Every year, Cracking the Cover compiles a list of books that make great additions to your library. The following middle grade and YA graphic novels were published in 2025. Reviews are by Jessica. Scroll down for the complete list or click or tap the following links to directly visit a section AGES 7 AND UP • AGES 8 AND UP • AGES 9 AND UP • AGES 10 AND UP • YOUNG ADULT
AGES 7 AND UP
MAX, A LITTLE AXOLOTL #1, by Joey Spiotto, Graphix, Sept. 2, 2025, Hardcover, $24.99, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 7-10)
A rescued little axolotl learns about friendship and nature conservation in Max, a Little Axolotl a graphic novel by Joey Spiotto.
Max, a Little Axolotl is a sweet, little character that emerging readers are going to love. This hiccuping axolotl can even regrow parts of his body. There’s a charm to Max that kids will immediately be drawn to. And they’ll relate to first day of school jitters, too. The illustrations are charming and the story is one readers can easily follow. And, at just under 130 pages, and broken into chapters, it’s an accessible read, even for the most reluctant readers. This is the first book in a planned series that is sure to be popular.
DIARY OF A NATURE NERD, by Tiffany Everett, Graphix, Aug. 19, 2025, Hardcover, $22.99, Paperback, $12.99 (Ages 7-10)
Diary of a Nature Nerd is an exciting graphic novel for emerging and younger middle-grade readers.
With a mix of illustrated diary entries and more traditional graphic novel panels, Diary of a Nature Nerd is an inviting and accessible read that will especially appeal to kids who love nature.
Author-illustrator Tiffany Everett captures the excitement — and apprehension — that comes with blending a family, even when your BFF becomes your stepsister. There are some big emotions, and Everett explores them in a way that helps kids feel seen.
The star of Diary of a Nature Nerd is, of course, nature, with lots of animals and exploring and nods to trail safety, too. Everett’s illustrations are bright, expressive and feature cute animals with almost every turn of the page.
Diary of a Nature Nerd is Everett’s graphic novel debut, but it has a fresh, rooted feel that’s just plain fun. I hope this is just the first book about Brooke and Jayla.
THE ADVENTURES OF YOU!: HOW TO WRITE, DRAW, AND STAR IN YOUR OWN COMICS, by Ellen Forney, Workman Kids, Aug. 12, 2026, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8 and up)
Become the star of your own graphic novel with The Adventures of You! How To Write, Draw, and Star in Your Own Comics, by Ellen Forney.
The Adventures of You is divided into an introduction and nine chapters that focus on different elements — drawing faces; drawing all sorts of stuff; the language of pictures; writing; combining words and pictures; drawing characters; lettering; panels and pages; and go make comics.
The Adventures of You gives kids with no idea where to start and starting place, and kids who are already crafting their own comics ways to expand on what they’re already doing.
My 11-year-old really likes the illustrations and the different prompts, although she tends to write/draw outside of the book because she “needs more room.”
The Adventures of You mixes humor and creativity, allowing kids to embrace their imaginations and draw to their hearts’ content.
AGES 8 AND UP
DARKSTALKER: A GRAPHIC NOVEL (WINGS OF FIRE: LEGENDS GRAPHIC NOVEL), by Tui T. Sutherland, Jake Parker, Graphix, Nov. 4, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
Three dragons. One unavoidable, unpredictable destiny. This is the beginning…of the end.
In the SeaWing kingdom, a young prince learns he is an animus―capable of wonderful magic that comes with a terrible price.
In the mind of a NightWing dragonet, a thousand futures unfold―and almost all of them, she knows, lead to disaster and destruction.
And under three full moons and the watchful eyes of his NightWing mother and IceWing father, the most powerful dragon Pyrhhia will ever know is clawing his way out of his egg: Darkstalker, the dragon who will change the world forever.
Long before the SandWing war, lifetimes before the Dragonet Prophecy…darkness is born. —Synopsis provided by Graphix
This is the second book in the Wings of Fire Legends series, and like all the previous graphic novel adaptations, it’s full of action and intrigue. The action unfolds visually through vibrant and expressive illustrations. This is a sure bet for any Wings of Fire fan.
