Graphic Novels ~ Teen & YA
Anzu and the Realm of Darkness
Created By Mai K. Nugyen
Published by Piccadilly Press
In Japan there are myths, similar to some of those found around the world but they, as you might well imagine, have a specific link to the country. The Japanese Underworld is something from folklore and a fascinating place that this graphic novel is going to encourage us to explore. It is Obon, a time when families remember their ancestors.
Anzu isn’t in the mood to celebrate, her grandmother, Obaachan died not that long ago and ever since then the magic has gone from the festival for Anzu. She decides to escape from the festivities and everyone else’s celebrations but in doing so slips and falls down a ridge all the way to the Shinto underworld, Yomi. She has heard of it, from her grandmother’s stories and she is warned to return to the human realm before it is too late but it is a race against the clock. She must break a curse, free the spirits of other lost children and reach the gateway to home before sunrise… A fascinating journey.
Astral Panic
Created by Katie Hicks
Published by Flying Eye Books
Gale might be an anxious protagonist who takes a little bit of getting used to but you'll soon find yourself coming to like him. After all he is only anxious because there are so many things that he finds difficult, the things that many of us find easy day-to-day. So, please, be nice to him. And join him on his journey as he ties out the Pear Wellness Programme.
Gale is about to find himself with a roommate. Aiden. Aiden is going to upend everything about Gales' life as he has lived it so far. Aiden has an awesome band that he plays with and it's possible that the support and friendship they have and offer to Gale could be exactly what he needs in his life. Or it could all go pear-shaped! At times the story can be painful because it is so honest, so true and something so many of us can relate to but it is also beautiful with its message of hope. As with all graphic novels there is so much detail in the illustration, in this one it even brings out emotion and feeling. It's fantastic!
Black Dolls
Created by Rachel Faruroti & Flo Woolley
Published by Orion Children’s Books
Have you ever felt as though you are struggling to find your identity in this modern world which apparently wants to insist on doing the defining for you? The characters in this novel feel exactly that way and their route to taking control back for themselves and for us all, is through music. They are an all-black pop-punk band and they are ready for battle.
The battle is going to take place at Clash of the Bands. Band founder, Jada, dreams of changing the rules of the music industry, tearing them up if she’s honest. She’s prepared to fight for her dreams too and when the opportunity presents itself she forms Black Dolls and the band join the auditions. They are Sassy on lead vocals, Silvee on bass guitar, Dina on lead guitar and Jada on drums and vocals. But try as she does Jada can’t keep the drama from the band and they are soon battling one another whilst trying to keep their dream alive. Can they take the world by storm rather than crash and burn? An addictive read.
The Cartoonists Club
Creators Rania Telgemeier & Scott McCloud
Published by Scholastic
Both the authors are successful and much-loved cartoonists and now they are teaming up to bring us their very own graphic novel, featuring a cartoonist’s club. One of the absolutely brilliant things about this book is the blend of graphic novel narrative, unique voices, how-to tips and the magic of comics. It’s all wrapped up in this book and its inspirational.
Makayla is so full of stories that she is practically bursting with them. What she really needs is some help to move them from the ideas stage to the story stage. Howard loves nothing more than drawing but he finds it difficult to come up with original ideas, not helped by his dad who thinks comics are a waste of time (what does he know?) Lynda is always drawing in her sketchbook but finds it difficult to focus on work she considers a mistake and Art, well Art loves to be creative and is just excited at the opportunity to try something new. They are the Cartoonists Club and they are combining all their skills to create some adventures.
Everything Amplified
Creators Sarah Lippett & Ziggy Hanaor
Published by Cicada Books
A story all about music, identity, the bonds shared by siblings and the messiness that is the life of a teenager. I am certain those themes will appeal to a wide audience and rightly so. This book comes with the added bonus of being a creative graphic novel that many of us, teen, YA and older, could definitely benefit from.
Nel is an introvert but she loves music. She is living in a noisy world and trying to make sense of who she is. Her twin brother, Ludo, is her opposite, he is charismatic and carefree. The story stems, from the love of both authors for music, they have even included a playlist. Nel and Ludo live in a small town but Nel finds everything a grind - school and social life. The adults are oblivious. Her brother is gliding through life in comparison. Fortunately, Nel has her best friend and her music, if she holds onto both will she be able to find her way in her chaotic teenage life? A heart-warming story.
No Refuge
Creators Joe Brady & Patrice Aggs
Published by David Fickling Books
A moving and powerful story, this graphic novel is gripping. It is also perceptive, looking at real life events, fictionalising them but retaining the reality of the situations. You'll be gripped once you start reading and you will feel a connection to the characters whether you have had the same experiences or not.
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One family are hoping to find their way to freedom. Against every odd which is stacked against them three siblings are fleeing their home, a country that is at war with itself, and they are searching for their missing father. Fields of landmines, suspicious soldier, child kidnappers and one of them very poorly, the odds are not great but they have determination on their side. Words and pictures combine to create a story that has a taut, tangible atmosphere and a captivating tale to tell. This is a powerful, compelling story many readers will love.
