Comics fans, this month there are so many great new YA releases for you. Even if you’re not usually a comics reader, the variety and breadth of topics and themes here showcase an opportunity for trying out the format for the first time (or diving back in if you’ve been away for a bit).
As has been the case for the last couple of months, there are very few YA nonfiction titles out this month. But never fear: they’ll be releasing more and more as we move through the summer and into the fall. And to be completely fair, a couple of the comics are themselves nonfiction, so you get the best of both worlds in one handy book.
YA Graphic Novel Releases
If you don’t see an artist or colorist called out in the bylines, that’s because that work was also done by the author.
83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary by Don BrownThis is one of the first–if not the first–book about the war in Ukraine written for young adult readers. Brown, a seasoned YA graphic novelist, shares the story of the months’ long battle in Mariupol, one of the first cities in Ukraine to be attacked by Russia. It follows the brave residents who stayed in their city to fight back, what that looked and felt like, and what emerged at the end. |
Blades of Furry by Emily Erdos, Deya MunizBattle skating combines the elegance and grace of figure skating with the sparring of martial arts. Emile is a rookie and is gearing up for his next duel when a change in plans puts him up against his skating idol and reigning champion, Radu. During their battle, Emile discovers something about Radu that could shatter his reputation. But because the two of them are catching some feelings toward one another, Emile isn’t quite ready to reveal that secret. This comic’s based off the popular WEBTOON comic of the same name. |
Everyone Sux But You by K. WrotenThis graphic novel is being compared to the classic The Perks of Being a Wallflower and I absolutely see it. Carson is a high school senior and cares nothing about school or her future. She wants to do nothing more than hang out in mosh pits with bestie Ash. Except as Carson and Ash’s friendship leans into something more romantic, a lot of other feelings begin to come up. They both miss Carson’s mom who died. They share complex feelings about growing up queer in a small town. And both worry they don’t know what it actually means to love someone else and to allow themselves to be loved. Carson’s feeling a change in her own perspective on life, and now, more than ever, she wants Ash to be there for it with her. |
Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand, illustrated by Tara AnandNitasha’s in a tough spot. Her parents demand the best of her, but Nitasha’s not their perfect Indian daughter and never will be. Things are made harder when her best friend and her crush seem to be drifting further and further from her orbit, too. So Nitasha turns to alcohol. . . and then to self-harming. They felt like viable coping mechanisms for the feelings and expectations put upon her, but they’re anything but helpful to her. This is a graphic novel about mental illness and specifically, it explores the stigmas and challenges around mental health for teens of color. (It also has such a phenomenal title in its clever but not heavy-handed word play). |
Song of the Lioness, Book 1: Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Tamora Pierce, adapted by Vita Ayala and illustrated Sam BeckThe first book in the classic fantasy adventure has been turned into a gorgeous comic. Whether you’ve read this series to bits and pieces or it’s your first time, this comic will be a fantastic reading experience. |
Trans History: A Graphic Novel by Alex L. Combs and Andrew EakettA copy of this graphic nonfiction hit my door a long time ago and I’m annoyed at myself for not getting to it yet because it looks so good. Curious about the history of trans people? Then look no further. This deeply researched comic explores the history of trans people from ancient times to the modern present. There have always been trans people and there will always be trans people; this comic is an essential reminder of both. |
You and Me on Repeat by Mary ShyneIf you recall the last edition of the “What’s Up in YA?” newsletter, one of the books highlighted was Sanskari Sweetheart by Ananya Devarajan. It’s a time loop romance. Well guess what. There’s another time loop romance out this month, and it’s this comic. As a lover of all things Groundhog Day, these stories always hit my TBR ASAP. Chris and Alicia are stuck in a time loop together. It’s their high school graduation day, on repeat. Chris thinks they can get out of the loop if he finally kisses his long-time crush Andy. Alicia thinks that’s far from the solution, especially because she doesn’t think Chris has a shot with Andy. What unravels is a long history between the former best friends. The way out of the loop might be learning how they can work together and, well, maybe admit to one another some bigger feelings kindling between them. |
Another YA comic that hit shelves this month is Rainbow, Volume 2 by Sunny, illustrated by Gloomy.
YA Nonfiction Releases
Generation Queer by Kimm Topping, illustrated by Anshika KhullarThis anthology is entirely focused on highlighting the voices, work, and projects of LGBTQ+ youth activists. It is a collection meant to spotlight their achievements, as well as a collection intended to inspire other young people to stand up for themselves or their queer peers. Generation Queer features 30 young activists and the projects that they’ve undertaken in order to bring about social justice. Among them are leaders who helped ensure equitable access to bathrooms for trans teens, transgender athletes in Division 1 college sports, and artists, musicians, writers, and performers advocating for inclusivity and intersectionality in the world around them. Not only does this book include young activists who’ve been at the frontlines of change through protest, it also includes an array of people whose work has been quieter—but just as potent. Not everyone can or wants to be at a protest, but people who want to make a difference will see that their skills might be in policy writing or telling stories featuring an array of people across identities and belief systems. |
