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Many kids greet summer reading lists with as much enthusiasm as they would a plate of brussel sprouts, viewing anything that smacks of "homework" as an encroachment on their vacation. Yet it’s vitally important that they read over the summer to continue developing their reading comprehension skills. With that in mind, Robin Brenner, Esther Keller, Lori Henderson, Scott Robins, and I compiled a list of books that emphasize fun and fantasy over serious topics. Our goal: to encourage kids to view reading as a recreational activity that just happens to engage their imagination, rather than something they must or ought to do. The list includes a variety of titles, from action-oriented manga to comic strip anthologies to graphic novels for beginning readers. We welcome your feedback on our suggestions, and encourage you to add your own in the comment section below.
YOUNG READERS (AGES 4-8)
A Bit Haywire (By Scott Zirkel and Courtney Huddleston; Viper Comics)
This is still one of my favorite young reads. A Bit Haywire is the story of 10-year-old Owen Bryce, who discovers he has super powers, but they don’t work just quite right. If he wants to fly, he has to do it with his eyes closed. To run fast, he needs to hold his breathe. Even so, Owen is determined to become a superhero. This title is hilarious and fun and perfect beach reading. –Esther Keller
Dinosaur Hour!, Vol. 1 (By Hitoshi Shioya; VIZ Media)
This comedy title will keep the kids laughing all summer long. Filled with tales of dinosaurs from different times, it pretends to want to teach something, but it’s really just story after story of funny gags. Kids will love looking at the simple but funny pictures, and parents will laugh along with their kids, though the stories are simple enough for an early reader to get. –Lori Henderson
Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom (By Eric Wight; Simon & Schuster)
It’s the answer to the eternal question in many kids’ minds — just what is so bad that would happen if you don’t clean your room? Would the world end? Frankie would rather hunt down exotic artifacts than pick up a dirty sock. This charming hybrid title, featuring prose and comics sections, is laugh-out-loud funny. Eric Wight’s art is clean and retro, in the best sense, and the struggle between cleanliness and the siren call of fun is entertaining without being preachy. –Robin Brenner
Happy Happy Clover, Vols. 1-2 (By Sayuri Tatsuyama; VIZ Media)
This all-ages series reads like a manga version of Beatrix Potter’s famous Benjamin Bunny tales. Clover, the series’ heroine, is a mischievous rabbit who has a knack for getting into trouble, thanks to her insatiable curiosity. Though Clover always learns a lesson at the end of each adventure, the tone is seldom didactic; author Sayuri Tatsuyama keeps things light and funny even when the underlying message is more serious. Young girls will adore Happy Happy Clover, both for the button-cute artwork and for the appealing cast of characters, which includes Clover’s best friend Mallow — a shy, serious bunny — and Clover’s neighbor Hickory — a flying squirrel who lives "upstairs" from Clover’s tree trunk home. –Katherine Dacey
Luke on the Loose (By Harry Bliss; Toon Books)
Illustrator Harry Bliss is best known for his contributions to The New Yorker, so it should come as no surprise that his first all-ages comic book is set in the Big Apple. The story focuses on four-year-old Luke who, on a visit to the park, spies a flock of pigeons, breaks free of his dad’s grasp, and gives chase, running across busy streets and crashing through outdoor cafes, creating pandemonium wherever he goes. Bliss’s work stands up to multiple readings, thanks to the abundance of small, interesting details: in one panel, for example, observant readers may notice a "Wanted" poster for The Hulk, while in another, Harold of Magic Crayon fame makes a cameo. (My personal favorite: a word balloon that reads, "Boring dad talk.") Luke on the Loose is one of the few all-ages comics to portray the ethnic and racial diversity of American cities in a matter-of-fact way, making this book a great choice for a young urban dweller’s reading list. –Katherine Dacey
The Many Adventures of Johnny Mutton (By James Proimos; Harcourt Paperbacks)
A perfect read for anyone who has ever felt a bit different from the rest of the crowd. A baby sheep arrives on the doorstep of Momma Mutton who decides to raise him as her own. Life as a young sheep boy comes with all sorts of hilarious predicaments like the first day at school, a spelling bee against the meanest girl in school, and dressing up as a runny nose for Halloween. Packed with off-the-wall visual humor, this is one kids will love. –Scott Robins
