School Trip (New Kid, #3) by Jerry Craft

School Trip by Jerry Craft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends are going to Paris for their class trip. What begins as an exciting adventure at the last minute many changes. Going to Paris without their beloved teacher chaperones, what will their time in Paris be like- fun or torture? Loved this graphic novel of humor, friendship, and growth!

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Squished: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd Illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter

Squished: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great follow-up to Allergic---M W Lloyd's debut graphic novel! I loved the Lee family and there is always something going on with a family of 7 children and 2 parents. Avery is a responsible older sister, but this summer she wants her own room due to her sisters and brothers always needing her. But will Avery be happy with the outcome? A laugh a page!!!

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Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke

Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Milo has just moved into a rambling old home and his Mom can't find his sister's pink sock and sends Milo to the basement to look. Oh boy does that open up another basement or 2 as he descends into various openings, doors etc. Along the way he meets "friends" who Milo trusts to help him find the sock. What adventures ensue, this is another great Ben Hatke graphic novel. Fantastic illustrations & a great plot!

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Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta (Lunch Lady, #3) by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love & recommend the Lunch Lady graphic novel series! Funny, relatable, and superheroes all in one!

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Stuntboy, In-Between Time (2) by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Raul the Third

Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Portico, Zola and Herbert and their goals to help others while they deal with bullies, gangs, and divorce in their apartment building. Laughing constantly with Reynolds words and Illustrator Raúl the Third fantastic drawings, middle grade students will love this graphic novel! They are good kids but they also get themselves into a few scrapes, I could not stop turning the pages!

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Wave by Diana Farid

Wave by Diana Farid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great book, everyone must read- they will love Ava (Persian American) and Phoenix's voices as OCD, cancer, surfing, families are discussed. The words are beautiful and the beauty of surfing and friendship made this reader so happy to have found this book!!!

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Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosocozka

Sunshine: A Graphic Novel by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so loved Hey Kiddo & this book is just as great--as a teen Jarrett becomes a camp counselor for kids with terminal illnesses and as fearful as he is, once he gets to Camp Sunshine, he sees it as so much more (for himself, the kids & parents, & the staff who do this every summer) There are many funny, sad, and fierce moments & Krosoczka is masterful in his telling, drawing, and thoughts. A must read for middle school & high school!

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Four Eyes by Rex Vogle and illustrated by Dave Valeza

Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd graphic novel from Rex Ogle about his middle grade year of needing glasses & hating the whole experience!!! His mother is divorced & works at a minimum wage job waitressing while his stepdad stutters and also makes minimum wage. In school his best friend dumps him and helps the school bully pick on Rex. When he needs glasses, his family can't pay for the GREAT looking ones he wants & he is picked on because of the cheap glasses. Rex really has a tough time & becomes friendly with a kid at lunch and as 6th grade progresses, Rex experiences lots of highs and lows. I highly recommend this graphic novel!!!

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Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson

Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Misty's 7th grade, being the only girl on the football team was so good! She loses her best friend who has changed, is a hit on the football team except for one nasty guy, and has the full support of her stepdad in all things having to do with the football team. I was glad to see Misty was able to have other girls from the cheer squad be her friends. The peer pressure was tough for Misty but she knew who she was (even when she tried to impress her friend who ditches her for a mean girl). A great middle grade graphic novel!

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Twin Cities by Jos Pimienta

Twin Cities by José Pimienta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Twins, Fernando & Teresa live in Mexicali, Mexico but in the fall they will be going to different schools for the first time ever with Teresa crossing the border to a private school. There is the normal brother and sister drama but it reaches a hostile roar---will Fer & Teresa ever be close again? I learned alot about the different sides of the border and I loved the illustrations!

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The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat

The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this winner of the Nerdie 2022 Graphic Novels- Sophia misses her dad who died in an underwater accident but she still has the water park, Aqualand, her dad and uncle created to wander around in...until the Aquanaut appears and there is a race to save Aqualand and the sea creatures living there. I loved the fantasy aspect, the sea creatures inhabiting the dive suit, the many places they go (school, Aqualand etc) while trying to save the theme park animals. Middle grade readers will tremendously enjoy this graphic novel, highly recommended---awesome illustrations, too!

