****** BOOKS FOR 2024/2025 IS NOW AVAILABLE - SEE BELOW *******

Book Listing Is Also in the Classroom!!

*****Trigger warnings are provided for the mentioned books. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that trigger warnings are subjective, and individual sensitivities may differ. Prioritizing your well-being while engaging with the content and seeking support if necessary is important. ******

What do you call a kid who reads graphic novels? A reader! Research shows that comic books/graphic novels average 53.5 rare words per thousand compared to 30.9 for children's books!

"A comic book trains your brain. It works the right muscles and, if you’re struggling, they can teach you to read. You see images for context, you see the words that go with them, and your mind learns to fill in the blanks. You learn to build the narrative as you go." - Dyslexic author Jay Stringer.

Reading in today's world has become more than just a relaxing pastime or favorite hobby for many students. It's become an essential part of self-care for anyone feeling lost, confused, concerned, or curious about who they are. This ongoing book club is a safe place where readers can come together and explore diverse stories and experiences through graphic novels. 

These stories will lighten your students' minds and leave them wanting more! We will get into discussions that may continue into your homes. I will be there to help guide them along their path in a safe, friendly, and fun environment. As with all my classes, this class is a safe space that can educate, empathize, inspire, comfort, motivate, and calm readers, no matter what else is happening in the world.

I have put the age range of the books in parentheses, but that does not mean your student cannot join the class. If there is an asterisk by the title, there may be some strong language or situations, such as death, depression, abuse, etc., in the book. If you want to know more about the book we will be reading, please email me, and I will give you more information.

Everyone can learn so much from graphic novels and enjoy a remarkable story. 

Reading List for the 2024/2025 year:

Week of September 2: Muhammad Najem: War Reporter by Muhammad Najem (12+): Muhammad Najem was eight when the Syrian war began and thirteen when his father was killed in a bombing. By fifteen, he was determined to act, using his phone to document the hardships families like his faced—bombings and hiding in underground shelters. With the support of his family, he shared the stories of Syrian kids on social media to show their dreams and hopes, highlighting their common humanity. Despite immense loss, Muhammad's efforts eventually gained global attention.
Trigger Warnings: War, Death, Violence
ISBN: 759556903

Week of September 9: folklords by Matt Kindt (13+): In a world of magic and monsters, Ansel is an outsider haunted by visions of well-pressed suits and modern technology. When it comes time for him to declare his Quest, Ansel decides to seek out the mysterious Folklords, hoping they can explain his visions...but looking for the Folklords is strictly forbidden, punishable by death. How much is Ansel willing to risk to find out about the world he has never truly belonged in?
Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Guns, Death
ISBN: 1684155401

Week of September 16: First Test by Tamora Pierce (12-17): Keladry is the first girl in Tortall to train for knighthood, but she faces opposition from the training master, Lord Wyldon, who is against girls becoming knights. He imposes a one-year trial on her that no male page has ever faced. Despite the unfair challenge, Keladry is determined to succeed.
ISBN: 307931560

Week of September 23: Pillow Talk by Stephanie Cooke (14-17): College freshman Grace Mendes, usually shy and reserved, falls in love with the gritty sport of pillow fighting after reluctantly attending her first match. Despite her deep-seated body image issues, she tries out for the Pillow Fight Federation (PFF), a league with larger-than-life personas like Pain Eyre and Miss Fortune. Shocked to make the competitive league, Grace adopts the alter-ego Cinderhella. As her first official fight approaches, she battles growing insecurities. But when Cinderhella dominates her debut match, Grace rises through the ranks, gaining online fame and learning to embrace herself in the spotlight.
Trigger Warnings: Body Image, Bullying, Anxiety, Fatphobia
ISBN: 358525713

Week of September 30: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (14-18): From the start of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda is an outcast for calling the cops on a summer party. Isolated and friendless, she stops talking altogether, finding solace only in her art class. Through an art project, she confronts the truth about that night: she was raped by an upperclassman who remains a threat. As she begins to heal, Melinda faces him again, but this time, she fights back and refuses to stay silent.
Trigger Warnings: Rape, Attempted Rape, Depression, Self-Harm
ISBN: 1250294762

Now we start our Month of Horror!!!!

