As a former teen librarian and mother of three, comics have been my go-to resource. They’re fantastic for engaging reluctant and new readers. My oldest daughter, who wasn’t a fan of school or reading, became a book lover after I introduced her to comics. She enjoyed reading comics aloud with me and acting out the stories.

When I worked in the teen department of the library, comics helped me connect with kids and spark conversations. My young patrons loved chatting about their favorite comics and sharing recommendations. Incorporating graphic novels into my book clubs made getting participants involved in discussions easier.

I also use comics to introduce complex material. Comics can make difficult topics more accessible and engaging. For example, graphic adaptations of classic novels are great tools for easing readers into material that might seem too intimidating or dull at first glance.

As an adult comic reader, I love that there’s something for everyone. When I was a kid, I thought comics were just for boys and superhero fans. Now there’s something for readers of all demographics and interests.

Below are a few comics for teens and kids that should be on your radar!

Books you should know about 

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo

Buy the ebook here

From the publisher: Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he doesn’t belong. He hasn’t since he and his adoptive mom disembarked from their spaceship—their home—to live on Earth with their new blended family. The kids at school think he’s weird, he has a crush on his pen pal who might not like him back, and his stepfamily doesn’t seem to know what to do with him. Worst of all, Indu can’t even talk to his mom about how he’s feeling because she’s so busy.

In a moment of loneliness, Indu calls out to the moon, begging them to take him back. And against all odds, the moon hears him and agrees to bring him home on the first day of the New Year. But as the promised day draws nearer, Indu finds friendship in unlikely places and discovers that home is more than where you come from. And when the moon calls again, Indu must decide: Is he willing to give up what he’s just found?

The Haunted Mask by R. L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez

Buy the ebook here

From the publisher: Are you wearing the mask— or is the mask wearing you? Carly Beth needs the perfect Halloween mask. One that will scare everyone she comes across—including her annoying little brother and the bullies from her school. A visit to a strange costume store provides just the right one. An ugly green, with fierce fangs, the mask makes Carly Beth feel powerful and scary. But when the mask won’t come off, will the monster take over?

We Are Big Time by Hena Khan

Buy the ebook here

From the publisher: Aliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic school is bigger, the city is colder, and her new basketball team is…well, they stink.

Aliya’s still excited to have teammates (although the team’s captain, Noura, isn’t really Aliya’s biggest fan), and their new coach really understands basketball (even if she doesn’t know much about being Muslim). This season should be a blast…if they could just start to win. As they strengthen their skills on the court, Aliya and the Peace Academy team discover that it takes more than talent to be great—it’s teamwork and self-confidence that defines true success.

Age 16 by Rosena Fung

Buy the ebook here

From the publisher: Guangdong, 1954 Sixteen-year-old Mei Laan longs for a future of freedom, and her beauty may be the key to getting it. Can an arranged marriage in Hong Kong be the answer to all her problems?

Hong Kong, 1972 Sixteen-year-old Lydia wants nothing more than to dance and to gain approval from her mother, who is largely absent and sharply critical, especially about the way she looks. Maybe her way to happiness is starting over in Toronto?

Toronto, 2000 Sixteen-year-old Roz is grappling with who she wants to be in the world. The only thing she is certain of is that if she were thinner, things would be better. How can she start living her life, instead of just photographing it?

When Roz’s estranged por por abruptly arrives for a seemingly indefinite visit, three generations are now under one roof. Delicate relationships are suddenly upended, and long-suppressed family secrets begin to surface.

Weirdo by Tony Weaver Jr.

Buy the ebook here

From the publisher: Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people’s expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self love that will require him to become the hero of his own story.

 

 

Youth Group by Jordan Morris

Buy the ebook here

From the publisher: When cynical, gothy Kay lets her mom talk her into joining the youth group at their church, she’s prepared for the dorky sing-alongs and the cheesy slogans about dodging temptation. What she isn’t prepared for is walking in on the clean-cut youth group leaders, Meg and Cortland, in the middle of a real-deal exorcism.

Turns out these wholesome Christian teens are demon-hunting soldiers in a secret war that’s heating up fast, and even if Kay wanted to stay on the sidelines, she doesn’t have a choice – she’s a “Blight,” a human who demons can’t possess, and that makes her a target.

But Kay’s in good hands with her new friends – for them, fighting literal demons is all in a Sunday’s work!

Mismatched by Anne Camlin

Buy the ebook here

Buy the audiobook here

From the publisher: A teen social media star learns he can’t control everything in this delicious, queer graphic novel adaptation that relocates Jane Austen’s Emma to a modern-day high school in Queens, New York.

Evan Horowitz has it all: beauty, brains, and a not-so-secret flair for matchmaking! An Insta influencer with a talent for makeup and a taste for romance, he’s no stranger to playing cupid for those hopelessly clueless in finding love.

So when shy transfer student Natalia shuffles into school one day, Evan can’t help but get his hands messy! With so many matches to choose from, it’s not long before he sets a plan in motion for Natalia—much against the better judgement of his level-headed best friend, Davi.

But he takes things too far, creating a web of drama that spirals out of his control. Can Evan learn to put the people closest to him before his misguided ambition? Or will he lose them and his own chance at romance, too?

If you’re interested in exploring more titles that center around comics, you can explore some of our full readers’ advisory lists:

Hot off the press

Check out this TIME special edition celebrating the 50th birthday of Hello Kitty.

Get special editions like this and more when you add OverDrive Magazines to your digital collection. Visit the Simultaneous Use section of Marketplace to get started.

Learn more about OverDrive Magazines here.

Must-Watch Films

Nocturna (2007)

Watch on Kanopy here

From the studio: Visually stunning and wildly inventive, this film explores the mystery of the night in a sweeping nocturnal adventure full of Alice in Wonderland-like characters and moody, dream-inspired landscapes. A young boy named Tim is plunged into the secret world of NOCTURNA, inhabited by curious creatures who control the night.

ParaNorman (2012)

Watch on Kanopy here

From the studio: Norman Babcock finds his paranormal abilities pushed to their limits to take on zombies and ghosts, and save his town from a centuries-old curse.

A little Extra something

Support your community by diversifying your Libby offerings with Libby Extras. Today we’re highlighting iNDIEFLIX.

iNDIEFLIX is a streaming movie service offering pop culture favorites, box office hits, award-winning feature films, documentaries, and shorts.

Test run Libby Extras to see how each service can entertain and educate your patrons.

Thank you for joining us on this month’s round up of materials! Reach out to your Digital Content Librarian or Account Manager for more information on how to provide the best content for your community.

About the author: Before joining Overdrive, Alicia worked in public libraries for over 15 years, doing reference, teen programming, collection maintenance, and outreach. She reads a wide variety of genres, but she especially enjoys contemporary fiction, thrillers, and graphics novels. In her spare time, she sings in a local choir and likes walking trails.