A 2020 Tayshas Reading List Selection
A 2020 Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Selection

In Pumpkinheads, beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell and Eisner Award-winning artist Faith Erin Hicks have teamed up to create this tender and hilarious story about two irresistible teens discovering what it means to leave behind a place--and a person--with no regrets.

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they've worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they're reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different--Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah's ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn't ready to let him. She's got a plan: What if--instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut--they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights Taste all the snacks And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he's been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

Layne Green is a social media sensation of a cook. He's selected to compete on a reality TV show called Voyage de Gourmet - a globe-trotting foodie adventure. However, his partner is his former best friend, Jiang-Mi Pipper, someone that he really wronged with some of his posts. Can the two find forgiveness, flavor, and themselves on this journey?

Named one of the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2024 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

From the award-winning author of Pushout, an inspiring graphic novel about what can happen when Black girls are given the opportunity to find their genuine power

Monique Couvson's trailblazing book Pushout laid the groundwork for understanding how our schools are failing Black girls; her follow-up, Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues, provided a blueprint for their healing and liberation. Now Couvson invites readers to be inspired by her liberatory imagination with an original narrative told from the perspective of the very girls she has been fighting for years to lift up.

Charisma's Turn is a graphic novel that follows the dynamic story of Charisma, a Black high school student who is grappling with mounting pressures from home and school. When frustrations with her family intersect with a conflict at school, she reaches a crossroads, facing a choice that could change her future. Featuring vibrantly illustrated art from Amanda Jones and a foreword by poet, artist, and arts educator Susan Arauz Barnes, this book will appeal to teens, parents, educators, librarians, and more. Charisma's Turn exemplifies how Black girls can be truly empowered to reach their full potential when they have supportive educators and community members in their corner.

A 2020 Tayshas Reading List Selection
A 2020 Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Selection

In Pumpkinheads, beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell and Eisner Award-winning artist Faith Erin Hicks have teamed up to create this tender and hilarious story about two irresistible teens discovering what it means to leave behind a place--and a person--with no regrets.

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they've worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they're reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different--Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah's ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn't ready to let him. She's got a plan: What if--instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut--they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights Taste all the snacks And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he's been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

Newly sober, Curtis searches for healing in the ancient cultural practices of his Tlıcho Dene grandfather. But will the Little People answer his call?

Curtis has returned to Fort Smith, six weeks sober. He doesn't have any sober friends, his mom's still drinking, and his best friend (and secret crush) Lacey probably is too. Still, he's determined to abstain from alcohol and help his people. Along the way, he might just be able to help himself.

Louis, Curtis's late grandfather, was a healer. Legend has it, Louis made a deal with the Little People that gave him the power to heal. No one has heard from the Little People since Louis's death, but his cabin may hold the key for them to return. There's only one problem: Benny the Bank stands in the way.

An infamous bootlegger, Benny has profited off Fort Smith's pain for decades. After being critically wounded in an attempt on his life, Benny knows he doesn't have much time before the poison in his blood takes him. He also happens to own Louis's cabin.

Can Curtis convince Benny to return the home that once belonged to Louis? Will the Little People answer Curtis's call? And can Benny find a way to make amends and leave a legacy he can be proud of?

A stunning, fast-paced graphic novel, As I Enfold You in Petals will keep readers riveted until the last page.

After the assassination of one of Mali's greatest kings, the traitors behind the coup set out to erase his legacy from Mali's history.

Their efforts fail when the youngest princess of Mali escapes with her newborn child to the Tuareg tribes in the Sahara. When her grief turns into hatred. The exiled princess swears an oath of vengeance against the family that unjustly stole Mali's throne. That oath becomes her legacy and is passed down through the generations to her descendants.

Over a century after the Keita took the throne. The Mali Empire has experienced great prosperity as well as turmoil. Coming off a tumultuous period wracked with plague, civil war, and political instability. Musa III begins the process of restoring the empire to its former glory. This restoration takes the form of an unprecedented tournament designed to find the most capable warrior to assume the role of Mali's imperial general.

Diata is the heir who carries his family's vendetta against the Keita. When word of the tournament reaches his clan. Diata sees his opportunity to get close to the enemy. To become the next general, he needs to make his way through several mercenaries, a pirate king, and dozens of other warriors bred for war on the battlefield.

