Fiction

Coming of Age Comics:  Seven Diverse Graphic Novels

By on May 20, 2026   /   Book Lists, Fiction   /   Leave a comment
Nowadays children are confronted with adult issues and decisions daily. Social media influences, families, schools and communities expect young people to grow up fast. For many kids this passage to adulthood is fragmented and difficult. Kids love graphic novels because of the vibrant illustrations, the spot-on humor and the space between the panels which presents them with opportunities to empathize with the character’s journey. The graphic novel format which combines words and pictures is perfect for presenting readers with difficult stories. Young readers can insert their own emotions in the transitional spaces between panels. The graphic novels listed here provide readers with models of kids facing serious challenges, who with the help of supportive friends and/or family acquire adult skills and attributes.
 
 
 
 
 

Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin

Being half Iranian and half Columbian leaves Sara feeling like she doesn’t belong anywhere. That, coupled with the fact that her best friend is drifting away and hair is popping up on her legs, leaves Sara untethered. She builds on her love of TV and acting and joins the drama club. This change helps her navigate puberty, overcome her identity challenges, and find community.

 

 

 

 

Curlfriends: Back in Business (sequel to New in Town) by Sharee Miller

When fashionista, honor roll student Nola asks her mother for money for a snazzy outfit to dance in at the talent show, she is surprised to get only twenty dollars. It turns out her mom’s beauty salon is in financial trouble. Nola’s dream of inheriting the family business may never come true. Even though Nora tries to keep her money troubles a secret, The Curlfriends, her sweet, supportive Black girl friends help out in unexpected ways.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Opting Out by Maia Koba and Swat “Lucky”Srikuamar

Saachi bonds over writing and drawing with her best friend Lyla, until Lyla, along with all their other friends, pair off in boy-girl couples. After Saachi gets her perios she has shifting feelings about her gender identity. Readers are privy to her identity exploration through internal monologues, journal entries and poetry. Her parents and sister are refreshingly supportive of Sacchi’s internal journey. After visiting a Hindu temple, her Appa affirms, “change is a part of life.”

 

 

 

 
 

Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimenta

Ave’s recent move from Mexicali to Kansas with her mother and brother has her missing her father and sister. Her stress is compounded by the fact that speaking English is a struggle. While coping with separation across family, borders and cultures Ave connects with new friends and reconnects with her faraway family members.

 

 

 

Outsider Kids (sequel to Parachute Kids) by Betty C. Tang

It has been seven months since Anna’s (Feng-Ling’s) parents left her and her siblings alone in California while they returned to Taiwan to await visas. She has begun to get a taste of American life, including trick or treating with friends on Halloween and eating turkey with them on Thanksgiving. But when her cousin Josephine – violin prodigy – comes to stay, Anna’s world is turned upside down. Being underage and undocumented makes Anna and her siblings extremely vulnerable. Resilience and community join forces to support them in their time of need.

 

Fruitcake (Four Eyes series, volume 3) by Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza

Set in the 1980’s. It is the beginning of Rex’s eighth grade year and he is feeling excluded while all his friends are pairing up. He remedies the situation when he meets Charlotte, who he begins to date. Meanwhile, he can’t help thinking about his longtime friend Drew – constantly. This novel explores the middle school world of striving to fit in, crushes and poor self-image, Nina, Rex’s cool goth friend helps him to understand his gay identity and inspires him to be proud of who he is.

 

 

 

Weirdo by Tony Weaver Jr. (warning: this novel includes mentions of attempted suicide)

Tony Weaver gets severely bullied at school for being a nerd – to the point where he felt that “disappearing would best for everyone. An end to my pain and theirs.” There are no depictions of Tony’s attempted suicide, or descriptions of method, but his emotional pain is shown on the page. His parents step up to find him a wonderful therapist and a new school. It takes time for Tony to heal, but through the superpowers of new friends in the Literature Club, and the larger than life heroes of his comics books, anime and video games, he learns to embrace his identity.

