Format: Graphic Novel

Our Aimless Nights

Our Aimless NightsOur Aimless Nights, Volume 1 by Jan Mitsuko Cash, Koumori
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Our Aimless Nights” is a young adult romance manga by Koumori. Chika is a chatty and popular girl and Waya is a quiet and reserved boy who don’t interact much at their high school, but after Chika runs into him at his night job at a store they start to develop feelings for each other. There are the typical misunderstandings and silly situations that pop up in romance stories, but this wholesome manga will keep readers rooting for the cute couple. A recommended purchase for YA manga collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Clock Hands

Clock HandsClock Hands by Marieke Nijkamp, Sylvia Bi
on April 21, 2026
ISBN: 0063027135
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Clock Hands” is a middle grade graphic novel set in the world of “Ink Girls,” but can be read on its own. The author is Marieke Nijkamp and the illustrator is Sylvia Bi. In this world you have to pay to become an apprentice in a guild and many cannot afford to. Vale wants to be a metalworker, but cannot afford it until Maestro Giuseppi moves in and asks Vale to help him build an astronomical clock. The guilds don’t like this and retaliate.

The book is beautiful and does a good job showing how societal classes keep the lower classes down. This is an emotional story with difficult themes, but it is an important one. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections, especially those that have “Ink Girls.”

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Katie the Catsitter: Villain Con

Katie the Catsitter: Villain ConVillain Con (Katie the Catsitter #5) by Colleen A.F. Venable
on June 30, 2026
ISBN: 0593570413
Pages: 218
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Villain Con” is the 5th book in the middle grade graphic novel series “Katie the Catsitter” written by Collen AF Venable and illustrated by Stephanie Yue. In this book, Katie is helping her mentor Madeline run for Mayor of NYC, but when the current mayor bans super heroes, everything is thrown off! A fun mix of adventure, humor, and middle school friendship issues. The illustrations are bright and add to the humorous nature of the book. Animal lovers will get a kick out of the different cats’ personalities.

This book is a recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections, especially those that have the previous books.

four-stars

I Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer Champion

I Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer ChampionI Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer Champion by Faro, Kylian Mbappé
Published by Rodale Kids on 6/9/26
ISBN: 9798217445844
Genres: Sports
Format: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this graphic memoir, readers will learn how Kylian Mbappé became one of the world’s greatest soccer players.  This memoir starts with Mbappé as a young child obsessed with soccer, dreaming of becoming a great soccer star.  Although gifted, Mbappé struggled in school and his parents had to work hard to help him become successful.  Mbappé also had to learn some hard lessons in soccer as he rose through the ranks, but he could always rely on his amazing speed and intelligence.  His humor, drive, and strong family relationships run throughout this graphic novel, both in the text and the graphics.

This graphic novel is best suited for upper elementary or middle school readers.  Most of the layouts contain a lot of text and illustrations, so readers will need to be able to process large amounts of information.  Readers who love soccer, or sports in general, will enjoy this graphic novel, because it really captures Mbappé’s full journey to becoming a soccer superstar.  Libraries looking to capitalize on the recent World Cup frenzy or want a quality nonfiction sports option should consider adding this book to the collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

El Toro & Friends: Tough Times

El Toro & Friends: Tough TimesTough Times: A Graphic Novel―A Funny Lucha Libre Wrestling Story with Spanish words for Kids (Ages 6-10) (World of ¡Vamos!) by Elaine Bay, Raúl the Third
ISBN: 0063396289
Genres: Cultural / Latin America, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous, Sports
Format: Graphic Novel, Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

El Toro & Friends is back with another installment of luchadores stories. In Tough Times, we learn about what El Toro was like when he was starting out as Kid Toro and how he rose to the top. Raul the Third illustrates how Kid Toro was defeated time and time again and how he wonders if he’ll ever win a fight. His hero pulls him aside and reminds him that he also had to lose many times before he became a champion. Renewed in his determination to get to the top, Kid Toro beats Al “The Crane” Scorpio and remembers to have fun, too!

