Graphic novels are a super high appeal format that make a great gift for the kids in your life. They are real reading, so please don't shy away from them. I wrote a graphic novel post last year, so check out that list if you want even more great suggestions!
For kids:
Best Friends by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (First Second, 2019). Shannon Hale is back with a standalone sequel to her excellent graphic novel Real Friends. This is a perfect choice for any elementary or middle schooler who's dealt with friendship struggles and/or anxiety.
Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop (DC, 2019). This is a perfect choice for young superhero fans. DC superheroes answer fan mail in these sweet, funny shorts.
Guts by Raina Telgemeier (Graphix, 2019). Yup, bestselling comic author Raina Telgemeier is back and I'm here to tell you that her latest graphic memoir is awesome. Buy for the Raina fans in your life. If they already have this one, keep reading for another suggestion for them.
New Kid by Jerry Craft (HarperCollins, 2019). Both funny and serious, this book tackles starting at a new school where you're different from everyone else. And although it deals with serious things like racial microaggressions, it uses a lot of humor. Grab this one for Wimpy Kid or Big Nate fans.
The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner (Aladdin, 2019). This is billed as Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Rollergirl and I couldn't agree more. When Moth turns 13, her magical powers come in, a fact she discovers in the middle of a fight with some bullies. But magic is harder than it looks.
Share Your Smile by Raina Telgemeier (Graphix, 2019). Perfect for the Raina Telgemeier superfan, this book is about how Raina wrote her bestselling graphic memoirs and provides space for kids to brainstorm their own stories and comics. If you have a budding comic artist, this is a great choice!
Stargazing by Jen Wang (First Second, 2019). Christine and Moon are complete opposites, but when their lives collide they become friends. Soon, though, Christine wonders if all the kids like new kid Moon better than her. This is a poignant, funny friendship story perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier or Shannon Hale's graphic novels. Jen Wang is the author of last year's teen sensation The Prince and the Dressmaker.
This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews (First Second, 2019). This modern fairy tale is atmospheric and perfect for fans of the non-scary parts of Stranger Things. Every year at their Autumn Equinox Festival, the townspeople release lanterns painted with fish into the river to be carried downstream. Local legend says that these fish go on to become stars in the sky. This year, Ben and his friends are determined to find out whether or not that's true. But what Ben will uncover will go beyond his wildest imagination.
For teens:
Bloom by Kevin Panetta, illustrated by Savanna Ganucheau (First Second, 2019). Ari desperately does NOT want to work at his family's struggling bakery. But his parents insist that they need his help, so Ari puts up an ad for a baker, someone he can train for the summer before he leaves for his big city life. When Hector answers the ad and turns out to be an awesome baker, it seems perfect. But there's a spark between them. Ari finds himself attracted to Hector and, even though he's always planned to leave, maybe he's changing his mind. This is a pitch perfect seaside love story and extra perfect for aspiring foodies.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks (First Second, 2019). From two superstar authors, this is a book that hits readers in the falls (see what I did there?). For teens who like pumpkin spice everything or teens who just appreciate a sweet, seasonal romance.
