Gene was never interested in sports, but when he suffers from writer's block and everyone at school is talking about the basketball team, he senses a story. By the time he is done he's immersed himself in the history of basketball as a sport and the specifics of its history at his school. His school really does have a remarkable team with players destined for greatness. Gene was always interested in superheroes and comics, but he never imagined the epic stories of heroes right under his nose and how big a fan he'd become.

This is a great comic for basketball fans and the sports-shy alike. The human stories explored in the comic are universal and I feel lucky that Gene recorded their story to share with all of us. Especially considering its local setting. I'm a fan of Gene's work so I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpse I got into his life as a comics creator. 

Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
7th & 8th grades
​tags:

Mona is not excited about facing the new school year after her best friend moves away to Hawaii. With him gone, her depression gets worse and it's harder to make new friends. In the midst of this, she develops a mysterious back pain that won't go away. When everything threatens to overwhelm her, she discovers that she's stronger than she thinks. With the help of her art, her friends, her family, and her therapist she might be able to pull an amazing year out of the jaws of disaster.

This book gets mental illness. I love Gulledge's art and the way she can depict intangibles in a way that makes them instantly recognizable, providing a satisfying mirror for readers with mental illness and an insightful window for those without. At the back she shares her self-care plan and provides a space for readers to create their own. 

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge
Erica's Pick
6th - 8th
tags: art, character driven, comics, contemporary fiction, friendship, mental illness

I absolutely loved the update on this classic story. Whether or not you've read the original, there's much to enjoy about Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.

The March sisters love each other, although at first glance it may not seem like it. Each sister has her own unique passions and personality and sometimes that leads to conflict. The oldest, Meg is obsessed with fashion and how the other, richer half lives. Jo couldn't care less about fashion but dreams of becoming a famous author someday. Beth is known for being quiet until she gets a guitar and learns how to make her noise. Amy is an artist and a chaotic rainbow of a girl, but sometimes her exuberance can get on her sisters' nerves. With their father stationed overseas and their mother working long hours as a nurse the March girls have to stick together. They've weathered many storms, but the coming years will try them more than anything they've faced. 

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo

Erica's Picks
Grade 4 -8
Tags: comics, retellings, people of color

​Lord Blackheart has been plotting the downfall of the self-righteous do-gooder Sir Goldenloin for years. Ask anyone and they'll tell you that he's a powerful and nefarious villain. Not the type to take a teenage girl under his wing. That's exactly why Nimona wants to become his sidekick. She only wants to work for the best, most evil, scientist and she's determined to land the job. She has a few tricks up her sleeves: her penchant for crime, her bantering skills, and oh yeah, she's a powerful shapeshifter. Together, they'll show the world who's really evil.

This comic had me laughing from the first page. Even the character names make me giggle. Ambrosious Goldenloin? Come on! Who wouldn't want to take him down a peg? Honestly I'd have been satisfied if it was just hilarious but it has a real heart underneath it all that makes me adore it. I can't recommend it enough.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th grade
Tags: Comics, Humor, Fantasy

 Avani doesn't fit in with the flower scouts as they talk about boys and make -up tips. But an accidental alien abduction leads to her true scout calling: star scouts. This inter-galactic troupe of kids may not be the most skilled or organized, but they love being together and embrace their quirkiness. Where can I sign up?

Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence

Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th
​Tags: ​adventure, comics, humor, people of color, science fiction

If a unicorn granted you one wish, what would you ask for? Phoebe wishes for infinity wishes, then infinity dollars, then super powers. When the unicorn refuses to grant her any of those, she aims for something more realistic: for the unicorn to become her best friend. But becoming friends with a unicorn is more  than Phoebe bargained for. The unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, is incredibly vain and clearly not used to close contact with humans. But on the other hand, she's a freakin' unicorn! Having a magical creature as your best friend can't be all bad...

This comic reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes, and I don't make that comparison lightly. The "Shield of Boringness" means that most of Phoebe's classmates can't see her unicorn. That doesn't stop them from having hilarious adventures on their own though. The sweeping imagination and spot-on humor mixed with the daily trials and tribulations of childhood make this comic a delight for all ages. 

Erica's Picks
3rd - 5th grade
Tags: comics, fantasy, humor

The king has been missing for three months.  Trouble is brewing and the king's trusted advisers are scheming villains.  When Princess Scarlett discovers their evil plot, she decides to lead a rescue party to find her father.  But the only men she can find to help are the infamous tricksters the Walrus and the Carpenter.  Will the young queen, two con artists, and her baby brother Rusty be able to survive mad pirates, evil assassins, and a dreaded snark to save the king?

These comics are just plain fun.  The nonsense world of Lewis Carroll is expanded in a most delightful way by Langridge.   He clearly had as much fun writing and illustrating the comics as I did reading them and it shows in the humorous details and creative panel layouts.  You'll get more of the jokes if you have a knowledge of Lewis Carroll, but even if you don't there's still plenty to entertain here. I'd give it to fans of nonsense and humor.

Snarked by Roger Langridge


Erica's Picks
2nd - 8th Grade
Tags: Animals, Comics, Fantasy, Humor, Retellings

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to live near a monster?  Sure it would be scary at times, but admit it: you think it would be pretty cool!  Well, it might not be as cool if you live in a town like Stoker-on-Avon.  In a world where towns take pride in their local monster and even sell souvenirs with their image, Stoker-on-Avon got the short end of the stick.  Their monster hasn't terrorized the town in ages and his sighs can be heard from miles away as he mopes around in his cave.  If its citizens want to have any pride in their town or attract tourists, they're going to have to whip their monster into shape!

I love the way this comic turns the idea of a village monster on its head.  The way the monsters have been commodified like Disney characters and the excited looks on the villagers' faces when they attack is hilarious!  Even more funny is the angsty teenager in a monster's form.  Even the body language is perfect as the monster slouches and flops down with his arm draped over his eyes.   I'd give this to anyone looking for a humorous fantasy comic.

Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell

Eric'as Pick
4th - 6th grade
Tags: Adventure, Comics, Fantasy, Humor

Gunnerkrigg Court is unlike anything Antimony has seen before.  Strange things are always happening: like the time she discovered she had a second shadow and helped it to escape, or when she went to research Greek myths in the library and ended up finding the actual Minotaur.  Gunnerkrigg Court can be a dangerous place, but it was her mother's dying wish that she go there.  When she discovers that her parents met at this strange institution, Antimony becomes determined to get to the bottom of its many secrets.  Assuming she can survive the school year.

I loved hearing the Minotaur's side of the story: "See, when I was young, it was hard to meet people my own age, being stuck in the middle of a giant death maze and all."  The book is infused with this dry humor and often satirizes the magical boarding school genre.   My favorite character is the demon that ends up trapped in Antimony's stuffed animal and bound to her will.  Siddell plays on the inherent comedy of his situation like a virtuoso.  The ever-optimistic robot comes in a close second.  Then there's the shadow creature...so many great characters!  I'd give this to fans of fantasy and humor.  

Gunnerkrigg Court by Thomas Siddell

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th grade
Tags: Comics, Fantasy, Humor, School Stories