39 CLUES: THE SWORD THIEF: A GRAPHIC NOVEL (39 CLUES GRAPHIC NOVEL #3) , By Hannah Templer and by Peter Lerangis, Graphix, Nov. 4, 2025, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)
The third installment in the mega-bestselling The 39 Clues series, now in graphic novel form!
ATTENTION! Amy and Dan Cahill have been located once again, this time in the company of the notoriously unreliable Alistair Oh. Could they have been foolish enough to make an alliance?
Spies report that Amy and Dan seem to be tracking the life of one of the most powerful fighters the world has ever known. If this fearsome warrior was a Cahill, his secrets are sure to be well-guarded… and the price to uncover them just might be lethal. —Synopsis provided by Graphix
I had to hide my review copy of The Sword Thief from my 11-year-old. She devoured the first two graphic novel adaptations and is champing at the bit to read the latest. Hannah Templer has done an excellent job interpreting the source material through compelling artwork. This is a great addition to the series.
WINGING IT: A GRAPHIC NOVEL, by Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter, Graphix, Oct. 21, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
Twelve-year-old Luna never wanted to move from California to Virginia, even if it is near historic Washington, DC, and no matter how excited her dad is to introduce her to the area where her late mother grew up. And she definitely doesn’t want to live with a very formal grandmother she barely knows. But during a visit to the National Museum of Natural History, the rarely seen luna moth for which Luna was named sparks her curiosity. Using her mother’s old naturalist notebooks as a guide, Luna, who has always preferred the indoors, endeavors to see a real luna moth with her own eyes. Learning more about nature just might help her make a new friend, figure out how to feel at home in her new life, and understand the mother she never got the chance to know. —Synopsis provided by Graphix
Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter (authors of Allergic and Squished) join forces once again to tell a story of family, friendship and self-discovery. It’s easy to fall in love with Luna, a sometimes overly dramatic tween whose life gets turned upside down when she has to move. She’s a relatable character and the exploration of her relationship with her estranged grandma is particularly strong.
I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011, by Lauren Tarshis and Chris Chalik, Graphix, Aug. 5, 2025, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)
Lauren Tarshis’s I Survived series has become one of the go-to series for young readers, and it’s no surprise. With lots of action and suspense, Tarshis tells stories of actual disasters that have helped shape history.
In the graphic novel edition of I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011, readers get an up-close view of the terror the Japanese tsunami brought. Told through the eyes of Ben, you’re taken on a wild ride from the earthquake that triggered the Tsunami through the recovery effort.
The graphic novel edition is perfect for kids who prefer graphic novels or may struggle with traditional ones. The book’s emotional and energetic illustrations paired with adapted text bring the entire story to life.
For kids who want to know more, there’s a nonfiction section at the back with facts and photos about the real Tsunami.
THE CARTOONISTS CLUB: A Graphic Novel, by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, Graphix, April 1, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
The Cartoonists Club is a celebration of creativity. And it’s a book that creative kids will immediately be drawn to. My own kid picked up my copy and wouldn’t give it back.
There’s a lot of joy and self-expression in The Cartoonists Club. And the kids are great at helping each other work through emotions. The plot and images blend seamlessly, making this really fun.
An added bonus is extensive backmatter including a chat with Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud; a glossary of terms; more on the book’s characters; a list of comic jobs; and information on how the book was made.
SPEECHLESS, by Aron Nels Steinke, Graphix, March 4, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
Speechless is a funny middle-grade graphic novel that tackles anxiety, friendship, self-expression and family dynamics.
At the center of the story is Mira, a girl who is unable to speak when at school, but is the exact opposite at home. The nature of graphic novels allows for a lot of internal dialogue and drama. Creator Aron Nels Steinke quickly gets to the heart of things, and allows readers to process along with Mia.
At approximately 250 pages, Speechless is in that sweet spot for graphic novels in which there’s plenty of room to explore without getting long-winded. It’s a fast-moving read that I easily finished in an afternoon. My 11-year-old gobbled it up, too, quickly adding my advanced copy to her bedroom library.
