It's All About the Story: Manga, Comics & Graphic Novels

  I read this one and started (but didn't finish) the 2nd.  It was recommended as a fun & silly book, which it is....but I don't know how this series has continued for so long....it's like the same gimmick every time and honestly, the princess feels kinda mean (she's killing ghosts for their sheets?) I get why it would appeal, but not my cuppa.  If you're looking for something magical and a bit silly, give this one a try. I wasn't sure if this was going to be a Kaiju thing, or a horror or a funny book....and it's a bit of all of them, so WIN! The main character, Hachiro, is a monster but really wants to be human and eat ice cream and have friends.  I love the silliness of the misunderstandings. The heartbreak of him trying to break away from his evil scientist "father"; while also wanting his approval gets me in the feels every time.  I read vol 1 & 2 and will definitely be reading some more.  Pure escapist adventure awaits!  I have been en...

  This is a slightly silly but entirely fun graphic novel about falling in love....but the twist is that one of the people falling is a vampire.  Snyder makes the vampire society separate from humans once vampires mature and their teeth grow; and the young man is a late bloomer (but is very happy about it as he enjoys human company).  There is a lot of misconceptions, and some rather obvious parallels to humans entering puberty and vampires growing their teeth; but it is a really sweet and fun story that is ultimately about acceptance and not judging by stereotypes. You should check this out, it's great for middle school, high school or anyone who wants a sweet story about love.

 I've put together this list to share my favorite titles of 2025.  This is a purely subjective list and is based on what I've read in 2025 not necessarily when the book was published.  So....here we go....in no particular order..... Stark's Karate Prom is amazing!  It's full of laughs and action and makes a great escape read.   I love that is inclusive without making it obvious; it just is....like the fact that the girl is the best martial artist, and the male main character is actually smitten by her from her first punch.  The silliness of ninja assassins attacking a prom is taken seriously with all the characters doing their best to fight them off.   I highly recommend this! This book looks (at first glance) adorable; but then you realize that the trail is blood, not kool-aid and then.....(if you're me) you dive in to see how thsi works.  Horvath styles the animals very much with a feel of a Richard Scary beauty....a lovely town with n...

 It's been crazy busy balancing everything, so I haven't posted in awhile, and I am sorry.  I will try to do better.  Here are some amazing titles you should definitely try! This is the winner of the 2025 Printz (top honor a teen book can have).  I'll be posting this article in both the graphic novel and the teen reads blogs as it deserves all the hype.  The story definitely deserves the awards it got!  On the surface, it's a story of a girl getting to know her estranged father after never having met him in her 14 years of life.  However, there is more than that....Almudena has never known her heritage, being raised by her very blonde, white mother.  She doesn't speak Spanish either.  Her summer is being spent with her Guatemalan father who doesn't speak much English, surrounded by those who prefer to speak Spanish and helping her father fix up a brownstone to help those who are being displaced due to the gentrification of the neighborhood....

 Here are some new (or republished) titles: I couldn't resist reading this, as the movie is wonderful....and the all-in-one film edition is equally lovely.  I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but it is cute and fun and is DEFINITELY a good cuppa for me.   =) Gokurakugai is a fun story.....essentially about several human(ish) characters who help fix problems, even if your problem is a monster who eats people.  This is an enjoyable adventure and a good intro to a new manga, which is nice as it is sometimes intimidating to start something with upwards of a hundred volumes (I'm looking at you One Piece!). You meet the main characters, see them fight monsters and get hints that there is more to them but you don't know much and will have to wait for future issues to find out....I definitely enjoyed this, try it; maybe you'll like it too! Vol 2 of UnOrdinary continues the story of students with super powers but is now exploring the idea that someone is watching all ...

  This was a very interesting premise....I mean there are lots of "superhero/powers" universes, but the idea of someone claiming to have none, and actively subverting the structure of society while doing it, is definitely one I haven't seen before.  I really enjoyed this introduction to John and the students at the Academy and cannot wait to see where it goes. I'm a huge nerd about reading mythological stories, so when I saw that Gaiman was doing a graphic novel version of Norse mythology, I had to check it out.  It is HUGE!  (I do mean that literally, the book is very large).  It is also beautifully illustrated and the stories are very well told and include some well known and others not as well known.  If you enjoy mythology collections, you really need to check this one out. I love an original story, and this is definitely that.  The idea is that the main character Dokja Kim, has been the sole reader of a story blog for years...and the day he finish...

  Call Me Iggy is a sweet story of reconnecting with your history and culture.  Iggy is Columbian but his father has never talked much about his life in Columbia or ever gone back.  When he accidentally finds and opens his grandfather's urn, he brings his ghost to life, who begins to teach him.  There are fun and silly problems (generational and cultural causes) but also an awakening in Iggy to the parts of his culture he is missing....as well as the parts hidden, like the troubles of illegal immigrants.  This is set during the beginning of Trump's presidency, and the worries and struggles of the Latinx community are definitely discussed as Iggy finds the things he thought were true are actually not true for everyone.  Highly recommend this title. Cara Bean is an art teacher in a high school, who created this book in order to discuss and illuminate both the physical and emotional parts of mental health, as well as the differences between the things that are...