Nordlys: Book One
Created by Malin Falch
Published by Inklore Books
Nordic folklore, portal fantasy, graphic novel. On the surface this book is all three, inside it is so much more. What caught my eye first of all is that every page carries a black background, not an illustrated one just a glossy black background starkly contrasting the detailed and full colour illustrations. It is stunningly powerful and suits the story perfectly.
There are three stories in this first volume, interlinked and yet unique. Nordic to their roots they explore the wonder of folklore and the magic of the Northern Lights. It is the night before Sonja will come of age, the night before the important ceremony and a mysterious boy pays her a visit. He is there to offer her an opportunity; to travel the stars to his home and he takes her to a Norway unlike anything she knows. In this Norway there are trolls, pirates and even magic. It is a place she could lose her heart to and a place that could bring an adventure uniting both her worlds.
Schoolbot 9000
Created by Sam Hepburn
Published by Dial Books
Welcome to a brand new world, one where AI-powered robots have replaced humans as middle school teachers. Does that sound like an experience you can’t wait to enjoy? With Schoolbot 9000 you can enjoy it, try it out for size, find out if this is something you’d like in real life. After all artificial intelligence is becoming an ever greater part of our world…
James Gordon wonders if he is the only eleven-year-old who doesn’t love robots. None of them. He’s not interested. He’s thrilled that school still has real teachers, human ones who can and do care about his feelings, support his art. Everywhere else from the park to the plants there are robots. But now his school are running a trial. Can they replace human teachers with robots? Will it boost grades? With the Schoolbots malfunctioning, glitching and going off the rails and possibly hatching a plan that could be even worse, James needs to find a way to stop them and save his teachers before it’s too late.
The Secret of Kells
Created by Samuel Sattin
Published by Little, Brown
Celtic folklore continues to inspire readers, writers, artists with its visuality. This beautiful graphic novel is based on a film, another very visual medium for storytelling. This is the origin story of the Book of Kells, along with two additional stories, all in one volume.
The Abbey of Kells is the remote home of a young monk named Brendan. Along with his fellow monks he spends his days in complete isolation from the outside world. Brendan’s uncle is in charge here and has built their walls to fend off the Viking invaders. But the day a master of illumination arrives everything changes for he brings with him a book filled with secret powers, an unfinished book. Brendan is needed, he must adventure through the enchanted woods, avoid the wicked creatures and make new friends, one of them, the fairy Aisling, could help him finish the book and discover more about the mysterious Kells. A fabulous journey awaits.
Thieves
Created by Lucie Byron
Published by Flying Eye Books
With a brand new YA list the publisher, Flying Eye Books, has chosen to re-issue Lucie Byron’s Thieves and make it part of their output. I am thrilled that they have, that a new audience will have access to this strange, romantic and laugh-out-loud story, one that will win hearts and minds and has already won awards!
Ella cannot remember what happened last night. There was a party, she knows that part. It was in a mansion but the owner, she has no idea who it is. They are a mystery and now the puzzle is becoming more complex. She has woken up, in her own bed, but surrounded by objects, none of which are her own, it feels like a hoard. She is embarrassed and curious when the doorbell rings revealing her crush, Madeleine, who was robbed last night. Can they embark on an adventure, discover the thief, reveal their feelings for one another and balance the chaos with their final high school exams? A charming, beautifully presented story.
Tosh’s Island
Created by Linda Sargent, Joe Brady & Leo Marcell
Published by David Fickling Books
If you could see magic close up, happening right in front of you, do you have a picture in mind of what it would look like? I think the creators of Tosh's Island had a beautiful picture of magic in mind when they created this story and the magical island of its title.
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Tosh's life is almost perfect. Almost. She helps her mum and dad on their farm. She has play times with her best friend when they can do all the make believe they like. It is all wonderful and she doesn't want any of it to change, why would she? But she has a fall, one that hurt more than she first admitted. When the hurt covers her whole body, is with her all the time, she knows she can no longer keep it a secret. The trouble is when she tells others no-one else seems to know what is wrong either. Dive into this story, inspired by real-life experiences, and find the healing powers of imagination and storytelling at your fingertips. Absolutely beautiful.
Vern. Custodian of the Universe
Created by Tyrell Waiters
Published by Flying Eye Books
There is so much in this graphic novel that has become almost more. I was fascinated and captivated by the pastels used as the colour scheme, they are gentle on the eye and a wonderful complement to the story, changing with the settings and the action. There is an adventure, some science and it is very definitely an experience to read.
Vern is exhausted, returning to see his family in Florida is going to be a time for rest, a chance to start over. He lands a job, it’s a dead-end one though, custodian at the Quasar Science Facility. It’s going to be long hours and boring work he’s quite sure but then, having grabbed his bucket and mop he discovers this is not the job he expected. After all he is being asked to clean galactic ooze and some spacetime anomalies… it is obvious that nothing is as it seems and things get even stranger when, after plugging in a machine Vern potentially faces the biggest mess of all – the end of the multiverse…