Graphic novels are a book form that sneaked up on me. I think the first one I read for review here (which blew me away) was ESTRANGED: THE CHANGELING KING by Ethan Aldridge. Once I feasted my eyes on that incredible story, I knew there was no going back. Since then, I’ve built a list of graphic novel writers and artists whose work is too good to be missed. Here are the ones with books coming out this year.
Notably absent is Tim Probert, whose third book in the Lightfall series I’m eagerly anticipating. I haven’t seen any release news on it yet, but I’m hoping it’ll be out in 2024.
What You Need to Know: Beautiful, fantasy-filled illustrations. A story of friendship, magic, hope, and community. By the author of the Tea Dragon series.
Published: March 7, 2023 | Ages: 10 to 14.
Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty, Michael Moreci, and Braeden Sherrell
What You Need to Know: Missing children, a girl secretly living in a mansion basement, a mysterious man in a black cloak only she can stop. The graphic novel version of the bestselling middle-grade adventure.
What You Need to Know: I think the author said he pitched this as “T.H. White plays Dungeons and Dragons with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.” Which is brilliant and pretty accurate! I loved the characters and attention to detail in the panels.
What You Need to Know: When a drunken accident lands Claire in rehab, they reluctantly begin to learn about addiction and recovery. A tender, vulnerable journey of identity and acceptance. This is another one that made me cry!
Published: May 23, 2023 | Ages: 14 up.
Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myer
What You Need to Know: A Korean-American transracial adoptee uses art and fandom to overcome racist bullying. A memoir graphic novel. A powerful, unforgettable story.
What You Need to Know: Words I like about this graphic novel description: gothic middle grade, nonbinary main character, boarding school with secrets. By the author of the ESTRANGED duology and LEGEND OF BRIGHTBLADE, and also my favorite graphic novel author.
Published: September 5, 2023 | Ages: 10 to 14.
Wingborn (Wingbearer #2) by Marjorie Liu and Grace Kum
What You Need to Know: The Wingbearer series continues, delivering new adventures of this gorgeous, emotive fantasy. The first book in the series is a favorite in my house.
What You Need to Know: The fifth installment of Nick and Charlie’s love story. With Nick heading to university next year, are things about to change? A sweet story of love and friendship.
Published: December 12, 2023 | Ages: 14 up.
What are your favorite graphic novels?
If you are a graphic novel reader, leave a comment telling me about your favorite author. Have you read any of the books on this list? What graphic novels are you most looking forward to this year? Leave a comment and let me know!
I was emailing with an author of one of my favorite books from last year, and I realized it’s been a while since I shared a list of the books that I loved that just didn’t seem to get the hype they deserved. Some of these were published during the early days of Covid, when authors canceled book signings, school visits, and other bookish events. A few of these underhyped YA titles are from the ancient days before the pandemic changed life as we knew it. Others were published more recently– perhaps a victim of Barnes & Noble’s switch to carrying mostly paperbacks? I’m not sure what the deal is, but I am sure these books deserve more attention than they received thus far.
This list includes books that were published at least 90 days ago (usually much more than that) which have fewer than 500 ratings on Goodreads as of April 2023.
Note: This post contains affiliate links which do not cost you anything to use but which help support this blog. Thank you for using them to do your book shopping!
What you need to know: After losing his sister in a car accident, Kermit gets invited to a grief support group of sorts, where he finds love and friendship, until the group faces a crisis that could undo them all. Such great storytelling here.
Published January 17, 2023 | 145 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: After Betty and her family survive a shooting incident, she wrestles with why it happened. She builds a friendship with the brother of the shooter, trying to learn about the boy who tried to kill her sister and mother. An unforgettable, timely story.
What you need to know: Twin sisters. A family curse. An incredible boy who should be off-limits. Inspired by “Goblin Market” by Christina Rosetti. I am hooked on this one.
Release Date: September 6, 2022 | 361 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: A high school team visiting an Antarctic research station. An unknown, shapeshifting infection pursuing them one by one. Scary books aren’t my usual go-to, but I couldn’t put this one down. Ace main character. Also, there’s an obnoxious billionaire named Anton Rusk. This was a spark of joy that I didn’t know I needed.
Release Date: September 13, 2022 | 460 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: A boy grieving the loss of his mother. A project: capturing pictures of ordinary people on the street. As the photos show him a deeper world, he begins to forge connections with new friends and reconnect with his memories of his mother.
