Aguirre, Jorge. Call Me Iggy. illus. by Rafael Rosado. First Second. ISBN 9781250204158.
Gr 10 Up–Iggy is first-generation Colombian American, but can’t speak Spanish and struggles in language class. When he spills his grandfather’s ashes, Abuelito’s ghost appears to teach Iggy lessons in Spanish and love, with laugh-out-loud results. Set during the shifting political climate of the 2016 election, this heartwarming story follows Iggy’s journey to find his place within his family, school, and country.

Ashley, Maurice. The Life-Changing Magic of Chess: A Beginner’s Guide with Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. illus. by Denis Angelov. Magic Cat. ISBN 9781419773396.
Gr 1-5–Part beginner’s guide, part autobiography, chess’s first Black Grandmaster shares his journey from Jamaica to New York in this edifying book. Ashley’s passion emanates off the page and readers will delight in his story while they learn basic concepts and valuable chess tips.

Brosgol, Vera. Plain Jane and the Mermaid. First Second. ISBN 9781250314864.
Gr 4-8–An ordinary story becomes extraordinary when a plain girl named Jane risks everything to rescue the boy she wants to marry after he is kidnapped by a mermaid. Colorful, romantic, and thoughtful, this tale will have readers cheering as Jane learns about inner strength and inner beauty.

Calin, Cassandra. The New Girl. Scholastic/Graphix. ISBN 9781338762464.
Gr 4-9–After moving from Romania to Montreal, Lia’s first months as “the new kid” mean a new school, new friends, a new language—and after the discomfort of her first period, even her own body feels unfamiliar. Expressive art and a nuanced, affirming story make this a standout for slice-of-life fans.

Chan, Ruth. Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back. Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781250855336.
Gr 4-8–Ruth has only ever called Toronto home, so when her parents decide to move back to Hong Kong, she feels lost in a culture she’s expected to fit right into. But through family connections and new friendships, Ruth realizes belonging can be found in unexpected places. This charming memoir explores bicultural identity with heart, humor, and depth.

Cho, Tina. The Other Side of Tomorrow. illus. by Deb JJ Lee. HarperAlley. ISBN 9780063011083.
Gr 5 Up–Two children from North Korea courageously attempt to flee to China in this gut-wrenching story of hope and resilience. Vibrant, elegant pages capture the fear and courage of the characters. Set in 2013, this must-read graphic novel will open eyes to the reality of oppression in the 21st century.

Chung, Christine D.U. & Salwa Majoka. Viewfinder. Tundra. ISBN 9780735268753.
K-Gr 4–Set in the far future, a young space
traveler discovers a seemingly abandoned Earth; an old viewfinder with sepia-toned photos offers the only clues to what life was like before a devastating environmental catastrophe. This breathtaking wordless graphic novel conveys loss and hope, and culminates in a provocative story with a powerful message about sustainability and survival.

Cook, Katie. Nothing Special, Vol. 1: Through the Elder Woods. Ten Speed Graphic. ISBN 9781984862822.
Gr 7 Up–In this charming fantasy, Callie and Declan journey into the magical realm to find Callie’s missing father. Along the way, they encounter incredible creatures, including a lovable ghostly radish, as their quest leads to learning more about themselves and each other. A sweet, surprising story about physical and emotional journeys.

Drozd, Jerzy. The Inscrutable Doctor Baer and the Case of the Two-Faced Statue. Iron Circus. ISBN 9781638991434.
Gr 3-6–Dr. Baer is an expert in magic and lore, but he knows nothing about adventuring. So when his most valuable artifact is stolen, the uptight ursine doctor must rely on new animal companions for help. This fresh tale will have readers cheering for these cute, colorful characters on their exciting and unlikely adventure.

Fantaskey, Beth. Wires Crossed. illus. by ONeillJones. HarperCollins/Clarion. ISBN 9780358395447.
Gr 5 Up–While Mia was busy getting braces, glasses, and the world’s worst haircut, her science camp best friend Tariq was undergoing a major glow-up. This sets the stage for a relatable coming-of-age story that expertly tackles friendship, jealousy, and self-love.

Frakes, Colleen. Knots. HarperAlley. ISBN 9780063247178.
Gr 4 Up–Norah’s parents are prison guards, giving her an acute awareness of authority and consequences. When her mom is transferred and moves, Norah is left in charge of her dad, leading to loneliness, disorganization, and more responsibilities than she should have. With nuance and tone-balancing humor, this darling graphic novel normalizes moving, anxiety, and unavailable parents.

Gerlach, Oliver. Off Menu. illus. by Kelsi Jo Silva. little bee/Yellow Jacket. ISBN 9781499815030.
Gr 9 Up–To stop her celebrity chef boss from shutting down the local market and restaurant where she grew up, 17-year-old Soup challenges him to a cook off. With the town’s support, Soup realizes saving the day might mean eschewing her comfort zone. This cozy fantasy reads like a warm hug, celebrating friendship, found family, and delicious food.

Goetter, Sara & Natalie Riess. Bitsy & Boozle Tell a Story! HarperAlley. ISBN 9780063326620.
Gr 2-5–In this fantastical and educational exploration into story structure, Bitsy is a narrator, and Boozle is the often unwilling protagonist. This book cleverly teaches readers about the different parts of story structure and how they combine to form a full narrative, all while emphasizing that it’s always worth it to find your own happily ever after.

