Read Woke

Catherine's war

Julia Billet

jGRAPHIC NOVEL Billet
Read Woke, Graphic Novels

As France buckles under the Nazi regime, budding photographer Rachel Cohen must change her name, go into hiding, and bear witness to the atrocities of World War II.

Added by Casey

New kid

Jerry Craft

jGRAPHIC NOVEL Craft
Read Woke, Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds--and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

Added by Casey

Sea Sirens : a Trot & Cap'n Bill adventure

Amy Chu

jGRAPHIC NOVEL Chu
Read Woke, Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels, Fantasy

Trot, a Vietnamese American surfer girl, and Cap'n Bill, her cranky one-eyed cat, catch too big a wave and wipe out, sucked down into a magical underwater kingdom where an ancient deep-sea battle rages. The beautiful Sea Siren mermaids are under attack from the Serpent King and his slithery minions--and Trot and her feline become dangerously entangled in this war of tails and fins. This beautiful graphic novel was inspired by The Sea Fairies, L. Frank Baum's "underwater Wizard of Oz." It weaves Vietnamese mythology, fantastical ocean creatures, a deep-sea setting, quirky but sympathetic main characters, and fast-paced adventure into an imaginative, world-building story.--

A retelling of Frank Baum's The Sea Fairies with Vietnamese mythological elements, lovely storytelling, and fabulous art! This one has something for everyone. -Casey

Nightlights

Lorena Alvarez

jGRAPHIC NOVEL Alvarez
Read Woke, Graphic Novels, Horror

Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in little Sandy's bedroom. She catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep, and in the morning brings them back to life in the whimsical drawings. When a mysterious new girl appears at school, Sandy's drawings are noticed for the first time, but Morfie's fascination with Sandy's talent soon turns into something far more sinister.

Just enough cute, just enough frightening, just right for the upcoming fall. -Casey

American born Chinese

Gene Luen Yang

GRAPHIC NOVEL Yang
Read Woke, Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels

Alternates three interrelated stories about the problems of young Chinese Americans trying to participate in the popular culture. Presented in comic book format.

American Born Chinese is unmissable reading. -Casey

Lowriders

Cathy Camper

jGRAPHIC NOVEL Camper Lowriders
Read Woke, Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels

Lupe, Flapjack, Elirio customize their car into a low rider for the Universal Car Competition to win the cash prize that will enable them to buy their own garage.

This series is fantastic! If you're looking for an out of this world read, this one comes highly recommended. -Casey

Aquicorn cove

Katie (Cartoonist) O'Neill

jGRAPHIC NOVEL O'Neill
Read Woke, Diverse Characters, LGBTQ+

Unable to rely on the adults in her storm-ravaged seaside town, a young girl must protect a colony of magical seahorse-like creatures she discovers in the coral reef... A heartfelt story about learning to be a guardian to yourself and those you love. When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a big storm, Lana remembers how much she's missed the ocean--and the strong, reassuring presence of her aunt. As Lana explores the familiar beach, she discovers something incredible: a colony of Aquicorns, small magical seahorse-like creatures that live in the coral reef. Lana rescues an injured Aquicorn and cares for it with the help of her aunt, who may know more about these strange creatures than she's willing to admit. But when a second storm threatens to reach the town, choices made many years ago about how to coexist with the sea start to rise to the surface. Lana realizes she will need to find the strength to stand on her own, even when it means standing up to the people who she has always relied on to protect her.

Katie O'Neill's graphic novels are always beautiful and touching. I love the magical realism in this one and her Tea Dragon series. -Casey

Cassandra, animal psychic

Isabelle Bottier

jGRAPHIC NOVEL Bottier Cassandra
Read Woke, Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels

While struggling to cope with major changes in her life, fourteen-year-old Cassandra decides to help others by using her ability to see what animals are thinking, beginning with finding a lost cat.

This series is great! If you're looking for something fun to brighten your rainy week, give Cassandra's unique voice a try. -Casey