Skip to main content

If You Like... Comics Based on a True Story

By

There is almost nothing in the world I love as much as a graphic novel memoir. Comics based on the author's own experiences during childhood can help the reader really understand the world outside themselves or the experiences of people who have struggled with the same things they have. So without further ado, here are five comics based on the author's own experiences.

Weirdo
Written by Tony Weaver Jr.
Illustrated by Jes & Cin Wibowo
New York: First Second, 2024. Comic. 310 pages.

In this graphic novel, eleven-year-old Tony is starting at a new school in courses for academically gifted students. Although he makes pro tips for himself to fit in, like: knowing where every entrance is, doing the summer reading, and most importantly making sure to never EVER accidentally walk into the wrong bathroom, he can't seem to fit in with the kids at school. Eventually the bullying becomes relentless and after mental health struggles and an attempted suicide, he starts at yet another new school. There, though, he finds light at the end of the tunnel and surrounds himself with friends that will be there with him through thick and thin and that like him just the way he is. This book deals well with difficult issues and ultimately ends on a hopefully note. Hand this one to the readers you know who couldn't get enough of Jerry Craft's New Kid.

New York: First Second, 2023. Comic. 308 pages.

This book which, deservedly, won the National Book Award last year, discusses the author's first trip to Europe in the late '80s and how traveling opened up his eyes to the world around him in a way he had never experienced before. If you want a beautiful coming-of-age story about first love, first disco, and first time away from home, this is the book for you.

Mexikid
By Pedro Martín
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. Comic. 309 pages.

This intergenerational graphic novel tells the story of Pedro and his family, mostly focusing on their trip to pick up Pedro's grandfather in Mexico to live with the family in the U.S. Pedro's parents are "100% authentic Mexican" since they were born and lived up to adulthood in Mexico. The 5 oldest siblings in his family are "Somewhat American" having been born in Mexico before moving to the U.S. as kids, and the youngest 4 siblings (including Pedro) are "Somewhat Mexican" having been born and raised in the U.S. This creates complicated feelings about identity and belonging among Pedro and his siblings. As he hears the story of his abuelo, a Revolutionary War hero, he begins to connect with his Mexican heritage in a new way. In addition to a nuanced story of identity, you'll also love the road trip hijinks you learn about throughout the way (queue listening to Shipoopi from The Music Man on repeat for days on end because all of your other tapes are stolen!)  

New York: Union Square Kids, 2024. Comic. 123 pages.

This comic is based on Mei Yu's experience as a child of moving from China to Canada with her family and her stuffed cat Meiow. Although Mei is initially excited for a country full of new experiences, she quickly becomes overwhelmed with having to learn a new language, go to a new school, and eat foods that are completely unfamiliar to her. Yu does a great job of showing the language barrier, and simply illustrates the emotions of feeling out of place in new surroundings.

By Jay Jay Patton
New York: Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic: Kaepernick Publishing, 2024. 121 pages.

Nine-year-old Jay Jay's dad is coming home, not from a work trip or vacation, but from prison where he's been for as long as Jay Jay can remember. Even though she doesn't remember her dad ever living with them and she's only ever visited him in person twice, they did write letters back and forth. Communication in prison is complicated and sometimes takes weeks or months to exchange messages. While incarcerated, her father earned his computer science degree, so after his release Jay Jay and her father decide to create an app that will help families stay in touch with each other while a family member is incarcerated. 

  
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

If You Like...KPop Demon Hunters

By
KPop Demon Hunters has been one of the most talked-about movies of the summer. If you loved this movie as much as I did, you don't want the magic (or the music) to stop. Try reading these books that touch on some of the same topics and themes as the animated hit! Brick Dust and Bones By M. R. Fournet New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Fiction. 247 pages. Orphaned Marius works in the family business--as their cemetery's ghost caretaker. However, Marius also moonlights as a monster hunter in order to earn the costly Mystic currency he needs to bring his mother back from the dead. As the window to bring his mother back begins to close, Marius's exploits get more and more dangerous, and he may have set his sights on a monster too big to handle on his own. Like Mira, Marius longs for familial connection, and his work as a monster hunter will satisfy the thrill of demon hunting for fans the movie. Where's Halmoni? By Julie J. Kim Seattle, WA: Little Bigfoot, 2017. Comics. W...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Just Shine!

By
Just Shine! Written by Sonia Sotomayor Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara New York, NY : Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2025. Picture Book. At the beginning of each new year, a lot of people like to set goals for themselves. Often, these tend to be number-oriented: a specified number of minutes reading, a certain number of steps walked each day, or even goals related to saving money. I have often felt very intimidated by number-oriented goals, and shy away from making them. In recent conversations with friends and family, we have talked about goals that are more skill-related or focused on bringing joy into the world and our personal lives. In line with that way of thinking, I am recommending this book to everyone! This book would be amazing for discussing goals with people who prefer to have goals that are different from traditional "number-oriented" ones. The cover and the artwork left me feeling happy and very invested in the story the author wanted to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Winter 2026 Book Boxes

By
Looking for a new read? We’ve got you covered! Check out one of our Book Boxes for kids ages 9-12. Each Book Box contains a book to check out, as well as envelopes filled with fun surprises that you can open as you read along. We have two new books available to check out! Boxes can be put on hold through the library website, and can picked up at the Circulation Desk. Our One Dead Spy and The Case of the Missing Marquess Book Boxes will each be available to pick up from December 19, 2025 through December 30, 2026. Each child aged 9-12 can check out each Book Box once during that time, so get one now to read during winter break, or wait until summer and check it out then! One Dead Spy By Nathan Hale New York : Amulet Books, 2012. 127 pages. Comic. This graphic novel tells the tale of Nathan Hale, one of America's first spies, who was hanged for espionage in 1776. But in this version, just before he is set to be hanged he is eaten by a giant book, which he uses to explain the revoluti...
Post a Comment
Read more