New YA Graphic Novels

“Displacement” by Kiku Hughes

Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when she finds herself displaced to the 1940s Japanese-American Internment Camp, with her late Grandmother, Ernestina. Displacements keep happening to Kiku until one she “stuck” back in time and unable to get back to her time. She witnesses the lives of Japanese-Americans who were denied their civil liberties and lost everything they had worked for. The historical graphic novel talks about intergeneration impact events and how it shapes the future generations.

“The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures” by Noelle Stevenson

Noelle Stevenson is an author-illustrator, in her memoir she puts a collection of essays and personal mini-comics that span the past 8 years of her life. They cover the high and lows of being a creative person in the world. She captures the big and small moments that make up life and portrays them in this graphic novel, showing that everyone is dealing with something, even it if not seen.

“The Daughters of Ys” by M.T. Anderson & Jo Rioux

The city is of Ys is protected from the sea by Queen Malgyen, she used her magic to raise great walls, keeping the city and her girls safe. After the Queen’s death, the daughters drift apart, Rozenn, heir to the throne, spends her times on the moors, with the animals, while Dahut, spends her days living with the Royals and wanting to take charge of the palace. There are secrets that only Dahut know and once they come to surface the city of Ys is forever changed. This is a Breton folktale reimagined and beautifully illustrated by authors.

“The Phantom Twin” by Lisa Brown

Isabel and Jane, the Extraordinary Peabody Sisters, are conjoined twins growing up in traveling carnival freak show. Over the years they form a family with the group, but as the girls grow older Jane wishes for her own identity. Jane meets a surgeon who says he can give her that life, but fails, causing Jane deaths, and leaves Isabel alive. Now Isabel must figure out who she is without her other half. This graphic novel is a great spooky read, along with wonderful illustrations that set the tone.

“A Map to the Sun” by Sloane Leong

Ren is dealing with a lot, family troubles, grades and basketball. One day Luna, a friend, reappears from her past, hoping to rekindle their friendship. Ren, Luna and other girls on the basketball team begin to blur their lives together, both on and off the court. This coming of age graphic novel is great, showing that friendship can make them stronger.

By Amanda Pierce

Teen Services Coordinator