2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List

ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is thrilled to introduce the 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children (BGNC) Reading List. This reading list highlights the best graphic novels for children aged 5 – 12 years old, published in late 2022 through 2023, 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 2023 Selection Committee

Kerrie Mierop, Committee Chair - Youth Services Librarian, Calabasas Library
Heather Rowan, Committee Assistant - Librarian 1, Austin (TX) Public Library
Tessa Gunnell - Frederick County Public Libraries (MD)
Anna Chou - Elementary School Librarian, Papillion La Vista Community Schools
Sarah Okner - Vernon Area Public Library
Eric Carpenter - Atlanta Public Schools
Natasha Carty - Albuquerque Public Schools
Megan Rasmussen - District Librarian, Round Lake Area CUSD #116
Julie Novak - New Trier H.S.
Karlie Erin Herndon - The University of Mississippi
Mariizhe Bonier - Austin (TX) Public Library

The Best Graphic Novels for Children committee would like to recognize and thank Midwest Tape for allowing all committee members free access to Hoopla® during this term of service.

2023 Best Comics and Graphic Novels for Children Top Ten

Buzzing. Written by Samuel Sattin. Art by Rye Hickman.2023. Little Brown Ink, $24.99 (9780316628433).
Isaac, aged 12, lives with OCD, and therapy doesn’t seem to be helping. In class, a schoolmate notices his drawings and asks him to join their role-playing group. When his grades drop, Isaac’s overprotective mother threatens this new-found freedom. Middle Readers (Grades 3-4).

Duel. Written by Jessixa Bagley. Art by Aaron Bagley. 2023. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $24.99 (9781534496552).
Lucy is in sixth grade and new to middle school, while her sister, Gigi, is in eighth grade and Queen Bee. After losing their father, the two have grown apart, and now in the same school, their fights escalate until only a fencing duel can settle things. Middle Readers (Grades 3-4).

A First Time for Everything. Written by Dan Santat. Art by Dan Santat. 2023. First Second, $22.99 (9781626724150).
A memoir of a middle school kid on a school trip to Europe where he finds himself as well as young love. Older Readers (Grades 5-6).

Gnome and Rat. Written by Lauren Stohler. Art by Lauren Stohler. 2023. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $10.99 (9780593487822).
Gnome and Rat are best friends and enjoy doing everything together, whether it's celebrating Hat Day or perfecting a new hairstyle for Gnome. They might be very different (Rat loves drinking tea and crosswords while Gnome loves caring for his hat and sausages), but they're always there for each other. Young Readers (PreK-2nd Grade).

Mabuhay! Written by Zachary Sterling. Art by Zachary Sterling. Color by Rice Gallardo, Aaron Polk, and George Williams. Designed by Corina Taylotr. Edited by Megan Peace. 2023. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338738643).
JJ and Althea hate working with their parents on their food truck, but when magical creatures begin to threaten their safety, they learn to embrace their Filipino identity and value the folklore their mom loves to share. Middle Readers (Grades 3-4).

The Magma Cup (Sort of Super #2). Written by Eric Gapstur. Art by Eric Gapstur. Color by Kelly Dearbhla. Design by Laura Lyn DiSiena and Eric Gapstur. 2023. Aladdin, $22.99 (9781534480322).
Super siblings Wyatt and Adeline, along with their friends Beto and Nara, travel to summer camp and explore a volcano in an effort to find their lost mother and solve the mystery of their super powers. Middle Readers (Grades 3-4).

Mexikid. Written by Pedro Martín. Art by Pedro Martín. 2023. Dial Books for Young Readers, $24.99 (9780593462287).
Pedro grew up listening to stories about his legendary abuelito and his oldest siblings’ lives in Mexico. Adventure awaits Pedro and his 8 siblings as they road trip to Mexico to pick up their abuelito, and Pedro has a chance to get in touch with his roots. Older Readers (Grades 5-6).

Scurry. Written by Mac Smith. Art by Mac Smith. 2023. Skybound Comet, $14.99 (9781534324367).
Mice friends, Wix and Umf, are out scouting for supplies for their colony. Once dependent on humans, they are now surviving in the humans’ absence, but danger is everywhere. Danger comes from those around them and from the outside world they must venture into. Older Readers (Grades 5-6).

Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments. Written by Victoria Grace Elliott. Art by Victoria Grace Elliott. 2023. Random House Graphic, $13.99 (9780593425329).
With the help of sprites, Yummy explores the history of foods such as cheese, pickles, olives, Spam, and even soda. Each section ends with recipes featuring the different foods. Sprites have fun showing the reader the history of all the yummy food we eat. Middle Readers (Grades 3-4).

Things in the Basement. Written by Ben Hatke. Art by Ben Hatke. Color by Zack Giallongo. 2023. First Second, $14.99 (9781250909541).
Milo’s hunt for his baby sister's sock takes him on a subterranean quest full of adventure, heartache, and love. Middle Readers (Grades 3-4).

Fiction

All Ages (PreK-6th Grade)

Alphabuddies: G is First. Written by Beth Bacon and Karen Kane. Art by Eric Barclay. 2023. Harper Collins Childrens, $19.99 (9780063055971).
Tired of being stuck in the middle, G decides they want a turn at starting the alphabet song. A catastrophizes, but G decides to experiment, and even Z gets in on the action. The other letters teach A that going first isn't the only thing that makes him important.

