Format: Graphic Novel

Cry Out Loud

Cry Out LoudCry Out Loud: (A Graphic Novel) by Tara O'Connor
ISBN: 0593125533
Genres: Horror
Format: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

This graphic novel is set on a remote island in Ireland and the illustrations perfectly complement the creepy horror story. When Nell is suspended from school, her mother ships her off to distant relatives in Northern Ireland whom she’s never met. Nell soon learns that there is a long-time ritual sacrifice being planned to keep Banshees at bay and she is at the center of everything. Nell meets a ghost and somehow travels back in time. She learns about (and meets) more family members – including her mother as a young girl. She also learns why she is at the center of a family ritual to keep banshees at bay. Will Nell find a way to break the cycle? This suspenseful graphic novel is perfect for mature middles schoolers and YA readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Magic Tree House (The Graphic Novel): Midnight on the Moon

Magic Tree House (The Graphic Novel): Midnight on the MoonMidnight on the Moon Graphic Novel (Magic Tree House Graphic Novels) by Jenny Laird, Kelly Matthews, Mary Pope Osborne, Nichole Matthews
ISBN: 0593706056
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Fiction, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House The Graphic Novel: Midnight on the Moon

Adapted by: Jenny Laird

Illustrated by Kelly & Nichole Matthews

 

This book is the eighth in the series of graphic novels adapted from the Magic Tree house chapter books. Jack and Annie are siblings who have a magic tree house in their backyard. The tree house whisks them away to the moon in the future on a mission to save Morgan. Jack and Annie must find the fourth M thing to break Merlin’s spell which transformed Morgan into Peanut the mouse. This book does not do well as a stand-alone, as the reader never learns how Jack and Annie met Morgan. The end of the book contains an excerpt from the accompanying Fact Tracker: Space, which explains some of the science behind the astronomy covered in the novel. This is a quick read for reluctant readers and would serve as a nice stepping stone to the chapter book, which has the same plot. For ages 6-9.

3 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

three-stars

Fresh Start

Fresh StartFresh Start by Gale Galligan
Published by Scholastic on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 1338045849
Pages: 271
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
Galligan, whose drawing style is easily recognizable by young readers as the illustrator of some of the Babysitters Club graphic novels after Raina Telgemeier stepped down from the franchise, has a hit with her second original graphic novel. The main character, Ollie, is a middle school-aged diplomat’s kid and in a twist on the trope, moves around all the time and actually likes it. She looks at each move as a do-over, a fresh start. When the family lands back in the US, in Virginia, and Ollie has messed up socially, she is ready to move again. Curve ball, her father has taken a new job and intends to keep the family in one spot so his daughters can finish their schooling in one place. Ollie’s love of anime draws her into a group of girls who adore the format, but who aren’t quite ready for Ollie’s brash personality. Ollie’s younger sister, Cat, gets pulled into a group of popular kids who end up using her and getting her in trouble with her parents.Staying in one place causes both Ollie and Cat to realize that making friends is easy, but sticking around and cultivating friendships, that is tough. They also find that they can rely on one another, which leads to a great moment at the end of the book. Galligan draws on her own experiences of moving around as a kid, of growing up part Thai (her mother’s side) in worlds where she was too-Thai or not-Thai-enough, and of being an awkward middle schooler. Readers will enjoy this story and clamor from more from Galligan.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

four-stars

Hikaru in the Light

Hikaru in the LightHikaru in the Light! Vol. 1 by Mai Matsuda
ISBN: 1546140980
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“Hikaru in the Light” is a middle grade manga by Mai Matsuda. Hikaru is a middle schooler who loves to sing while working in her family’s bathhouse. Her friend Ran became a singer in a pop group and Hikaru dreams about doing the same. When she runs into Ran, her friend asks her to try out with her for a new singing group, but does Hikaru have what it takes?

Hikaru is a very likeable character, and readers will enjoy following her attempt to become a singing idol. Readers will relate to Hikaru’s anxiety while she pushes to make her dream come true. Grit and friendship are clearly major themes in this book and will appeal to readers, especially middle graders. A suggested purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections where manga is popular.

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

four-stars

Sugar Shack

Sugar ShackSugar Shack by Lucy Knisley
Series: Peapod Farm #3
Published by RH Graphic on August 5, 2025
ISBN: 0593125509
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
In this third installment of the Peapod Farm graphic novel series, Jen and Andy continue to navigate what it means to be a blended family.  Jen is having a hard time adjusting to living in the wilderness, especially in the winter when one of her chores is hauling wood.  She joins 4-H to have something to do while Andy is at Torah class, but she doesn’t get along with one of the boys in her class.  Jen cares for and tries to protect her younger stepsister, Reese, but Andy sometimes gets offended at her efforts.  They do have some fun together playing in the snow and sharing their traditions for Hanukkah and Christmas.  The story reaches a nice conclusion as their family hosts a Maple Fest party for the community.

