ANNOTATED LIST OF GRAPHIC NOVELS (& NONFICTION)
The term, graphic novel, generally describes a book written in comic book format that follows the length and form of a novel, but may also depict historical events, great literature, or a lengthy classic comic. Here is a list of graphic novels available in the David and Lorraine Cheng Library. Many are shelved in the Curriculum Materials Center, and others are in the general circulating collection on the Library’s 2nd floor.
Elementary/ Middle School:
Brennan, M. (2000). Electric girl. San Francisco: AiT/Planet Lar. (Grades 5-9).
Virginia has an amazing ability to release electricity at will. Her loyal dog Blammo and an invisible, trouble-making, gremlin help her cope. Stories are from the first four issues of the "Electric Girl" comic book.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Bre
Gownley, J. (2007). Amelia rules!: Funny stories. Harrisburg, PA: Renaissance Press. (Grades 3-7).
In this first book of a series, Amelia McBride learns to adjust to her parent’s divorce, a new home, a new school, and new friends. The new friends are crime fighters who
“dress up in their underwear” and fight W.M.D.s (wedgies of mass destruction.) Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Gow
McLenighan, V. (1977). You can go jump. Chicago: Follett. (Grades K-3).
This is an easy-to-read, cartoon rendition of "The Frog Prince” with a surprise ending.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j398.2 McL
Pilkey. D. (1997). The adventures of Captain Underpants: An epic novel. New York: Blue Sky Press. (Grades 2-6).
Two fourth-grade boys write comic books and love pulling pranks. They hypnotize their principal, Mr. Krupp, and turn him into Captain Underpants, their very own superhero, who leads them into battle against the evil Dr. Diaper and his robot henchmen.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. J Pil
Pilkey. D. (2006). Captain Underpants and the preposterous plight of the purple potty people:
The eighth epic novel. New York: Scholastic. (Grades 2-6).
George and Harold’s time-traveling Purple Potty lands them in a weird future world, where they must battle their cleverest enemies yet; their evil-twin look-alikes!
Call Number: Curr. Mats. J Pil
Sakai, S. (1999). Usagi Yojimbo: Grasscutter. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics. (Grades 6- 12).
Japanese mythology and history are combined to tell the story of a samurai rabbit named Usagi Yojimbo, and Kusanagi, the Grasscutter - legendary lost sword of the gods.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Sak
Saltzman, M. (1993). DC Super Heroes super healthy cookbook. New York: DC Comics.
(Grades K-8).
A cookbook featuring many characters from DC Comics, including Superman, Lois Lane, Batman, and Plastic Man, gives healthy food tips, cooking terms, and easy to prepare recipes with simple directions and illustrations.
Call Number: Curr. Mats.j641.512 Sal 1993
Schulz, C.M. (1982). Classroom Peanuts. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. (Grades 2-6).
School subjects and activities are depicted in hundreds of classic Peanut’s comics by Charles M. Schultz.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Sch
Siegel, S. (2006). To Dance: A memoir. New York, Simon & Schuster. (Grades 3-8).
This “ballerina’s graphic novel” describes Siena Siegel’s love of dance and her many years of hard work, beginning with dance classes at the age of six, followed by the School of American Ballet, and then on to the New York City Ballet.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j792.802 Sie
Smith, J. (1995). Bone volume one, Out from Boneville. Columbus, OH: Cartoon Books.
(Grades 4-12+).
When Fone Bone and his cousins, Phoney and Smiley, are run out of Boneville, they encounter strange creatures and make new friends. Smith’s whimsical humor has been compared to that of Pogo creator Walt Kelly, and will appeal to readers of all ages.
Call Number: Curr. Mats.j741.5 Smi
Straczynski, J. (2002). The Amazing Spider-man: Coming home. New York: Marvel Comics (Grades 4-9).
Peter Parker learns about an immortal creature who has been seeking him. The very nature of Spiderman’s powers comes into question, and it is only after many desperate attempts that he is able to defeat this nearly invincible enemy.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Str
Tan, S. (2007). The arrival. New York: Arthur A Levine Books. (Grades 4-12).
In this wordless graphic novel, a man sets off for a new country to build a life for himself and his family. The surreal environment, depicted in shadowy, sepia tones, reinforces the loneliness and isolation any immigrant would feel. The encouragement and warmth he receives from strangers leads to his eventual success.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. J Tan
High School:
Graphic novels suitable for high school may be located in either the Curriculum Materials Center or on the Second Floor.Adams, S. (1998). Journey to Cubeville: A Dilbert book. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel.
(Grades 9-12+).
A collection of Scott Adams’ newspaper cartoons from 1996 to 1998 showcase Dilbert, the hero of office workers around the world. Includes Dilbert finger puppets.
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6727 .A3 D552844 1998
Fleming, R.L. (1994). The big book of urban legends: Adapted from the works of Jan Harold Brunvand. New York: Paradox Press. (Grades 9-12+).
200 strange and bizarre tales, such as "Poodle in the Microwave" and "The Accidental Cannibals" are from long-circulated urban stories. Introduction and commentary is by urban folklore scholar Jan Harold Brunvand with illustrations by DC Comics artists.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5973 Fle
Kudo, K. (1995). Mai, the psychic girl.Vol.1. San Francisco: Viz Communications. (Grades 9- 12+).
Mai, a young, but powerful psychokinetic, doesn't think her abilities are a big deal; she uses them mainly to fight boredom. Unfortunately, a secret organization has evil plans for her powers, and Mai must fight to protect the earth. There is some nudity.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Kud
Laird, R.O. (1997). Still I rise: A cartoon history of African Americans. New York: W.W.
Norton. (Grades 8-12).