Another great release from Raúl the Third’s world of El Toro & Friends. For multilingual readers, these books are excellent at blending English and Spanish in world bubbles. These books can be shelved as graphic novels, picture books, or early readers which checks a lot of boxes for different readers. Recommended for Ages 6-10.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Alien Nate

Alien Nate by Dave Whamond
Published by Kids Can Press on 2020
ISBN: 1525302094
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Alien Nate, by Dave Whamond, is a cute graphic novel about a being named Nate from the Vega system who is sent to Earth with one mission: to find more pizza. The Vegans found a pizza that was accidentally left behind on theVoyager I–the spacecraft launched in 1977 with a golden record sampling many aspects of life on Earth–but the pizza is the only thing that the aliens want to know more about. Nate crash lands on Earth, which immediately sets government agents on his trail. Fortunately, Nate meets up with Fazel, a savvy kid who keeps the government agents away and helps Nate to find pizza, friends and a way back home. The plot is well paced and predictable, the dialogue has corny jokes that will amuse most kids. The illustrations are colorful, showing the characters silly expressions and bringing humor and energy to the plot. Early Elementary readers of Pizza and Taco or Narwhal and Jelly may like this book. 

Reviewed by Antona Briley, Librarian, Dora Small School, South Portland

three-stars

The Mighty

The MightyHilo Presents: The Mighty (Hilo Presents, #1) by Judd Winick
Published by Random House Graphic on February 3, 2026
ISBN: 0593305302
Pages: 220
Genres: Humor, Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A new graphic novel in the new “Hilo Presents” series. Winick’s familiar illustrating style, sense of humor, and storytelling finesse are all on display in this book. The star is Miranda, an ordinary kid who feels like everything is getting out of control, from family issues to bullying at school to crime in her city. There does happen to be a legend about a mythical creature who keeps the city safe, but it’s just a story, right? Miranda thinks so until she starts growing magenta hair all over and acquires super strength. Turns out she is the hero that her city needs and the responsibility that started off feeling like a curse becomes a gift that she can use to help people. Readers of the Hilo series will gobble this up, but so, too, will any reader of action-packed, funny graphic novels.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

Loch Ness Monster’s Unbelievable Science

Loch Ness Monster’s Unbelievable ScienceLoch Ness Monster's Unbelievable Science by Anne Appert
Published by Kids Can Press on May 5, 2026
ISBN: 1525312537
Pages: 62
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

With a catchy title and graphic novel approach, this book will be popular with the younger elementary readers. The Loch Ness Monster (call them Ness) explains how puffins got their red beak. However, Ness uses a story as an explanation and when confronted by an actual puffin learns that a story is not an actual scientific fact. The format is cute and playful and throughout the book Ness learns that in order to explain a fact about a bird, research is needed and scientific facts matter more than what you want to believe because it’s fun or cute. A fantastic book that uses humor to explaining the need to conduct research and consult multiple sources before spouting off “facts” about a topic. Back matter includes additional resources and a glossary.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

Squirrel Lock Holmes: The Pet Rock Mystery

Squirrel Lock Holmes: The Pet Rock MysterySquirrel Lock Holmes #1: The Pet Rock Mystery: (A Graphic Novel) by Ashley Belote
ISBN: 059389782X
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Squirrel Lock Holmes: The Pet Rock Mystery is the first in new juvenile graphic novel series that will delight adults as well as kids. Why? It’s sedimentary, my dear Watson: classic whodunit tropes, rock-solid puns, expressively drawn characters, and a spooky garden gnome cameo make this a delightful read as Squirrel Lock and his trusty Watson solve the mystery of who rock-napped Dwayne, a friend’s pet rock. This reviewer will refrain from reading future installments during a lunch break so as to avoid choking while laughing. Icing on the cake: reading-extension activities that will keep a young reader engaged with the book once the story is done – steps for how to solve a mystery, how to draw Squirrel Lock and Watson, a search and find puzzle, and clues to figure out what happens in book 2, coming later this year. Hint? It will be corny.

Suitable for 1st-3rd graders (and anyone who loves a good pun), this is a must-have for classroom and public library graphic novel collections. The Pet Rock Mystery will entertain, but a lesson in bit of deductive reasoning rocks too.

Reviewed by Beth Almquist, Lewiston Public Library

five-stars

Steven and Parker: Dinos are Forever!

Steven and Parker: Dinos are Forever!StEvEn and Parker: Dinos Are Forever! (A Graphic Novel) by Parker James
Series: Steve and Parker #1
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on 3/10/26
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Fans of the hit YouTube series will love this graphic novel featuring Steven and his older brother Parker.  Steven, an elementary school student obsessed with dinosaurs, finds a dinosaur named Tatum while at the fair with Parker and his girlfriend.  Steven gets in trouble, first trying to hide Tatum and then trying to find Tatum’s owner.  Young readers will love Steven’s antics as he tries to add Tatum to his collection of dinosaurs, from hiding the dino in his pants to sabotaging his effort to find Tatum’s true owner.  This graphic novel, ideal for 2nd-4th graders, is full of imagination and humor which will keep readers engaged, especially if they like the Steven & Parker show on YouTube.

three-stars