Our teen book spotlight this week is focused on graphic novels!!! Graphic novels are incredibly visual stories that can feature pretty much anything fiction and nonfiction. Done in the style of comic books, there is a huge variety of choices; literally something for everyone so even if you have never read one before, you will definitely be able to find something. For our talk this week, we have a great selection of nonfiction, fantasy, historical, humor, and realistic to get you started. These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #yagreatgraphicnovels as well as on Libby and Hoopla. Check back next week for a new teen book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!
The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu--After building an Artificial Intelligence robot named SENA, teenage Clementine Chang wins the opportunity to leave Earth for Mars to work under her idol, Dr. Marcella Lin, a famed AI pioneer. Wowed by Dr. Lin's lab and her AI research assistant Kye, a male-human-presenting robot, Clementine begins collaborating with Kye on various research that begins to have strange effects on Kye, namely a growing independence. Dr. Lin, who seeks to control Kye's abilities, becomes increasingly frustrated with the development, and lashes out at Kye. These episodes trigger PTSD in Clementine, who suffered from an abusive past relationship and who has grown to love Kye. As a result, she is determined to help Kye break free from Dr. Lin, even if it means jeopardizing everything she has worked for.
Mall Goth by Kate Leth--When Liv moves to a new town, she struggles to fit in at her local high school as a bisexual Goth girl--circumstances made worse by the revelation that her parents are probably divorcing. Finding sanctuary in the local mall, she meets a group of friends and even begins dating a guy. But Liv soon learns her boyfriend has a girlfriend and a teacher who's been giving her extra attention at school has other motivations. As Liv struggles to make sense of where she belongs in all that's happening, she learns the key may be in discovering what she really wants.
Run and Hide by Don Brown--A nonfiction graphic novel account of real Jewish children who managed to escape from the horror of the Nazis and World War II in Europe. Some hid in attics, some in farmhouses, some in plain sight, some escaping over the mountains or the ocean to safety.
Hex Americana by Bree D. Wolf--Aspiring racer Ken Takamoto is stuck at home for the summer with his mother when he accidentally meets ghost Dante Willow, who is stuck in a racing car he crashed during a race with his rival twenty years ago. Ken knows just how to help Dante pass over to the other side: enter Hex Americana, a local racing league, and win the annual Grand Prix. As the pair train together, they're thrown into a wild adventure filled with magical creatures, deep-rooted secrets, and unexpected feelings for one another.
Fangirl vol. 1 by Rainbow Rowell--Cath is a super fan of the book series Simon Snow with her twin sister, Wren, and writes fanfiction. However, now that the two girls are at college, Wren drifts away from Cath to meet people and have the full college experience. Cath feels lost, and is forced to find her own way, deal with boys and possible boyfriends, and balance her imaginary life in Simon Snow with a real life of her own.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen--Tien, a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant, helps his parents practice their English by reading aloud fairy tales he checks out from the public library. While Tien's mother worries about the family she left behind in Vietnam, Tien has his own personal concerns that he 's struggling to share with his parents: namely, that he's gay. The fairy tales, which are embedded into Tien's own story, help him find the means for sharing the truth.