Tiny Titans, Vols. 1-2 (By Art Baltazar and Franco; DC Comics)
If your favorite superhero fan is reluctant to read on his own, try offering him a volume of Tiny Titans, a kid-friendly take on the popular Teen Titans franchise. Using a simple, almost naive style, Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliano transform such popular characters as Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash into a squabbling band of elementary school students. Baltazar and Aureliano do a great job of crafting short, fast-paced stories that build to a solid punchline. Kids don’t need to know anything about the DC Comics universe to enjoy Tiny Titans, though budding superhero experts will get a kick out of seeing what Robin and Wonder Girl were like as kids. Budget-conscious parents should look for the two trade paperback editions, each of which collects six issues. –Katherine Dacey
TWEENS (9 – 12)
Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles into Comics (By James Sturm, Andrew Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost; First Second)
Some have called it Understanding Comics for the 9-12 set — I just call it fun. Part cartooning instruction manual, part hilarious adventure story, this book offers tons of great tips and lessons to get kids drawing their own comics. From panel construction and word balloons to speed lines and character design, this book is perfect for a rainy day or at the beach. Kids can cartoon anywhere! –Scott Robins
Crogan’s Vengeance (By Chris Schweizer; Oni Press)
Who doesn’t like a rip-snortin’ pirate yarn in the summer? I know I do. This first volume in a series following the adventures of an entire family tree, the Crogans, tracks the escapades of one "Catfoot" Crogan, an everyman sailor who’s life takes a turn for the worse (or is that the better?) when his frigate is attacked by pirates. Adventure, tense battles, scheming, and pirate lore all feature in this trip, and the swift action and thoughtful strategy keep both Catfoot and the readers on their toes. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series! –Robin Brenner
Dragon Drive, Vols. 1-14 (By Keni-ichi Sakura; VIZ Media)
Reiji Ozora is a slacker. He’s always late for school, and doesn’t stick with anything for very long — until he’s introduced to the virtual reality video game Dragon Drive by his long-time friend Yuniko. In the game, Reiji is teamed with a small dragon that he names Chibi, who seems as lazy and unmotivated as Reiji. But there’s something different about Chibi and Reiji. As Reiji puts more time into the game, he learns the truth of it, as he and his friends are transported to the world of Rikyu, where the dragons and dangers are real. There’s lots of action and adventure in this title, with dragons battling dragons, and the world of Rikyu to save. The fourteenth and final volume has just been released. –Lori Henderson
Jellaby and Jellaby: Monster in the City (By Kean Soo; Hyperion Books)
Portia finds a big purple monster living in her backyard. She and her friend Jason work together to both hide the monster they’ve named Jellaby and to find out where it came from. This is one of those titles that had my middle schoolers eagerly lined up and anticipating volume two. Fortunately, it finally came out. Unfortunately, the school year is over! –Esther Keller
Kat & Mouse, Vols. 1-3 (By Alex de Campi and Frederica Manfredi; Tokyopop)
Kat, a newcomer to a snooty prep school, befriends fellow outcast Mouse, a spunky computer geek. When a petty crime wave sweeps campus, Kat and Mouse turn girl detective, using their knowledge of physics, math, and computers to bring down a blackmailer and a thief. The series may remind readers of Nancy Drew, but there’s more going on in Kat & Mouse than just gumshoeing; both girls navigate the social minefield of dances, hazing rituals, and crushes in a refreshingly real and funny way. Frederica Manfredi’s artwork nicely complements Alex de Campi’s script, depicting Kat and Mouse as cute, serious girls with a flair for snappy comeback lines. The "it’s OK to like math and science" message is further reinforced by the science projects at the end of each volume, experiments with a direct tie-in to the mystery du jour. N.B. The series ends rather abruptly, as Tokyopop canceled it before the fourth and final volume was completed. –Katherine Dacey
Lions, Tigers and Bears, Vols. 1-2 (By Mike Bullock; Image Comics)