SEA LEGS: A Graphic Novel, by Jules Bakes and Niki Smith, Graphix, Feb. 4, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
Sea Legs is inspired by Jules Bakes’ life on her family’s 42-foot schooner named Merimaid. Her family moved aboard when she was 7 and stayed that way for many years.
Sea Legs features highs and lows, adventure and quiet moments. Illustrations are informative, thoughtful and full of humor. Bright colors and expressive artwork take it over the top. This graphic novel will especially appeal to fans of real-life stories.
CHICKENPOX, by Remy Lai, Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks, Jan. 14, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
Chickenpox is based on author Remy Lai’s childhood experiences with her siblings when they were all infected with the disease. Lai has changed the names for privacy and some of the events are out of order, but the book feels authentic in the way that only lived experiences reflect.
Lai’s story is engaging and her characters believable. Readers — especially older siblings — will immediately identify with Abby. And kids who don’t have siblings will be fascinated. Lai’s bright illustrations are expressive and full of movement.
FRESH START: A Graphic Novel, by Gale Galligan, Graphix, Jan. 7, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
*Editor’s note: The following review is by my 10-year-old (aka Anonymous Reader) who took possession of Fresh Start from the moment she saw it and hasn’t given it back. She’s a huge fan of Gale Galligan and wanted to write her own review.
Ollie Herrisson is a manga-loving, imaginative adolescent whose family is always moving. When she ends up in Chestnut Falls, Virginia, she discovers her parents bought a house, she gets her first period and meets some new friends and gets in a fight with one (the fight gets resolved.)
I like the layout Gale Galligan put into this book and I can’t wait to see their next work!
AGES 9 AND UP
REFUGEE: The Graphic Novel, by Alan Gratz, Syd Fini, Graphix, Oct. 7, 2025, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 9-12)
Follow three children through three different time periods as each sets out in search of refuge in Alan Gratz’s Refugee: The Graphic Novel.
When I first reviewed Refugee in 2017, I called it “… a profoundly moving novel. And it’s particularly poignant against the backdrop of today’s politics around the world.”
Today, it is no less poignant. And the graphic novel once again captures the universal hope for safety and a sense of belonging.
With stunning illustrations by Syd Fini, Refugee: The Graphic Novel will appeal to fans of the original version and new readers alike. Together, Gratz and Fini capture the heart of the story through movement, tension and heart-breaking action.
Refugee in both its forms remains one of my favorite Gratz stories. It’s a moving narrative that forces readers to look at the world around them with new eyes and understanding.
AGES 10 AND UP
DEAR JACKIE, by Jessixa Bagley, Aaron Bagley, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $24.99, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10 and up)
A middle-schooler writes herself a fake love letter in hopes of fitting in with new friends in Dear Jackie, a graphic novel by Jessixa Bagley and Aaron Bagley.
Dear Jackie speaks to the heart of the middle-school (and human) experience — finding where you fit in, making mistakes, trying to be yourself.
At the center of the story is Jackie, a girl whose mom and friends think she should start dressing and acting more the way a girl “should.” But Jackie likes the way she is. She doesn’t understand why she needs to change to be liked.
Author Jessixa Bagley really gets this age group, and her story is going to be relatable for so many readers. Of particular note is Bagley’s exploration of how messy friendships can be. Bagley also takes on parental relationships and a thoughtful portrayal of a LGBTQIA+ sibling.
Illustrator Aaron Bagley’s panels are vibrant and expressive and bring the story to life.
NORDLYS: BOOK ONE, by Malin Falch, Inklore, May 13, 2025, Paperback, $18 (Ages 10 and up)
A girl travels to a magical Norway, where animals talk and trolls walk the land, in Nordlys, a graphic novel by Malin Falch.
Nordlys is unlike any other graphic novel I’ve read. It literally feels like you’re reading a movie. Author-illustrator Malin Falch’s story unfolds cinematically, taking you to a world inspired by Norwegian folklore. The vibrant colors and print quality are beautiful, and the story is one that catches your attention right away. Falch’s pacing is strong, and there’s lots of action. And the book ends with a cliffhanger that will have readers clamoring for more. Sketches at the end of characters as Falch was developing them is a nice touch.
The publisher’s suggested age range for Nordlys is young adult, however, despite some battle violence and scary monsters, it feels appropriate for ages 10 and up.
