Great gifts for Middle Schoolers: graphic novels!

Looking for something new and fun to read?  Look no further than our latest additions to the Youth Room Graphic Novel section! These books would also make great holiday gifts for avid Middle School graphic novel readers!

Sisters 
The latest from Raina Telgemeier (author/illustrator of Smile and Drama) about her relationship with her sister over the course of a family cross-country trip.






 
The Graveyard book  
Graphic Novel version of the dark Newbery-medal-winning book about a young orphan who is adopted by ghosts in a graveyard.










The Shadow Hero 
Well-known graphic novel author Gene Luen Yang invents an origin story for the not-well-known superhero, The Green Turtle, the first Asian-American superhero character.



 

Through the Woods 
This is a spooky collection of fairy-tales gone wrong.  Not for the faint-of-heart, grizzly tales are made even more dark by haunting illustrations.





 


Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey 
This non-fiction graphic novel portrays the travels of Earnest Shackleton as he explored the Antarctic. 






 


Lies in the Dust: A Tale of Remorse from the Salem Witch Trials 
A letter of apology from Ann Putnam Jr., a key witness in the Salem Witch Trials, comes to life in this graphic novel.





 


El Deafo
An autobiographical story about a girl navigating making friends and fitting in while using a hearing aid.

The Dumbest Idea Ever 
This fun autobiographical graphic novel tells of how the author discovered his love of comics and illustrations while bedridden, after missing out on his championship basketball game due to illness.

Spotlight on Graphic Novels: Middle School Reviews

More reviews from the 25 in 25 Reading Challenge.  This week the focus is graphic novels!



Bone by Jeff Smith
Reviewed by Sammie, grade 6

This is a graphic novel about a bone who finds a baby monster and names him Bartleby.  Bone's brother doesn't like Bartleby and wants him to leave.  Bartleby eventually goes on his own to live with his own kind.



Foiled by Jane Yolen
Reviewed by Firestarness, grade 7

This is an awesome short graphic novel.  It's about a girl named Aleira who likes fencing.  She has a fencing rod that has a jewel at the end.  She soon finds out about its magical powers.



Mouse Guard Fall 1152 by David Petersen
Reviewed by Nobody, grade 7

This is a graphic novel about the lives of mice.  They have formed a mouse guard to protect them from the dangers outside.  The story is about a plot to overthrow the guard.  I thought that this book was not very original.  It followed the common story plot just with mice.  It was mostly predictable but the story was good.


Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge
Reviewed by The Who, grade 7

This book is a graphic novel about a girl who moves to New York City with her family, and the new friends she makes.  The book has really good pictures and a good story line.




Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by WellReader, grade 8

This book is a graphic novel about a young teenage girl who has teeth problems.  She knocks out a few of her grown-up teeth and has to deal with painful consequences for years afterward.  she has other problems too, like growing up, friends, boys, and entering high school.  This is a funny read.

Middle School Book Reviews - Spotlight on Graphic Novels!

Each week we will be posting reviews from a rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grader who are participating in our 10 in 10 challenge (read 10 books in 10 weeks) this summer.  Check back regularly to get recommendations from kids like you!

This week's focus is graphic novels:

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
Reviewed by A.C., a rising 6th grader

This book is about a dog and a robot who are best friends.  They go to the beach together and dog wants robot to go in the water with him.  That's when the trouble starts.  This book has no words so you get to make them up.  Happy reading!


Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by K.W., a rising 7th grader

Callie loves theater but can't sing so she decides to join stage crew.  The actors having drama on and off stage makes it crazy! When she meets two brothers, her year takes a turn.  I love this book.  The story was great.  The characters seemed real.  The artwork was fabulous. 5 out of 5.

Level Up by Gene Luen Yang
Reviewed by K.W., a rising 8th grader

I really enjoyed this book.  It was fun and interesting to read from beginning to end! It was funny and had a good lesson in the end.  I would definitely recommend this book to someone!