July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month!

Here's a round-up of 9 librarian recommendations from Lake Oswego Public Library. We included a few suggestions for kids, a few for teens and a few for adults.

Comics have come a long way since the days when you could only find single issues at the drugstore. Today, Lake Oswego Public Library offers an incredible range of award-winning graphic novels across all genres.

If you’ve never read a graphic novel before, you're in for a treat. Our library shelves are stocked with stunning, high-quality works for all age ranges. Plus, you can enjoy many of these vibrant stories in full color on your tablet or phone with our e-reading app, Libby.

Enjoy!

Updated July 9, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Lake Oswego Public Library
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Woman, life, freedom
Satrapi, Marjane
Paper Book
An urgent, groundbreaking and visually stunning new collection of graphic story-telling about the present Iranian revolution, using comics to show what would be censored in photos and film in Iran. Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis, returns to graphic art with this...

Marjane Satrapi, author of the award-winning graphic novel Persepolis, collaborated with over 20 activists, artists, journalists, and academics to create a graphic art collection of illustrated short stories and comics. These stories depict the historic uprising in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was brutally beaten by the morality police for not wearing her headscarf properly.

For Adults.

The man in the McIntosh suit
Ayuyang, Rina
Paper Book
A Filipino-American take on Depression-era noir featuring mistaken identities, speakeasies, and lost love. The year is 1929 and Bobot is just another migrant worker in rural California. Or rather, a migrant worker with a law degree from the Philippines reduced to manual labor...

In 1929, Filipino migrant worker Bobot left rural California for San Francisco in search of his estranged wife. This quiet but gripping mystery sets the classic tropes of the noir detective genre within the Filipino-American community and delivers a surprising but satisfying ending.

For Adults.

Messenger : the legend of Muhammad Ali
Bernardin, Marc
Paper Book
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." Muhammad Ali, one of the most revered--and controversial--figures of the twentieth century, immortalized those words with the beauty, strength, and originality of his boxing style. Now, his epic story is retold in this gorgeous, striking graphic...

This graphic memoir captures Muhammad Ali’s meteoric rise from Cassius Clay to Olympian and heavyweight boxing champion of the world with stunning illustrations befitting his storied legacy.

For Teens. Also available as an Ebook.

Paper planes
Wood, Jennie (Comic book author)
Paper Book
Former best friends Dylan Render and Leighton Worthington attempt to successfully navigate their way through a summer camp for troubled youth. They both need a good evaluation at the camp. Otherwise, they'll be sent away, unable to attend high school with their friends. While participating in camp...

Two former best friends who have been sent to a summer camp for troubled youth are now on the cusp of starting high school, where their lives begin to diverge.

For Teens. Also available as an Ebook.

Mexikid : a graphic memoir
Martin, Pedro
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER * An unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican American boy's family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico "One of those books that kids will pass to their friends as soon as they have finished it."-...

Martin tells his own story about a Mexican American boy’s large family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico. Full of humor, heart, and a decent amount of gross-out moments, Martin's coming-of-age memoir hits all the right notes.

For Kids. Also available as an Ebook, as an audiobook, and in Spanish.

When stars are scattered
Jamieson, Victoria
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl. Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab,...

This remarkable graphic novel describes growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee. Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this story about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings.

For Kids. Also available as an Ebook, as an audiobook, and in Spanish.

Swim team
Christmas, Johnnie
Paper Book
"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal-winning New Kid A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas! Bree can't wait for...

Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school--until she’s stuck with the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree is forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. The accessible illustrations add to the humorous (and sometimes serious) moments in a story that deals with themes of friendship, perseverance, and overcoming fears.

For Kids. Also available as an Ebook.

Lunar New Year love story
Yang, Gene Luen
Paper Book
Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love. She was destined for heartbreak. Then fate handed her love. Val is ready to give up on love. It's led to nothing but...

A Vietnamese American teen at a romantic crossroads must decide whether it’s worth keeping her heart safe by giving up on love in this lightly fantastical, heartwarming graphic novel.

For Teens. Also available as an Ebook.


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