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CHANGING TIMES: Seven Time-Travel Titles by Diverse Authors

By on March 18, 2026   /   Book Lists, Fiction  

Changing the clocks for Daylight Saving Time reminded me of how disruptive losing one hour can be, and had me imagining if I could travel through time. These seven spectacular books feature diverse characters, each with a definite reason for visiting another time. Some go to the past for a do-over or to meet a specific person, while others embark on quests to the future to try to save the universe. The authors of these books are not afraid to break rules, add touches of humor, or include fast paced adventures. Traveling through time reveals surprising new things to these characters, and their lives are changed forever.

So, set your clocks back, and make time to read a few of these page-turning time travel stories.

Queso, Just in Time

Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros

One night, under a moon bow, while cuddling a mysterious rabbit, Quetzalcóatl Castillo, aka Queso, makes a wish. It’s the one thing he always yearns for – to spend time with his father. Even before his dad died, it was hard for Queso to relate to him because of his struggles with PTSD after his time in Vietnam. Queso’s wish comes true; he travels back to the 1980’s and becomes pals with Pancho, his younger dad. The two bond fighting bullies, playing foosball, and discussing their dreams. Queso instills a confidence in his dad, which ultimately improves their family’s future. A relatable look at grief and memory with a spot-on middle grade humor.

 

 

 

 

Candace, the Universe, and Everything

Candace, the Universe, and Everything by Sherri L. Smith

Thirteen-year old Candace’s whole world changes when she opens her locker and a wild bird flies out. She discovers a purple notebook that says, These People Are Not Your Friends. This note strikes a chord with Candace – her best friends have been excluding her. The locker is a portal that  connects her to two women from other generations. Together they go birding and explore the time travel aspects of the locker. Candace learns to navigate her peer friendships and a crush too. A fascinating look at intergenerational friendships, identity and science.

 

 

The First State of Being

First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

“In the lead-up to Y2K, a Delaware 12-year-old preparing for disaster meets a time traveler from 2199.” (Kirkus, March 5, 2024) Because Michael is from a poor family with just his mom and himself, he is extremely anxious about surviving the turn of the century. Enter Ridge, a mysterious boy who seems calm and knowledgeable. This boy turns out to be from 200 years in the future, and has a book which details what has happened over this time span. This book of answers is just what Michael needs, or so he thinks. This Newbery-winning tale of travel, found family, and friendship does not disappoint.

 

 

The Secret Library

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

When Dally Peteharrington discovers portals to other times in the library, she is able to escape the grasp of her strict mother and her grief over her grandfather’s death. While time-hopping from the 1860’s, 1930’s, 1950’s and earlier in the 2000’s, she finds a candy stash, encounters pirates, and learns how her parents met. She also unravels some painful truths about her family’s past. While this book considers racial truths and grief, it also has an entertaining side full of adventures, surprises and a gutsy girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Mercury

Project Mercury by Ronald L. Smith

An enemies-to-friends story set in Area 51, Nevada. Army brats Ike and Eesha pretend to get along for their parents’ sake, but actually rub each other the wrong way. The two of them investigate possible UFOs and begin to suspect that Ike’s mother is a spy. Finding an ancient radio, solving secret codes, and uncovering a glowing clock brings the two to a startling discovery – Mindy, a girl from the future. Time traveling 300 years in the future creates new challenges for now friends, Ike and Esha. Wondering if UFO’s are real and if Ike’ s mom is a spy will hook readers. The adventures and growing friendship will keep them turning the pages.

 

 

 

 

A Spoonful of Time

A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn

Food often evokes memories, but Maya is surprised to take a delicious bite of her grandmother Halmunee’s Korean patbingsu and actually be transported into the past. Maya learns that while her grandmother has the ability to go back in time, it is like a movie that she cannot enter in or change. It is easy for Maya to keep this phenomenon a secret from her mom, who thinks that Halmunee has dementia, and spends a lot of time at work.. Maya longs to know more about her absent father, and yearns for a stronger connection to her Korean heritage. Traveling back in time  reveals family secrets and surprising life lessons. The seven recipes included in the book spice up this heartwarming story.