Season of the Bruja follows a young woman as she comes into her magical abilities and faces reemergent threats from the past.

From a young age, Althalia knew she would someday be the last of her kind--a bruja, tasked with keeping the power and stories of the ancient ways from fading fully into history. Never alone, Althalia works in a paranormal museum with her friends, a real-life Chupacabra and a were-coyote, while living with and caring for her beloved abuela. Through these powerful connections, her skills and knowledge grow.

But the prejudice her people have always faced continues, and after a seemingly random encounter with a priest, Althalia feels the weight of hundreds of years of religious oppression coming down upon her and her abuela. She must realize her destiny and grow into it quickly if she is to prevent the church from achieving its ultimate goal--destroying the last bruja.

Esta animada novela gráfica sigue a un diverso grupo de adolescentes mientras descubren que las ciencias de la computación pueden ser divertidas, creativas e inspiradoras. Taylor, Christine, Antonio y John se comportan como adolescentes típicos: se comunican a través de interminables mensajes de texto, comparten bromas, se preocupan por el comienzo de su vida en la escuela secundaria y se ayudan mutuamente. Pero cuando un hombre negro es asesinado a tiros por la policía en su ciudad, se indignan y luego se enteran de que había sido identificado y rastreado erróneamente por un programa de inteligencia artificial. Cómo puede un algoritmo ser racista? Y qué es un algoritmo?

En la escuela deciden explorar las clases de computación con resultados variados. En una clase enseñan solo digitación. La clase a la que Christine se quiere unir ya no tiene cupo y la consejera escolar le sugiere que, en su lugar, tome la clase de Turismo y Hospitalidad ( De veras ). Pero la clase de Antonio sí es a todo dar, y cuando Christine encuentra un programa extracurricular, deciden enseñarse unos a otros lo que aprendan. Para cuando llega el verano, cuatro amigos han descubierto que la computación los empodera tanto personalmente como en la política.

Intercalados en la narrativa hay cuadros de texto con explicaciones pertinentes a las ciencias de la computación e inspiradores perfiles de mujeres y personas de color en el campo de la tecnología (entre ellos Katherine Johnson de Hidden Figures). Conectados! es una lectura esencial para los jóvenes, lectores en general, educadores y cualquier persona interesada en aprender sobre el poder de la computación, en su habilidad para causar bienestar o perjuicio, y por qué el abordaje del tema de la subrepresentación necesita ser una prioridad.

Tania está segura de que el chico ideal no existe y de que el tipo de romance con el que tanto sueña solo puede hallarse en los dramas coreanos que ama y eso la hace sentirse muy decepcionada de la vida. Además, su rutina se tambalea cuando la tienda de invitaciones para la que trabaja decide cerrar sin previo aviso. Cuando parece que todo empeorará, la vida de Tania da un giro al recibir sorpresivamente una propuesta para viajar a Corea del Sur, donde no solo visita los escenarios de sus k-dramas favoritos, sino que también conoce a Hayato, un guapo y talentoso joven del que se enamora completamente.

Entre salidas al karaoke, paseos por el río Han y citas para comer tteokbokki, Tania siente que al fin está viviendo su propio cuento de hadas. Sin embargo, la ilusión de vivir en una fantasía se desvanece poco a poco, cuando los malentendidos, las diferencias culturales y la nostalgia por su hogar se acrecientan. Tania deberá encontrar el mejor camino para cumplir los deseos de su corazón y con ello descubrir que la vida está llena de sorpresas para quienes se atreven a soñar.

Madagascar is the story of a young woman's defiance, as well as her triumph in taking a nation into her own hands.

Madagascar: The Rise of a Queen tells the story of the Queen that the world tried to erase, weaving a gripping narrative of defiance, courage, and the fight for identity. Join Ramavo on an extraordinary journey as she challenges the status quo and defies her enemies while navigating a world where she is an outsider. With each step, she earns the trust of her people and sparks a revolution to reclaim Madagascar's freedom from foreign invaders threatening to erode the island's cultural heritage.