YOUNG ADULT
I WISH I DIDN’T HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS: A GRAPHIC MEMOIR, by Eugene Yelchin, Candlewick Press, Sept. 16, 2025, Hardcover, $22.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)
In a stunning sequel to The Genius Under the Table, Eugene Yelchin’s graphic memoir depicts his harrowing journey from Leningrad’s underground art scene to a state-run Siberian asylum—and to eventual safety in the US.
No longer the creative little boy under his grandmother’s table, Yevgeny is now a young adult, pursuing his artistic dreams under the constant threat of the KGB’s stranglehold on Russia’s creative scene.
When a chance encounter with an American woman opens him up to a world of romance and possibility, Yevgeny believes he has found his path to the future—and freedom overseas.
But the threat of being drafted into the military and sent to fight in Afghanistan changes everything in a terrible instant, and he takes drastic measures to decide his fate, leading to unthinkable consequences in a mental hospital.
With bold art bringing a vivid reality to life, National Book Award Finalist and Newbery Honoree Eugene Yelchin’s sequel to the acclaimed memoir The Genius Under the Table returns to Yevgeny’s saga, balancing the terror and oppression of Soviet Russia with the author’s signature charm and dark wit. I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This shines a stark spotlight on history while offering a poignant, nuanced, and powerfully resonant look at growing up in—and ultimately leaving—Cold War Russia in the early 1980s. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Press
SONG OF THE LIONESS, BOOK 1: ALANNA: A GRAPHIC NOVEL ADAPTATION, by Vita Ayala (adapter), Tamora Pierce (author), Sam Beck (illustrator), Harry N. Abrams, May 13, 2025, Hardcover, $26.99, Paperback, $17.99 (young adult)
Alanna, the first book in Tamora Pierce’s award-winning Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet is now available as a full-color graphic novel.
Published in the 1980s Alanna: The First Adventure (1983), In the Hand of the Goddess (1984), The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (1986) and Lioness Rampant (1988), follow a girl who dreams of becoming the first female knight in centuries in the land of Tortall.
Now, after reading the graphic novel adaptation of the first book, I want to read the series in full. Because, contrary to what a lot of people think, graphic novel adaptations often spark greater interest in source material. And I can only imagine the rich detail from Pierce’s original work.
That’s not to say that adapter Vita Ayala and illustrator Sam Beck’s version doesn’t stand on its own. It does. And it’s beautiful in its own right.
The advance reader copy I received featured black-and-white illustrations (the published version is full color) that range from detailed images to sketches, and it still held my attention throughout. Thoughtful use of layout and expressive artwork move the story forward while text provides context without getting in the way.
Filled with action, adventure and magic, the story moves quickly. And the gorgeous cover has my 11-year-old begging to read it. I won’t have a problem handing it to her, but I know she’ll be asking for the full-color, published version within minutes of reading it. I’ll happily oblige.
*Sensitivity note: The publisher’s suggested reading age is young adult, ages 12 and up. Some of the story discusses Alanna’s struggles to deal with her maturing body — developing breasts and menstruation are both tastefully included.
A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA, by Ursula K. Le Guin and Fred Fordham, Clarion Books, March 11, 2025, Hardcover, $26.99 (young adult)
Ursula K. Le Guin’s bestselling A Wizard of Earthsea has now been reimagined in a graphic novel by acclaimed artist Fred Fordham.
A Wizard of Earthsea (first published in 1968) is the first book in Ursula K. Le Guin’s six-volume set, Books of Earthsea. Le Guin’s son, Theo, first thought a graphic adaptation was impossible. It was only after seeing Fred Fordham’s version of To Kill a Mockingbird that Theo thought a graphic novel “might not only be possible, but delightful.”
Theo’s not wrong.
I have not read the original novel, but after reading Fordham’s version, I want to read the entire original series. Fordham balances text with illustrative storytelling, giving readers a full and exciting experience. Fordham’s watercolor style helps set the fantasy tone. And I wouldn’t mind hanging some panels on my wall — they’re that beautiful.
This graphic version is sure to entice a new generation of readers.
Copyright © 2025 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