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie Hernandez and the Phantom of Time by Ryan Calejo

In this fourth installment of the series, Charlie travels to 1950 Cuba to try to save the universe from evil forces. A letter from the Land of the Dead arrives from his grandmother to warn him about these dark forces and propels Charlie and his friends to travel back in time. They encounter monsters who are grounded in South American mythology. Readers will need to hang on for this action filled, entertaining read.

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Daring to Make a Difference: Five Characters Fighting For Justice

By on January 30, 2026   /   Book Lists, Fiction  

As a ten year old, I spent half my time wanting to change the world and the other half wanting to hide from it. My grandmother marched for Civil Rights in the South. When my mother took me to a demonstration in New York City, I thought more about my sore feet than about fighting to fund the public library. Marching in a protest with thousands of others wasn’t for me. I wanted to do something that would make a tangible difference.

Today, young readers are faced with a broken world. The activist titles in this list are glimmers of light in the darkness, illuminating ways young characters can make a difference in their worlds.

 

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes

The mostly white town of Great Mountain Mississippi, goes ga-ga over their prize Black football player, Henson Blayze. On his first day of eighth grade, this talented athlete, who is joining the high school team, is greeted with a parade of fans, a gourmet steak meal in the cafeteria, and special treatment from the strictest of teachers. Henson is considered to be a hero – until he walks off the field in the middle of a game in order to be with Menkah, his young friend who was unjustly beaten by the police. When the town turns against Henson, he remains steadfast in refusing to play and continues to stand up against racial injustice. This experience opened Blaze’s eyes as to how he, and other Black bodies, are seen only as entertainment. Historical background, fantastical elements, and a tender love story bring hope and perspective to a hard topic.

 

 

Unfadeable

Unfadeable by Maurice Broaddus

Bella, aka Unfadable, is accustomed to taking care of herself. She’s been unhoused ever since her father died and her schizophrenic mother was taken away. Bella spends her time tagging graffiti, sketching, and living under the radar. When she makes a pitch for a public art class at a town meeting, she discovers some shady goings on with the community’s finances. With support from an unlikely crew she fights the misuse of their resources. This personal story of how gentrification affects lives is an action-packed mystery which is relevant to young readers.

 

 

 

Noodle & Bao

Noodle & Bao by Shaina Lu

Inspired by real-life community organizing in American Chinatowns, this graphic novel tells the story of Momo, her best friend Bao, and their ah-ma, Noodle. These friends band together to save their neighborhood, Town 99, from changing. When Ms. Jujube transforms the neighborhood with her Fancé hotel, she evicts Noodle and her popular restaurant. After some struggles, Moma and Bao garner neighborhood support to fight gentrification. The descriptions of food, colorful illustrations and quirky characters make this an entertaining read.

 

 

 

BLUE STARS

Blue Stars: The Vice Principal Problem by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith

When Maya learns that she and her cousin Riley will be sharing a room while they are staying at their grandmother’s house in Urbanopolis, she feels like her dream has come true. But it turns out that outgoing, robotics-loving Maya, who is Black, and her shy gymnast cousin Riley, who is from Muscagee Nation, rub each other the wrong way. It takes a villain to bring them together. The two girls are furious that Vice Principal Balderdash is siphoning funds from after-school programs to buy portable classrooms to increase detention space. The inventive tactics the cousins devise when they team up to fight injustices are clever. This satisfying graphic novel, first in a series, celebrates unlikely friendships and community activism.

 

Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution

Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by Sherri Winston

Talented violinist Lotus is excited for her seventh-grade year at her new artsy magnet school. She’s been singled out to join the main orchestra and has a chance to join an international orchestra and visit her father in Paris. She rocks her own ’70’s fashion style and is especially proud of her impressive Afro. After some boys who are jealous of Lotus for being chosen as the concertmaster, throw spit balls and paper airplanes into her Afro, she is unfairly cited for violating the dress code. At first, Lotus agrees to compromise and change her hairstyle, but eventually her friend Rebel, an activist who is protesting the fact that the fancy magnet school gets all the resources while her regular public school is underfunded, persuades Lotus to fight back. This realistic story illustrates how dress codes discriminate against Black girls and the prevalence of inequitable funding of schools for Blacks and minorities.

 

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