Here are graphic novels– some are old favorites and others are brand new. We’ve included the title and a brief little book description to catch your interest.
If you would like to borrow one of these books you can either send Ms. Mac an email, smcnerneyoe@olatheschools.org or place a hold online.
Class Act-realistic
Drew recognizes that he isn’t afforded the same opportunities, no matter how hard he works, that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted. He’s beginning to fear that his good friend Liam might be one of those privileged kids, and it’s straining their friendship. Will a roadtrip be the solution?
The Crossover – sports
Fourteen-year-old twin basketball stars wrestle with highs and lows on and off the basketball court as both the game, and girls, complicate their brotherhood.
The Daughters of Ys– scifi
Drifting apart after their queen mother’s unexplained death, the sister princesses of an Atlantis-like city from Celtic legend find their bond irrevocably changed when their once-protected world becomes vulnerable to dangerous monsters.
Flamer– realistic
In the summer between middle school and high school, Aiden Navarro navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and finds himself drawn to Elias, a boy he can’t stop thinking about.
Frankie Comics– realistic
When they discover a kitten asleep in their doorway, real-life artist couple Rachel and Mike immediately fall prey to her charms. Soon, the new queen of their home is a blue point Siamese cat named Frankie. Stealing snacks, making mischief, and taking snuggling very seriously, Frankie proves, again and again, the wholesome joys of a life ruled by a cat.
Harley Quinn Breaking Glass– Superhero
With just $5 and a knapsack to her name, fifteen-year-old Harleen Quinzel is sent to live in Gotham City. To combat the destructive gentrification of her new neighborhood, she must choose between supporting Ivy, her friend from high school and an impassioned activist, or the Joker, an anarchist of questionable motives.
Just So Happens– Realistic
Yumiko, who has created a life for herself in London, must return to Japan for her father’s funeral and finds herself immersed with the rituals of both death and life as she confronts the question of where her future really lies.
Kiss Number 8– Realistic/Romance
Amanda’s kissed seven people, but it’s the eighth that really puts her world into a tailspin. This is the story of friendship, faith, family secrets, and being true to yourself. This graphic novel expresses lots of emotions just in the drawings.
Laura Dean Keeps breaking up with Me– Realistic/Romance
Been dumped before? Dumped someone before? Then this book is for you. Freddy adores the flashy and popular Laura Dean, and hopes they’re meant to be together. But Laura Dean can’t seem to help herself and is always hooking up with other people, and/or dumping Freddy, until Laura decides it’s time to get back together. Is it time for Freddy to actually dump Laura Dean? This graphic novel captures heartbreak and longing as well as anything I’ve ever read. Love this one.
Long Way Down– Realistic
Will is only fifteen, but after his brother is murdered Will believes it’s his responsibility to take his brother’s gun and exact revenge on the person he believes is responsible. Riding the elevator down to begin his vengeance he meets a surprising set of people whose stories influence his decision. This is the graphic novel version of Jason Reynold’s equally powerful prose book.
Mera: Tidebreaker– Superhero
As part of a rebellion, Mera volunteers to assassinate Prince Arthur. But as she gets to know him the mission becomes increasingly heartbreaking…
Midas– Scifi
Joey and her space crew have found the body of the legendary King Midas– and the legend is true. Everything that comes into contact with his flesh turns to gold, making it a very powerful weapon.
New Kid– Realistic
Jordan’s the new kid at his fancy school, which is annoying because he’d rather go to art school. And his new school isn’t exactly the most diverse. Soon he’s found friends though, but navigating the world as a person of color is still a significant part of his experience– which he captures in his art.
Penultimate Quest Fantasy
Far across the Western Ocean on a mist-shrouded island guarded by giant sea monsters, heroes come to explore the mysterious dungeons that lie below the surface. None have yet to reach the bottom and return to tell the tale. Each party gathers daily for a new round of potion-making, sword-sharpening, armor-buying, and dungeon-crawling, and after hours of leveling up in dangerous battles with monstrous creatures from the depths, they rest and try again the next day when everything repeats. That is, until one adventurer stops to ask why. Is it endlessly exciting, or simply endless?
Prince and the Dressmaker- Realistic
Prince Sebastian has a secret. Frances the dressmaker has a secret. Will their secrets bind them together or tear them apart? Will their world ever accept either of them? I adored the art and characters in this one which explores friendship and family with humor, anxiety, and honesty.
Pumpkinheads– Realistic
A graphic novel by Rainbow Rowell that’s perfect for fall! Two friends have spent their high school fall semesters working in a local pumpkin patch, but this is their LAST NIGHT EVER! It’s a night to seize last chances, and be surprised by the people around them. Funny and real with great dialogue and illustrations, especially for those of us from the midwest.
Teen Titans: Raven– Superhero
When a tragic accident takes the life of the only family she’s ever known, 16-year-old Raven is sent to New Orleans to start over. She soon discovers that she can hear the thoughts of others around her…and another, more disturbing, voice in her head.
Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale– Superhero
When living with her mother’s abusive boyfriend becomes unbearable, fifteen-year-old Selina, the future Catwoman, runs away and struggles to find her own identity while living on the streets of Gotham.
Smooth Criminals
When Brenda, geeky hacker extraordinaire, accidentally awakened Mia, an international jewel thief frozen in the 1960s, she wasn’t sure what to expect… but it surely wasn’t a new partner in crime! With their powers combined, they decide to pull off the heist of the century and with fifty years of catching up to do, Mia already has a target in mind.
