YA: Graphic Novels exploring kids and identity

Odessa, by Jonathan Hill 

Odessa is the story of survival. The survival of a young Vietnamese-American girl, Ginny (Virginia), who lives through an earthquake, only to be left behind by her mother. She's left in charge of her younger siblings, and resigns herself to survival, until something mysterious arrives on her 17th birthday. This mystery will change the course of her life. The artwork is expressive, and has the feel of the old "Archie" comics. This is a great little story that a lot of kids who've suffered trauma can relate to. Available at Dedham Public Library.

As the Crow Flies, by Melanie Gillman

This Stonewall Honor Book is a great read for middle school students, especially those who may be interested in LGBTQ matters and/or identity issues. The story follows Charlie Lamonte's quest for answers relating to God and identity, which lead her to an all-white Christian camp, where she feels like an outcast, until she meets someone like herself...Sydney. Beautifully illustrated to give the reader a real sense of place, this is a great story that delves, ever so slightly, into the world of intersectionality (Black, Queer, atheist) and traces a girl's journey into finding herself. Available at Dedham Public Library.

The Magic Fish, By Trung Le Nguyen

A great little story about a young Vietnamese-American boy who struggles to come out to his parents. Because of their limited English, as well as Tien's fear of being open with them, he tells his story via the magical tale of a mermaid who falls in love with a human, a woman. In the end, his mother accepts him and understands his need to be honest with her. Simple, anime-style drawings which give life to the characters as well as the "story within a story".  Great to see a protagonist from a non-English speaking, refugee background, and, like As the Crow Flies, this is a great way to introduce intersectionality to middle or even high school students. Available at Dedham Public Library.

More Young Adult Books

 You Asked for Perfect, by Laura Silverman 

A coming-of-age tale about a teenage boy, Ariel, who gets distracted from his exceptionally driven life when he falls for his classmate/tutor, Amir. To complicate matters further, the two boys are from vastly different cultural backgrounds and have to keep their budding relationship secret. A great read for teenagers of all backgrounds, and especially beneficial for building library collection diversity around LGBTQ stories. Available at Brooks Public Library, Harwich, MA. 

When Morning Comes, by Arushi Raina 

"Then all I wanted was for her to come back. Then it didn't matter if I didn't see her again. As long as she was alive." 

Written from the perspectives of four characters: Jack, Meena, Thabo and Zanele, this story of chance meetings from South Africa details a series of events including murder, student protest, and a foiled conspiracy. the story features the perspectives of both white and black South African characters, giving the reader a unique window into how race seeps into everyone's experience, even teens, in post-Apartheid South Africa. Beautifully written and engaging. Available at Brooks Public Library, Harwich, MA. 

Road to Winter, by Mark Smith 

"Sometimes it's hard to pick the difference between a bad dream and reality, but I know I'm fully awake when I fee the weight of a man sitting on top of me, his hand over my mouth." 

A gripping story of a teenager left to survive on his own after a mysterious virus wipes everything and everyone out, and mayhem takes over his little town. He's managed to survive two years on his own, avoid violent gangs of men, but now faces a new challenge. there's a girl who needs his help. Things get complicated. Available at Brooks Public Library, Harwich, MA. 

Young Adult Books: Quick Reviews

 1. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

This Young Adult selection tells the story of the meeting of two kids from different immigrant backgrounds (Jamaica and South Korea), and their fateful meeting in New York City. I chose to put this book on my list because a few kids in my 9th grade English class have read it and highly recommend. I think the subject matter is timely, and the sort of "star-crossed lovers" angle is appealing to a lot of YA readers. Available at Boston Public Library-Copley. 

2. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez 

This story follows the story of Julia, who is tasked with keeping her family together after her sister Olga's tragic death, only to be derided as less perfect than Olga and burdened with feelings of guilt and inadequacy. I chose this book because I think a lot of teens can relate to that experience of being compared to a "more perfect" sibling, and also feeling the pressure of having to take on adult roles even in their youth. Available at Boston Public Library-Copley. 

3. American Betiya by Anuradha D. Rajurkar 

American Betiya tells the story of a young Indian girl who falls for a White guy, in secret, knowing that her parents would not approve. What appeals to me about this story is that a lot of teenagers can relate to this idea of "forbidden" love, having had conditions and expectations put on them by their own parents. It's sort of a history repeating itself tale, in the mosaic of America where there have been so many social and even legal constraints put on people from different backgrounds against dating or marrying, and a lot of kids can relate. Available at the Boston Public Library-Copley.