Week of October 7: Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens (12-15): After sneaking out, Artie Irvin discovers her mom is a werewolf and learns she comes from a line of werewolves. Excited, Artie asks her mom to share everything, including the story of her late father. As her mom helps her navigate her new abilities with the help of old family friends, Artie thrives in the werewolf community and develops a crush on her friend Maya. But as she uncovers more about werewolves and her parents' past, she realizes that vampires are the real danger in the woods.
ISBN: 1728420202

Week of October 14: Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter by Brea Grant by Brea Grant (12+): Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley isn't interested in following her family's legacy of becoming a great writer, despite constant reminders from her successful mother, aunt, and grandmother. But Mary soon discovers she has a secret ability inherited from her famous ancestor—the power to heal monsters. These monsters won't let her ignore her true calling. With the help of a mysterious stranger, a Harpy, a possessed stuffed bunny, and her BFF Rhonda, Mary must uncover her family's darkest secret to save the monster world and herself.
ISBN: 1644420295

Week of October 21: Scoop Vol. 1: Breaking News by Richard Ashley Hamilton (13-17): After her father is wrongfully accused of a crime he didn't commit, fifteen-year-old Sophie Cooper volunteers for an internship at a Miami TV news station. Between logging tapes and fetching coffee, she secretly investigates South Florida's rampant paranormal activity in order to clear her family's name — and unwittingly stumbles upon a secret, supernatural conspiracy that threatens the entire world.
ISBN: 1960578618

Week of October 28: Alienated by Simon Spurrier (13+): Three teenagers discover an unearthly creature with incredible powers who needs prey to survive - but as they try to use his powers for good, it may be these humans who pose the greatest threat to the world.
ISBN: 1684155274

Week of November 4: Summer Spirit by Elizabeth Holleville (14+): Being a teenager is hard enough without finding out your new best friend is a 60-year-old ghost. Louise spends every summer at her grandmother's house with her older sister and their cousins. But this summer, Louise realizes her relatives are fast growing up without her. While they're concerned with boy drama, Louise is suddenly left alone. But then one day she meets Lisa, who will never, ever become a teenager...
ISBN: 1910620726

Week of November 11: Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione (12-15): Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy is the finest school for the art of cooking with magic, and Basil Eyres is determined to be the top student. On the first day of her senior year, Arabella Oregano, the daughter of a renowned chef, joins the academy for her senior year as well. The two are instantly smitten with each other, but Basil senses there's something Arabella is hiding from her. Still, the two work together to stand out from the class as the end-of-year culinary festival approaches. But when Arabella's secret is revealed, Basil is faced with the hardest decision of her life, which can potentially throw her future aspirations in jeopardy.
ISBN: 1506728707

Week of November 18: Mismatched: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Emma by Anne Camlin (14+): Evan Horowitz, an Insta influencer with a knack for matchmaking, can't resist helping shy transfer student Natalia find love, despite his best friend Davi's warnings. But when his efforts create a web of drama that spirals out of control, Evan must learn to prioritize the people closest to him—or risk losing them and his own chance at romance.
ISBN: 316704105

Week of November 25: NO CLASS

Week of December 2: Big Jim and the White Boy by David Walker (13-17): Big Jim and the White Boy is a radical retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, centering on Jim, an enslaved Black man searching for his kidnapped family, alongside his cheeky sidekick, Huckleberry Finn. Their high-stakes adventures span the antebellum South, Midwest, and beyond, intertwining with the stories of Jim's descendants in the 1930s, 1980s, and 2020s, making it a multigenerational epic. Through compelling artwork and storytelling, David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson reimagine this American classic, highlighting Jim's heroism and exploring the deep bond between Jim and Huck amidst the racism of the Civil War era.
Trigger Warnings: Enslavement, Profanity, Racism
ISBN: 198485772X