Will she triumph against all odds and lead her people towards a future that honors their roots? Find out in this thrilling comic book series as Ramavo rises to become the Queen Madagascar needs.

This lively graphic novel follows a diverse group of teenage friends as they discover that computing can be fun, creative, and empowering. Taylor, Christine, Antonio, and Jon seem like typical young teens--they communicate via endless texting, they share jokes, they worry about starting high school, and they have each other's backs. But when a racially-biased artificial intelligence system causes harm in their neighborhood, they suddenly realize that tech isn't as neutral as they thought it was. But can an algorithm be racist? And what is an algorithm, anyway?

In school, they decide to explore computing classes, with mixed results. One class is only about typing. The class that Christine wants to join is full, and the school counselor suggests that she take a class in Tourism and Hospitality instead. (Really ) But Antonio's class seems legit, Christine finds an after-school program, and they decide to teach the others what they learn. By summer vacation, all four have discovered that computing is both personally and politically empowering.

Interspersed through the narrative are text boxes with computer science explainers and inspirational profiles of people of color and women in the field (including Katherine Johnson of Hidden Figures fame). Power On! is an essential read for young adults, general readers, educators, and anyone interested in the power of computing, how computing can do good or cause harm, and why addressing underrepresentation in computing needs to be a top priority.

After a particularly stressful day at Pensatucket High School, David is surprised to find his older sister Meghan waiting excitedly for him in the parking lot. Estranged for years from their mother, Joanne, since the death of their father, Meghan hasn't been home since she started college.

But today, she says, she has a surprise. Together they drive back to David's house, where - unbeknownst to him - his best friends are waiting to celebrate his birthday. As Meghan leads David up the front path, they almost miss the inconspicuous package lying on the doorstep. Who delivered it? And why?

Urged on by his friends, David opens the parcel to reveal a large blue pendant on a silver necklace. With no note attached and no messenger in sight, the gift is unusual to say the least. On top of that, the blue stone in the setting begins to glow, and as the days pass - it grows brighter and brighter...

Enlisting the help of his sister, friends and their eccentric Aunt Noelia - a historian and specialist in artifacts and rarities - David sets out to discover the meaning of the strange blue pendant. Little do the inquisitive gang know that what they find will change all their lives forever and test the limits of David's courage, resilience and strength.

The perfect jumping-on point for any YA fan. This deluxe box set includes the first three titles from Legendary Comics YA graphic novel line along with exclusive stickers!

- CHAMPIONESS: Based on the true story of Elizabeth Wilkinson, the famous 18th century female bare-knuckle boxer. Get your ring-side seat to the fiercest lady in London as she fights her way to the top to become the CHAMPIONESS!

- THE HEART HUNTER: On the island of Envecor, everyone is cursed to wear their heart outside their bodies, unable to die, change or grow, until they find their soul mate. Psyche is a Heart Hunter - trained to kill a person's soul mate and ensure immortality for the other. As she hunts for her next target, will she instead find the cure for her own broken heart and perhaps lift the curse that hangs over everyone?

- LUPINA BOOK ONE: WAX: When tragedy strikes the coastal town of Kote, four-year-old Lupa finds herself alone in a new and unfamiliar world. Found by the she-wolf Coras, Lupa sets off on a journey of discovery... and revenge.

The graphic novel explores themes such as identity, culture, diversity, censorship, and empowerment. McKenzie learns about different perspectives and experiences from the books she reads and tries to advocate for the importance of reading banned books. She also deals with racism, microaggressions, and discrimination from some of her teachers who mispronounce her name or dismiss her interests.

The story conveys a message about the importance of reading books that challenge our assumptions and biases, and that represent the voices and stories of different groups of people. The purpose of the story is to inspire readers to seek out banned books and to speak up against injustice and oppression.

The Chronicles of the Sea and Cloud is a comic that gathers adventure, friendship, and the magical wafer stone silicon crystal. It's undoubtedly a must-have masterpiece on your bookshelf. This book not only captivates with its engaging story but also embodies the top ten keywords of bestsellers, immersing you in a world full of fantasy and emotion.

The story is set in a realm filled with floating islands in the sky, where these islands float amidst the azure sky, and the wafer stone silicon crystals possess the incredible power to make rocks fly. However, an ambitious dictator covets the power of this magical mineral, seeking to dominate the entire world.

