Tag Archives: Autobiographical Comics

YA – Visitations

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Egbert, Corey. Visitations. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024. 978-1-516-09939-9. 329 p. $25.99. Grades 8-12.

Corey is a young boy whose world is turned upside down following his parents’ divorce. Corey and his sister Sarah can only see their father during visitations, and before they leave for these visits, his mother instructs Corey to protect Sarah from their father. Initially comforted by his mother’s care and concern, Corey becomes increasingly alarmed by her deepening paranoia and delusions. She claims that God has chosen Corey to protect his sister and accuses their father of touching Sarah inappropriately when she was a toddler. His sister, however, has no memory of this happening, and their father denies it as well. One day, Corey’s mother has a vision from God. Fueled by this vision, she takes Corey and his sister into the Nevada desert for a month where they face homelessness, minimal food, and the looming threat of capture. Late one night, while his mother and sister are asleep in the car, Corey wanders out into a gas station parking lot. He encounters a flickering ghostly figure who challenges him to see beyond his mother’s distorted reality. This shape-shifter forces him to question whether his faith aligns with his mother’s beliefs or if he perhaps sees God in a different way. As authorities close in on the runaway family, Corey tries to look past his difficult family dynamics to better understand himself and come to terms with his own beliefs, even if they might be different from his mother’s.

THOUGHTS: In this autobiographical graphic novel, the author reflects on his experiences with his mother’s mental illness and how religion influenced his obedience to her whims. It is a poignant and thought-provoking book that offers a powerful look at mental illness, self-discovery, and the pursuit of faith amidst chaos. While this book addresses sensitive topics that may require a trigger warning, the author handles them with care, making the graphic novel a valuable addition to any young adult library collection.

Autobiographical Graphic Novel

MG – Weirdo

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Weaver Jr., Tony.Weirdo. Illustrated by Jess Wibowo and Cin Wibowo. First Second, 2024, 978-1-250-77287-9. $14.99. 320 p. Grades 4-8

Tony Weaver, Jr. loves all things “nerdy”: comic books, anime, superheroes. But when he starts a new school and his classmates all call him a weirdo and bully him for his interests, he internally struggles with feeling like an outcast and not being accepted by his peers. After some racially charged incidents, his parents move him to a new school, and he works on accepting himself, finding his people, and pushing through the hardships of adolescence.

THOUGHTS: This graphic memoir was phenomenal. So many students will be able to connect and see themselves in Tony’s story. Many students, especially at the middle level, struggle with accepting who they are and feeling as though they do not fit in. This book really shows how it’s okay to not fit in. Actually, it’s awesome not to fit in but instead to stand out and be proud of who you are!

Graphic Memoir
Graphic Novel

As the new kid at school, eleven-year-old Tony struggles to find friends who share his passion for video games, comics, and superheroes. He faces constant bullying from his peers and even suspicions of cheating from his teachers. His challenges are compounded by the grief of losing his grandmother. After a suicide attempt, his parents realize Tony needs help. He transfers to a new school where he finds a supportive group of “weirdos” in the literature club who appreciate him for who he truly is. Tony also starts seeing a therapist who helps him understand that if he wants others to be there for him, he has to be there for others, too. As the literature club starts to pick up momentum, Tony and his new friends become their own group of superheroes, each with a power that is unique to them. Ida can turn anything into a news story. James has encyclopedic knowledge of history. Cornelius has superior acting skills. Tony doesn’t exactly know what his superpower is yet. But when the principal announces their school will be closed at the end of the year due to lack of funds, the literature club of superheroes must put their special skills to the test to save their school.

THOUGHTS: Author Tony Weaver’s autobiographical graphic novel deftly balances darker moments with hopeful ones, ultimately delivering a powerful message about the importance of seeking help, finding community, and embracing individuality. The topic of suicide is handled gently and appropriately given the age of the audience its meant for. Vibrant illustrations by Jes and Cin Wibowo enhance the story, effectively conveying Tony’s journey from isolation to self-discovery​. Fans of Jerry Craft and Rex Ogle will enjoy this book.

Autobiography
Graphic Nonfiction
Graphic Novel

YA- Out of Left Field

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Newman, Jonah. Out of Left Field. 2024, 978-1-523-488482-6. $16.99. 295 p. Grades 9-12

Jonah is a ninth grader who loves history and nerdy things like different fantasy worlds. While Jonah is not much of an athlete, he decides he wants to sign up to be on the baseball team. But as a closeted teen who is trying to figure out where on the LGBTQ spectrum he falls, it causes Jonah quite a bit of angst and tension. The novel follows Jonah through his high school years as he learns who he is both on and off the field.

THOUGHTS: This was absolutely fantastic. As a reader, getting to experience Jonah’s feelings and see his journey was really eye-opening. Since the book is based on his experience, it reads very authentic and would be a good addition to high school libraries. There is some strong language throughout the book.

Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction 

Newman, Jonah. Out of Left Field. Andrew McMeel Publishing, 2024. 978-1-524-88484-0. 295 p. $21.99. Grades 10-12.

Jonah is a ninth-grader who describes himself as a history-loving, geeky movie fan with little athletic skill, so it is a huge surprise to everyone (including himself) when he joins the high school baseball team. Although his participation on the team is motivated partly by his crush on Elliot, the team’s charming shortstop, Jonah finds his place on the team. Due to summer lessons with his baseball coach, Jonah becomes a pretty good baseball player at the start of his tenth grade year. His teammates regularly use the phrase “that’s gay” as the ultimate insult, so Jonah keeps his sexual identity private aside from his best friend. The plot follows the next two baseball seasons until Jonah’s senior year as Jonah transforms from quiet loner to baseball star. Despite this, he never really feels like he fits in anywhere. As he approaches graduation, Jonah continues to face challenges on and off the field, from societal expectations to shifting friendships and the complexities of a first love. Along the way, he discovers what truly matters in his life and embraces his identity as a gay teenager. 

THOUGHTS: Out of Left Field is a semi-autobiographical LGBTQ+ graphic novel that centers on the author’s courage to be authentic. Librarians should be aware that there are some mature scenes and strong language. However, the book’s message holds greater significance than its provocative details. Newman’s graphic novel conveys the importance of identity, resilience, and self-acceptance, making it a meaningful addition to high school library collections.

Graphic Novel
Autobiographical Graphic Novel

MG – Mexikid

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Martín, Pedro. Mexikid. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-593-46228-7. 309 p. $24.99. Grades 5-8.

In this graphic memoir, a Mexican-American family goes on an adventure-filled road trip to Mexico to bring their Abuelito to live in California. Martín identifies himself as a Mexikid–Martín’s term for himself as first-generation American child of Mexican immigrants with “one heart belonging to both sides.” Mexikid takes place in the late 1970s, and is filled with nostalgic family memories: the Winnebago, a brother’s cassette recorder, and shows like Happy Days. Martín is one of nine children. The sibling interactions and intergenerational interactions are the heart (and the humor!) of this tale. Along the way, the siblings meet many of Abuelito’s friends and extended family members. By the end, Martín grows a great deal from this experience, and Abuelito settles into California life with the family.

THOUGHTS: I couldn’t stop laughing out loud while reading this book—particularly the first half. This memoir has a great mix of humor and heart. Mexikid is a wonderful window into the realistic dynamics of a family. Pieces of the memoir’s second half are incredibly sad (at one point, the family must recover and move their Abuelita’s grave to save it from being washed away). By the time I got to the growing pains and the stories of this second half, I had become so close to this story’s subjects, I felt like they were extended family. I won’t spoil ‘the deer story’ for you. Middle school students will love Martín’s humor. A few readers may struggle with the Spanish language included in the book, but it is just one of the many things that makes this story authentic (and of course, a window for readers not from this similar heritage). This story highlights culture while also underscoring the universality of families. Highly recommended for all middle school graphic format collections: Martín’s story belongs right alongside recent award-winning graphic memoirs like When Stars Are Scattered and A First Time for Everything.

Graphic Novel
Graphic Memoir

YA – Numb to This: Memoir of a Mass Shooting

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Neely, Kindra. Numb to This: Memoir of a Mass Shooting. Little, Brown and Company, 2022. 978-0-316-46208-2. 304 p. $24.99. Grades 8-12.

The impact of a mass shooting continues long after the crime scene has been restored and the headlines pivot to a new story. Kindra Neely learned this firsthand after she survived a mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, which left ten people dead and as many injured. (Ironically, Kindra’s mother had relocated them to Oregon in part to escape the gun culture/violence in their small Texas town.) After graduating from UCC, Kindra attempted suicide when her feelings of pointlessness and numbness overwhelmed her. She kept this attempt secret for years. Later, after matriculating at Georgia’s Savannah College of Art and Design, she continued to suffer from racing thoughts and panic attacks as a result of the trauma she had experienced. Ongoing news alerts to other mass shootings re-traumatized her time and again. Eventually, she began to heal and found a way to use her artwork to share her story. The end result is this lovely, introspective graphic memoir in which Kindra bravely shares her survivor’s journey. The color palette is generally cued to Kindra’s emotions; in particular, depictions of her panic attacks are visceral and vivid. She includes moments of despair, anger, hope, and gratitude. She also includes resources for gun violence survivors and suicide prevention. 

THOUGHTS: This graphic memoir deserves a spot in every library for teens. As mass shootings continue, sadly the need for survivors to voice their stories will, too.

Graphic Novel          Amy V. Pickett, Ridley SD