To middle school and beyond, these graphic novels make the mundane events of everyday life into heart-pounding pieces of art. Check out these titles suggested by Library Tech Ella!

Go with the Flow by Lily Williams

Budding artist Abby, jokester Christine, and Jane Austen superfan Brit are best friends who are ready to enact change as sophomores at Hazelton High. On the first day of school, they take new-girl Sasha under their wing when a feminine-hygiene incident brings them closer than they expected. Together and separately, the girls navigate romance, varying degrees of injustice, friendship woes, going viral, and being period-havers in a Pink Tax America. Relatable, comical, intersectional, and proudly feminist, this story will make you want to raise your voice in support of fellow bleeders everywhere!

“This isn’t how to convince people to make change, Abs. This makes people mad at you. We didn’t want anyone to be mad at us. We just wanted to survive Hazleton.”

Long Way Down by Jason Reynold’s

When 15-year-old Will’s brother Shawn is gunned down, Will enacts all three of The Rules he’s learned during his short life: no crying, no snitching, and get revenge. On his way to execute rule three against his brother’s killer, Will is approached by some important people from his past – a past he thought he knew inside and out. Will he follow The Rules or go his own way? Based on Jason Reynold’s novel of the same name, this beautifully illustrated, thought-provoking work exposes the heartache of memory, brotherhood, and cyclical violence.

“I wrapped my fingers around the grip, placing them over Shawn’s, like little brother holding big brother’s hand again…”

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Calling all anglophiles! This adorable read set in a British secondary school follows the trials of Charlie Spring, a (pretty much) out 10^th year student who gets the feels for a rugby jock in year 11. Ben, the aforementioned jock, seems to like Charlie too. But the rumor (or rumour) is that he still has feelings for his year 8 crush Tara. Will Charlie and Ben be over before they even begin? Anyone who has struggled with their identity, or struggled to struggle with it, will not want to miss this sweet and delightful read. Plus, there’s another volume to enjoy after racing through the first AND an upcoming Netflix show based on the book!

“Charlie seems like a lovely boy…he’s very different from your other friends, isn’t he? You seem much more like yourself around him.”

Tomboy by Liz Prince

This hilarious and honest memoir tells the story of Liz Prince, a tomboy (she’ll tell you what that really means later) growing up in the early 90s. Bullies harass her, girls don’t understand her, and boys shun her, especially the ones she likes. Life is hard when you don’t feel like a girl but definitely aren’t a boy. This read will have you chuckling at Liz’s witty and sarcastic humor as well as thinking seriously about the role of gender in our lives from such a young age.

“It’s just that, for boys, there seemed to be more options available: there were more ways to be a boy and still be accepted.”