Winick. Art by Judd Winick. Color by Maarta Laiho. 2024. Random House Graphic, $14.99 (9780593488126).
When Polly's unsanctioned adventures get her into trouble, she is forced to attend a boarding school for magical rejects. But when mysterious monsters start appearing on school grounds, it's up to Polly, her brother Pip, and their robot friend Noria to identify the source of this new danger.

How It All Ends. Written by Emma Hunsinger. Art by Emma Hunsinger. 2024. Greenwillow Books, $25.99 (9780063158153).
13-year-old Tara lives mostly in her own imagination. When she skips from seventh grade to high school, she doesn't feel ready for her own life until she meets Libby.

Kingdom Riders. Written by Shannon Eric Denton. Illustrated by Marcus To. Color by Luis Antonio Delgado. Letters by Andworld Design. Edited by Dave Wielgosz and Jake Williams. 2024. IDW Publishing, $12.99 (9781684059782).
Kayla is a peasant who loves to ride her mudd toad, Grok, through dangerous adventures. When her best friend Mal gets into trouble, Kayla must race with Grok and win Mal's freedom. By winning this race, she gains attention and is asked to enter the Kingdom Races.

Knots. Written by Colleen Frakes. Art by Colleen Frakes. 2024. HarperAlley, $24.99 (9780063247178).
Norah and her sister Lark are tired of moving for their parents' prison jobs. Now her mom and sister have to move for a job, and Norah struggles to care for herself while her dad works overtime. She is afraid to ask for help—even after a bad bleach job.

Let's Go, Coco! Written by Coco Fox. Art by Coco Fox. 2024. HarperAlley, $24.99 (9780063256415).
Eleven-year-old Coco is super bummed that her best friend moved away. She awkwardly tries to make new friends by joining the basketball team. But being friends with Maddie, the bully, can be dangerous! Coco learns to be kinder to the friends who are true friends instead of trying to please Maddie.

Monster Locker. Written by Jorge Aguirre. Art by Andrés Vera Martínez. 2024. First Second, $22.99 (9781250749741).
All Pablo wants is to survive school by staying under the radar. Unfortunately, his new locker contains the power to summon monsters from another dimension.

Next Stop. Written by Debbie Fong. Art by Debbie Fong. 2024. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593425206).
Pia, grieving and seeking solace, embarks on a desert bus tour with quirky companions, yearning for a miracle at a legendary underground lake. They explore odd attractions, and sepia-toned flashbacks unveil Pia's guilt over her brother's drowning. Through newfound friendship and shared journeys, Pia discovers redemption at the magical lake.

Rose Wolves. Written by Natalie Warner. Art by Natalie Warner. 2023. Top Shelf Production, $14.99 (9781603095310).
A girl with one and a half arms gets lost in the woods and plucks a rose off a bush. Overnight, a wolf with three legs and a rose tail emerges. She takes the wolf back home and visits him on full moon nights.

Save Our Forest! Written by Nora Dåsnes. Art by Nora Dåsnes. Translated by Lise Laerdal Bryn. 2024. Hippo Park, $24.99 (9781662640735).
When a beloved forest is scheduled to be demolished and replaced with a parking lot, it's up to Bao and her friends to find a way to save it.

Shepherdess Warriors, Vol. 1. Written by Jonathan Garnier. Art by Amélie Fléchais. 2024. Ablaze, $14.99 (9781684971695).
Ten years ago, the men of the village left to fight in the Great War leaving the women, elderly, and children behind. The village women formed the Order of the Shepherdess Warriors, and Molly is excited because now that she is 10, she can begin her training.

Sink or Swim. Written by Lee Durfey-Lavoie. Art by Veronica Agarwal. 2024. Random House Graphic, $22.99 (9780593125519).
12-year-old Ty gets self-conscious after he gains weight due to an injury. He ghosts his best friends, Max and Heather, which makes them think he doesn't like them anymore. When they go to summer camp together, the friends feel awkward around each other.

Summer Vamp: (A Graphic Novel). Written by Violet Chan Karim. Art by Violet Chan Karim. 2024. Random House Graphic, $21.99 (9780593425237).
Maya is excited about going to culinary camp for the summer. But after mistakenly getting on the wrong bus, she ends up at a camp for vampires. Now she has to figure out how to escape before they find out she's a human.

Sunny Makes Her Case. Written by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. Art by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. Color by Lark Pien and George Williams. Lettering by Fawn Lau. Book design by Carina Taylor. Edited by David Levithan. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338792454).
Sunny tries out for the cheer team with a friend, but she doesn't make the team. Her friend Arun suggests that the two of them start a debate team. Once they find a sponsor, they begin learning the art of debating.

Tiffany's Griffon. Written by Maddi Gonzalez and Magnolia Porter Porter Siddell. Art by Maddi Gonzalez and Magnolia Porter Porter Siddell. 2024. First Second, $30.99 (9781250757814).
Marnie is a superfan of the Griffon Rider book series. When a fairy bearing a griffon egg appears, she learns that the stories are real. Unfortunately, the egg's not for her! The true chosen one is the popular girl Tiffany. Feeling betrayed, Marnie does everything she can to seize Tiffany's destiny.

