8 UPCOMING GRAPHIC NOVELS AIMED AT KIDS TO PRE-ORDER

STRANGER THINGS THE BULLY

(W) Greg Pak
(A) Valeria Favoccia

The bullies of Stranger Things try to uncover the mystery of Eleven’s psychic powers in this scary all-ages graphic novel! Troy has been having nightmares about El ever since she embarrassed him in front of the school and broke his arm in season 1. Feeling powerless and anxious, Troy is determined to prove that what happened between him and El is only some form of trickery. That is until he and James encounter demodogs!

o Perfect for younger readers!

o Takes place during season 2 of Stranger Things.

o Seasoned comic writer Greg Pak explores what drives Stranger Things’ bullies.  

SHIRLEY & JAMILA SAVE THEIR SUMMER

(W) Gillian Goerz
(A) Gillian Goerz

Jamila Waheed is staring down a lonely summer in a new neighborhood, until she meets Shirley Bones. Sure, Shirley’s a little strange, but both girls need a new plan for the summer. Then this kid Oliver shows up begging for Shirley’s help. His pet gecko has disappeared, and he’s sure it was stolen! That’s when Jamila discovers Shirley’s secret: She’s the neighborhood’s best kid detective, and she’s on the case. When Jamila discovers she’s got some detective skills of her own, a crime-solving partnership is born. And they might just solve the greatest mystery of all: What it means to be a friend. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

THE WIZERD AND THE POTION OF DREAMS

(W) Michael Sweater, Rachel Dukes
(A/CA) Michael Sweater, Rachel Dukes

Adventure awaits! A quest is coming! Excitement envelopes all! …And it’s disturbing a reclusive, young wizerd’s peace and quiet!
A garden-tending wizerd is dragged into the adventuring life by a small warrior princess as they seek the ingredients of a wish-granting potion. (The warrior princess’s wish? To get big and strong – and hunky! – really hunky!) Thanks to ransacking goblins, a too-noble knight, an evil wych, and the warrior’s endless appetite, securing the potion ingredients won’t be as quick or as simple as the wizerd had hoped!
The Wizerd and the Potion of Dreams packs humor, heart, and heaps of distractions into a fantasy adventure sure to please any adventurer out there.

THE FLOWER OF THE WITCH

(W/A) Enrico Orlandi

Tami has traveled long and far from his home in the south, forbidden to return until he has become a man, in this coming-of-age story. Defeating monsters and saving princesses has not been enough, and now he must find the fabled flower of the witch. But in his quest Tami inadvertently sparks a feud between the villagers who shelter him and the demon Yabra! And when the conflict comes to a head, Tami will have to choose between proving himself as a man, and protecting the villagers he’s come to love.

o Available for the first time in English.

o From Italian creator Enrico Orlandi!

GOOSEBUMPS: CREEP CRAWLY COMICS

(W) Jen Vaughn, Jeremy Lambert, Denton J. Tipton, Matthew Dow Smith
(A) Michelle Wong, Chris Fenoglio

Brave the spine-tingling world of R.L. Stine and uncover the thrills and chills in this first-ever Goosebumps comic series featuring three original stories in a graphic novel format: Monsters a Midnight, Download and Die, and Horrors of the Witch House.

AVANT-GUARDS: DOWN TO WIRE

(W) Carly Usdin
(A/CA) Noah Hayes

Everything’s happening-Liv and Charlie are figuring out what it means to be Liv-and-Charlie, the final game of the season is here, and the team is worried about creating the perfect fundraiser. Oh! And everyone’s parents showed up to cheer them on during the most stressful time the team could imagine.
Luckily the entire existence of the league doesn’t depend on this one game or the Avant-Guards winning, right? Oh wait…
Acclaimed writer Carly Usdin (Heavy Vinyl: Riot on The Radio) and artist Noah Hayes (Wet Hot American Summer) conclude their hit series about falling in love and finding your team on & off the court.

CITY OF SECRETS

(W/A) Victoria Ying

Ever Barnes is a shy orphan who lives in a puzzle-box building (think an architectural Transformer) that is also a multi level switchboard center, the communications hub of his city. He’s the last of a family that’s guarded a precious safe, contents unknown, for generations. All Ever knows is that what’s in that safe protects the city and that his father was killed because he wouldn’t give up the secret of the safe. Ever’s lonely existence is upended by when Hannah, the daughter of the building’s owner, shows up and spots the orphan in hiding. Hannah is determined to befriend Ever. His avoidance and her pursuit set off an unexpected series of events. Two things quickly become very clear: someone else knows Ever’s secret and wants in on it. And having a friend is a very good thing when a whole whole evil goon squad is after you! Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

ONE YEAR AT ELLSMERE

(W/A) Faith Erin Hicks

With revamped art and now in full color, One Year at Ellsmere is an endearing middle-grade friendship story from Faith Erin Hicks! Was boarding school supposed to be this hard? When studious thirteen-year-old Juniper wins a scholarship to the prestigious Ellsmere Academy, she expects to find a scholastic utopia. But living at Ellsmere is far from ideal: She is labeled a “special project,” Ellsmere’s queen bee is out to destroy her, and it’s rumored that a mythical beast roams the forest next to the school. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.