20 of the Greatest Graphic Novels for Teenagers

YA graphic novels are enormous proper now, and if you happen to’ve not had the prospect to dive into the format, then you definately’re undoubtedly lacking out on some wonderful storytelling and exquisite art work. Undecided the place to begin? We’ve rounded up 20 of the perfect graphic novels for teenagers so that you can dive into. However watch out—they’re like potato chips. You may’t get pleasure from only one!

Observe: Though we are likely to throw across the time period graphic novel to discuss with all novel-length illustrated works, maintain thoughts that there’s some nice graphic nonfiction for teenagers. This record of the perfect graphic novels for teenagers are a mixture of fiction and nonfiction.

Laura Dean Retains Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

Freddie has a little bit of an issue: her girlfriend Laura Dean has a behavior of breaking apart together with her on main holidays. Not sure of what to do about it however unable to let Laura slip away, Freddie turns to all corners to determine her relationship, neglecting to see how her friendships are struggling proper in entrance of her. It is a implausible exploration of what love is and isn’t, and what it means to determine relationships as a teen. It’s illustrated in such a dreamy method, it’s no marvel it snagged a Printz Honor!

Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Okay, technically that is two graphic novels, however you’ll discover you should purchase them as a set at most retailers, and belief me, you’ll need each. It tells parallel tales of Little Bao, whose village is destroyed by Westerners and joins the opposition motion, and Vibiana, a woman who discovers a house with the missionaries after being rejected, and should determine if she’ll be a part of their trigger. These two volumes are a superb, human have a look at an advanced historical past.

Converse: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll

Laurie Halse Anderson’s fashionable basic is given a graphic novel replace with sensible art work by Emily Carroll! On this story, one thing unhealthy occurred to Melinda on the finish of the college yr, and now she’s beginning highschool the place everybody hates her or is mad at her. She not often speaks, as a result of what’s the use? However then an artwork class and an surprising refuge assist Melinda heal, and she or he realizes that she should not solely discover her voice—she has to make use of it.

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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Religion Erin Hicks

On this pleasant romp, greatest work mates Deja and Josiah have one final evening collectively on the Pumpkin Patch, the place they’ve labored each fall. Deja needs to make it rely, and in an epic quest to eat all of the great snacks the place has to supply, she additionally tries to persuade Josiah to disclose his emotions to his long-time crush…however the evening doesn’t precisely go as deliberate! I really like the autumn palette and the detailed illustrations that convey this spectacular pumpkin patch to life!

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka

On this shifting memoir, Jarrett tells the story of his childhood and teenage years, from the second when he realized that his household wasn’t like different children’ households. He was raised by his grandparents, two sophisticated and loving individuals who didn’t count on to lift their grandkid. As Jarrett grows older and tries to make sense of who he’s and his dad and mom, he additionally realizes the deep love his grandparents have for him, regardless of their faults. It is a actually lovely piece of art work, in addition to a terrific story—Jarrett makes use of ephemera from his childhood to create the art work, and it’s simply gorgeous. Don’t miss this Nationwide Ebook Award finalist!

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Windy Xu

Nova is a teen witch who spends her time serving to out her grandmother and her associate of their bookshop, and investigating supernatural disturbances. When rumors of a wolf within the woods ship Nova looking out, she stumbles upon Tam, her childhood pal and a werewolf. Tam is harm and so they need assistance combating off a darkish energy that lurks within the woods, and Nova insists on serving to them—however as the times stretch into weeks, Nova and Tam additionally discover themselves falling for one another. It is a actually candy, magical story about combating evil and in addition determining your personal future.

Honor Woman by Maggie Thrash

On this memoir, Maggie Thrash recounts one formative summer season she spent at camp, the place she turned fairly good within the capturing vary and fell for her (older, feminine) camp counselor. This was within the early 2000s, and LGBTQ+ relationships weren’t fairly accepted, so Maggie handled this discovery all on her personal, till all of it got here to a head on the finish of camp. It is a actually nice memoir that has (with out manipulation) a extremely wonderful story arc, and the art work does a extremely good job at evoking early 2000s nostalgia.

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Anya is an outcast at her college, and she or he’s desperately in want of a pal. When she falls down an previous effectively whereas strolling house from college in the future, Anya meets one other lady, as lonely as she. They discover friendship in each other, and Anya’s new ghost pal is fairly helpful to have round…however she won’t be telling the entire reality about her previous. It is a sly and barely creepy learn, with implausible art work.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Lord Blackheart is a fantasy villain with revenge on his thoughts. He’s perpetually locked in battle towards Sir Goldenloin, however all of that’s disrupted in the future when Nimona, a younger shapeshifter, seems at his door. Lord Blackheart doesn’t need a sidekick, however he has to confess that Nimona is fairly helpful…however she’s acquired a secret previous that’s haunting her, and if he doesn’t resolve it, Nimona’s powers could overcome all of them. This humorous and irreverent graphic novel is a Nationwide Ebook Award finalist!

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

On this lovely and expansive sci-fi graphic novel, twin timelines unfold: At a faculty on an area station in the course of the galaxy, two classmates turns into mates, and perhaps even start to fall for one another. However then one evening, one disappears. Years later, the lady that’s left goes on to work for a crew that breaks down previous house stations, however she’s by no means forgotten her pal…or given up hope that they’ll in the future reunite. This guide feels sort of dreamy, and it’s very imaginative in all of its particulars and world-building.