Release Date: November 15, 2022 | 143 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: From Goodreads: “Lit’s about to hit the fan.” (This book had me at that line.) A girl whose mother is obsessed with the Alcott classic navigates her frustration at feeling boxed in by the classic story. This is exactly the rom-com I need in my life.
Release Date: November 29, 2022 | 288 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: Set against Watergate and the post-civil rights era. A coming-of-age tale of truth-telling, faith, family, forgiveness, and social activism featuring a 13-year-old Philly native with the soul of a poet.
Available November 17, 2020 | 164 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: A town full of secrets. A love-story fan-fic written by two unlikely friends. A murder: the boy they’ve written about. Twisty and suspenseful. Great characters. I was on the edge of my seat.
Release Date: July 12, 2022 | 259 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: A novel in verse. From Goodreads: “An affecting and resonant YA novel in verse that explores family, community, the changing ocean tides, and what it means to fall in love with someone who sees the world in a different way.” This book totally delivered on that promise.
Release Date: July 19, 2022 | 187 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: Faith and questions about faith in a non-preachy way. A sweet romantic relationship. This one stuck with me even years after I read it.
Release Date: August 30, 2016 | 326 Goodreads ratings
What you need to know: I couldn’t put this one down. Juliette and Henri are the kind of characters that hit like an arrow to the heart: vulnerable, desperate to save/protect the people they love, wounded, and smart.
Published September 28, 2021 | 426 Goodreads Ratings
What you need to know: A highly deadly, highly contagious illness affecting teens forces afflicted teens to live in a sort of boarding school. It’s heartbreaking and filled with some of the smartest exploration of love and identity. Still a favorite.
Release Date: April 5, 2016 | 458 Goodreads ratings
What are your favorite underhyped young adult books?
Have you read any of the books on my list? (If so, help out the authors by jumping on over to Goodreads or a retail site to leave a review!)
What are your favorite underhyped young adult books? Leave a comment and let me know what I need to add to my reading list!
I recently realized it’s been a while since I shared a list of the books that I loved that just didn’t seem to get the hype they deserved. Some of these middle grade books were published during the early days of Covid, when authors canceled book signings, school visits, and other bookish events. A few of these underhyped middle grade titles are from the ancient days before the pandemic changed life as we knew it. Others were published more recently– perhaps a victim of Barnes & Noble’s switch to carrying mostly paperbacks? I’m not sure what the deal is, but I am sure these books deserve more attention than they received thus far.
In any case, all of these books are ones I absolutely loved and have continued to champion in the months and years since they were published. If you haven’t read them, please use the links to add them to your reading list or shopping cart. If you have read them, please take a moment and leave a rating and/or review to help these authors out!
Note: This post contains affiliate links which don’t cost anything for you to use, but which help support my blog. Thank you for shopping with them!
What you need to know: A reluctant reader critiques his aunt’s book, testing the stunts, discovering ghosts, and making new friends along the way. Hilarious and heartfelt.
Published September 22, 2020 | 209 Goodreads ratings.
What you need to know: OMG. This book is hilarious and so sweet. I can’t say it any better than this clip from Goodreads: A dead body. A missing will. An evil relative. The good news is, Great Grammy has a plan. The bad news is, she’s the dead body.
What you need to know: A talented violinist with a gorgeous ‘fro she calls “the wooly mammoth” faces discrimination in her music program and finds a way to speak up about it. I loved the music references and relationships in this book.
Published: September 6, 2022 | 119 Goodreads ratings.
What you need to know: The follow-up to THE BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA. A young Mexican girl building a new life in America in the early 1900s. Beautifully written and engaging.
Release Date: September 6, 2022 | 100 Goodreads ratings.
What you need to know: Inspired by BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and THE WATCHMEN. Vampires were supposed to be vanquished decades ago… but it looks like they’re back. Looks fantastic.
Release Date: September 20, 2022 | 279 Goodreads ratings.
What you need to know: A kidnapped boy is forced to work in a power plant. Then he discovers a ghost who may be able to help him escape. Looks fresh and fun.
Release Date: September 27, 2022 | 162 Goodreads ratings.
What You Need to Know: A hopeful (and at times heartbreaking) story of a young girl who decides to build a submarine and sail it across the Chesapeake Bay.
What You Need to Know: The cover copy calls this one “folksy” and “fresh” and it totally is! I loved the southern feel of the town and characters, and the exploration of identity and magic in this book.
What you need to know: Anonymous letters lead a girl and a shapeshifting boy/crow on a journey to save their world in a mysterious place called Nowhere. This one totally blew me away. I loved Roda and Ignis so much.
