Fictional Graphic Novels

This tab has the editor's favorite fictional graphic novel selections listed!

American Born Chinese - Gene Luen Yang

American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang
Age Appropriateness: 14 and up due to language


Synopsis: Jim Wang, the son of Chinese immigrants, struggles his way through middle school and wants nothing more than to fit in with the other students.  Two other plot lines are intermixed in this book as well.  Meet Monkey King, and find out how this cultural fable character deals with not wanting to be a monkey at all.  Then, there's the sitcom about Danny and his overly-stereotyped Asian cousin, Chin-kee. 

Awards: Michael W. Printz (excellence in young adult literature), nomination: National Book Award (first graphic novel ever nominated)


ISBN: 9781596431522  Formats: Hardcover, paperback, and download
Cost:  $14.50

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Fun Home - Alison Betchdel

Fun Home

by Alison Bechdel

Age Appropriateness: High school (diversity - homosexual parent)

Synopsis: This is an autobiographical memoir of her life growing up in her family with a closeted homosexual father. 

Awards: Eisner Award.  Nominated Nationional Book Critics Circle Award

ISBN: 9780618871711  Formats: Paperback

Cost: $13.95

Reviews for Fun Home

Multiple reviews as posted on Barnes and Noble... Check them out!

Life Sucks - Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, Warren Pleece

Life Sucks

by Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, and Warren Pleece

Age appropriateness: 13 and up

Synopsis: A humorous twist on the vampire romance trend makes this book enduring and popular with the students!  Dave is a soft-hearted vampire that crushes on a girl a bit out of his league (Rosa), is picked on by a surfer-dude vampire (Wes), and slaves away at his convenience store job at night.  Find out if Dave wins the girl, or Wes edges out Dave in yet another facet of his life. 

Awards:  Young Adult Library Services Association 2009 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens

ISBN: 9781596431072  Formats: Hardcover, paperback

Cost: $8.99 (paperback)

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