By way of the Woods by Emily Carroll

When you like scrumptious and darkish tales, this guide is for you. In it, Carroll has illustrated 5 unique graphic fairy tales that pulse with eeriness, magnificence, and hazard. From a mysterious new sister-in-law who is just not what she appears to a deadly journey to a neighbor’s home, these tales are good for studying underneath the covers at evening, and the black, white, crimson, and blue coloration scheme is dramatic and daring.

March trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

On this Nationwide Ebook Award–successful trilogy, Consultant John Lewis recounts his years working within the Civil Rights Motion alongside luminaries resembling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a highly effective however important trilogy about an necessary time in American historical past, advised from the standpoint of somebody who lived it. Undoubtedly choose up your complete trilogy!

This One Summer time by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

This One Summer time is arguably some of the acclaimed graphic novels for teenagers—it received the Eisner and took house the Printz and Caldecott Honors. It’s about Rose, whose household all the time goes to their cabin on the lake annually. Her greatest summer season pal Windy is there, and despite the fact that she’s youthful than Rose, the 2 are shut. However this one summer season, Rose’s dad and mom received’t cease arguing and she or he and Windy discover themselves at odds over what to do—particularly once they insert themselves into the drama of some native teenagers. Because the tensions boil over, it’s sure to be a memorable summer season.

Grand Theft Horse by G. Neri and Corban Wilkin

That is the outstanding true story of Gail Ruffu, Neri’s cousin. Gail is a passionate horse lover and expert racehorse coach who believes in compassion, not cruelty. So when the co-owner of the horse she cherished and skilled insisted on racing him earlier than he was prepared, after which pushing him previous his limits, Gail out her foot down and stole her personal horse away on Christmas Eve. What adopted was months and years of dodging personal detectives, authorized troubles, being blackballed from the CA racing scene, and finally a case that went to the CA Supreme Courtroom. This graphic nonfiction story tells Gail’s backstory and her tenacity to guard the horses she loves, and struggle for change within the racing business.

Kiss Quantity eight by Colleen AF Venable and Ellen T. Crenshaw

Mads’s life is fairly nice—household, mates, and baseball each Sunday after church. However when her boy-crazy greatest pal begins pressuring Mads to disclose her crushes and get a boyfriend, Mads is shipped right into a tailspin of fear and self-doubt…as a result of she may like ladies, too. On prime of that, her dad and mom are protecting an enormous secret from her, and Mads is determined to determine what it’s, so it might probably cease tearing her household aside—however as soon as she does, it solely makes her query her life much more. It is a implausible graphic novel set within the mid-2000s about household, religion, and identification, with actually daring and energetic illustrations.

Virtually-American Woman by Robin Ha

On this unimaginable memoir, Robin Ha recounts how she grew up the daughter of a single mother in Seoul. Her mother labored onerous to construct her enterprise as a hair stylist, however in the future she and Robin went on trip to the U.S. and her mother broke the brand new that they weren’t going again. Devastated, Robin struggled to know this large betrayal and life change, and adapt to life within the U.S. She went months with out mates, till her mother enrolled her in artwork lessons. It is a implausible have a look at a serious life change and the way Robin struggled to course of her emotions round it and perceive her mom, finally forgiving her.

Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau

Ari can’t wait to maneuver out of the home and into town to begin his actual life, taking part in along with his unhealthy. However his household’s bakery is struggling, and so they want his assist. Then Ari finds the proper answer: Hector. Hector likes to bake, and he wants a job. If Ari can prepare Hector as his substitute, he’ll be free to go. However when Ari begins falling for him, he’ll should rethink what he thought his future would appear like, and what actually issues to him. Illustrated in beautiful hues of blue, that is one other dreamy graphic novel must-read, particularly when you have a candy tooth!

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Prince Sebastian should discover a spouse, however he’s extra excited about discovering an excellent dressmaker. Enter Frances, who works wonders with a needle and turns into Sebastian’s pal and confidante—the one one who is aware of that Sebastian can also be Girl Chrystallia, the mysterious vogue icon taking society by storm. However Sebastian’s secret is precarious, and Frances has her personal goals she needs to pursue, goals which have been placed on maintain to assist Sebastian. She will’t be Sebastian’s secret weapon ceaselessly. This candy story is superbly illustrated with pops of coloration that make Girl Chrystallia’s fabulous clothes stand out. Content material warning: This guide options an outing of a queer character that doesn’t sit effectively with all readers, so if that may be a concern, we suggest doing extra analysis on this guide earlier than selecting it up.

Verify, Please! Ebook 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

Former ice skater and baker Eric Bittle has simply began at Samwell College, and even if he’s very gifted in many various areas, he’s completely unprepared to hitch the hockey workforce. Right here, gamers can and do test, after which there’s additionally the matter of Jack, the workforce captain. He’s devastatingly good-looking and in addition a bit grumpy, and Eric can’t assist however fall for him. You may’t go fallacious with this enjoyable, upbeat graphic novel about faculty life and hockey, with a candy romance tossed in. Plus, look out for a sequel!

Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCool and Emily Carroll

Masha has had sufficient of her house life and decides that what she wants is a correct journey. So she seeks out the legendary witch, Baba Yaga, enters her home on hen legs, and goes about convincing her that she wants an assistant. Baba Yaga is skeptical, however she places Masha by way of her paces in a collection of checks, and Masha must use all of her wits to show that she has what it takes to turn out to be Baba Yaga’s Assistant. Illustrated by Emily Carroll, this can be a splendidly creepy and sly graphic novel!

What are a number of the greatest YA graphic novels you’ve learn? Tell us on our YA Instagram feed! Have center college readers? Try our record of the perfect center grade graphic novels!