​Jordan loves her basketball teammates and playing with them at practice, but after she became paralyzed from the waist down she hasn't been allowed to play in official games. Jordan is having difficulty adjusting to life in a wheelchair, but things change when she comes across a wounded baby elephant on her way home from school. She takes the elephant home to her mother, a veterinarian, and quickly forms a strong bond with the animal. Soon Jordan is back to competing, this time in water polo, and what starts as a hard year turns out to be the most magical of her life.

I love Marshmallow! This sweet, intelligent creature is sure to win over animal lovers. Jordan's profound sense of loss when she can't play basketball with her team and her commitment to learning a new sport will resonate with sports fans as well. The drawings have a beautiful, dreamlike quality while remaining rooted in real-life, which is perfect for the magical realism of the story. I love that the author includes the occasional word in Indonesian and all the details of the setting. A great comic book with wide appeal.

Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th
​tags: animals, character driven, comics, magical realism, disability, friendship, global perspectives, People of Color, school stories, sports

Charise has always been a bad sister. From the moment her younger brother was brought home, she was jealous of how much attention he got. As he got older and ruined her drawings, tried to steal her cat, and made her look bad with his natural ease around others she only grew to resent him more. And yet he kept coming back and trusting her. But when a game goes too far and he gets really hurt Charise tries to change. Can she be the big sister she wants to be? Or is she destined to be bad forever?

I've read a lot of stories about "bad" siblings, but they usually aren't from that sibling's perspective. This one is even more unusual because it's a memoir. It's brave of Harper to tell this story where she isn't shown in the best light and I really appreciate that she did. Harper gives insight into what was going on in her head when she did the things she did and it's a great exercise in empathy. This is an excellent choice for anyone who has experienced a difficult sibling relationship and fans of memoir comics in general. 

Bad Sister by Charise Mericle Harper, illustrated by Rory Lucey 

Erica's Picks
4th - 7th
​tags: character driven, comics, contemporary fiction, family life, SEL

When Jo gets bored one summer day, she is delighted to discover a dog walking around town with a basket and shopping list. Jo decides to follow the dog as it stops in at various stores and and the clerks check the list and fill his basket. When Jo is mistaken for the dog's owner and finally makes some friends, she doesn't correct them. But when people complain about dogs walking around without a leash the town is divided and Jo is caught in the middle. Will her new friends still like her when they discover the truth? And will the friendly shopping dog end up behind bars?

This comic is great for fans of realistic comics, especially dog lovers. Both Jo and the reader learn a great lesson in empathy and understanding other perspectives as the issue of whether off-leash dogs should be allowed is debated and finally brought to a resolution.

Pawcasso by Remy Lai 

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th grade
​tags: animals, character driven, comics, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, summer vacation

When Christine first meets Moon, she's heard the rumors of her fighting and is afraid she's bad news. But when Moon and her mother move in to the small in-law unit on her family's property she quickly gains an appreciation for Moon's creative spirit and rebellious ways. When tragedy strikes and Moon needs a friend more than ever, will Christine be able to rise to the occasion?

This is a sweet comic about friendship perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier (it even has an endorsement from her on the cover!) Inspired by events from the author's childhood, the story is authentic and heart-felt

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Stargazing by Jen Wang 

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th
​tags: character driven, comics, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, People of Color

Cookie wants to be a nun. She’s been raised as a Catholic, but there’s just one problem: her family is actually Jewish. Straddling multiple worlds as she transitions from her beloved Catholic school to public school, Cookie learns that her immigrant family has been keeping secrets — her grandmother and aunts survived the Holocaust?! Her own mother received a medal for bravery during WWII AND converted to Catholicism during her time in Italy?! In this coming-of-age graphic memoir, the author details her struggle to make sense of her complicated family history, her relationship to the religion she loves vs. the one her family holds dear, and the many expectations placed on her to follow in her half-brothers’ footsteps. As Cookie and her family come to terms with the aftermath of WWII and its myriad effects, you will find humor, grace, and grit in the author’s telling of her life experiences set in New York, 1957 to 1967.

I loved reminiscing about my own life along with Cookie, growing up in the suburbs of New York surrounded by a large, Italian, Catholic, opinionated family. I remember struggling similarly to find my own place while still making room for my family history and all the joys and burdens that accompany it. 