Week of December 9: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler & Damian Duffy (13+): In the year 2024, the country is marred by unattended environmental and economic crises that lead to social chaos. Lauren Olamina, a preacher's daughter living in Los Angeles, is protected from danger by the walls of her gated community. In a night of fire and death, what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: a startling vision of human destiny . . . and the birth of a new faith.
Trigger Warnings: Human Trafficking, Enslavement, Child Assault & Abuse, Toxic Relationship, Blood and Gore, Death, Police Brutality
ISBN: 141975405X

Week of December 16: Nothing Special by Katie Cook (12+): Callie sees herself as ordinary, despite being friends with a ghostly radish and having a dad who owns a magical antique shop. Forbidden from joining her father on his trips to the magical realm, she only glimpses that world from afar. But on her seventeenth birthday, Callie returns home with her friend Declan to find her house in disarray and her dad missing. Clues point to the magical realm, so Callie, Declan, and Radish must band together to find him. Along the way, they discover that they might be more special than they ever imagined.
ISBN: 1984862839

Week of December 23: NO CLASS

Week of December 30: NO CLASS

Week of January 6: The Love Report by Beka & Maya (12+): Best friends Grace and Lola have lots of questions about romance, from the allure of the popular girl to the intrigue of the rebellious goth. Curious about why some school romances thrive while others fizzle, they decide to study and analyze their Junior High's couples, compiling their findings in The Love Report. As they dig deeper, surprises and secrets unfold, teaching them to see beyond appearances in this fast-paced series opener.
ISBN: 1662640412

Week of January 13: Numb to This by Kindra Neely (12+): Kindra Neely never expected to be affected by gun violence, but on October 1, 2015, a mass shooting shattered her college campus at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, claiming the lives of eight students and a professor. In an instant, Kindra became a survivor. This empathetic and hopeful graphic memoir chronicles her journey of healing after those life-altering minutes.
Trigger Warnings: Gun violence, Mass Shooting, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Death, Grief, Loss of Friends
ISBN: 316462098

Week of January 20: Cursed Princess Club Volume One by LambCat (13+): Gwendolyn, the youngest princess in the Pastel Kingdom, doesn't fit the fairy-tale mold. Unlike her beautiful sisters, she's different—kind-hearted and a lover of baking, but not conventionally attractive. When her father arranges marriages with the Plaid Kingdom, Gwendolyn is heartbroken to hear Prince Fredrick call her "really ugly." Overwhelmed, she runs away and discovers the Cursed Princess Club, a group of outcast princesses who embrace their uniqueness. Among them, Gwendolyn finds friendship and learns to celebrate her individuality.
ISBN: 1990259790

January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day so this week we will remember Anne Frank with a new Graphic Novel

Week of January 27: Where is Anne Frank by Ari Folman (12+): In the middle of the night at the Anne Frank House, a thunderbolt shatters the protective glass around Anne's diary, bringing her imaginary friend, Kitty, to life. Unaware that 75 years have passed, Kitty is shocked to learn that Anne and her sister Margot died in the war. Determined to retrace their steps, Kitty steals the diary and embarks on a journey that leads her to confront the refugee crisis in Europe, discovering the true meaning of Anne Frank's legacy along the way.
Trigger Warnings: Holocaust, WWII, Death, Antisemitism, Bombings, Gun Violence, Concentration Camps
ISBN: 1524749346

For February, we will be discussing Graphic Memoirs. 

Week of February 3: Spinning by Tillie Walden (14-18): Every morning, Tillie Walden woke up in the dark to ice skate, spending weekends in glitter and tights at competitions. She was good, she won, but she hated it. For ten years, figure skating was her life and identity, a refuge from school, bullies, and family stress. But as she switched schools, discovered art, and fell in love with her first girlfriend, Tillie began to question if the close-minded world of figure skating still fit her. Realizing she'd outgrown her passion, she decided it was time to find her own voice.
Trigger Warnings: Homomisia, Sexual assault, Depression, Suicidal ideation, Car accident, Bullying
ISBN: 1626729409

