2024 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten
Belle of the Ball
By Mari Costa. Art by the author. 2023. 320p. First Second, paper, $17.99 (9781250784124). Gr. 9-12. 741.5973.
Feelings get complicated between team mascot Belle, cheerleader Regina, and all-star athlete Chloe in this refreshing take on the high school love triangle.
Brooms
By Jasmine Walls. Art by Teo. 2023. 248p. Levine Querido, paper, $18.99 (9781646142682). Gr. 9-12. 741.5973.
In a 1930s infused with magic, broom racing is a sport for the privileged. Billie May, Loretta, and Cheng-Kwan risk competing in underground races, taking two young witches under their wings.
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam
By Thien Pham. Art by the author. 2023. 240p. First Second, paper, $17.99 (9781250809728). Gr. 9-12. 305.9.
Distinct memories of food link the chapters of Thien Pham’s life: fleeing Vietnam, surviving a refugee camp, growing up in California, and becoming a graphic artist.
Insomniacs After School
By Makoto Ojiro. Art by the author.
Vol. 1. 2023. 178p. VIZ Media, paper, $12.99 (9781974736577). Gr. 9-12. 741.5952.
Vol. 2. 2023. 200p. VIZ Media, paper, $12.99 (9781974737031). Gr. 9-12. 741.5952.
Sleepless high school student Ganta Nakami begins napping in his school's abandoned astronomy tower with classmate (and fellow insomniac) Isaki Magari in this sweet slice-of-life manga series.
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir
By Pedro Martín. Art by the author. 2023. 320p. Dial Books, paper, $14.99 (9780593462294). Gr. 5-8. 305.86.
Pedro embarks on an epic, often hilarious, family road trip from California to Mexico and back again on a mission to bring his legendary abuelito to the U.S.
Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story
By Sarah Myer. Art by the author. 2023. 272p. First Second, paper, $17.99 (9781250268808). Gr. 8-12. 305.
Korean-American transracial adoptee Sarah works through her anxiety, anger, and identity issues via the world of art and anime fandom in this coming-of-age memoir.
Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria
By Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus. Art by Julie Robine. 2022. 320p. Little, Brown Ink, paper, $12.99 (9780759556904). Gr. 5-10. 956.9104.
After losing nearly everything to endless war and devastation, teenager Muhammad gathers the stories of Syrian children and makes a global impact with his journalism.
The Talk
By Darrin Bell. Art by the author. 2023. 352p. Henry Holt and Co., hardcover, $29.99 (9781250805140). General Adult. 305.896.
As he raises his own son, Darrin Bell reflects on how "The Talk" shaped his childhood, teen years, and young adult life, and how he found a voice through cartooning.
Tiger, Tiger, vol. 1
By Petra Erika Nordlund. Art by the author. 2023. 320p. Seven Seas Entertainment, paper, $19.99 (9781638584193). Gr. 10-12. 741.94897.
Ludovica is a sheltered royal who longs to study sea sponges, so she steals her brother's identity and sets sail! But the high seas hold much more than she ever anticipated.
Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice
By Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes. Art by Dawud Anyabwile. 2022. 208p. Norton Young Readers, paper, $17.95 (9781324052159). Gr. 7-12. 796.42.
Track-and-field gold medalist and civil rights icon Tommie Smith recounts his life leading up to his participation in the 1968 Summer Olympics in this riveting and relevant graphic memoir.
Members of the 2024 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Blogging Team
Kelley Blue, Portland Public Library, ME (Coordinator); Meg Bowie, Free Library of Philadelphia; Jean Broughton, Vancouver Public Library; Jacqueline Bush, Stratford Library Association; M’issa Fleming, New Orleans Public Library; Patricia Jimenez, Teacher-Librarian, Sunnyslope High School; Rachel Johannigmeier, Kirkwood Public Library; Kaileigh Oldham, Danville Public Library; Ness Shortley, Wake County Public Schools, NC; Mariela Siegert, Downers Grove North High School Library; Scot Smith, Robertsville Middle School; Cheyenne Sons, Mayfield Senior School; Lee Stokes, Upper Darby Township Library; Adam Wheeler, Chicago Public Library.
Coordinator note: Age range recommendations for all titles on this list are determined by information provided from publishers, professional reviews, and the professional reading knowledge of committee members.