Chapin LibGuides: Summer Reading 2025: Lower School: graphic novels

Graphic Novels that Skew Younger

Dino Poet by Tom Angleberger
This book can also be found in the Poetry section.

Dino Poet is on a mission: to write the first great poem--ever! His lunch, a prehistoric frog, is also on a mission: to not get eaten! So when Frog tells Dino Poet that his poems stink, he decides lunch can wait . . . for now. The two set off into the wide, wild world, chasing life! Chasing poetry! Until a T-Rex starts chasing them.
Viewfinder by Christine D. U. Chung and Salwa Majoka
A young space traveler visits Earth on a whim and finds a planet empty of people. She happens upon a strange contraption that contains images of what the planet used to be like, and using this viewfinder, she sees Earth as it was, juxtaposed against Earth as it is: abandoned, but still full of amazing things. Her adventure takes her to a museum full of hints about the planet's past and the strange glowing mushrooms that grow everywhere, a library that has become home to a variety of zoo animals, and a beautiful but crumbling space station from which she makes a daring escape. As she wanders, though, she sees signs that perhaps there is still someone here. A time capsule, a friendly cat and a makeshift railcar all add to the mystery . . . is she really alone?
Bitsy and Boozle Tell a Story! by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess
Once upon a time there was a narrator named Bitsy, and all she wanted to do was tell a story. Thankfully, she had just the right protagonist to help her with that--Boozle, a grumpy old wizard without a lot to say. Join them both on the adventure of a lifetime as they make the journey up Story Mountain, discovering the magic of storytelling along the way.
Casey's Cases: the Mysterious New Girl by Kay Healy
Casey wants nothing more than to be a detective. No mystery is too big or small for her to tackle! OK, so she doesn't see everything coming--mean girl Dina always has the last word, and Casey is constantly falling into embarrassing disasters in front of cute boy AJ. But now, it's Casey's eleventh birthday, and she's just been given a magnifying glass and a pair of binoculars--perfect gifts for today's mystery: Mr. Muffin, a cat Casey's parents insist is too big to be a hungry stray. Will Casey manage to convince them he belongs with her? More importantly, could that new girl in school be the perfect contender for a new best friend? Casey's on the job, and she won't stop till all cases are closed.
Otis and Peanut by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier
A long-haired guinea pig and a naked mole rat may seem like unlikely friends, but Otis and Peanut are a perfect pair! In three stories told in graphic-novel form, Otis and Peanut explore themes of loss, fear of change, and cooperation, while demonstrating what it means to be a supportive and caring friend.
The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower by Lee Gee Eun and Aerin Park
Tiger is a bit grumpy. Why won't the other forest animals give him food...even when he yells at them? Why doesn't anyone want to be his friend? Then a talking Dandelion shoots down from space and attaches permanently to his tail. (Don't ask how). *shake shake shake* Why won't Tail-Flower come off?! Why does everyone in the forest seem to like her better? Stuck with each other, and against all odds, Tiger and Tail-Flower become fast friends and set off on a series of adventures.
Simone by Viet Thanh Nguyen and Minnie Phan
When Simone is awakened by her mom as a wildfire threatens their home, it is the beginning of a life-changing journey. On their way to take shelter in a high school gym, the family passes firefighters from a prison unit battling the fire. Simone's mom tells her that when she was a girl in Viet Nam, she was forced to evacuate her home after a flood. Joined by other children sheltering in the gym, Simone, a budding artist, encourages everyone to draw as a way to process their situation. After a few days, Simone and her mom are able to return to their home, which is fortunately still standing, and her outlook has changed. As Simone begins creating a piece of art with one of her new friends, she realizes that even though they are young, they can dream and work together for a more sustainable future.
Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers by Angela Dominguez
Gabby Torres is nine years old and ready to conquer the world. She's already joined the Sea Musketeers, the environmental protection club founded by her idol, Stella Díaz, and plans to be their best (and youngest) member ever. Gabby's latest and greatest idea: start a social media page for her club. But her parents think she's too young! Nothing stops Gabby though... until some online meanies get her in some serious trouble! But she's totally got everything under control all on her own. Right?