Why is Everybody Yelling?: Growing Up in My Immigrant Family by Marisabina Russo
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Jennie’s Picks
7th-8th Grade
Tags: Comics, Family Life, Mental Illness, Humor

Robin loves her life in Seoul. She loves going to the cafes with her friends and talking about their favorite comics. So when a vacation to America suddenly turns into a permanent relocation after her mother gets married with no warning, she is devastated. English has never been her strongest subject so getting along in her new school is difficult. Trying to find friends she can trust is harder when even her step-cousins shun her. But things start to turn around when she finds a comic club. As Robin learns more about her mother and why she decided to move, she begins to adjust to her new life.

This comic memoir is full of heart and I enjoyed reading about Robin's experience as an immigrant and her life in both Korea and Alabama. I love how she describes her mom in the afterward as "a much more interesting character than I am" and her empathy for her mother's difficult decision shines through, even as it caused her a lot of pain at the time. An insightful and moving comic.

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Erica's Picks
6th - 8th
​tags: art, character driven, comics, family life, global perspectives, people of color, school stories

Ever since they moved to Seattle, Cici has missed her grandmother back in Taiwan. With her 70th birthday coming up, Cici wants to buy her a plane ticket to visit. When she sees the flyer for a cooking contest for young chefs, she knows it's the perfect opportunity. Cici grew up cooking with her grandmother, but she only knows how to cook Taiwanese food. So she turns to Julia Child to expand her cooking skills. When she combines her Taiwanese food with classic French style she knows it will be a wining combination.

This is a great comic for anyone who loves to cook, or even those who love to watch other people cook. Reading about Cici's struggles adapting to life in America is eye-opening and reading about her dishes is mouth-watering.

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, Ann Xu (Illustrations)

Erica's Picks
3rd - 7th
​tags: comics, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, global perspectives, People of Color

When Bea's adopted grandfather goes missing, she is determined to find him. He may be a powerful wizard, but he doesn't remember things like he used to and Bea is afraid for his safety. Along the way she meets Cad, the last of the Galudrians who is convinced that her grandfather holds the key to keeping the darkness at bay. Together, along with Bea's pet cat, they set off on a quest through a strange and dangerous world to find Bea's grandfather, the lost Galudrians, and the light.

This is a beautiful fantasy world and the full-color illustrations transport you into it. With lush landscapes and expressive characters, the comic has a cinematic quality. The story is a classic adventure tale with sacrifices, trials, tricks, and battles. Great for fans of Amulet and other fantasy adventures.

Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th
​tags: 

When their mothers are determined to send them to summer camp, Shirley and Jamila come up with a plan to convince their mothers to allow them to play together instead. Even though they just met, they are happy to hang out on the basketball court together all day. Jamila practicing her shooting and Shirley reading and meeting with the neighborhood kids. But when Jamila finds out that Shirley's an amateur detective, she's determined to help with her cases. Will they find the missing gecko and catch the pool thief? Or will their mothers catch them sneaking around and send them off to camp?

I love this new Sherlock and Watson duo. After some misunderstandings and leaps to judgement, they learn to work well together. The mystery was fun to piece together and every character's personality played an important part. Great for young mystery and comic fans.

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz

Erica's Picks
2nd - 5th grade
​tags: comics, friendship, mystery, People of Color, summer vacation

When the old "witch" at the edge of town patches up Snapdragon's dog, she knows the rumors can't be true. So when she finds a litter of orphaned possums, she knows where to bring them. The witch agrees to help Snapdragon raise the possums, but only if Snapdragon will help with her business. It turns out the witch finds dead animals on the side of the road, cleans their skeletons, puts them together, and sells them online. It's surprisingly lucrative and Snapdragon is fascinated. But just when Snapdragon thinks she has it all figured out, it turns out the old woman has powers after all, and a secret from her family's past.

This is a great supernatural comic for fans of the macabre. The cute puppies and baby opossums are balanced out by skeletons and ghosts. The characters are all underdogs in their own way and seeing them come together and support each other is heart-warming, even if they use demons to do so.

Snapdragon
by Kat Leyh

Erica's Picks
4th - 7th
​tags: animals, comics, family life, LGBTQ, People of Color, supernatural