My Favorite Graphic Novels!

What is a graphic novel? A novel in comic format! 

I love graphic novels because I love the visual aspect of the storytelling, and I love seeing how styles of artwork can bring a flavor to a story just like the choice of a writer's words. But another wonderful thing about graphic novels is that they are great for reluctant readers! Whether due to lack of interest, reading difficulties, language difficulties, etc, graphic novels are a short and visual way to get kids interested in books!

Here are a few of my favorite graphic novels!

NEWSPRINTS by RU XU

Aside from the AMAZING ARTWORK, it’s a steampunk/dielselpunk alternate world (so basically just, really cool)—it’s got girl newsies, wacky inventors, automatons, sketchy governments, a bit of mystery, and a very strong theme of friendship (and how your friends can be your family). It’s almost everything I love in one beautiful book—totally worth a read no matter what age you are!

SPACE BOY by STEPHEN MCCRANIE

 

Let’s talk about SPACE BOY🚀This is an ongoing web comic on WEBTOON, but the first five volumes are also available in print. 

This ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC STORY by Stephen McCranie is set in the far future of a very similar alternate Earth. It’s about a girl named Amy, who is basically the sweetest thing on the planet, and a very sad and lonely boy named Oliver, and how their paths cross. 

BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE. This comic touches on so many deep emotions—change in old friendships, forming new friendships, culture shock, adjusting to a new place and new circumstances, learning how to handle feelings you’ve never had before, how art and beauty and nature can anchor us to reality when we feel lost. The emotions in this story are real and raw, but the most amazing thing about it all is that Stephen McCranie packages these deep things into a story that stays positive and hopeful. It doesn’t shy away from the fact that there are things in life that are unpleasant—sometimes even things that are awful. But we don’t have to let awful things define us or our lives. We can choose to be positive, to keep going, to reach for happiness—and we can be a person who helps others do the same thing. This is my absolute favorite theme in storytelling, because to me, it’s one of the very purest things about being human. People need people, people need love, and people need hope. It’s what I like to read and what I try to write, because it’s the way I try to live. SPACE BOY is a lighthearted, funny, touching, and beautifully illustrated science fiction comic—and it’s also an example of storytelling at its finest.

DIESEL: IGNITION by TYSON HESSE

DIESEL: IGNITION is a super fun adventure about a girl named Dee Diesel (sold already, right?), her makeshift family, and an unsuspecting world about to erupt in war—which makes it sound super serious, but I promise it’s not. This story is mostly hilarious, entirely entertaining, and just emotional enough that you can connect with the characters. Dee is not your typical heroine, but she’s hilarious and spunky and she’s not afraid to step up and help people who need it and she has pink in her hair. Basically, all my goals. My only complaint is that I want more!

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by MARIAH MARSDEN and BRENNA THUMMLER

I was honestly a little suspicious to see an adaption of one of my favorite classic novels, mostly because Anne of Green Gables has SO MUCH story, and graphic novels tell stories much more succinctly. But! These authors did a wonderful job. The spirit of Anne and of Avonlea was captured perfectly in both the artwork and the storytelling! I think this is especially good for younger readers who may not be ready for the classic book, and for grown up readers like me, who don't always have the time to read the classic novel over and over again, but still want to revisit the happy and peaceful Avonlea.

ENOLA HOLMES by NANCY SPRINGER, adapted by SERENA BLASCO

Originally a middle grade novel by Nancy Springer, and adapted into graphic novels by Serena Blasco, the Enola Holmes series is about the younger sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes, and how she uses her cleverness to solve riddles, help others, and make her own way in a world that tells her she is both too young and too feminine to succeed in what she really wants to do. But boy, does Enola prove them wrong! She's intelligent and interesting, and most importantly, she never gives up. I love both the book series and the graphic novels! 

What are your favorite graphic novels?

Happy reading!

Chelsea B↠Kang Daeun