Graphic Novels that Skew Older

Sea Legs by Jules Bakes and Niki Smith
Janey's family is about to set sail for the adventure of a lifetime! The only problem? Janey must leave her school, her life, her best friend, the entire country behind for new adventures -- coral reefs, colorful markets, and new cultures. Life at sea is exhilarating, but there's a major downside: when you're raising anchor every few days with sights on a new harbor, it's almost impossible to make new friends. Finally, Janey meets the cool and aloof Astrid -- a fellow boat kid who's equally starved for friendship. But Astrid can be a challenging friend to navigate, and beyond that, hurricane season has only just begun . . . . At turns laugh-out-loud hilarious and heartbreakingly poignant, this stunning middle grade graphic memoir charts both the turbulence and joys of growing up.
Uprooted by Ruth Chan
Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn't love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there. Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it's not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn't good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted. But as Ruth's dad tells stories about her family, about how they relied on their strength, courage, and each other to survive the most difficult times, Ruth realizes that she too can be strong. Gradually, she puts down roots, knowing that home will always be where her heart is.
Unico: Awakening (Volume 1) by Osamu Tezuka, Samuel Sattin, and Gurihiru
In this first manga, Unico awakes in a mysterious land and is befriended by a resourceful watch cat, Chloe, who feels protective of the young unicorn. When they find themselves near a small village in the forest, they take refuge with a kindly, but helpless, old woman. To take care of her, Chloe begs Unico to turn her into a human girl, but that act of kindness has unforeseen consequences: Unico's love has awakened Venus and her minion, Byron, who want to destroy them both!
The Inscrutable Doctor Baer and the Case of the Two-Faced Statue by Jerzy Drozd
The Inscrutable Dr. Baer, at your service! While he's much too busy to embark on any adventures himself, Dr. Baer is here to help with yours. Are you burdened with an unwanted magical object? Gorgon's head? Monkey's paw? Flaming sword?! Sell it to Dr. Baer; he'll tame its spirit, carefully catalog its origin, and keep it safe and orderly within the walls of the spookiest house you're ever likely to find. But when novice explorers Taft the Tortoise and Pickles the Pig accidentally enable the theft of Baer's most powerful artifact by the nefarious sorcerer Gallus Lugubrious, the good doctor is forced out of his house to reclaim it. The only problem is, for everything he knows about magic, he knows nothing about adventuring, and he'll have to figure this one out as he goes, far from the comforting safety of home. In over his head, along with his equally inexperienced new allies, Dr. Baer sets out on a dangerous quest through a world of monsters and magic to set things right... and to find his next chapter.
Next Stop by Debbie Fong
Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother, followed by her parents' decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home, Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend, stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination- a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won't admit she believes in it, but she's holding on to hope that the waters may hold the answer to mending her broken family. The trip is much more than the final stop. The friendships that Pia makes along the way are just as valuable as the destination itself.
Fresh Start by Gale Galligan
Ollie Herisson's dad is a diplomat, which means her family moves around a lot. She has already lived in Singapore, Korea, France, and the United States. When Ollie starts at a new school, she doesn't worry about making a good impression because she knows that when her family inevitably moves again, she'll get a fresh start somewhere else. A complete reset. It doesn't matter if her classmates think she's weird for pretending that she lives in the world of an imagined anime, or if she makes an enemy out of the most popular girl in her class, or if she does something hugely embarrassing! And it definitely doesn't matter that all her mom wants is for Ollie to be more of a proper Thai daughter. But after moving from Germany to Virginia and having a mortifying first day at her new school, Ollie is shocked to learn that her parents are going to buy a house so that Ollie and her sister, Cat, can finish grade school in one place. Can Ollie figure out how to both be herself and make real friends when she can't run away from her life?
The Circuit by Francisco Jiménez and Celia Jacobs
An honest and evocative account of a family's journey from Mexico to the fields of California--and to a life of backbreaking work and constant household moves--as seen through the eyes of a boy who longs for education and the right to call one place home.
Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto
Poppy's mother hasn't been the same since Gran passed away. She stays inside and watches TV, unable to leave the couch. So maybe that's why Poppy has started spending more time outside, taking her dog Pepper for walks around the neighborhood. When Pepper leads Poppy through a hole in the fence, she finds a forgotten forest that's been there all along, as well as a new friend named Rob. Rob teaches Poppy that you can find magic in the wilderness - if you know where to look! Will Poppy ever be able help her mother see the beauty in the woods - and in life?
Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan
Cursed from birth, Mendel Schlotz is the unluckiest kid in his village. He's also the only one who can save it. Could Mendel's bad luck be the key to saving Lintvint? Or will his plan to drive the Cossacks off go as badly as everyone--including him--expects?
Monkey King and the World of Myths: the Monster and the Maze by Maple Lam
A long-forgotten evil has reemerged, determined to transform everyone--humans, beasts, and gods alike--into monsters. And there's only one being who can stop it, or at least that's what he thinks. Sun Wukong, aka the Monkey King, is said to be the mightiest of all beasts, and he's made a deal with the gods. They will grant him his greatest wish and make him a god too. All he has to do is battle these monsters, defeat this evil, and basically save the world. What could possibly go wrong?
Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod
With a Thai mother and an American father, Kathy lives in two different worlds. She spends most of the year in Bangkok, where she's secretly counting the days till summer vacation. That's when her family travels for twenty-four hours straight to finally arrive in a tiny seaside town in Maine. Kathy loves Maine's idyllic beauty and all the exotic delicacies she can't get back home, like clam chowder and blueberry pie. But no matter how hard she tries, she struggles to fit in. She doesn't look like the other kids in this rural New England town. Kathy just wants to find a place where she truly belongs, but she's not sure if it's in America, Thailand . . . or anywhere.
The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen
In a city powered by magic and still recovering from a bloody war, Ada is concerned about her younger sister Safi's developing powers. She understands that Safi could learn how to control her magic under the apprenticeship of a king's magician. But with ;the memories of war still fresh, Ada is conflicted by this prospect--despite her knowing that she can't keep Safi safely at home with the threat of deadly, power-thieving liches prowling the kingdom. When a traveling group of magicians comes to the city to perform, they immediately recognize Safi's talents and offer to take her on as an apprentice. Safi is thrilled about her new adventure--even if that means leaving behind Ada and their sickly father. And Ada is right to worry about her sister, for there may be monsters hiding behind friendly faces...
Lost at Windy River by Trina Rathgeber, Alina Pete, and Jillian Dolan
In 1944, thirteen-year-old Ilse Schweder got lost in a snowstorm while checking her family's trapline in northern Canada. This is the harrowing story of how a young Indigenous girl defies the odds and endures nine days alone in the unforgiving barrens. Ilse faces many challenges, including freezing temperatures, wild animals, snow blindness and frostbite. With no food or supplies, she relies on Traditional Indigenous Knowledge passed down from her family. Ilse uses her connection to the land and animals, wilderness skills and resilience to find her way home.
Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp
Two sisters, one stubbornly cheerful (Beatrice) and one relentlessly grumpy (Magnolia), live in a drafty old house with a family of helpful spiders. When Beatrice is gifted magic yarn from a giant forest spider obsessed with sustainability named Bog Myrtle, she and the spiders set to work knitting up a perfectly warm sweater. But greedy Magnolia sees only the opportunity for profit, and quickly converts the old house into a magic sweater factory. The exhausted spiders are driven to strike, and Bog Myrtle is not pleased . . .
Cassi and the House of Memories by Dean Stuart
Cassi loves spending time with her grandfather. His games, songs, and stories have always brought her endless joy. This visit with him, though, is different- Grandpa seems to be losing track of things, including everything from the stories they're sharing to who Cassi herself is. So when he goes missing after wandering off from his own backyard, Cassi knows she has to figure out where he's gone. What she discovers is a world filled with memories, none of them her own. As she leaps from one memory to the next, she knows she's getting closer and closer to finding her grandfather-but only if she can make sure he doesn't slip away forever.
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
Welcome to the club! Makayla is bursting with ideas but doesn't know how to make them into a story. Howard loves to draw, but he struggles to come up with ideas and his dad thinks comics are a waste of time. Lynda constantly draws in her sketchbook but keeps focusing on what she feels are mistakes, and Art simply loves being creative and is excited to try something new. They come together to form The Cartoonists Club, where kids can learn about making comics and use their creativity and imagination for their own storytelling adventures!
Timid by Jonathan Todd
Cecil Hall and his family have just moved from Florida to Massachusetts, near Boston. Cecil is anxious about making friends because he doesn't know where he'll fit in. His older sister, Leah, thinks he should befriend the other black kids at his new school, but Cecil isn't sure how he'd go about doing that. He wants to be known for his comics-making talent, anyway. But the few kids who are impressed by Cecil's art aren't always nice to him. When one of his drawings is misused and gets him into serious trouble, can Cecil stand up for himself and figure out who his real friends are?