Beak & Ally #4: Snow Birds. Written by Norm Feuti. Art by Norm Feuti. 2023. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780063021679).
With winter on its way, new birds fly south and find themselves sharing a home with Beak. Ally is not excited about the noisy new neighbors, but Beak is excited. She quickly learns that her new friends just want to party, even if it keeps her up all night.

Clementine Fox and the Great Island Adventure #1. Written by Leigh Luna. Art by Leigh Luna. 2023. Graphix , $22.99 (9781338356250).
Clementine hates math. When her mom insists on a tutor, Clementine skips school with her friends. They abscond atop a sea turtle to Celemntine’s aunt’s island home, where she finally finds joy in math.

Peculiar Woods #1.: The Ancient Underwater City. Written by Andres J. Colmenares. Art by Andres J. Colmenares. 2023. Andrews McMeel, $19.99 (9781524879297).
Iggie is moving in with Jill, his biological mother, and is a little nervous about the move to Peculiar Woods. He discovers that objects around him come to life and sets off on a quest with his new friends: the talking chair, two chess pieces, and his blanket.

Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! Written by Mike Maihack. Art by Mike Maihack. 2023. Amulet, $12.99 (9781419764806).
Spider-Man is about to go stop a super-villain in Central Park when Iron Man drops by and asks him to pet-sit his goldfish. One by one, more superheroes drop off their pets for Peter to watch until chaos ensues.

Super Pancake #1. Written by Megan Wagner Lloyd. Art by Abhi Alwar. 2023, RH Graphic, $16.99 (9780593378441).
Peggy Pancake is just a normal breakfast food in Pancake Town until the Bacon Bullies put a secret formula in her lunch and transform her into Super Pancake. With Luc, her croissant best friend and side-kick, she masters her new super powers and defeats Dr. Breakfast Sandwich, a super villain.

The Cryptid Club #2: A Nessie Situation. Written by Micheal Brumm. Art by Jeff Mack. 2023. HarperAlley, $16.99 (9780063060821).
The Cryptid Club tackles a new mystery–strange writing on the bathroom wall and vanishing school supplies. After students spot a monster in the toilets, all the bathrooms are closed. The Cryptid Club must solve the mystery to help their classmates avoid a bathroom emergency.

Young Readers (PreK-2nd Grade)

Burt the Beetle Lives Here! #2 Written by Ashley Spires. Art by Ashley Spires. 2023. Kids Can Press, $14.99 (9781525310119).
Burt the Beetle dreams of finding a home where he can settle down. Burt ends up examining many different types of bugs’ homes but wonders if he will ever find his own.

Duck and Cluck: I Like This Color! A Silly Story About Listening. Written by Liz Goulet Dubois. Art by Liz Goulet Dubois. 2023. SourceBooks, $9.99 (9781728271989).
Duck and Cluck cannot agree on the best color for the room, but when they paint the wall together and their colors mix, they discover that together they can make something beautiful.

El Toro and Friends #4: Tacos Today. Written by Raúl the Third. Art by Raúl the Third. Color by Elaine Bay. 2023. HarperCollins Childrens, $12.99 (9780358539377).
El Toro and his friends are hungry and want tacos but have no money. They decide to hold a wrestling demonstration to make money and bring in so many customers that the taco sellers give them free tacos.

Figgy & Boone #2: The Big Cheese. Written by Janee Trasler. Art by Janee Trasler. 2023. Simon Spotlight, $17.99 (9781665914529).
A “snackmergency” happens when mice Figgy and Boone discover they are all out of cheese. On their quest to find cheese to make cheesy toast, they discover a big wheel of cheese. The situation quickly gets out of hand and will require teamwork to resolve.

I'm Ogre It. Written by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Art by Jeffrey Ebbeler. 2022. Holiday House, $14.99 (9780823450183).
Izzie discovers her brother has discarded beloved toys in favor of video games (specifically Smash Tower). At the same time, she discovers an ogre family has taken up residence in a backyard cave! Together, Izzie and an ogre use found objects to build a real-life smash tower to entice Ollie.

Let's Go! Written by Michael Emberley. Art by Michael Emberley. 2023. Holiday House, $14.99 (9780823446520).
Five friends head out to a party by land, sea, and air, making use of the pages of the book to fashion a variety of vehicles.

The Lost Mitten. Written by Jannie Ho. Art by Jannie Ho. 2023. Holliday House, $14.99 (9780823453153).
A rabbit and mouse search their snow-covered surroundings for the owner of a lost mitten.

Mimi and the Boo-Hoo Blahs. Written by Shauna J. Grant. Art by Shauna J. Grant. 2023. Graphix, $22.99 (9781338766707).
Mimi is feeling down, and even when she tries doing fun things with friends, she can’t shake her Blahs. Only after she thinks about what brings her joy—and not just what her friends love—can she find a way to send the Blahs packing.

One Smart Cookie (Norma and Belly #4). Written by Mika Song. Art by Mika Song. 2023. RH Graphic, $12.99 (9780593479759).
Norma and Belly, incorrigible squirrels, return to learn about the wonders of fortune cookies and craft a plan to break into a fortune cookie factory and insert their own fortunes.

Pea, Bee, & Jay

Pea, Bee, & Jay #5: Gotta Find Gramps. Written by Brian "Smitty" Smith. Art by Brian "Smitty" Smith. 2022. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780063236691). Pea, Bee, and Jay are excited about the wrestling match. When Grandpa Pea shows up, he talks about ‘real’ wrestling. Gramps disappears, and the three set out to find him. Old wrestling contenders are fighting it out when the three realize that Gramps is one of the wrestlers.
Pea, Bee, & Jay #6: The Big Bully. Written by Brian “Smitty” Smith. Art by Brian “Smitty” Smith. Typography by Erica De Chavez. 2023. HarperAlley, $19.99 (9780063236721). Pea, Bee, and Jay are exploring one day when a pumpkin bully takes Jay's shiny rock from him. When the three confront the Pumpkin, they learn that Pumpkin is being bullied as well. The three set out to help Pumpkin.