Turning Twelve. Written by Kathryn Ormsbee. Art by Molly Brooks. Color by Marta Todeschini. 2024. Random House Graphic, $21.99 (9780593650066).
Katie has just turned twelve and is finding that getting older is much more than expected. She feels like an outsider at her church and homeschooling co-op, gets her period, and realizes her feelings for her new friend, Grace, might be a crush.

Unicorn Boy. Written by Dave Roman. Art by Dave Roman. Color by Heather Mann. 2024. First Second, $14.99 (9781250830265).
A shy pre-teen boy named Brian grows a unicorn horn on his head. At first, he attempts to hide this new feature, but the disappearance of his friend Avery thrusts Brian into a series of fantastic adventures that Brian and Avery experience.

We Are Big Time. Written by Hena Khan. Art by Safiya Zerrougui. 2024. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9780593430484).
After moving from Tampa to Wisconsin, Aliya tries to make her mark as co-captain of her school's basketball team.

The Witch's Wings and Other Terrifying Tales. Written by Tehlor Kay Mejia. Art by Alexis Hernandez, Justin Hernandez, Kaylee Rowena, and Junyi Wu. Letters by Bernardo Brice. 2023. Amulet Books, $24.99 (9781419763564).
Alicia wants to join the Midnight Society, a group of kids who gather in the woods to tell scary stories. One night she stumbles upon them, and, to prove her worth, Alicia must tell three terrifying tales that impress the other members. Does she have what it takes?

Nonfiction

Middle Grade (ages 7-11)

Fighting to Belong!, Vol. 1: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History from the 1700s through the 1800s. Written by Amy Chu and Alexander Chang. Art by Louie Chin. 2024. Third State Books, $18.95 (9798890130198).
A group of 7th graders need to do a research project about Asian American and Pacific Islander history. They go to a local museum where a wizard study guide gives them a VIP tour of moments of AANHPI history from the 18th to the 19th century in the USA.

Lost & Found: Based on a True Story. Written by Mei Yu. Art by Mei Yu. Design by Liam Donnelly. 2024. Union Square Kins, $16.99 (9781454945475).
Mei experiences difficulties at home and school after her family moves from China to Canada. Along with her imaginary cat Meiow, she discovers a creative way to overcome her language barrier and finds a new friend.

Puzzled: A Memoir about Growing Up with OCD. Written by Pan Cooke. Art by Pan Cooke. 2024. Rocky Pond Books, $23.99 (9780593615614).
This memoir tells of the author's struggles with OCD from a very young age. Told in episodic fashion, the book never slows down as the author packs on the details about OCD and how he has persevered.

Science Comics: Elephants: Living Large. Written by Jason Viola. Art by Falynn Koch. 2024. First Second, $21.99 (9781250265913).
Readers learn about the lives and experiences of elephants through the eyes of a calf named Duni and her family.

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back. Written by Ruth Chan. Art by Ruth Chan. 2024. Roaring Brook Press, $14.99 (9781250855343).
Ruth Chan's Toronto life is disrupted when her family moves to Hong Kong for her dad's job. Struggling with loneliness and cultural differences, she finds solace in family stories, learning to embrace change and discovering that home is where the heart finds strength.

Tween (ages 10-13)

Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison-and How We Stay Connected. Written by Jay Jay Patton, Antoine Patton, and Kiara Valdez. Art by Markia Jenai. 2024. Graphix, $24.99 (9781546128373).
Jay Jay's life changes when her dad is released from prison and they work together to develop an app to connect kids and their incarcerated family members.

The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival. Written by Estelle Nadel, Sammy Savos, and Bethany Strout. Art by Sammy Savos. Interior design by Yan May. Cover design by Sunny Lee. 2024. Roaring Brook Press, $17.99 (9781250247773).
Enia was only seven years old when the Nazis invaded Poland at the start of WWII, and she and her Jewish family went into hiding. She describes the hardships and tragedies the family faced during and after the war when she and her surviving brothers came to the United States.

History Comics: Hip-Hop: The Beat of America. Written by Jarrett Williams. Art by Jarrett Williams. Color by Joey Weiser. 2024. First Second, $21.99 (9781250795762).
This book explores the societal, cultural, and economic forces that led to the rise of hip-hop music as well as its long-lasting impacts on the world at large.

Huda F Cares? Written by Huda Fahmy. Art by Huda Fahmy. Color by Weinye Chen. 2023. Dial Books, $24.99 (9780593532799).
Huda and her family take a road trip to a timeshare near Disney World. This episodic tale is filled with culture clashes that Huda experiences being visibly Muslim on the road from Michigan to Florida. Each character struggles with family dynamics tested by many hours spent outside "the bubble."

Tegan and Sara: Crush. Written by Tegan Quin and Sara Quin. Art by Tillie Walden. 2024. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $22.99 (9780374313036).
Eighth grade brings new opportunities, and conflict, for budding musicians Tegan and Sara. They find themselves with a music manager and new music connections. The sisters see these changes with a different perspective and have to find a way to negotiate what it means to be themselves in the limelight.

Weirdo. Written by Tony Weaver, Jr. Art by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo. 2024. First Second, $22.99 (9781250772862).
Tony becomes the target of many students and sinks to a very low place, needing the help of his family, best friend, and a new therapist. When his parents move him to a new school again, this time Tony finds his people.