Graphic Novel Guide: Children & Emerging Readers

It's nearly time for lights out but Benny and Penny just can't settle down. The moon has gone missing, there's a flashlight to play with, Benny can't sleep without his favorite pirate hat--and he left it inside the spooky backyard playhouse!

The fifth Big Nate novel in the New York Times bestselling series by Lincoln Peirce! Big Nate is a New York Times bestseller! Here comes the latest illustrated novel from Lincoln Peirce, all about king of detention and cartooning genius Nate Wright! Everyone knows N-A-T-E does not equal N-E-A-T! And when Nate's sloppiness gets out of hand, his best friend, Francis, is in serious trouble. Can Nate clean up his act, or will he flip out first? "Big Nate is funny, big time."—Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Includes a sneak peek of the next Big Nate novel, Big Nate: In the Zone!

The third Big Nate novel in the New York Times bestselling series by Lincoln Peirce is here! And Big Nate is on a roll! Nate's a big deal in his scout troop . . . until Artur--aka Mr. Perfect--joins. Now Nate's stuck in second place. And Artur means business. Will Nate take the grand prize? Or wipe out, big time? This hilarious third novel in the Big Nate series includes a sneak peek to the fourth Big Nate novel, Big Nate Goes for Broke. Big Nate On A Roll was a 2012 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and a Junior Library Guild selection! Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney says, "Big Nate is funny, big time!"

How can Billy Tartle make his class picture super-cool? How about a cool haircut—a Mohawk with big spikes! And it must be bright-bright yellow, no pink, no green—well some kinda cool color! Billy's mom just wants him to get a regular old haircut, look handsome, and smile nice—sooo bo-ring! Will Billy be able to outwit her and kindly Barber Ken? Of course! A familiar childhood ritual is given a fresh, nutty spin in this tale of how kids want things to be fun and parents want things to be normal. But everybody will smile when Billy Tartle gets into the picture! Michael Townsend, a recent graduate of the School of Visual Arts, makes his debut with this fun, loopy story. He lives in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Find Sunday comic favorites in this classic Calvin and Hobbes collection. This is a collection of the classic comic strip that features Calvin, a rambunctious 6-year-old boy, and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes, who comes charmingly to life. Filled with a Watterson's full-page Sunday strips, this collection is sure to please fans and newcomers alike.

Emma loves her human, George, but he can be so difficult! This time he has a visitor, who won't let go of his hand. Worse, she's brought along her dog, Hankie, and they've taken over Emma's spot next to George on the couch. What's a desperate dog to do? Emma hurries off to the library to write to her favorite canine columnist for advice. But this may be one problem that even Dear Queenie can't solve. Will Emma's happy home ever be the same again? Drawn in an accessible comic-book style, this story is just right for children who are adjusting to a new member of the family, and will strike a chord with dog lovers of all stripes.

New York Times Bestseller A 2015 Newbery Honor Book Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful--and very awkward--hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become "El Deafo, Listener for All." And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she's longed for. PRAISE FOR EL DEAFO STARRED REVIEWS "A standout autobiography. Someone readers will enjoy getting to know." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "Worthy of a superhero." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "This empowering autobiographical story belongs right next to Raina Telgemeier's Smile (2011) and Liz Prince's Tomboy." --Booklist

The Flying Beaver Brothers are back, and this time they're hot on the trail of another eco-villain: Fish Stix  Environmental Manufacturing. When Fish Stix sets up shop, most of the islanders are thrilled. After all, Fish Stix are the most popular, best-selling sticks around AND they're good for the environment! But this eco-friendly facade is just a cover for a nefarious plot involving dirty money, fish who walk on dry land, and a great big smoking volcano. It's up to the dauntless beaver brothers to set things right--and they better do it fast or the island's forests are history! Now if only Bub can stop napping and they can all make enough pancakes to save the day. . . . This second installment to Max Eaton's new graphic series ups the ante in terms of both action and humor. The Flying Beaver Brothers are poised to take off as beloved comicbook heros.

Arguably the most famous and beloved of Oscar Wilde's nine fairy tales, this particular rendition stands apart from the others due to its brilliant illustrations by a master of comic art. After dying young, the Happy Prince's soul inhabits a beautiful ruby-encrusted statue covered in gold leaf which is perched high above the city. But when he sees the poverty, misery and desperateness of his people, he enlists the help of a barn swallow to remove the gilding of his statue and shower the riches on his people. In the spring, the townspeople are saved, but find only a stripped down and dull statue alongside a dead swallow. The remains are tossed into an ash heap, but an emissary of God recognizes their sacrifice, and escorts them into the gardens of Heaven. Perfect for middle school students as an introduction to the world-famous author, the dazzling illustrations in this book suit the timeless writings of Wilde.

There's lots to do before Little Mouse is ready to go visit the barn. Will he master all the intricacies of getting dressed, from snaps and buttons to Velcro and tail holes? Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Jeff Smith and his determined Little Mouse reveal all the smallest pleasures of this daily task.

Luke looks on at the pigeons in Central Park, while Dad is lost in "boring Daddy talk," and before you know it--LUKE IS ON THE LOOSE! He's free as a bird, on a hilarious solo flight through New York City.

Mona and Joey can't stop fighting! When the Mighty Mojo decides to give his powerful costume to them, these argumentative twins fight so much they rip it in half. Now each one is only half as strong! Can Mo and Jo find a way to combine their powers, fight the evil Saw-Jaw and save their town?

He's zany! He's endearing! He's one-of-a-kind Johnny Mutton, the lovable sheep who thinks he's a boy. Now Johnny's back with even more wacky and heartwarming comic adventures. Whether he's playing a game of hide-and-seek with an unexpected surprise, attemping a new world record, or failing "manners" classes, Johnny will tickle your funny bone--and leave you wondering just what he'll think of next.

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A PW Best Book of the Year An ALSC Notable Children's Book A YALSA Great Graphic Novel This moving, charming graphic novel about a dog and a robot shows us in poignant detail how powerful and fragile relationships are. After a Labor Day jaunt to the beach leaves the robot rusted, immobilized in the sand, the dog must return alone to the life they shared. But the memory of their friendship lingers, and as the seasons pass, the dog tries to fill the emotional void left by the loss of his closest friend, making and losing a series of friends, from a melting snowman to epicurean anteaters. But for the robot, lying rusting on the beach, the only relief from loneliness is in dreams.

When Leah and Alan awaken in an enchanted forest, they have only each other and their wits to guide them. In a world full of pet bees and giant rabbits, they befriend foppish lions and stone frogs. Learning to overcome danger, they find their way home--and their independence.