Pocket Peaches. Written by Dora Wang. Art by Dora Wang. 2023 Andrews McMeel, $11.99 (9781524878641).
Peaches is trying to become friends with Taro, who is new to town.

Reggie #1.: Kid Penguin. Written by Jen de Oliveira. Art by Jen de Oliveira. Edited by Esther Cajahuaringa. Designed by Prashansa Thapa. 2023. Little, Brown Ink, $12.99 (9780759557550).
Reggie the penguin’s life is full of comedic misadventures like family picture day disasters, roly-poly cities, and kid-leashed Reggie's doggie antics.

Skeleanor the Decomposer. Written by Emily Ettlinger. Art by Emily Ettlinger. Lettering by Tess Stone. Design by Jay Emmanuel. 2023. Penguin Workshop, $12.99 (9780593519448).
Skeleanor loves music, however, everytime she plays, she breaks the instrument and terrifies her audience. With a band member going missing and the town festival fast approaching, Skeleanor steps up to help and to live her dream of playing for others.

Stick and Stone #2: On the Go. Written by Beth Ferry. Art by Kristen Cella. 2023. ClarionBooks, $12.99 (9780358549383).
In the first story, Stick and Stone go on a picnic by the river, and Stone faces his fears of water and the dark cave. In the second story, Stick and Stone find the best pet but learn that sometimes you have to set your pet free.

There Might Be a Kazoo Emergency. Written by Heidi E. Y. Stemple. Art by Selom Sunu. 2023. Simon Spotlight, $17.99 (9781665920049).
Gregory James is headed to school with a backpack of unusual supplies when he runs into Lola, a new student. As she helps him clean up, they decide to be friends. The bus arrives, but it's a disaster that can only be remedied by the contents of Gregory James' backpack.

Tig and Lily #1.: Tiger Trouble. Written by Dan Thompson. Art by Dan Thompson. 2023. RH Graphic, $10.99 (9780593486283).
Tig wakes up one morning to find Lily, a house cat, in his enclosure at the zoo. While he first tries patiently to drive her out, she eventually almost convinces him that he's not a tiger but that she is.

Wombats! Go Camping #1. Written by Maddie Frost. Art by Maddie Frost. 2023. Viking Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9780593465295).
Best friends Albert and Pickles are setting off on a camping trip with very different ideas of what that means. When Pickles arrives at the bare-bones campsite, he is devastated by the absence of a "Luxury Cottage," but a lost baby koala soon pulls both friends into an adventure.

Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends. Written by Kaz Windness. Art by Kaz Windness. 2023. Simon Spotlight, $17.99 (9781665920001).
Worm and Caterpillar are friends who have a lot in common, like being afraid of birds. When Caterpillar changes, Worm becomes afraid they are growing apart, but he learns that although Caterpillar has changed, he is still the same inside.

Middle Readers (3rd-4th Grade)

All the Lovely Bad Ones: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel. Written by Mary Downing Hahn. Adapted by Scott Peterson. Art by Naomi Franquiz. Color by Brittany Peer. Lettering by Joamette Gil. 2023. Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358650140).
Corey and her brother, Travis, enjoy pranks. While visiting their grandmother they play tricks based on the legend that their grandmother's Inn is haunted. However, they accidently release something dangerous along with restless spirits and need to fix it.

Barb and the Battle for Bailiwick (Barb & The Berzerkers #3). Written by Daniel Rajal Abdo and Jason Linwood Patterson. Art by Daniel Rajal Abdo and Jason Linwood Patterson. Cover design by Chloe Folgia, Daniel Rajal Abdo, and Jason Linwood Patterson. Interior design by Chloe Foglia and Tom Daley. 2023. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $13.99 (9781665914451).
Barb fights to stop Witch Head, the evil sorcerer, and his shadow army with the help of her family and friends as she learns what it takes to harness the power of the Ghost Blade.

Batpig #3: Go Pig or Go Home. Written by Rob Harrell. Art by Rob Harrell. 2023. Dial Graphic, $14.99 (9780593531945).
Gary (Batpig) has a lot to learn about making friends. At school, he does a little magic, encounters some weird magical creatures, and learns that he can’t pass tests by cheating. While at camp, Gary’s friends make new friends, and he has to contend with changing friendship dynamics.

The Bawk-Ness Monster (Cryptid Kids # 1). Written by Natalie Riess and Sarah Goetter. Art by Natalie Riess and Sarah Goetter. Cover design by Molly Johanson. 2023. First Second, $22.99 (9781250834669).
When Penny was young, the Bawk-Ness–half sea serpent, half chicken–saved her from drowning. Penny is about to move to the city, but before she goes she would like to see "Bessie" one more time. While searching, Penny and her friends stumble on an evil plot to kidnap cryptids.

Beaky Barnes #1: Egg on the Loose. Written by Devid Ezra Stein. Art by David Ezra Stein. 2023. Penguin Workshop, $18.99 (9780593094761).
A madcap story about a restaurant inspector who just wants an egg sandwich, an overworked and enterprising chef, a business woman, a protective mother hen, and all the hijinks that ensue when an egg is stolen.

Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space. Written by Laini Taylor and Jim Di Bartolo. Art by Jim Di Bartolo. Design by Andrea Miller. Interior color by WK Sahadewa. Lettering by Dave Sharpe. 2023. Amulet Books, $17.99 (9781419753848).
World-famous super child genius Billie Blaster can invent anything. When a past invention becomes a threat to the planet, she must figure out how to stop the threat.

Bruce Wayne: Not Super. Written by Stuart Gibbs. Art by Berat Pekmezci. Color by Bill Finger. Created by Bob Kane and Jerry Siegel. 2023. DC Comics, $12.99 (9781779507679).
Bruce Wayne is bullied for being the only student without superpowers at his exclusive prep school for talented teens. Bruce wants to find a way to help Gotham but struggles to find a way to do so with so many extraordinary peers.

Buzzing. Written by Samuel Sattin. Art by Rye Hickman. 2023. Little Brown Ink, $24.99 (9780316628433).
Isaac, aged 12, lives with OCD, and therapy doesn’t seem to be helping. In class, a schoolmate notices his drawings and asks him to join their role-playing group. When his grades drop, Isaac’s overprotective mother threatens this new-found freedom. Middle Readers (Grades 3-4).

The Cardboard Kingdom #3: Snow and Sorcery. Written by Chad Sell, Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, David DeMeo, Jay Fuller-Ng, Barbara Perez Marquez, Katie Schenkel, and Jasmine Walls. Art by Chad Sell. 2023. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $20.99 (9780593481622).
The Cardboard Kingdom is under threat from kids from an adjoining neighborhood. A destroyed snow fort, a damaged drone, and mysterious footprints pit some kids against each other, while others unite to try to solve the mystery of who's really behind the trouble.

Cat's Cradle #2.: The Mole King's Lair. Written by Jo Rioux. Art by Jo Rioux. 2023. First Second, $23.99 (9781250625373).
Pursued by enemies, Suri, the monster-tamer, her gremlin friend, and her monster dog are on a journey to the Land of Giants, but they lack provisions. When they hear of the nearby treasure hoard of a giant Mole King, they hope to solve all their problems at once.

Dear Rosie. Written by Meghan Boehman. Art by Rachael Briner. 2023. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $20.99 (9780593571866).
For as long as they can remember, best friends Millie, Florence, Claire, Gabby and Rosie have always been together. But the summer before eighth grade, Rosie dies in a car accident. The group struggles to carry on without her, and each girl expresses their grief in different ways.

The Do-Over. Written by Rodrigo Vargas. Art by Coni Yovaniniz. 2023. Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358394044).
After Mariana moves to Ohio, she has trouble making friends. Mariana meets Zoe, who loves science, and Everly, who is very creative. The three decide to open their own hair styling studio, True Colors, where they struggle to work together.

The Dog Knight #1. Written by Jeremy Whitley. Art by Bre Indigo. Color by Melissa Capriglione. Lettering by Bre Indigo. 2023. Feiwel & Friends, $21.99 (9781250756718).
Frankie is a middle schooler struggling to find the perfect outfit for their concert, but nothing is quite right. While walking home, Frankie saves a friendly golden retriever from bullies, only to be transported to a magical dog house where they must prove themselves worthy of being anointed Dog Knight.

Doodles from the Boogiedown. Written by Stephanie Rodriguez. Art by Stephanie Rodriguez. Color by Andrea Bell. 2023. Penguin Teen, $20.99 (9780451480651).
Steph is an art-loving 13 year-old living in the Bronx with her over-protective Dominican immigrant mom. When Steph learns about Laguardia, an arts-focused high school in Manhattan, she decides to secretly apply, despite her mother forbidding it.

Duel. Written by Jessixa Bagley. Art by Aaron Bagley. 2023. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $24.99 (9781534496552).
Lucy is in sixth grade and new to middle school, while her sister, Gigi, is in eighth grade and is the Queen Bee. After losing their father, the two have grown apart, and now in the same school, their fights escalate until only a fencing duel can settle things.

Eerie Tales from the School of Screams. Written by Graham Annable. Art by Graham Annable. 2023. First Second, $22.99 (9781250195043).
Siblings Davis and Emily do not mind tests, strict administrators, or any school subjects, but they dread the scary tales that students are forced to tell. As each of their classmates tell their stories, one story is being saved for last to save the students.

Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures. Written by Jason Pamment. Art by Jason Pamment. 2023. HarperAlley, $15.99 (9780063065208).
Ember is a little boy living in a city of giants. When Ember meets Lua, a sea turtle, Lua takes Ember to a magical island where there is school for creatures who are his size. Ember learns that even here life can be challenging, but friendship grows in unexpected places.

The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom #2. Written by Mac Barnett. Art by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris. Cover art by Shawn Harris. 2023. Katherine Tegen Books, $16.99 (9780063084117).
When the Moon Queen is poisoned at a feast, she and the First Cat set off in search of an antidote. After a run-in with bandits, they team up with the ship's computer and race against time to cure the Queen before she crystallizes forever.

Four Eyes #1. Written by Rex Ogle. Art by Dave Valeza. Color by Ash Szymanik. 2023. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338574975).
Rex is excited to enter sixth grade, but things change when he’s prescribed glasses and stuck waiting on a growth spurt. He loses friends, his family struggles to understand him, and he struggles to understand his family.

Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper. Written by Brie Spangler. Art by Brie Spangler. 2023. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $21.99 (9780593428498).
Gemma loves baseball but is too busy running the household after her mother’s death, while her brother Teddy is being pushed to play against his will. When practicing together, Teddy realizes that Gemma has talent and brings in coaches to watch them practice, hoping they both get into training camp.

Ghost Book. Written by Remy Lai. Art by Remy Lai. Edited by Brian Geffin. Designed by Lisa Vega. Color by Ninakupenda Gaillard. 2023. Henry Holt & Co. Books for Young Readers, $22.99 (9781250810410).
July Chen can see ghosts but pretends they are not real to appease her dad. During Hungry Ghost Month, July befriends a ghost by saving him. When her friend turns out to be a wandering soul in need of help, it becomes apparent they may have met before.

Grace Needs Space! Written by Benjamin A. Wilgus. Art by Rii Abrego. 2023. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593182383).
Grace gets the chance to go on a trip off her space station with her mom, while her other mom stays at home. Grace has many plans while visiting the moon, but when her mom becomes too focused on work, Grace goes exploring by herself and gets into trouble.

Ham Helsing #3: Raising the Stakes. Written by Rich Moyer. Art by Rich Moyer. 2023. RH Graphic, $13.99 (9780593308998).
Ham has returned to his family home to mourn the death of his father, only to discover that dear old dad is still alive. Ham has his hands full trying to keep his friends alive with his famous monster-hunting dad running loose.

Hilo #9: Gina and the Last City on Earth. Written by Judd Winick. Art by Judd Winick. Color by Maarta Laiho. 2023. Random House Graphic, $13.99 (9780593488096).
Gina and Reggie begin to unravel the secrets of the recently broken world, and the connections among characters and events multiply.

Ink Girls. Written by Marieke Nijkamp. Art by Sylvia Bi. 2023. Greenwillow Books, $24.99 (9780063027114).
Cinzia is a printer’s apprentice, working under Mestra. When Mestra is arrested for speaking out against the ruling family, Cinzia, with the help of the unruly Princess Elena, comes up with a plan, and they work together to free Mestra and fight censorship.

Juniper Mae #1: Knight of Tykotech City. Written by Sarah Soh. Art by Sarah Soh. 2023. Flying Eye Books, $12.99 (9781912497454).
Juniper is a young scientist and engineer. While flying an invention, Juniper crash lands in the dangerous forest. Juniper meets tama-tama, a small creature, and discovers a mystery about old knights protecting the city. When danger appears, Juniper dons her own armor and protects the city.

Katie the Catsitter #3: Secrets and Sidekicks. Written by Colleen AF Venable. Art by Stephanie Yue. Color by Braden Lamb. 2023. RH Graphic, $20.99 (9780593379691).
When Katie's best friend Beth immediately excels at sidekick training, Katie wonders if she has the physical ability to be a good sidekick. Meanwhile, robots attack the city, and Katie thinks she knows who is responsible.

Last Exit to Feral: Little Town. Underground. (Frights from Feral #2). Written by Mark Fearing. Art by Mark Fearing. 2023. Holiday House, $21.99 (9780823448661).
Kid detectives Freya and Monica return to the creepy town of Feral on the last day of summer vacation to explore the haunted house which once belonged to a hated middle school teacher. What they discover in the passages beneath the town could explain Feral’s hauntings.

Mapmakers and the Enchanted Mountain #2. Written by Cameron Chittock. Art by Amber Castillo. 2023. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593172919).
Alidade is a Mapmaker on a mission to map the Mountain along with companions Lewis and Blue and defeat the control of the Night Coars. When they discover the people in a hidden valley village are suffering from a mysterious illness, they try to bring magical healing.

Meesh the Bad Demon #1. Written by Michelle Lam. Art by Michelle Lam. Color by Lauren "Perry" Wheeler. Design by Michelle Cunningham. 2023.Knopf Books for Young Readers, $21.99 (9780593372869).
Meesh is not like others: she likes flowers and Fairyland. When demon-kind is threatened, Meesh searches for help in Fairyland, where not everything is as she thought it would be. Along the way, she makes friends and learns to work together to save all worlds.

Picture Day (The Brinkley Yearbooks #1). Written by Sarah Sax. Art by Sarah Sax. Design by Sarah Sax and April Ward. 2023. Alfred A. Knopf, $20.99 (9780593306888).
Seventh-grader Viv has an idea about how she wants to look in her upcoming school picture. When her mom does not agree, Viv takes things into her own hands and cuts off her braid while live-streaming. Viv becomes an overnight influencer, but things do not always work out as expected.

Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring. Written by Matthew Loux. Art by Matthew Loux. Cover design by Kirk Benshoff. 2022. First Second, $18.99 (9781250162618).
Prunella lives on a monster island in a walled-off monster-hating town. As she is gardening, she finds a cursed ring that turns her into a skeleton girl. Exiled from the town and left to fend for herself, Prunella meets friendly monsters on her adventure to remove the cursed ring.

Punch Up! #1. Witten by Zachary Sterling. Art by Zachary Sterling. 2023. Oni Press, $15.99 (9781637152171).
Pitch, a young orphan and martial artist, leaves his peaceful monastery home to seek out the tutelage of his hero, aging fighter Sonny Chan at the Wide Plains Fighting Tournament. When Sonny agrees on the condition that Pitch join him in the tournament, Pitch gets swept up in the chaos.