Week of February 10: Flammer by Mike Curato (14-18): I know I'm not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys—they're mean, scary, and always doing something destructive. I hate the word gay. It makes me feel...unsafe. During the summer between middle school and high school, Aiden Navarro is at camp, where everyone is changing, but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he deals with friendships, bullies, and his growing feelings for a boy named Elias, Aiden begins a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Trigger Warnings: Strong Profanity, Sex, Verbal Bullying, Contemplation of Death by Suicide, Two Scenes of Assault
ISBN: 1250756146

Week of February 17: NO CLASS

Week of February 24: I Felt Myself Slipping by Ray Nadine (14-17): 
When level-ten gymnast Riley Glass joins Station Six Gymnastics, she finds an unexpected friend in fellow gymnast Kota Iwamoto as they chase their Olympic dreams together. After losing her dad in a car accident, Riley struggles to fit in, missing her old friends and facing challenges as none of her new teammates know ASL. But Kota surprises Riley by learning ASL to communicate with her, despite dealing with her own fears and anxieties about injury. As they prepare for the U.S. Classic, their friendship and ambitions as gymnasts will be tested.
Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Death, Bullying, Car Accident
ISBN: 1637154968

Week of February 31: Advocate: A Graphic Memoir of Family, Community, and the Fight for Environmental Justice by Eddie Ahn (13+): Born in Texas to Korean immigrants, Eddie grew up with the heavy expectation of fulfilling the "American Dream." After moving to San Francisco and earning a law degree, he shocks his family by rejecting a lucrative legal career to work in the nonprofit sector. As an environmental justice attorney, Eddie tackles pressing issues like wildfires and economic inequality while grappling with burnout and racial prejudice. He defies his family's notions of success, showing them the value of a life dedicated to service over wealth. This graphic novel blends humor, victories, and hope, exploring the ties between immigration, activism, and community service.
Tigger Warnings: Racism, Profanity, Bigotry
ISBN: 1984862499

March will be Twisted Graphic Fairy Tales

Week of March 3: Part of Your World: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel by Stephanie Kate Strohm (12-17): Five years ago, Ariel defied her father, King Triton, and traded her voice for a chance with Prince Eric, only to lose everything to Ursula. Now, Ariel rules as the silent queen of Atlantica, while Ursula, disguised as a human, controls Eric's kingdom. When Ariel learns her father might still be alive, she returns to the land she never thought she'd see again. There, she discovers Ursula's plots and war schemes. As Ursula threatens both land and sea, Ariel must find a way to overthrow the villain and save both her home and the world she once longed for.
ISBN: 1368068189

Week of March 10: Straight On Till Morning: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel by Stephanie Kate Strohm (12-17): Sixteen-year-old Wendy Darling's life hasn't turned out as she imagined. Clinging to Peter Pan's shadow and the hope that Never Land is real, she seizes the chance to travel there by making a deal with Peter's nemesis. But the Never Land she finds is far from what she dreamed—Peter is missing, and Tinker Bell won't speak to her. When Captain Hook reveals sinister plans for Never Land, it's up to Wendy and Tink to save Peter and his world.
ISBN: 1368068146

Week of March 17: Snow White by Matt Phelan (12+): As the Roaring Twenties fade into darkness, a familiar tale unfolds in New York City. Samantha White returns after being sent away by her cruel stepmother, the Queen of the Follies. Her father, the King of Wall Street, survives the stock market crash only to die mysteriously. Seven street urchins become protectors for Samantha, as pure as snow. Meanwhile, a sinister stock ticker controls the stepmother, printing the ominous message: "Another . . . More Beautiful . . . KILL."
ISBN: 1536200557

Week of March 24: Evil Thing: A Villains Graphic Novel by Serena Valentino (12-18): "You may think you know the tale: a happy couple, 101 Dalmatians, and a woman obsessed with a fur coat. But who is Cruella De Vil, really? Before the car crash, the dognapping, and her love for furs, there was another story. This is Cruella's tale, told in her own words. Even the cruelest villains have best friends, true loves, and dreams. After all, nothing is as simple as black and white.
ISBN: 1368076106

