Helen Hall Library Guides: Teen Shelf Help: Graphic Novels

Illustrated tales where imagination knows no bounds. Guardians are always encouraged to review the books to help teens find out if they're the right fit!

Needle and Thread by David Pinckney; Ennun Ana Iurov (Illustrator); Micah Myers (Letterer (comics))
ISBN: 9781952303234
Choosing between living the life you want and living the life you're "supposed to have" is not always an easy choice. Noah, embracing his true-self, wants to pursue a career in costume design, something his loving, public service parents would never approve of. Azarie, the perfect, model daughter of a very stern, traditional family, dreams of embracing the hobbies she secretly loves, hobbies her social circle would never abide by. The two live different lives and their social statuses keep them from ever crossing paths until they have a chance encounter that exposes some common ground: the desire to be who they truly are. Together, the two set out to put it all on the line and show everyone what they're made of and what they want to achieve in the form of cosplay. Their growing friendship will be tested and their faith in themselves, as well as each other, will be tried.

Is this book right for me?

A feel-good graphic novel with cartoony illustrations. It is character driven and focuses on teens living in the present day. Great for fans of Berrybrook Middle School and The Baby-Sitters Club!

This book is about friendship, self-discovery, and the power of having someone believe in you. The characters are true to themselves and their passions: costume design and cosplay.

Accelerated Reader: Not available. │ Lexile Measure: Not available.

Suggested for:

Grades 7-10 (Booklist)
Grades 8+ (School Library Journal)
Ages 12-16 (Kirkus Reviews)

Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo Book 1: the Road to Epoli by James Parks; Ben Costa
ISBN: 9780399556135
Meet Rickety Stitch . . . a walking, talking, singing skeleton minstrel. He's the one skeleton in the dungeon who seems to have retained his soul, and he has no idea why. His only clue to his former identity is a song he hears snippets of in his dreams, an epic bard's tale about the Road to Epoli and the land of Eem. His sidekick and sole friend is the gelatinous Goo, who Rickety alone can understand. Together they set out in search of Rickety's past, with abundant humor and danger galore.

Is this book right for me?

A whimsical fantasy full of humor and world-building. It has cartoony, colorful illustrations and a quirky, sarcastic main character who happens to be a skeleton. Great for fans of Bone and Dog Man!

This off-beat story is told through a lot of smaller, interconnected stories. The premise is a bit silly, so it is best for readers who aren't too serious. There are perilous and suspenseful scenes befitting fantasy.

Accelerated Reader: Middle Grades, 4-8 (Novelist) │ Lexile Measure: 360L (Novelist)

Suggested for:

Grades 5-8 (Booklist)
Grades 6-9 (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books)
Grades 6+ (School Library Journal)
Ages 13+ (Kirkus Reviews)
Ages 12+ (Publishers Weekly)