The protagonist of the story is a young man from a country long oppressed by the dictator, yearning to find a way to save his nation. Unexpected events, however, transport him to a different world a thousand years ago. In this unfamiliar environment, he befriends four like-minded companions. Together, they resist the evil dictatorship, attempting to alter the course of history.

The Chronicles of the Sea and Cloud cleverly combines thrilling plots, breathtaking art styles, and profound character development, making the story even more captivating. Each of the four main characters possesses unique skills and personalities. It's their collaboration and friendship that turns them into an invincible force, bravely facing various challenges.

The Chronicles of the Sea and Cloud is not just an adventure story; it's a tale about friendship, courage, and the perseverance to pursue justice. This comic will lead you into a wondrous world full of unknowns, prompting you to seek the truth, embrace challenges, and appreciate the value of friendship.

The Chronicles of the Sea and Cloud is a comic that gathers adventure, friendship, and the magical wafer stone silicon crystal. It's undoubtedly a must-have masterpiece on your bookshelf. This book not only captivates with its engaging story but also embodies the top ten keywords of bestsellers, immersing you in a world full of fantasy and emotion.

The story is set in a realm filled with floating islands in the sky, where these islands float amidst the azure sky, and the wafer stone silicon crystals possess the incredible power to make rocks fly. However, an ambitious dictator covets the power of this magical mineral, seeking to dominate the entire world.

The protagonist of the story is a young man from a country long oppressed by the dictator, yearning to find a way to save his nation. Unexpected events, however, transport him to a different world a thousand years ago. In this unfamiliar environment, he befriends four like-minded companions. Together, they resist the evil dictatorship, attempting to alter the course of history.

The Chronicles of the Sea and Cloud cleverly combines thrilling plots, breathtaking art styles, and profound character development, making the story even more captivating. Each of the four main characters possesses unique skills and personalities. It's their collaboration and friendship that turns them into an invincible force, bravely facing various challenges.

The Chronicles of the Sea and Cloud is not just an adventure story; it's a tale about friendship, courage, and the perseverance to pursue justice. This comic will lead you into a wondrous world full of unknowns, prompting you to seek the truth, embrace challenges, and appreciate the value of friendship.

Les Chroniques de la mer et des nuages est une bande dessinée qui rassemble l'aventure, l'amitié et le cristal de silicium en pierre magique. C'est sans aucun doute un chef-d'oeuvre incontournable sur votre étagère. Ce livre captive non seulement par son histoire captivante, mais incarne également les dix mots-clés des best-sellers, vous plongeant dans un monde plein de fantaisie et d'émotion.

L'histoire se déroule dans un royaume rempli d'îles flottantes dans le ciel, où ces îles flottent au milieu du ciel azur, et les cristaux de silicium en pierre de plaquette possèdent l'incroyable pouvoir de faire voler les roches. Cependant, un dictateur ambitieux convoite le pouvoir de ce minéral magique, cherchant à dominer le monde entier.

Le protagoniste de l'histoire est un jeune homme issu d'un pays longtemps opprimé par le dictateur, aspirant à trouver un moyen de sauver sa nation. Cependant, des événements inattendus le transportent dans un monde différent il y a mille ans. Dans cet environnement inconnu, il se lie d'amitié avec quatre compagnons partageant les mêmes idées. Ensemble, ils résistent à la dictature maléfique et tentent de modifier le cours de l'histoire.

Les Chroniques de la mer et des nuages combine intelligemment des intrigues palpitantes, des styles artistiques époustouflants et un développement profond des personnages, rendant l'histoire encore plus captivante. Chacun des quatre personnages principaux possède des compétences et des personnalités uniques. C'est leur collaboration et leur amitié qui font d'eux une force invincible, affrontant courageusement divers défis.

Les Chroniques de la mer et des nuages n'est pas seulement un récit d'aventures; c'est une histoire d'amitié, de courage et de persévérance pour poursuivre la justice. Cette bande dessinée vous mènera dans un monde merveilleux plein d'inconnues, vous incitant à rechercher la vérité, à relever les défis et à apprécier la valeur de l'amitié.