Superman Smashes the Klan
When Dr. Lee moves his family to Metropolis, his son Tommy adjusts to the new neighborhood while daughter Roberta feels out of place, so when the evil Klan of the Fiery Cross begins a string of terrorist attacks on the city, Superman fights them, and Roberta and Superman soon learn to embrace their own unique features that set them apart.
When Stars Are Scattered
Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in a refugee camp, and when an opportunity for Omar to get an education comes along, he must decide between going to school every day or caring for his nonverbal brother.
Graphic Novel Series
Check, please! Duology– graphic novel, sports
Bitt’s freshman year of college is full of complications– from trying to figure out how to be successful on the ice hockey team, to making friends with the other players even as he tries to hide a secret part of himself. These characters are funny, rude, blunt, honest, and surprisingly multidimensional.
- #Hockey #1
- Sticks and Scones #2
Descender Series–graphic novels
Tim wakes up from cryo-sleep ten years after a disaster (or was it an attack?) killed everyone on his planet. And now he’s become the object of pursuit by some people who want to save him, and others who want to harm him. Non-stop action and great characters. I loved this one start to finish, and all 6 books in the series are available now.
- Tin Stars #1
- Machine Moon #2
- Singularities #3
- Orbital Mechanics #4
- Rise of the Robots #5
- The Machine War #6
There is also a new series (Ascender) which takes place in the same world ten years later.
- The Haunted Galaxy #1
Diviners Quartet- Fantasy/mystery
Evie has always been able to divine information from objects she touches. When she’s sent away from her small town to live with her uncle in New York City, Evie meets a diverse cast of equally gifted strangers and uncovers a terrifying supernatural mystery.
- The Diviners #1
- Lair of Dreams #2
- Before the Devil Breaks You #3
- The King of Crows #4
Faith Series– Superhero
Faith is the curvacious female superhero you’ve always dreamed about meeting. Sure, like Superman she seems like a mild-mannered blogger by day, but at night she’s busy saving the city (and maybe some potential love interests as well!) This is a fresh modern spin on the superhero concept.
- Hollywood and Vine #1
- California Scheming #2
- Superstar #3
- The Faithless #4
Fence Series– graphic novel, sports
Nicholas gets accepted to a fancy boarding school, but to stay there he’ll have to earn a scholarship spot on the fencing team. He’s a pretty naturally talented fencer, but he hasn’t had years of training like his competition. And his temper also sometimes gets the best of him. His chief fencing rival also happens to be his roommate, so it’s hard for him to escape the pressure. I love this one even though I didn’t know anything about fencing before I started. It’s got great action, great characters, and great illustrations.
- Fence Volume 1
- Fence Volume 2
- Fence Volume 3
- Rivals Volume 4
Giant Days Series Realistic
Continue following our favorite set of British college friends through their hilarious, and sometimes not, trek towards graduation. We actually have a lot of these:
- Volumes 1- 9
- Volume 10– should arrive later this spring
- Volume 11-13
- Giant Days Extra Credit– contains bonus materials
- Giant Days Early Registration-original comic illustrations
Last Halloween Series Fantasy
This series is difficult to describe, though readers rave about its combination of horror and comedy, all while its characters try to survive Halloween and save humanity.
- Children #1
Lazarus Series– Science Fiction
A future U.S. is divided into zones, each ruled by a different (but equally bloodthirsty) family. Each family has a “Forever”, a sort of son/daughter who also functions as a bodyguard. This is the story of Forever Carlyle’s struggle to understand her role within her family, and whether they truly deserve her sacrifices and loyalty. A complicated world to get into, but once you’re in you’ll love these characters!
- Lazarus: The First Collection
- Lazarus: The Second Collection
Miles Morales Series Superhero
When the rampaging Rhino and a cadre of mysterious criminals start plaguing Brooklyn, things take a dark turn for the young Spider-Man!
- Straight out of Brooklyn #1 (On order, will arrive this spring)
- Bring on the Bad Guys #2
Outpost Zero Science Fiction
Welcome to Outpost Zero: the smallest town in the universe. The people there work the land, go to the fights every Friday night, and tuck their children into bed… but the Outpost is no place for dreams. To survive is ambitious enough. As Alea and her friends graduate to adulthood under the artificial sky of a faulty biome, on a frozen world never meant to support human life… something stirs. Something sees.
- The Smallest Town in the Universe #1
- Follow it Down #2
- The Only Living Things #3
Runaways Series– Superhero
This series picks up the Marvel series two years later as a group of super-powered teens continue trying to evade the parents they discovered were actually super villains. There’s lots of humor and action, but also sadness and loss and betrayal. Basically all the emotions– easy to understand even if you are new to this Marvel world.
- Find your Way Home #1
- Best Friends Forever #2
- That was Yesterday #3
- But you Can’t Hide #4
The Wicked + The Divine Series Fantasy
Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. The team behind critically thermonuclear floor-fillers Young Avengers and PHONOGRAM reunite to start a new ongoing superhero fantasy. Welcome to THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, where gods are the ultimate pop stars. But remember: just because you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you’re going to live forever.
- The Faust Act #1
- Fandemonium #2
- Commercial Suicide #3
- Rising Action #4
- Imperial Phase #5
- Imperial Phase, Part 2 #6
- Mothering Invention, #7
- Old is the New New #8
- Okay #9
Olathe East Library 