She’s so popular you almost don’t even need to know her last name. Cartoonist Raina Telgemeier got her start adapting the Baby-Sitter’s Club into graphic novels, but that was only the beginning. She has become known for her incredible autobiographical graphic novels. Her works depict the heartbreak and humor that are part of the rollercoaster of growing up and navigating finding yourself. Her signature style has directly influenced the look and format of many middle grade graphic novels. Follow her on Instagram for more information about her upcoming works.
Here are some great reads for her fans of stories full of heart, but relatable struggles too.
Exposures by Lily Williams
Peyton has been hiding her compulsions and intrusive thoughts for a long time. A significant meltdown in front of her family forces her to confront her fears through cognitive behavioral therapy. The author Lily Williams has OCD and uses her personal experiences to create a realistic and relatable graphic novel. A timely reminder that all that progress is not linear, but with time and effort things can get better.
Midsummer Sisters by Niki Smith
Kenzie and Quinn are stepsisters and best friends who find their lives changing as their parents make the difficult decision to divorce. The girls spend the Summer with Kenzie’s Grandmother who lives in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they have in the past. Family and friend pressures are making things harder for both girls, but a new wild horse foal gives them something to hold them together as they navigate the changes coming their way.
Click by Kayla Miller
Olive is friends with everybody. When her teacher announces that the entire Fifth Grade will be participating in a variety show Olive finds herself the odd one out. Everyone else has an act, but she is on her own. With some help from her cool aunt and some DVDs from the library Olive finds her place as the host of the talent show. Her connections to all of her friends allow her and them to shine. This book is the first of a series and other volumes continue the adventures of Olive and her friends.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Astrid and Nicole are best friends and do nearly everything together until Astrid discovers roller derby and becomes obsessed. She signs up for Roller Derby Summer camp, while Nicole enrolls in dance camp with mean girl Rachel. Astrid finds roller derby much harder than expected, but her growing friendship with Zoey, a fellow roller derby camp attendee helps. Astrid works to truly fit in in the world of roller derby with some help from her favorite player Rainbow Bite.
Four Eyes by Rex Ogle
This autobiographical graphic novel series starts with the author as a 6th grader starting middle school. He feels all the usual anxieties and more since the school district lines have been redrawn and many of his old friends are in another school. Many of his new classmates are wealthy, while his family struggles financially. Rex is bullied for being poor and also for having to get glasses. His one remaining friend abandons him to pursue a friendship with the class bully. He eventually begins to find his footing, finding new friends and connecting with his Abuela. An interesting note about this graphic novel is that it is a rare one that features a character who stutters: Rex’s stepfather, Sam. Rex’s adventures continue in subsequent volumes in this series.
Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse
Effie, an orphan, is sent to Brooklyn to live with her eccentric aunts whom she barely knows. She is initially unhappy because she feels like no one wants her, but she begins to feel more comfortable and settles into her new life. She is enrolled in school and ends up making several new good friends. An unexpected visitor (mega famous pop star, Tily Shoo) with a serious problem arrives in the middle of the night. Tily is there for the aunts to heal her. Her arrival triggers a change to Effie. She discovers that she is a witch and has powers like her aunts. Under their guidance she begins to explore her abilities and they work together to help cure their unexpected visitor. This is the first volume in a series.
Please share in the comments some of your favorite Raina Read-a-likes!
Today’s guest contributor is Monica Williams. Monica is a Children’s librarian at the Port Jefferson Free Library located in Port Jefferson, NY Long Island. She received both her BA and MA in Art History from SUNY Stony Brook. She has been working as a librarian for over 17 years. She loves being creative and crafty and sharing those skills with others through her library programming.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
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The post More Stories to Love: Graphic Novels for Fans of Raina Telgemeier appeared first on ALSC Blog.
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