What You Need to Know: Bullying. Secrets. An older brother’s drug use. A girl’s heartfelt quest to find her voice and speak up. A fierce, moving read that deserves way more than 55 ratings.
What You Need to Know: Identity issues and mental health challenges. A girl’s desperate quest to understand why she’s so angry all the time and how to be herself safely. Powerful storytelling by an incredible author.
Published May 10, 2022 | 329 Goodreads ratings.
Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts by Dianne K. Salerni
What You Need to Know: Roosevelt cousins uncover family secrets in a world in which ghosts exist and can become deadly. A hauntingly perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction. I devoured this one.
Published September 1, 2020 | 178 Goodreads ratings.
What You Need to Know: A girl desperate to save her small Louisiana town torn apart by coastal flooding. Sweet southern fiction blended with bold activism. One of my favorite recent reads.
Published September 20, 2022 | 109 Goodreads ratings.
What You Need to Know: A girl dealing with unwanted attention from a boy, an attack against her family’s business, and the pressure of competition on her swim team. Adventurous, family-oriented, and fun.
Published September 13, 2022 | 86 Goodreads ratings.
What you need to know: I read this book earlier in the year, and can’t stop thinking about it. It’s got some spooky magic, unforgettable characters, and possibly the best exploration of grief I’ve ever seen in a novel.
Release Date: August 3, 2021 | 237 Goodreads ratings.
What You Need to Know: A vibrant deep south setting in the Okefenokee Swamp. A family business in jeopardy. Brilliant summer friendships. One of my all-time favorite middle grade books.
Published September 5, 2017 | 242 Goodreads ratings.
What are your favorite underhyped middle grade books?
Have you read any of the underhyped middle grade books on my list? Are any of these your favorites, too? What are your favorite middle grade books that deserve a lot more hype than they received? Leave a comment and let me know!
If you’ve read any of the books on this list, please take a moment and leave a rating and/or review on Goodreads or Amazon. This really helps authors, especially authors like these, whose books have been out for a bit.
Earth Day is Saturday April 22, so I’ve been thinking about books that inspire me and my girls to plant a real live tree, spend time outdoors, or maybe try composting (this is going to happen this year!). I love reading books that help us connect with nature through activities or simple suggestions. Though this list is short, it’s pretty broad. You’ll find a book about using nature to navigate from one place to another with real activities teaching you to do so as well as a nature guide and a nature craft and activity book. All of these books made me want to get outside and really notice the world around me. I hope you find some new favorites on this list of books that will get your kids outside, too.
6 Books That Will Get Your Kids Outside
How to Go Anywhere (And Not Get Lost) by Hans Aschim
What you need to know: This book explains the science and history of navigation and sets up activities you can do outside to navigate using information from the natural world around you– trees, sun, stars, etc.
What you need to know: Part nature guide, part journal. Teaches about classes of plants as well as how to identify specific species according to its unique characteristics. Journal spaces allow you to record plant sightings, drawings, and other notes.
Ages: 10-14 | Published February 28, 2023 | My Review
Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer
What you need to know: I had heard really great things about the adult version of this book, so when I saw that there was a young adult version, I jumped at the chance to read and review it here. I loved the introspective questions, the history and ecology lessons woven together in perfect harmony.
Ages: 12 up | Published November 1, 2022 | My Review
The Environment: Explore, Create and Investigate by Jonathon Litton
What you need to know: I really liked the broad reach of the information it offers and pairs with experiments and activities. Perfect for use with a science unit or to inspire summer crafts.
Ages: 6-12 | Published September 22, 2020 | My Review
What you need to know: 25 profiles of young climate activists under 25 years old, how they got started making changes and how their work impacts communities across the globe. I found these stories incredibly inspiring and hopeful.
What you need to know: A super fun craft and activity book. Each page has instructions for a craft or journal that requires going into nature in order to complete it. A perfect way to get creative kids outside touching and looking closely at nature.
What books will get your kids outside to interact with nature?
Are there books that inspire you or your kids to step outside and feel the grass? Maybe plant a tree or garden? What are your family’s favorite books about being outside?
Though THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER came out more than twenty years ago, it wasn’t until last year that I actually read it for the first time. It’s a favorite of a friend, so I decided to give it a try on his recommendation.
It’s one of those books that kind of punches you in the heart? Like, there were things I saw coming, and things I definitely did not see. Some moments left me feeling like my soul was lighter, like I was remembering the best moments a good friendship can bring. And other moments just wrenched my guts to pieces. WALLFLOWER also has a prominent openly gay character, which was a pretty big deal for a young adult book published in 1999. So, for my topic this Top Ten Tuesday, let’s talk about 10 books to read if you loved THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER.
