In the middle of the year, we here at Book Riot want to review the many (many, many) great new titles we’ve read so far and determine which one is the best. It’s not easy to narrow that list down to a select few representatives, but as you’ll see below, we’ve managed to select five really great ones who made a big impact on us avid readers – and we think you’ll love it just as much!
as i dream of you By Jennifer Lee and Leuyen Pham
I’m a big fan of illustrator Leuyen Pham, so when I heard she was collaborating with frozen For a YA graphic novel from director Jennifer Lee, I was intrigued. What I didn’t expect was that it would be a heartbreakingly beautiful love story that would leave me sobbing. Drawing on the mythology of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as Lee’s own teenage experiences with love and grief, as i dream of you A stunningly illustrated story with real emotional depth. Lee brings a cinematic approach to her storytelling which Pham brings to life with gorgeous art that brilliantly balances light and dark elements. This is a story that will remain in your heart even after the last page. -Susie Dumond
Galaxy: As the World Falls By Jadzia Axelrod and Rae Hickman
I already wrote a whole article about how much I loved this sequel Milky Way: The Most Beautiful StarBut it bears repeating. It really has it all: spectacular fight scenes, deep and emotional moments, relatable characters, and even an appearance by the greatest superhero of all time – that’s right, Ma Hunkel! What more could you ask for?
mother came to call By Ezra Clayton Daniels and Camila Sucre
This scary mystery kept me guessing the whole time. I particularly like how the limited color palette adds to the mood and how the people around Kirah, a young woman searching for answers about her mother’s murder, are much more complex than expected. An overall complex and thought-provoking story!
opting out By Maiya Kobebe and Swati “Lucky” Sreekumar
Mother Kobabe (Gender Bizarre) Introduces middle grade EIRs with this amazing graphic novel written/illustrated with Lucky Sreekumar. It grapples with gender identity, first menstruation, crushes, and the in-between emotions that are so common for middle class students. Indian American Saatchi’s seventh-grade classmates are obsessed with dating, but the changes that come with puberty and middle school worry Saatchi. Please, she would like to get out of this mess! Some middle grade novels address puberty through a non-binary lens. At a time when LGBTQ+ books are disappearing from kidlit, this is a much-needed perspective in a difficult time for many kids. -Margaret Kingsbury
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wake up in the fire now By Jarrett Dapier and AJ Dungo
Attacks on books have intensified over the past five years, but they didn’t start with the Trump administration and the rise of the MAGA movement’s censorship in the name of fake morality. This YA graphic novel focuses on the 2013 ban persepolis Student outrage and protests in Chicago public schools and in the weeks that followed. Dapier deftly moves between teen perspectives, showing these super smart and complex kids dealing with personal anxieties, struggling with censorship, and finding ways to protest that speak to them personally, from writing essays to leading sit-ins. It is a powerful, compassionate read. -Margaret Kingsbury
For the best books of the year (so far), be sure to check out our full list.
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