Saving Chupie. Written by Amparo Ortiz. Art by Ronnie Garcia. 2023. HarperAlley, $24.99 (9780062950284).
Violeta visits Puerto Rico to help reopen her Abuelita’s beloved restaurant after the hurricane. She quickly gets wrapped up with local kids who need help capturing a rumored Chupacabra. While searching, Violeta is saved by Chupie, and she knows that saving Chupie in return is the right thing to do.

Saving Sunshine. Written by Saadia Faruqi. Art by Shazleen Khan. 2023. First Second, $22.99 (9781250793805).
Twins Zara and Zeeshan haven’t gotten along in years, but a family trip forces them to hang out and get to know each other all over again, including learning to share one another’s interests: animals and space.

The Secret of the Ravens. Written by Joanna Cacao. Art by Joanna Cacao. Lettering by Kyla Aiko. Design by Celeste Knudsen. 2023. Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358629443).
Homeless, orphaned twins Elliot and Liza survive by picking through trash. In a gamble, they follow a Raven's Quest to Kawumiti Kingdom. In the process, Liza is poisoned, and Elliot must find a way to complete an additional quest to save his sister.

Skip! Written by Sarah Burgess. Art by Sarah Burgess. 2023. Andrews McMeel, $22.99 (9781524884543).
Jay, a poet, and Beah, a double-Dutch skipper, meet and immediately strike up an intense friendship. They spend all their time together on a competitive jump rope team, but as they grow as individuals, their friendship and identities are challenged.

The Snowcat Prince. Written by Dina Norlund. Art by Dina Norlund. 2023. Oni Press, $14.99 (9781637151983).
Syv, the young snowcat prince, seeks to retrieve the lost crown of his ancestors which was taken by evil foxes. Syv must try to preserve his honor and confront his prejudices to bring honor back to his family.

Song of the Sea: The Graphic Novel. Created by Tomm Moore. Adapted by Samuel Sattin. Art by Tomm Moore and Grace Ryan. Color by Niall O'Reilly. Lettering by Niccolo Pizarro. Layout by Niccolo Pizarro. Design by Carolyn Bull. Editing by Samantha Schulz. Production editing by Lindsay Walter-Greaney. 2023. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $24.99 (9780316438810).
Ben and Saoirse are still grieving the loss of their mother. When Ben and Saoirse discover that Saoirse is a selkie, they realize their mother's stories were real. Together they explore the magical underwater world and try to save the underworld spirit world from disappearing forever.

Squire & Knight. Written by Scott Chantler. Art by Scott Chantler. 2023. First Second, $22.99 (9781250249333).
A dimwitted knight leaves his young squire behind when he attempts to defeat a village's dragon. The resourceful squire uses his smarts to resolve the dragon situation and save the knight.

Squished. Written by Megan Wagner Lloyd. Art by Michelle Mee Nutter. 2023. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338568943).
Avery dreams of her own room amidst the chaos of her five siblings. Jealous that her older brother can retreat to his room while she cares for her younger siblings, she contrives a series of plans to raise money for a room renovation, assisted and hindered by her family.

Super Boba Café #1. Written by Nidhi Chanani. Art by Nidhi Chanani. 2023. Amulet Books, $24.99 (9781419759567).
Aria visits her grandmother, Jing, in San Francisco, for the summer. Jing owns a Boba shop and is clearly hiding something from Aria, who just wants to help. When Jing forgets to feed a local monster one day, earthquakes begin, and she must work with her granddaughter to defeat it.

Survival Scout: Lost in the Mountains. Written by Maxwell Eaton III. Art by Maxwell Eaton III. 2023. Roaring Brook Press, $19.99 (9781250790460).
When Scout and her brother get lost then separated while hiking, she must figure out how to survive. As she learns, the reader learns, too. Scout uses many survival strategies to stay warm, find water, and get to safety.

Timothy Dinoman Saves the Cat. Written by Steve Thueson. Art by Steve Thueson. 2022. Lerner Publishing Group, $22.99 (9781728401775).
On a mission to save the world from satellite-stealing supervillains, Timothy Dinoman, iguanodon secret agent, gets a little distracted by the supervillain's adorable cat. As he tries to recover the satellite and uncover their dastardly plans, Timothy’s adventures take him through a fortress, a blimp, and a pancake feast.

Travis Daventhorpe for the Win! #1. Written by Wes Molebash. Art by Wes Molebash. 2023. First Second, $13.99 (9781250801401).
Travis is a genius who struggles to make friends. When Travis and his robot encounter a bigger robot at the science fair, Travis and the new kid, Juniper, band together to try to save their school and community.

Welcome to Feral: Little Town. Big Scares! (Frights from Feral #1). Written by Mark Fearing. Art by Mark Fearing. Color by Lily Fearing. 2022. Holiday House, $21.99 (9780823448654).
The town of Feral seems like a normal town, but as the narrator tells five creepy, spooky stories, the reader will come to realize this town has secrets and mysteries that may never be solved.

Witches of Brooklyn #4: Spell of a Time. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse. 2023. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593565940).
Effie is learning to speak to the animals and learning what type of witch she is. Effie and Garance learn from the seagulls that a mermaid is missing. With the help of Effie’s family and the seagulls, they go on a mission to save her.

Wizkit: An Adventure Overdue. Written by Tanya J. Scott. Art by Tanya J. Scott. 2023. Atheneum, $20.99 (9781665900836).
Wizkit, a wizard cat in training, unwillingly goes on a journey to return a book to the library. Along the way, she and the book go on adventures and help other creatures. They make a lot of friends, and Wizkit learns how to enjoy life a little more.