Note: Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. This post contains affiliate links which don’t cost you anything to use but help support this blog. (And help support local bookstores, if you use the Bookshop links!)
10 Books to Read if You Loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
What you need to know: A loner finds love and friendship, but after he’s sexually assaulted, all the relationships in his life feel at risk. Totally under-hyped. This one blew me away.
What you need to know: A loner meets his person in NYC and learns one of them will die the next day. The prequel to THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END, though personally I fell harder for the story in this one.
What you need to know: As Arden’s best friend falls in love, she questions whether the relationship is safe and begins to wonder the same about a relationship at home. Powerfully written.
What you need to know: After losing his sister in a car accident, Kermit gets invited to a grief support group of sorts, where he finds love and friendship, until the group faces a crisis that could undo them all. Such great storytelling here.
What you need to know: Ocean tries to lose herself in the Big City, but a chaotic boy, and two roommates in denial about their feelings for one another may be just the recipe to help Ocean find her way forward. This one is as angsty as it is thought-provoking. I loved it.
What you need to know: A racist incident makes it impossible for Annalie, who has always handled adversity by being as invisible as she can, to disappear. New friends and a new romance help her find confidence in her own voice. To me, best part of THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is the way his friends help him find his voice. This book captured that, too, in such a great way.
What you need to know: Jonas met the girl of his dreams online, and now wants to bring the relationship into real life. She talks her best friend Ash into meeting him first, and the three embark on a wild, emotional ride. This one has such great friendship energy.
What you need to know: After Betty and her family survive a shooting incident, she wrestles with why it happened. She builds a friendship with the brother of the shooter, trying to learn about the boy who tried to kill her sister and mother. An unforgettable, timely story.
What you need to know: Two rivals join forces after their best friend is killed in a domestic violence shooting when they both begin to see the ghost of their lost friend. This one has made me a huge fan of this author’s books.
What you need to know: Two best friends, estranged by grief. Reckoning with past and present abuse. Falling in love just as things fall apart. This book absolutely wrecked me.
Happy Tuesday, everyone! This week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is to pick a past topic to reboot. I made it easy on myself, and kind of went for a freebie type post because I’ve been wanting to do a Middle Grade Books Featuring a Magic School list for a little bit. In case you’re unfamiliar with Top Ten Tuesday, it’s a weekly meme hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers and find new books for your reading list.
So, I’m going to assume you’re already familiar with the boy wizard series and Rick Riordan’s books featuring magic schools, as well as the Ever After High series, which was a favorite in our house. Instead, I’ll talk about some really great, more recently published middle grade books featuring a magic school. Here we go!
What you need to know: A magical school that trains unicorn and rider pairs! A boy who must stop a powerful thief from stealing unicorns. This one is a lot of fun.
What you need to know: Magic and friendship. A boarding school packed with secrets. Girls who are told they’re broken discovering their true strength. Still a favorite of mine.
What you need to know: This series tells the origin story of The School for Good and Evil and the two brothers tasked with maintaining a balance between good and evil magic. Packed with the same twisty storytelling and fun energy of the original series.
What you need to know: A magical town, and an opportunity to join one of five covens… unless you’re a Spare like Seven, forced to complete an impossible task in order to keep her powers.
What you need to know: A Black girl with prowess in the kitchen on top of newly discovered magic fights to save her magical school from closing. A super fun read packed with delicious food and family.
What you need to know: Quirky characters. A fun and fantastic story about the under-appreciated crew trained at their school to clean up after spellcasters.
What you need to know: A school that teaches musicians to create magic. A student on her last chance, who just might be the only one who can save her school from a mysterious, powerful storm. Music and magic make a great pairing here.
What you need to know: A magic school where students gather to practice cultural arts, and a girl who’s first of her ability to be admitted to the school. When her teacher goes missing, it’s up to her and her new friends to rescue him.
What you need to know: A magical school that trains warriors to use their hidden powers. A girl with powerful magic that links her to an infamous traitor who’s determined to find her parents, no matter the cost.
What you need to know: Night is ruled by toxic beasts which can only be defeated by children who are immune. When Nora reluctantly joins their ranks, she uncovers secrets that leave her questioning everything. A wild ride of a story.
Published June 14, 2022
What are your favorite magic school books?
Do you like middle grade books featuring a magic school? What are your favorites? Let me know if you’ve read any of the books on my list, or if there are others I should add.