 Hi all, I have read 2 graphic novels by artists/authors that are new to me (and maybe to you too!) French artist Damezin introduces us (well, me anyway) to a piece of traditional Persian literature told in a graphic novel format.  The focus is definitely on the art, though the story is definitely there.  The book is beautifully illustrated and imaginatively interprets the words and emotions of what is happening in the story. Whether or not you are familiar with this piece of literature, I highly suggest trying this graphic novelization/interpretation.   Bunt! tells the story of a freshman student who finds out on the first day of school that her full-ride scholarship has disappeared; leaving her to find a way to pay for this very expensive art college.  She finds a loophole that says if a sports team can win a single game, all the team wins full scholarships (or at least a set amount for the year).  Determined to make this happen, Molly creates a soft...

  Codex Black is a fun adventure in ancient Meso-america as two teens search for a missing father and find gods, ancient mysteries and more. This was a fun story, full of color and details of life in a time that isn't often fictionalized and from a perspective of someone raised in Latin American and well versed in the history.  If you're looking for an interesting adventure in a place you perhaps don't know (but is based on historical knowledge) and featuring Mayan/Aztec gods and fables; this is a perfect choice. Third Shift Society is a rollicking good time as Ellie discovers that she has "witchy" abilities and gets a job with Ichabod (yes, the pumpkin head guy from the stories) who runs an investigation firm for those with supernatural problems. Ellie learns about the world along with the reader and it's just a fantastic escapist read for anyone who enjoy supernatural adventures. A friend of mine recommended this title and even though it's not new, it...

  Cat Massage Therapy is exactly what it looks like it will be....a sweet, adorable story filled with cute cats and people who adore them.  The basic premise is that these cats (who can talk) give massages, complete with purr therapy and other cat-like cute behaviors and when one man discovers their talent at relaxing him.....he can't help telling everyone.  As their popularity skyrockets, bodegas nearby are finding it hard to stock any tasty treats that the cats might like (they are paid in food, as is proper...don't ask about how they pay rent or how they sign paperwork....you are thinking too much). If you want a fun, silly read to take you away from the problems of the world; this is an excellent choice with really beautiful artwork and a fun, silly story. Adventures in Arden High continue with King Cheer.  Cheer Captain Leah is having trouble with college admissions and is really stressed out.  She decides the best course of action is to step down as Captai...

  Mia is adjusting to life with her mom and stepfather.  She is learning a lot about her Jewish heritage from her school and her family but she years for a connection to her father and her Native heritage.  When her mother refuses to allow her to visit, Mia sneaks off and goes to meet her father and his new family.  She finds herself learning all sorts of things about the other side of her family and their traditions.  Now she just needs to convince her parents to allow her to continue to be a part of both families and not just ignore half of herself. This was a really interesting story that tackles some heavy issues but remains grounded in what knowledge (or lack of it) means to Mia and how she handles figuring it out.  Prejudices and racism are discussed but are not overshadowed by the joy of finding ones' self through ones' heritage and family connections. Maisie is super excited to be going to Fancon.  She meets Ollie, a Fancon volunteer, and spark...

Klaus by Grant Morrison is an amazing superhero remake of the classic Santa Claus origin story.  As you can see from the cover this Klaus is not overweight and eating cookies, but he DOES magically make toys and defeat evil.  Morrison's classic art makes this into the most fun with a cheesy premise (that actually makes a good, not so cheesy story). Enjoy anytime, don't wait for Christmas to read! Family Style is a biographical tale of a refugee from Vietnam.  It is a touching story told both from the viewpoint of a child and an adult.  It has won some awards in the recent awards season, and is definitely recommended for you to try. Oseman continues the story of Nick and Charlie in vol 5 of Heartstopper.  I do love how Oseman continues to show us not just the main character's stories but the family and friends around them .....and this was very well done. Look on the Bright Side is the continuing story from Go With the Flow and jumps us right back into the charac...

  To sum up this quickly.....what if being in the popular crowd meant more than just being exclusive and meant changing who you are....literally?  Granted it seems like justice when the "squad" explains that while they are werewolves, they only prey on "slimy boys".....but as Becca discovers; who decides what is slimy and who deserves to die? What happens when being a "demi-human" means being immortal but also being hunted?  What does it mean when one doesn't know they won't know until they are in a fatal situation but don't die?  That's what happens to Kei Nagai and he is now hunted and scared......one day, over-achieving high school student, the next hunted and turned into an immortal creature he doesn't understand. Death Note is everywhere, but if you haven't read it, you really should.  It's cool and creepy and fun. Have a Happy Halloween, Saleena   =)

  Lost in Taiwan is an interesting adventure where you get to watch a scared, lonely (and a little bit of a selfish jerk) of a teen go out and get lost.  While lost he is forced to interact with and experience things he never thought he would but he is also forced to reconnect with himself and who he wants to be as he navigates his way back to his brother's home. This is a fun adventure story with a heart, definitely recommended. Basil and Oregano meet at a magical culinary school.  Readers follow them through the school year until the finale, a cooking competition in which the winner receives free tuition and the prestige of being "the best" culinary wizard.  The author explores the callousness of the school being so focused on the competition and the lack of resources for the many students who cannot afford tuition as well as the atmosphere of desperation which happens when everyone is vying for a limited opportunity and all for very good reasons.  There is a ...