Older Readers (5th-6th Grade)

Club Kick Out! #1: Into the Ring. Written by Steph Mided. Art by Steph Mided. 2023. HarperAlley, $23.99 (9780063116467).
On the first day of school, Sasha's new principal cancels all clubs other than sport clubs. Sasha and her new friends decide to create a wrestling club, which allows them to shine and show their creativity.

Cross My Heart and Never Lie. Written by Nora Dåsnes. Art by Nora Dåsnes. Translated by Matt Bagguley. 2023. Hippo Park, $24.99 (9781662640544).
Tuva and her friends Linnea and Bao, are all in seventh grade. However, Linnea and Bao have grown apart. Tuva learns to navigate middle school and her individual friendships as her friend group changes.

Enemies (Berrybrook Middle School #5). Written by Svetlana Chmakova. Art by Svetlana Chmakova. 2022. Yen Press, $25.00 (9781975312794).
Jealous of her perfect sister, Felicity enters an entrepreneurship contest. ‘City wants to win something and have her family take her seriously for a change. She and a friend struggle to find the perfect business idea, while competition heats up with a former friend and a budding crush.

Enlighten Me. Written by Minh Lê. Art by Chan Chau. Lettering by Deron Bennett. 2023. Little, Brown Ink, $24.99 (9780759555471).
After an altercation with a bully at school, Binh and his family spend a week at a silent Buddhist retreat where a nun tells Binh and his sister the Jataka tales about the many lives of the Buddha, and Binh begins to see himself in those stories.

Hoops. Written by Matt Tavares. Art by Matt Tavares. 2023. Candlewick Press, $22.99 (9781536201369).
It is the early 1970s, and a high school is trying to form its first women’s basketball team. The team struggles for equality as they fight for recognition, funding, and respect, gradually taking their town and the league by storm.

Kariba. Written by James Clarke. Art by Daniel Clarke. Created by Daniel Snaddon. 2023. Catalyst Press, $19.99 (9781946395825).
Siku has a special relationship with the Zambezi River, but she doesn't know she's the daughter of a river god. A dam is being built which will displace thousands, affecting her powers. When Siku’s father goes missing while visiting the dam, she sets off on a crazy adventure to find him.

Lo & Behold. Written by Wendy Mass. Art by Gabi Mendez. 2023. RH Graphic, $20.99 (9780593179635).
Addie’s mother's struggles with addiction have upended Addie’s life. Then, her father suddenly moves them both away for a high-tech summer gig. Left to her own devices, Addie’s escapist tendencies take over, before she begrudgingly makes new friends and reconnects with the world by collaborating on a new VR project.

Misfit Mansion. Written by Kay Davault. Art by Kay Davault. Designed by Karyn Lee. 2023. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $22.99 (9781665903080).
Iris lives in a “foster home for horrors" run by a mysterious caretaker. She and the other children are sealed inside the house until an outsider breaks in. As Iris and the horrors explore the town, they discover the outside may not be as scary as they believed.

Match Point! Written by Maddie Gallegos. Art by Maddie Gallegos. 2023. First Second, $22.99 (9781250784155).
Rosie Vo is at odds with her dad–he loves racquetball, but she has come to dread the game. When Blair moves to the town, Rosie and Blair become fast friends. Having a new best friend who loves racquetball might be Rosie’s way out of having to compete at a tournament.

The Moth Keeper. Written by K. O’Neill. Art by K. O’Neill. 2023. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593182277).
Anya has finally become the villager's Luna moth protector, tasked with shepherding the moths that pollinate the Night-Lily flower that blooms once a year. Night after night, Anya fights her fear of the dark and grows lonelier. A surprise discovery opens Anya’s eyes but could spell disaster.

My Aunt is a Monster. Written by Reimena Yee. Art by Reimena Yee. 2022. RH Graphic, $20.99 (9780593125465).
After an accident leaves Safia in the hands of a distant aunt, she learns what it means to be a hero and find new friends and family–all while discovering that having the right people in your corner makes all the difference.

The Ojja-Wojja. Written by Magdalene Visaggio. Art by Jenn St-Onge. 2023. Balzer + Bray, $22.99 (9780062852397).
Queer, neurodivergent eighth graders Val and Lanie don’t fit in at their school. When Val’s special project on local ghosts leads to them accidentally releasing a demon that feeds on hate, the Ojja-Wojja, they have to save the town from a plague of mindless hate and conformity.

Out There. Written by Seaerra Miller. Art by Seaerra Miller. Lettering by Mercedes Campez López. Cover design by Carolyn Bull. Designed by Carolyn Bull. Edited by Andrea Colvin. 2023. Little Brown, Ink, $24.99 (9780316591867).
Julia joins her dad on a trip to New Mexico to see where a UFO landed and to finally meet the aliens her dad believes will arrive there. On the way, she learns about her dad, her values, and how to love a person who may not always be there.

Parachute Kids. Written by Betty C. Tang. Art by Betty C. Tang. Lettering by Betty C. Tang. Edited by Tracy Mack. Design by Carina Taylor. 2023. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338832693).
Feng-Ling is surprised when a family vacation from Taiwan to Disneyland turns into a move to the US for a better life. When her mother's visa can't be extended, the three siblings are left behind to fend for themselves. Facing challenges, Feng-Ling--now Ann--finds a way to make a new home.