This award-winning series features a quartet of stuffed animals who come to life to defend their owner, eight-year-old Joey Price. Known as "The Night Pride," Ares (a Siberian tiger), Venus (a Bengal tiger), Pallo (a lion), and Minerva (a black panther) are all that stands between Joey and the Beasties, a sinister race that plans to invade the human world via a portal in Joey’s closet. The attractive, computer-enhanced artwork, wisecracking characters, and brisk pacing owe a strong debt to animated series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender and Ben 10, making Lions, Tigers, and Bears a great choice for a tween who equates reading a book with doing his homework. –Katherine Dacey
Ninja Baseball Kyuma!, Vol. 1 (By Shunshin Maeda; UDON Entertainment)
Nothing says summer better than baseball! Kyuma is a ninja-in-training, waiting for the word that he is needed. Kaoru’s baseball team, the Moonstar City Club, needs a strong player. Kaoru goes up into the mountains and finds Kyuma, who mistakes Kaoru’s request to play baseball as the message he’s been waiting for. Kyuma joins the team, not knowing a thing about baseball, but he’s eager to learn. This series is filled with great characters and fun stories, and the combination of baseball and ninjas works surprisingly well. –Lori Henderson
Salt Water Taffy: The Seaside Adventures of Jack and Benny, Vols. 1-2 (By Matthew Loux; Oni Press)
Tweens will immediately identify with the Putnam brothers’ predicament: their parents have rented a house in the middle of nowhere instead of visiting Disney World for their summer vacation. Worse still, the house lacks modern conveniences such as a TV set or phone line. With nothing else to do, Jack and Benny begin exploring the sleepy town of Chowder Bay and discover — much to their delight — that Maine boasts more odd phenomena than Area 57. Each volume is self-contained, allowing kids to read them in any order. The first two volumes of the series, The Legend of Old Salty and A Climb Up Mt. Barnabas, are available now; the third, The Truth About Dr. True, will be released on July 29, 2009. –Katherine Dacey
Spiral-Bound (By Aaron Renier; Top Shelf)
Meet Turnip, a shy young elephant with an artistic bent. Together with his friends Stucky, a dog with engineering skills, and Ana, rabbit with a news for nose, Turnip investigates rumors of a Loch Ness monster living in the local pond. The folks at Booklist deemed Spiral-Bound "a sort of Babar meets underground comix," an apt metaphor for the book’s fusion of alt-comic artwork and kid-lit sensibilities. Whatever you choose to call it, Spiral-Bound works on several levels: as a mystery, as a comedy, and as a sweet, emotionally resonant coming-of-age story that will appeal to kids of all ages. –Katherine Dacey
Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade, Nos. 1-6 (By Landry Q. Walker and Eric Jones; DC Comics)
Looking at Supergirl and Wonder Woman in their current incarnations, it’s hard to remember that these characters were originally created as role models for young girls. Landry Walker and Eric Jones bring Supergirl back to her roots, transforming her from super-powered pin-up to cute, spunky eighth grader who’s just arrived on Earth. As befits a superhero comic, there’s plenty of action and excitement: evil faculty members and untrustworthy classmates prove nifty villains. The story’s main draw, however, is the script; Jones clearly remembers what it was like to be in junior high school, documenting Supergirl’s clumsy attempts to fit in with humor and honesty. –Katherine Dacey
Wonderland (By Tommy Kovac and Sonny Liew; Disney Press)
If you were the White Rabbit’s fastidious maid, you might well be a bit miffed for being associated with the renegade Alice the Monster. Join Mary Ann, the Rabbit’s housemaid, as her life is turned upside-down by entanglements with the Queen of Hearts, the Queen of Spades, and that infuriating Cheshire Cat. With a text to mirror Lewis Carroll’s brilliant original and art as vivid and lucious as any daydream, Wonderland makes a great escape. –Robin Brenner
Yotsuba&!, Vols. 1-5 (By Kiyohiko Azuma; ADV Manga/Yen Press)
Yotsuba&! explores the relationship between Koiwai, a young bachelor, and Yotsuba, the odd, green-haired tot he adopts. Yotsuba proves a handful, drawing a mustache on her dad’s face as he sleeps, inviting herself into her next door neighbor’s house whenever she’s bored, and asking questions about everything that piques her curiousity, often to the embarrassment of those around her. Though Yotsuba&! follows a time-honored sitcom formula, the series never feels tired or stale, thanks to the charming and realistic way in which Hiroyuki Azuma portrays his titular character; Yotsuba behaves like a curious, naive five-year-old, not a miniature adult. Most of the stories take place in the summertime, making Yotsuba&! perfect for the beach. –Katherine Dacey
TEENS (13 AND UP)
Black Metal, Vol. 1 (By Rick Spears and Chuck BB; Oni Press)
After years of living with a straight-laced foster family, twin rockers Shawn and Sam discover their true parentage while listening to a death metal album backwards. The two acquire a magic sword with a silly name, then set out, bandmates in tow, to conquer the underworld. This gleeful slacker comedy pokes fun at every cliche that Spinal Tap skewered back in 1984, but with a crucial difference: Black Metal’s true-believing rockers are portrayed as heroes, not fools. Given the subject matter, Black Metal won’t be right for every community, even though there’s nothing offensive about its underlying messages of being true to yourself, following your passions, and staying loyal to friends and family. –Katherine Dacey
Breaking Up: A Fashion High Graphic Novel (By Aimee Friedman and Christine Norrie; GRAPHIX)
I feel like the young adult reader looking for something non-manga is very underserved. Breaking Up was published a couple of years ago and really fell under the radar. Fortunately, it’s a great book that deserves more attention. Aimee Friedman’s script captures the details of teenage life and Christine Norrie’s artwork is clean and distinct. All the main YA novel themes are explored here — friendships, boyfriends, break-ups, rivalry, fashion — and while on the surface may seem like more of the same, it’s the nuances that really make this book stand out. – Scott Robins
Dragonball, Vols. 1-16 (By Akira Toriyama; VIZ Media)
Forget the travesty that was Dragonball Evolution! Read the original series with all the great fun and adventure that made it so popular on both sides of the Pacific. Goku is a young boy living in the mountains. A girl named Bulma finds him and tells him about the Dragonballs. There are seven, and once all are collected, they can be used to call the dragon Sheng Lon and be granted one wish. Bulma wants to find them, and Goku happens to have one, a memento passed on from his grandfather. Goku agrees to let Bulma borrow the Dragon Ball, but he will join her on her quest to keep an eye on it. Thus begins Goku’s adventures as he meets new people, sees new places, and fights all kinds of foes. The first sixteen volumes which make up the original Dragonball saga are the best, as the story is just as much about Goku growing and learning as it is about fighting. It’s also now available in the convenient VIZBIG editions which compile three volumes in one. – Lori Henderson
Johnny Hiro (By Fred Chao; AdHouse Books)
Johnny Hiro is a goofy, fast-paced series that riffs on superhero comics, monster movies, and C-list martial arts films, to good effect. Its principle character, described on the dust jacket as "half-Asian, all hero," is a twenty-something everyman who finds himself tangling with giant lizards, giant lobsters, and a band of ronin on the loose in Manhattan. Though no one will confuse this cheeky, action-comedy with American Born Chinese, Fred Chao’s smart script also challenges Asian — and Asian-American — stereotypes. –Katherine Dacey
Jyu-Oh-Sei, Vols. 1-3 (By Natsuki Itsuki; Tokyopop)
Set in a remote solar system, Jyu-Oh-Sei follows the adventures of Thor, a privileged teen who’s exiled to a penal colony after his parents are assassinated. Thor discovers that the colony’s residents have formed their own society, with several tribes competing for the planet’s meager resources. His only ticket off Kimaera: to become The Beast King, Kimaera’s supreme tribal overlord and liaison with the Vulcan government. Jyu-Oh-Sei grapples with many heady issues — gender roles, wealth disparity, genetic engineering, racism — but does so in the manner of a B-movie, making the man-eating plants and hand-to-hand combat the star attractions. Granted, there’s no shortage of good, dystopian sci-fi aimed at teen readers, but Jyu-Oh-Sei wins points for its fast pacing, memorable characters, and richly imagined universe. All three volumes are available now. –Katherine Dacey
Kitchen Princess, Vols. 1-9 (Art by Natsumi, Story by Miyuki Kobayashi; Del Rey)
This is was one of the popular new series I added to my library this year. The story centers around a young orphan girl named Najika who has a special talent for cooking and is accepted into the prestigious Seika Academy for Cooking. While the other girls aren’t quite her friends, Najika has two brothers who do dote on her. In addition, Najika is searching for a mystery boy that saved her when she fell on her first day of school. Most of the reviews feel that this is cliched. But my girls didn’t mind! — Esther Keller
The Manga Cookbook (By Chihiro Hattori; Japanime Co., Ltd.)
One of the summer activities I advocate with parents is to cook with their children. Following a recipe is a great way to build both reading and math skills and can help avoid the summer slide educators are always talking about. So why not incorporate manga and cooking? Some of the recipes included are very basic, others more complicated. But the real fun in this book is the insight to Japanese culture. –Esther Keller
Maximum Ride, Vol. 1: The Angel Experiment (By James Patterson, Adapted by NaRae Lee; Yen Press)
Six genetically altered children, who are half-human, half-bird, escape from the facility that messed with their original DNA. But after living in relative peace for almost two years, they’re found and the youngest of their flock, Angel, is kidnapped and brought back to "the School." The rest, led by Max, are determined to rescue her. This is a graphic adaptation of James Patterson’s young adult series Maximum Ride. One of the neat things about this is that some of the kids who borrowed this from my library this year were so eager to see what happens next that they continued on with the novels. I thought this was a strong graphic novel and stood on its own, not just a graphic adaptation. –Esther Keller
The Middle Man: The Collected Series Indispensability (By Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine; Viper Comics)
The Middle Man handles anything, from crazed Mexican wrestlers to genetically engineered super-apes, with wit and skills all his own, and the unflappable art-student Wendy Watson has just become the next Middle Man in training. Can she handle the weirdness? The screwball appeal of the sci-fi/comedy/action series is hard to explain, but the sharp banter, energetic black and white art and rapid-fire pop culture references make it a great series to while away the summer hours reading. –Robin Brenner
Moomin: The Complete Tove Jansson Comic Strips, Vols. 1-4 (By Tove Jansson; Drawn & Quarterly)
Fans of Tove Jansson’s Moominland books will be delighted to learn that these cute, rotund creatures enjoyed great popularity in comic strip form as well, appearing in newspapers around the world in the 1960s. Like the Moominland books, the comic strips feature the Moomin family and their eccentric neighbors–Mymble, Snorkmaiden, and Mr. Brisk–in short, whimsical stories exploring all manner of human folly: greed, pride, lack of foresight. Drawn & Quarterly has done a meticulous job of collecting and reprinting all the Moomin strips in a beautiful, oversized format that showcases Jansson’s charming pen-and-ink illustrations to great effect. –Katherine Dacey
Papillon, Vols. 1-3 (By Miwa Ueda; Del Rey)
Twins Ageha and Hana are raised apart, one by her grandmother and the other her parents. Now living together and in high school, the two sisters could not be more different. While Ageha is trying to hide out, away from her sister’s ever-present shadow, her guidance counselor urges her to follow her heart. To save face, Ageha pretends that the object of her affection, Ryuusei, is already her boyfriend. By far the most popular title this year with the girls, I actually told one of my students that if she asked me when volume two was coming out one more time, I’d consider banning her from the library! (Ok, I didn’t say it, I just thought it!) –Esther Keller
What’s Michael?, Vols. 1-11 (By Makoto Kobayashi; Dark Horse)
For teens who have outgrown Garfield but not their love of comic strips, Makoto Kobayashi’s What’s Michael? is a must-read. Each volume features gag strips about Michael, a tabby cat with overbearing owners, as well as hilarous parodies of Dracula, The Fugitive, Gone with the Wind, and Planet of the Apes, the last retold at length with cats standing in for gorillas and chimps. The series is out of print, but the later volumes are still available through Amazon and other online retailers. –Katherine Dacey
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Nos. 1-7 (By Eric Shanower and Skottie Young; Marvel Comics)
Marvel Comics has given dozens of literary classics the comic book treatment, from Pride and Prejudice to Treasure Island. Their latest, an eight-issue adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s novel, is one of Marvel’s best to date, thanks to Skottie Young’s beautiful artwork and Eric Shanower’s solid script. Teens familiar with the MGM movie may be surprised to discover that Baum’s work is darker and weirder than its famous big-screen adaptation might have led them to believe. The first seven issues are available now. –Katherine Dacey
This is an awesome list!
Hi Katherine-
Perhaps The Obama Story from DasanBooks 9780981954202 might make it next year? Or My Mommy 978-84-96427-85-3 from Ponent Mon? Both are great titles and kid-friendly!
Brittany: Thanks for the suggestions! I haven’t read the Obama Story, but I have read My Mommy Is In America, and share your high opinion of it. We were trying to keep things on the light side with our summer list, but Mommy would certainly be a great choice for certain kids (especially those who are already inclined to read without prompting).
How about adding Ellie McDoodle to the list? It’s different — it’s not superheroes, vampires or manga, but it’s kid-friendly, fun, and definitely comics.
It’s always great to see authors and illustrators are reading our blog, so thanks for your suggestion, Ruth! And for readers curious about the Ellie McDoodle books, they’re published by Bloomsbury USA.
I was surprised to see that David Petersen’s Mouseguard was not on this list. It’s a fabulous comic about a medieval mouse society struggling to survive against nature and the elements. Check it out:
http://www.mouseguard.net/
Thanks for the great suggestion, Eric! Sabrina Fritz actually interviewed David Peterson on our behalf, so I’m surprised no one mentioned it, especially since the first series is now available in TPB format.
katherine, under the heading ‘blowing ones own horn,’ i’d like you to take a look at our new graphic novel: road to revolution’, published next month by bloomsbury childrens books. while it takes place during the american revolution, we separated much of the history into a prologue and epilogue just so we could achieve what you describe, a recreational and fun read.
Thanks for the suggestion, Stan — we will keep out eyes out for “Road to Revolution.”
Could Good Comics for Kids post a list of graphic novels for kids (teen and especially younger) that have ethnic diversity in characters including African American? Luke on the Loose is a new one, but what others are there besides Days Like This (Oni)? A longer list would be welcome.
Martha, that’s a great suggestion! I will ask the librarians for some help in assembling such a list.
I really appreciated this list. I’ve been wanting something just like it! I was happy you included Tiny Titans– my girls love that one (I do as well!). However, I do want to add that Wonder Girl and Kid Flash are NOT the same characters as Wonder Woman and The Flash (totally seperate characters in the world of DC Comics). (I didn’t know if you wanted that info or not.) Thanks again!
p.s. I linked this article on Facebook, and I’ve been suggesting this list to friends.
Rachel: I didn’t know that Wonder Girl and Kid Flash even existed, so I simply assumed that the Tiny Titans wearing those iconic costumes were pint-sized versions of the more famous adult superheroes. I’ll correct the post this weekend. Thanks for the schooling, and for spreading the word about our list! –Kate
Thanks for this list. Have you considered including any of the titles from Campfire – http://www.campfire.co.in – in it? I can send out sample copies if you’re interested.
Please feel free to contact me on andrew@campfire.co.in
Is there a way to get a crash course in graphic novels & manga? I loved comics as a kid, and soon I’ll be attending a workshop, and need to hone my knowledge in these areas — Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi DK! The way I gained my knowledge of manga and graphic novels was by reading as much as I could. Check your local libraries to see what they have to offer, both actual comic books and manga and books on comics. If you want a crash course, I recommend “Manga: 60 Years of Japanese Comics” by Paul Gravett, for some manga background, and anything and everything by Scott McCloud.
Awersome
I found these sweet graphic novel books for the emergent reader – Ooka Island Books. http://www.ookaisland.com. They are leveled books that have the same kids run through all their books. Fun! Fun!
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