Week of March 31: Beetle & the Hollowbones by  Aliza Layne (12+): In the eerie town of ‘Allows, some people are magical sorceresses, while others are doomed to haunt the mall for eternity. Twelve-year-old goblin-witch Beetle feels stuck between worlds. She'd rather avoid homeschooling and hang out with her best friend, Blob Ghost, who is cursed to haunt the mall. But now, Beetle’s old friend Kat is back for a sorcery apprenticeship, making Beetle feel left behind. Worse, Kat’s mentor has a sinister plan that threatens Blob Ghost’s afterlife. Beetle has just a week to save her friend, help Kat find her voice, and face the magic she’s been avoiding.
ISBN: 1534441549

Week of April 7: Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa (14-18): High-school senior and wallflower Hawkins finally musters the courage to ask out her crush, Regina Moreno, the popular head cheerleader. But Regina is already dating Chloe Kitagawa, an athletic all-star. Seeing an opportunity, Regina convinces Hawkins to tutor Chloe for free, knowing she'll do anything to get closer to her. However, Regina doesn't realize that Hawkins and Chloe knew each other as kids. As they reconnect, romance begins to bloom—but not where you'd expect. In Belle of the Ball, cartoonist Mariana Costa revitalizes classic tropes into a delightful teen romantic comedy.
ISBN: 1250784123

Week of April 14: Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina (13+): At the start of her sophomore year, Piedad "Piddy" Sanchez struggles to adjust to her new high school. Things worsen when she learns that Yaqui Delgado, a girl she doesn't even know, hates her and wants to kick her ass. Rumors say Yaqui thinks Piddy is stuck-up, shakes her stuff when she walks, and isn’t "Latina enough" with her white skin, good grades, and no accent. As the harassment escalates, avoiding Yaqui consumes Piddy’s life. Can she survive without shutting out those who care about her? 
Trigger Warnings: Bullying, Profanity, Physical Abuse
ISBN: 1536234737

Week of April 21: Roaming by Jillian Tamaki (12+): Over the course of a much-anticipated trip to New York, an unexpected fling blossoms between casual acquaintances and throws a long-term friendship off-balance. Emotional tensions vibrate wildly against the resplendently illustrated backdrop of the city, capturing a spontaneous queer romance in all of its fledgling glory. Slick attention to the details of a bustling, intimidating metropolis are softened with a palette of muted pastels, as though seen through the eyes of first-time travelers. The awe, wonder, and occasional stumble along the way come to life with stunning accuracy.
Trigger Warnings: Toxic Friendship, Drug Use, Alcoholism, Homomisia 
ISBN: 1770464336

Week of April 28: Camp Spirit by Axelle Lenoir (13-17): Summer 1994: with just two months left before college, Elodie is forced by her mother to take a job as a camp counselor. She doesn't know the first thing about nature, or sports, of kids for that matter, and isn't especially interested in learning... but now she's responsible for a foul-mouthed horde of red-headed girls who just might win her over, whether she likes it or not. Just as Elodie starts getting used to her new environment, though -- and close to one of the other counselors -- a dark mystery lurking around the camp begins to haunt her dreams.
Trigger Warnings: Bullying, Profanity, Homomisia

Week of May 5: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki (14-18): Frederica Riley's dream girl, Laura Dean, is charming, confident, and cute, but not the best girlfriend. After another breakup, Freddy's friend Doodle introduces her to a medium who advises her to break up with Laura. However, Laura keeps coming back, and as their relationship spirals, Freddy starts losing her friends, including Doodle, who needs her support. With the help of new friends and advice from columnists like Anna Vice, Freddy navigates the challenges of teenage love.
Trigger Warnings: Underage Drinking, Abusive Relationships, Emotional Abuse, Cheating, Manipulation, Gaslighting, Microaggressions, Racism, Unwanted Pregnancy
ISBN: 1626722595