Pearl of the Sea. Written by Anthony Silverston and Raffaella Delle Donne. Art by Willem Samuel. Layout by Willem Samuel, Gabriela Camarillo, Kay Carmichael, and Jessie Ochse. Ink by Jessi Ochse. Text by Jessi Ochse. Color by Clyde Beach. Edited by Wayne Jones. 2023. Catalyst Press, $19.95 (9781946395740).
Pearl spends most of her time on the sea, fishing to help her father pay the bills. While doing a little poaching on the side, she meets Otto, an ancient sea monster. When Otto's existence is threatened, Pearl must ask for help to save him.

School Trip (New Kid #3). Written by Jerry Craft. Art by Jerry Craft. 2023. Quill Tree Books, $24.99 (9780062885548).
While Jordan is still contemplating which high school to attend, he and his friends are excited about the school trip to Paris. When the teacher assigned to go is switched, everyone must work together to get through the trip. Friendship is tested, and new friendships arise.

Shakti. Written by Sj Sindu. Art by Nabi H Ali. 2023. HarperAlley, $24.99 (9780063090132).
Shakti's fresh start in a new town is hampered by a trio of popular girls who have the school under a literal spell. Shakti must learn magic from Shakti's mom, who amplifies her witch abilities through the blessing of a Hindu goddess, while avoiding accidentally summoning her dangerous twin.

A Sky of Paper Stars. Written by Susie Yi. Art by Susie Yi. 2023. Roaring Brook Press, $22.99 (9781250843883).
Yuna hates standing out as a Korean-American. She folds a thousand paper stars and wishes for normality, only to wake up to find her Halmoni (grandmother) has suddenly died. When her family returns to Korea to mourn, Yuna still feels out of place and races to undo her wish.

Steve L. McEvil and the Second Wind (#2). Written by Lucas Turnbloom. Art by Lucas Turnbloom. Color by Zoe Lapierre and Lucas Turnbloom. Interior design by Bob Bianchini. 2023. Crown Books for Young Readers, $13.99 (9780593301470).
Steve L. McEvil is excited about the hidden object underneath the Washington Monument. He is working on being the greatest supervillain. His friends try to stop him from becoming a supervillain by interfering with his plan involving the hidden object.

Tegan and Sara: Junior High. Written by Tegan Quin and Sara Quin. Art by Tillie Walden. Editing by Wesley Adams, Melissa Warten, and Hannah Miller. Design by Molly Johanson and Casper Manning. Production editing by Kat Kopit. 2023. Farrar, Straus and Giroux , $22.99 (9780374313012).
For the first time, twin sisters Tegan and Sara are being pulled in different directions by their new friends, interests, and junior high itself. This modern fictionalized account is inspired by the lives of twin sisters and musicians Tegan and Sara.

Two Tribes. Written by Emily Bowen Cohen. Art by Emily Bowen Cohen. Color by Lark Pien. 2023. Heartdrum, $24.99 (9780062983596).
Mia is Native American and Jewish and struggles with her dual identities. What doesn't help is her mom and dad's acrimonious divorce, which means never seeing her father and learning about her Native identity. Mia secretly travels to her dad's home to learn more about herself.

Wildfire. Written by Breena Bard. Art by Breena Bard. Color by Andrea Bell. Lettering by AndWorld Design. Edited by Andrea Colvin. Design by Carolyn Bull and Ann Dwyer. 2023. LB Ink, $24.99 (9780316277686).
When Julianna's home is destroyed in a wildfire, she and her family must rebuild their life in Portland, Oregon. As she struggles to adapt to city life and process her grief and loss, Julianna also makes new friends and gets involved in her new school's climate club.

NON-FICTION

Middle Readers (3rd-4th Grade)

Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories. Written by Elise Gravel. Art by Elise Gravel. 2022. Chronicle Books, $14.99 (9781797214917).
Explore the history of fake news, reasons people create and share misinformation, how confirmation bias works, and the role of social media in spreading misinformation. Using the lens of humorous misinformation panics, young readers acquire the tools they need to analyze news stories and source reliability.

Santiago! Santiago Ramón Y Cajal - Artist, Scientist, Troublemaker. Written by Jay Hosler. Art by Jay Hosler. Color by Hilary Sycamore and Karina Edwards. 2022. Margaret Ferguson Books, $22.99 (9780823450367).
Growing up, mischievous Santiago wanted to be an artist, although his father wanted him to be a doctor. His father sent him away to school, yet Santiago continued secretly making art. Once he discovered the wonders of the microscope, art and medicine merged.

Science Comics: Frogs, Awesome Amphibians. Written by Liz Prince. Art by Liz Prince. 2023. First Second, $21.99 (9781250268860).
A move to the country leaves Fran with nothing but a boring pond in her backyard. She’s catapulted into an amphibian school where Fran is taken on an educational journey through different environments in which she meets many different types of frogs.

Older Readers (5th-6th Grade)

History Comics: World War II, Fight on the Home Front. Written by Katie Hannigan. Art by Josh Rosen. 2023. First Second, $21.99 (9781250793348).
While soldiers were away fighting, at home, women, children, and elderly did whatever they were able to do to support the war efforts. This title pinpoints the discrimination faced by Japanese Americans, Black Americans, and others on the home front while highlighting the efforts in factories, fields, and kitchens across America.

Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria. Written by Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus. Art by Julie Robine and Karina Granda. Color by Shin-Yeon Moon. Lettering by AndWorld Designs. 2022. Little, Brown Ink, $24.99 (9780759556898).
A graphic memoir of Syrian teen Muhammad Najem who garnered international attention through his activism. Growing up during the Syrian War, and after experiencing the loss of his father, Muhammad takes to the streets with his smartphone to document the cost of the war and to raise awareness.