Elle
An eerie but still heartwarming folktale. Klassen captures something unexplainable with his illustrations. In the end, you'll find you don't quite want to leave the Skull's castle.
A biting satire of the publishing industry and a must-read for anyone interested in that world! This book is like a car wreck you can't look away from. Cringe as the main character makes the worst decisions known to man over and over again. Still, you won't be able to put this book down!
Another graphic memoir from local-ish author Jarrett Krosoczka! Here, he tells the story of volunteering at a camp for terminally ill children, and how that changed his perspective on life. Honest and touching, this book pairs great with National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo.
A secretive world of fate, museums and academia; I devoured this book! What happens when we rely too heavily on our destinies? Visit The Cloisters museum and find out for yourself!
David Levithan is a titan in YA queer rep! As a result, he has dealt with his fair share of his books being challenged and banned. This book take an empathetic approach to the issue, allowing the reader to fully understand the consequences of book banning on kids. Despite the tough subject matter, you'll leave this book with hope.
An eerie, sun-soaked summer horror! When Mars' twin sister dies under mysterious circumstances, he returns to the summer camp he believes caused her death. There, he meets The Honeys, the beautiful and dangerous friends his sister left behind. I couldn't put this down! For fans of Jennifer's Body and Midsommar, this is for you!
Without a doubt, the best graphic novel I've ever read. Nimona is a shapeshifter who decides to work for a villain with a heart of gold. But, with the "hero" working for a mysterious company with dubious morals, the lines between hero and villain will blur. Funny & bittersweet. Epitome of friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope. Love!
Set in a mysteriously post-apocalyptic setting, the book follows a chaotic but cynical thief. When she meets Albert in a bus wreck, pursued by monsters and some strange people, she is forced into helping him try to travel beyond their ruined country. Recommended for fans of Stranger Things!
Created by a fringe religious group, a virus unleashed upon the earth turns people into monsters. At the core of this group is trans boy Benji, whose transformation into a monster is deeply intertwined with his gender. Gory and brutal, this apocalyptic tale champions queer survival. (Check the trigger warnings in the front of the book.)
Looking for something to scratch the Harry Potter itch? An incredible, multi-cultural magic school filled with the most unique magic system I've ever read! Everything you'd want from a fantasy novel is here. If the magic isn't enough to interest you, the mystery will keep you hooked.
An LGBTQ prequel to the School for Good and Evil series! It tells the story of how two brothers, one aligned with Good and the other with Evil, destroy the fragile peace of their world. Lots of magic and drama make this a must-read for fans of the original series.