Week of May 12: Northranger by Rey Terciero (13-17): In this swoony and spooky teen summer romance graphic novel set on a Texas ranch, sixteen-year-old Cade Muñoz finds himself falling for the ranch owner’s mysterious and handsome son, only to discover that he may be harboring a dangerous secret.
Trigger Warnings: Racism, Bigotry, Toxic Masculinity, Substance Abuse, Death of a Parent, Mentions of Cancer, Frightening Scenes, Homomisia
ISBN: 006300738X

Week of May 19: The Witches of Silver Lake by Simon Curtis (13+): Elliot's had a tough year—his dad died, he moved across the country, and now he's starting high school at LA’s Saint John the Baptist Academy. Befriended by the school’s outcasts, he soon learns their secret: they’re witches. As Elliot embraces his new coven, a full moon ceremony goes wrong, unleashing a bloodthirsty demon. The gruesome events reveal that dark forces have been targeting Elliot all along. Now, the coven must face the reality that their magic is powerful—and far more dangerous than they imagined.
Trigger Warning: Mention of Suicide (off-screen), Death of a Parent, Hallucinations, Murder
ISBN: 1681160846

Week of May 26: California Dreamin': Cass Elliot Before The Mamas & the Papas by Pénélope Bagieu (13+): Before she became the legendary Mama Cass of The Mamas and the Papas, Ellen Cohen was a teen from Baltimore with a powerful voice and big dreams of superstardom. At nineteen, she left home to become Cass Elliot. Despite her size, which made her unconventional for album covers, Cass joined an unlikely group and helped create some of the era's most memorable songs. Amidst the whirlwind of drugs, war, love, and music, Cass fought to hold onto her dreams and her sense of self.
Trigger Warnings: Body Image, Priofanity, Drug Use, Smoking, Bullying
ISBN: 1626725462

Now we start June - Gay Pride Month

Week of June 2: Meal by Blue Delliquanti (13+): Yarrow is a young chef determined to make her mark on the cutting edge of cookery with her insect-based creations. Though her enthusiasm is infectious, it rubs some of her fellow cooks the wrong way, especially Chanda Flores, Yarrow's personal hero and executive chef of an exciting new restaurant. Her people have been eating bugs for centuries, and she's deeply suspicious of this newbie's attempt to turn her traditions into the next foodie trend. While Chanda and her scrappy team of talented devotees struggle to open on time, Yarrow must win over Chanda -- and Milani, the neighbor she's been crushing on for weeks -- or lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve her dreams.
ISBN: 1945820306

Week of June 9: I Am Not Starfire by Mariko Tamaki and Yoshi Yoshitani (13-17): Seventeen-year-old Mandy, daughter of Starfire, is NOT like her mother. Starfire is gorgeous, tall, sparkly, and a hero. Mandy is NOT a sparkly superhero. Mandy has no powers, is a kid who dyes her hair black and hates everyone but her best friend Lincoln. To Starfire, who is from another planet, Mandy seems like an alien, like some distant angry light years away moon.
ISBN: 1779501269

Week of June 16: Wash Day Diaries, by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith, is a graphic novel celebrating the beauty and resilience of Black women, their friendships, and their hair. The book follows four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five interconnected short stories set in the Bronx, using their hair routines as a lens into their daily lives and relationships. Originally inspired by Rowser's own wash day ritual, the stories explore themes of Black sisterhood, self-care, and personal growth, brought to life with vibrant illustrations and color palettes that reflect each story's mood. Wash Day Diaries is a heartfelt tribute to Black joy and the enduring strength of Black women.
Trigger Warnings: Dementia, Misogyny, Mental illness, Homomisia, Racism, Stalking
ISBN: 1797205455

Week of June 23: Save Yourself by Bones Leopard (13+): Aoe, Thel, and Gen, known as The Lovely Trio, became super-heroic pop icons after saving Earth from a space monster attack five years ago. Gigi, who lost her brother during one of their battles, idolizes them—until she witnesses a fight firsthand and sees something that makes her question everything she knows about her heroes and the "monsters" they fight. What Gigi discovers could save the world, but only if she can survive the Lovely Trio herself.
Trigger Warning: Reference to the Death of a Sibling
ISBN: 1684158117