African American achievements are documented in comic book format to support interest in black history. Contributions and struggles for freedom are depicted, beginning with the first Africans who arrived in Jamestown in 1619.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j973.049 Lai
McCloud, S. (1994). Understanding comics: The invisible art. New York: HarperPerennial.
(Grades 9-12+).
A self-described “comic book about comics” treats them as an art form, describing basic elements, language, time flow, and the author’s theory of the creative process.
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6710 .M335 1994
McCloud, S. (2000). Reinventing Comics: How imagination and technology are revolutionizing an art form. New York: HarperPerennial. (Grades 9-12+).
This sequel to Understanding Comics uses the comic format to look at “the story of what people have actually done with comics in the 20th century,” especially with digital tools, forms, and environments.
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6710 .M333 2000
Millar, M. (2002). Ultimate X-Men: Vol. 2, Return to Weapon X. New York: Marvel Comics.
(Grades 8-12).
Nick Fury, with several other new villains, uses the evil Weapon X Program to kidnap and enslave the X-men and their leader, Professor Xavier. Wolverine helps save the X- men as he continues to seek his past.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Mil
Miller, F. (2002). Batman: The Dark Knight returns. New York: DC Comics. (Grades 9-12+).
A retired Batman faces old age and self-doubts. With Gotham City in trouble and villains rampant, he returns to face his old foes for one last time. A much darker Caped Crusader battles the evil of the world around him.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Mil
Moore, A. (1987). Watchmen. New York: DC Comics Inc. (Grades 11-12+).
Superheroes have become obsolete, until they are forced to reunite to find out who is killing ex-superheroes and possibly millions of innocent civilians.
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6728 .W3 M66 1987
Pekar, H. (2003). American splendor. More American splendor: The life and times of Harvey Pekar. New York: Ballantine Books. (Grades 9-12+).
Cleveland-based author, and VA file clerk, Harvey Pekar depicts his everyday activities:
record collecting, working, and discovering wounded squirrels on the road, (with illustrations by well-known comic artists.)
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6727 .P44 A6 2003
Pink, D. (2008). The adventures of Johnny Bunko: The last career guide you'll ever need.
New York: Riverhead Books. (Grades 9-12+).
After following the advice of parents, teachers, and friends, Johnny Bunko and is stuck in a dead-end job that he hates, until he meets the magical Diana, who gives him six secrets for thriving in the world of work; useful advice for career seekers of any age!
Call Number: 2nd Floor HF5381 .P545 2008
Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. New York: Pantheon Books. (Grades 7-12+).
From age six to ten, Iranian Marjane Satrapi and her family witness the repressive era of the Shah, and welcome the fundamentalist regime which replaces him. However, their political outlook changes as they learn that the new regime is even more repressive, and at the age of 14, the spirited Marjane is sent to school in Vienna.
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6747 .S245 P4713 2003
Satrapi , M. (2004). Persepolis 2: The story of a return. New York: Pantheon Books. (Grades 9- 12+)
In this sequel to Persepolis, Marjane is tested by her new life in Europe. Culture shock leads to hard drugs, homelessness, and a return to Iran. She attends art school, but after a failed marriage and life under the Taliban, she leaves once again. Contains adult language and situations.
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6747 .S245 P4913 2004
Smith, K. (1999). Daredevil, the man without fear! Guardian Devil. Vol.1. New York: Marvel Comics. (Grades 9-12).
Although blind, Matt Murdock is a talented lawyer by day and the “Daredevil, Man Without Fear” at night, who uses his heightened senses to protect the weak and innocent.
In Vol.1, he attempts to identify and protect a mysterious baby.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Smi
Spiegelman, A. (2004). In the shadow of no towers. New York: Pantheon Books.(Grades 6-12+) On oversize pages printed on board, a Pulitzer-Prize winning (Maus) cartoonist recalls his personal observations and experiences as he gathered his family in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. The day’s horror is mixed with the political ramifications that followed.
Call Number: 2nd Floor - Oversize PN6727 .S6 I5 2004
Spiegelman, A. (1997). Maus: A survivor's tale. New York: Pantheon Books. (Grades 6-12).
Spiegelman tells the story of the Holocaust in comic book format, with characters portrayed as animals; Nazis are depicted as cats and the Jews as mice. This frightening story of genocide is the first graphic novel to win the Pulitzer Prize.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. [Holocaust] DS135 .P63 S68 1997
Takahashi, R. (1993). Ranma 1/2. Vol.1. San Francisco: Viz Communications. (Grades 9-12).
A parody of Japanese martial arts anime explores how gender and appearances affect viewpoint. When Ranma gets wet, "he" changes into a "she," and everyone reacts differently to him. This is the first of at least 20 volumes. There is some nudity.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Tak
Talbot, B. (1995). The tale of one bad rat. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Books. (Grades 9-12).
A young girl runs away but finds healing after being sexually abused by her father. This honest and powerful story may be used by counselors, teachers, and victims of abuse.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. j741.5 Tal
Ware, C. (2003). Jimmy Corrigan: The smartest kid on earth. New York: Pantheon Books.
(Grades 8-12+).
In this strange and sadly funny family reunion, a young man reunites with his long- missing father and learns that his great-grandfather had also deserted his family. The book is illustrated in full color with Ware's spare, complex drawings.
Call Number: 2nd Floor PN6727 .W285 J56 2003
Yang, G. (2006). American born Chinese. New York: First Second. (Grades 7-12).
Three humorous stories depict the problems of seemingly un-related characters; Jin, a Chinese-American, faces “casual racism” at school, the Monkey King of folklore wants to change his lowly status, and the popular Danny is embarrassed by his “stereotypical Chinese” cousin, Chin-Kee.
Call Number: Curr. Mats. J Yan
LN 5/09