Readers who enjoyed the other two graphic novels in this series will enjoy this graphic novel as well.  The family dynamics are interesting and reach a satisfying conclusion.  There’s variety in the number of panels and text throughout the book, which helps maintain interest.  At the end, there are frequently asked questions where the author shares how this series reflects her own life.  This book is perfect for libraries who have the first two books in the Peapod Farm series.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

I Wanna Be Your Girl

I Wanna Be Your GirlI Wanna Be Your Girl, Volume 1 by Umi Takase
Published by RH Graphic on April 12, 2019
ISBN: 0593902939
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
Hime and Akira have been inseparable best friends since childhood. Now in high school, Akira is ready to show the world what Hime has know for years: Akira, while known formerly to be a boy, is actually a girl. The change is hard for some classmates to accept, but Akira has Hime to defend her no matter what. When Akira makes a new friend, Hime must confront her complicated emotions about her best friend, and decide how to support Akira while staying true to her own feelings. Hime’s protection of Akira comes from a deep well of love, and future volumes promise to show Hime exploring the changing nature of that love and what it means for their friendship. Manga romance fans will tear through this.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Sea Legs

Sea LegsSea Legs (Sea Legs #1) by Jules Bakes, Niki Smith
on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1338835866
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“Sea Legs” is a middle grade graphic novel by Jules Bakes and Niki Smith. The book is loosely based on Jules Bakes’ time spent traveling on a boat with her parents as a child. In the book, Janey is a middle-schooler who is leaving her school to travel with her parents on their boat, “The Merimaid.” She leaves behind her best friend and since this is set in the early 90s, it will be a long time that she’ll be out of touch. The story follows Janey going to new places and learning new things (and teaches the reader about the different parts of the boat), and eventually making a friend (?) in Astrid, a girl on another boat.

Readers will see Janey learn about making friends and having empathy, and finding out that you don’t always know what others are going through in their lives. The book was a bit heavy at times, but felt appropriate for middle school readers. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.

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

four-stars

The League of Littles

The League of LittlesThe League of Littles: A Graphic Novel by Casey Lyall, Sara Faber
on June 17, 2025
ISBN: 0063285258
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
“The League of Littles” is a middle grade graphic novel by Casey Lyall and Sara Faber. The League of Littles is a group dedicated to protecting younger siblings from the tyranny of older siblings. A younger sibling took their older sibling’s hamster to school for show and tell without asking and now it’s gone missing! A team of trainees from the League is tasked with finding the hamster before anyone finds out. Themes of working together and persistence are showcased as the Littles face various obstacles and setbacks. The art is bright and fun. The book felt a bit short and seemed to slightly lean into the idea of differently aged siblings working against each other, but overall was humorous and fun. A suggested purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.

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

three-stars

Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms

Mecha-Ude: Mechanical ArmsMecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms (Volume 1) by Yoshino Koyoka
Published by Scholastic ISBN: 154614255X
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars
Middle schooler Hikaru’s world is turned upside down when a mysterious mechanical arm fuses with his hoodie. It turns out that the arm has a name, Alma, and it is a sentient being that has zero recollection of what or who it is. There is little time to figure it out as it becomes increasingly clear that Alma is highly valuable and is being sought by dangerous organizations.

While manga is often the inspiration for anime, in Mecha-Ude’s case the anime came first, which is apparent in how the story is told, and the amount of action on each page. It’s also in color, which some readers might enjoy as a break from the traditional black and white format. Younger readers looking to start reading manga might enjoy the action sequences, though the plot is somewhat hard to follow. Contains a helpful explanation of Japanese honorifics.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Speak Up, Santiago!

Speak Up, Santiago!Speak Up, Santiago!: (A Hillside Valley Graphic Novel) by Julio Anta, Gabi Mendez
Published by Random House Graphic on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 0593651642
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
The first in a new graphic novel series about Hillside Valley. Santiago is spending the summer in Hillside Valley with his abuela, who speaks Spanish, and though Santi looks like he should speak the language, he is Colombian after all, he is not that good at it. As he worries about fitting in, he meets other kids in town, who help him. Readers who love realistic fiction graphic novels about friendship, sports, fitting in, and family will eat this book up and eagerly await the next title, which will feature one of Santi’s new friends in Hillside. The illustrations are sharp and crisp and the dialogue is spot-on. 

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars