Free Comic Book Day - Kids

In celebration of Free Comic Book Day (annually on the 1st Saturday of May), GVPL asked staff what their favorite graphic novels are. Here are some of the ones we love and think you might love too.


Updated April 27, 2026
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Be prepared
Brosgol, Vera
Paper Book
A sharp, funny, and deeply relatable graphic memoir from acclaimed creator Vera Brosgol, Be Prepared is a coming-of-age story about fitting in, standing out, and surviving the chaos of expectations. All Vera wants is to fit in with her friends--but that's not so easy...
A first time for everything : a true story
Santat, Dan
Paper Book
*Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature* A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life. Dan's always been a...
Into the uncut grass
Noah, Trevor
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * For the child in all of us, a timeless illustrated story about connection and compromise brought to life with imagination, from the acclaimed author of Born a Crime   "Whimsical and wise, bursting with quirky characters and...
Kirby manga mania. Volume 1
Hikawa, Hirokazu
Paper Book
Kirby and friends get up to yummy hijinks in this delightful manga collection. Join Kirby and his Dream Land friends as they go on zany adventures in manga form! Jump into Dream Land with Kirby and gobble up some fun! Everyone's favorite pink puff teams up with his...
Mexikid : en español
Martin, Pedro
Paper Book
Libro de Honor en los Premios Newbery Mejor libro para niños / Eisner Award 2024 Entre los mejores libros del 2023, de acuerdo a más de una decena de medios de prensa e instituciones de Estados Unidos. Mexikid es uno de los mejores títulos del año...
Ms. Marvel. Stretched thin
Shammas, Nadia
Paper Book
An original middle-grade graphic novel starring breakout character (and New Jersey's own) Ms. Marvel! Kamala Khan (a.k.a Ms. Marvel) is stretched too thin-literally. She's having a hard time balancing schoolwork with being a good friend, being there for her family, becoming the best fanfic writer...
Plain Jane and the mermaid
Brosgol, Vera
Paper Book
Eisner Award Winner A New York Times Best Children's Books of the Year An NPR Best Book of the Year From Anya's Ghost and Be Prepared author Vera Brosgol comes an instant classic graphic novel that flips every fairy tale you know on its head!...
Uprooted : a memoir about what happens when your family moves back
Chan, Ruth
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of New Kid and A First Time for Everything, a joyful and tearful debut middle grade graphic memoir about one girl being uprooted when she moves to Hong Kong, a place where her family fits in but, for her, it's nothing like home. Ruth Chan loves...
Weirdo
Weaver, Tony.
Paper Book
"A touching story of belonging." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review"Honest, hopeful.." --Kirkus, starred review A Kirkus Best Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Publishers Weekly<...

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