Hunsinger, Emma. How It All Ends. Greenwillow. ISBN 9780063158153.
Gr 4-9–When Tara skips from seventh to ninth grade, she is overwhelmed by the chaos of suddenly being in high school. Her vivid imagination keeps conjuring worst-case scenarios as she reconciles growing up with secretly fearing it’s happening too quickly. Hunsinger weaves an engaging and powerful story about school, anxiety, first crushes, and identity.

Kiesling, Kristen. The Harrowing. illus. by Rye Hickman. Abrams. ISBN 9781419760846.
Gr 9 Up–Roman inherited her mother’s ability to see the future crimes of those she touches and must navigate shadowy organizations to protect her best friend—who may become a murderer. Illustrated with striking intentionality, this creepy tale unfolds in black-and-white, with gory visions in monochrome red. Fans of Stranger Things will relish this fast-paced, psychological horror.

Mari, Christine. Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery. Little, Brown Ink. ISBN 9780316416658.
Gr 7 Up–Mari’s memoir chronicles her experiences as a Japanese American studying abroad in Tokyo, feeling disconnected with both cultures and searching for her sense of self. But Tokyo can’t answer her questions, and she finds she must look within to feel whole, no matter where she is. A powerful exploration of mental health, biracial identity, and self-actualization.

Nadel, Estelle & Bethany Strout. The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival. illus. by Sammy Savos. Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781250247773.
Gr 7 Up–A true Holocaust survival story told through expressive illustrations and a stirring first-person narrative. Nadel’s harrowing account of hiding with her family as a young girl in Nazi-occupied Poland is bookended by details of her pre- and post-war life, showing the idyllic childhood that was torn away and the lasting effects of trauma. An unforgettable memoir.

Smith, Sherri L. Pearl. illus. by Christine Norrie. Scholastic/Graphix. ISBN 9781338029437.
Gr 7 Up–In 1941, a young Japanese American girl from Hawaii visits family in Japan and becomes trapped, caught between two nations at war, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Illustrated in exquisite detail, this story explores a seldom-seen aspect of WWII and raises questions of national identity and how far loyalty can be tested in times of war.

Starks, Kyle. Karate Prom. First Second. ISBN 9781250868657.
Gr 8 Up–When Sam lands an in-ring knockout against Don, the school’s top fighter, it takes Don down a few pegs—but he still wakes up with hearts in his eyes. Thus begins an evolving love story as they navigate prom and graduation, all while fending off ninjas and ex-lovers in this hilarious, action-packed graphic novel.

Underhill, Scout. DnDoggos: Get the Party Started. Feiwel & Friends. ISBN 9781250834355.
Gr 4-8–Four canine friends embark on a thrilling D&D adventure in this hilarious and adorable introduction to tabletop role-playing games. Shifting between the players and their in-game fantasy world, young readers gain a fun and accurate lesson on TTRPG gameplay, teamwork, and kindness.

Walker, David F. & Marcus Kwame Anderson. Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined. illus. by Marcus Kwame Anderson. Ten Speed Graphic. ISBN 9780593836118.
Gr 8 Up–This Huckleberry Finn reimagining centers Jim, an enslaved Black man seeking his family and freedom, with Huck as his sidekick. Intertwining stories of Jim’s descendants in the 1930s, 1980s, and 2020s, it replaces Twain’s racial stereotypes with methodically researched history. Compulsively readable and powerful, this book gives Jim the agency he should have had all along.

Weaver Jr., Tony. Weirdo. illus. by Jes Wibowo & Cin Wibowo. First Second. ISBN 9781250772862.
Gr 5-8–Eleven-year-old Tony loves superheroes, games, and anime, but is bullied to the point where he sees only one way out. With support from his parents, new friends, and new school, he works towards managing his depression, learning to love himself, and proudly owning his interests. Powerful and sensitive, readers will cheer for Tony to embrace his joy.

Whitley, Jeremy. Navigating with You. illus. by Cassio Ribeiro. Mad Cave Studios/Maverick. ISBN 9781952303609.
Gr 6 Up–Two teen girls with opposite personalities bond over their shared love of a manga series, and readers are treated to a story-within-a-story as the “Navigator Nozomi” plot parallels the girls’ real-life journey of healing, self-discovery, and falling in love. This emotionally resonant book is a beautiful tribute to the power of fandom.

Xunise, Bianca. Punk Rock Karaoke. Viking. ISBN 9780593464502.
Gr 10 Up–After high school graduation, Ariel and their bandmates fight to make it in Chicago’s underground punk scene. Packed with stunning, zine-inspired artwork and equipped with a fantastic punk playlist for readers to enjoy, this coming-of-age story is as authentic as it is explosive.

Yang, Gene Luen. Lunar New Year Love Story. illus. by LeUyen Pham. First Second. ISBN 9781626728103.
Gr 6 Up–Believing she’s cursed in love, Val strikes a deal with a ghostly St. Valentine to give up her heart. But after meeting two charming lion dancers, Val starts to believe she could break the generational curse—if she can understand her own heart in time. This Lunar New Year rom-com blends culture, romance, and family with a supernatural twist.