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Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another winner of the 2022 Nerdie Book Club Graphic Novels---Katie and Kacey are best friends until Kacey starts acting weird, but Katie has some ticks that she does not want anyone to know about because that would make her weird. Being home schooled she has her world of friends there but there are cracks in friendships, worry about getting braces & what is going on in her mouth? Middle Grade Readers will love Katie's story and enjoy her growth as she meets each challenge head on and has supportive parents who help her navigate the tough times. Highly recommended!

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Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this author so much and this was given a 2022 Nerdie Graphic Novel Award and I see why! Victoria is a 12 year old who rides horses & has a best friend. When the competition of competing & her best friend pressures are too much, Victoria goes to a new stable. But she has vowed not to get too close to anyone and that proves a mistake! Edgewood Stables is a great place with a wonderful owner, trainer and committed riders who want to befriend the new girl. I loved the differing personalities of Norrie, Sam, and Hazel---how will they deal with the new rider they see as competition? A must read & enjoyable!

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Invisible by Chrsitina Diaz Gonzales & illustrated by Gabriela Epstein

Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An award winner for 2022 Nerdy Book Club Graphic Novels a group of students considered "invisible" are thrown together for a community service project in their school. What evolves are friendships, empathy, and outreach to others. I loved Gabriela Epstein's illustrations! A must read graphic novel!

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The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat & illustrations by Joanna Cacao

The Tryout: A Graphic Novel by Christina Soontornvat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this because it was a Nerdie Award Winner for 2022 and it was such a great middle school graphic novel with awesome illustrations by Joanna Cacao! Based on Christina's life (she is Asian American) like her best friend Megan, life gets chaotic when they decide to tryout for the cheerleading team in 7th grade. There are those friends who are supportive and other students with their racist remarks. Readers will love the fierce inner musings of Christina as she questions everything while falling in love with cheerleading, making new friends, and chasing dreams. Highly receommended!!!

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Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Marlene and her aunt Tia and friend Camila; together they all help Marlene break the news to her mother that she detests going to the hair salon and having her her straightened (and everything else involved in the hours she spends there 1 day a week). This graphic novel will surely inspire girls that have problems expressing to their parents their misery over "hair" which is either good or bad and must be conquered! I cheered for Marlene and you will too!

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Legends of Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #2) by Ben Hatke

Legends of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this 2nd of the series, Zita is trying to get back to earth but that proves to be a big problem when her mouse friend is captured, she is a hero, and there is someone impersonating her---is that a good thing? I love all the drama, the illustrations are just awesome, and Zita continues to rock everyone's world!

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Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #1) by Ben Hatke

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Ben Hatke and was I ever happy to stumble upon this awesome series at the Springfield Public Library while enjoying the Thomas the Trains with my grandson!!! Zita is just a normal girl playing with her friend when they are transported to outer space. While she tries to find & rescue her friend she becomes friendly with all sorts of creatures, especially the rat, who becomes very special to her. A good vs evil graphic novel series that will have you rooting for Zita and turning those pages!

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Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Bree and her Dad move from Brooklyn to Florida where her life in a new middle school takes unexpected turns. I loved Bree and her Dad's relationship and as she dives into her new life, she meets friends who help her take on learning how to swim, stop the negative thoughts and push only for positive thoughts and friends. I loved the way the author used swimming as a way to bring everyone together, also give a history of race and swimming, and coaching as a strong way to move teams and individuals forward. A must read!

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Heartstopper: Volume Four (Heartstopper #4) by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume Four by Alice Oseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series so much and Nick and and Charlie so much too! This 4th graphic novel delved into Charlie's issues of anorexia, insecurity, body image, and depression. Nick is so supportive and reaching out to his mom about his concern for Charlie, she helps him be supportive of Charlie. I can't wait for Vol. 5! This series is a must read!

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