Not a big reader or just prefer books with images? Graphic novels are a great way to read and the ones here not only deal with friendships and bullying but figuring out how they make you feel and how to talk about these emotions.
Clash (2022)
By Kayla Miller
Genre: Contemporary Realism
Themes: Fitting in, Bullying, Respecting others, Inclusion, Friendship
Format: Print
What do you do when you meet someone and you just… clash? Whether it’s because you have different interests or hobbies, the two of you just don’t seem to get on. When new girl Natasha joins Olive’s class, Olive jumps at the chance to befriend her and Natasha quickly starts making friends with lots of Olive’s friends… except just not Olive. Soon it’s not just that she doesn’t want to hang out with Olive, she starts actively being mean to her. Clash teaches an important lesson on respect, understanding other people’s perspectives and feelings, and that sometimes you are going to meet people who don’t like you or don’t want to be your friend and that’s ok.
Bibliographic Details:
Miller, K. (2022). Clash [Print]. Walker Books Australia.
Your Letter (2019)
By Hyeon A Cho
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Adventure
Themes: Bullying, Loneliness, Gossip, Friendship
Format: Digital Manhwa (Korean comic)
Having been bullied, Sori transfers schools, but soon realizes that her problems have followed her. About to give up, she discovers a letter taped under her desk. Following the letter’s clues, she’s taken on a scavenger hunt around the school and a quest to discover who is leaving the letters and why. She discovers secret locations, meets interesting and caring people, begins to trust in the goodness in people, forms new friendships, and even begins to believe in herself again. With simple dialogue and powerful imagery balanced between incredibly sad and incredibly funny, Cho explores the emotional aftereffects of bullying and how simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference.
Bibliographic Details:
Cho, H. A. (2019, February 27 – April 24). Your Letter [Webtoon series]. Webtoon. https://www.webtoons.com/en/drama/your-letter/list?title_no=1540
Guts (2019)
By Raina Telgemeier
Genre: Memoir/Biography
Themes: Anxiety, Understanding and talking about emotions, Friendship, Accepting others, Sharing
Format: Print
It’s the start of a new year and Raina’s got a terrible stomach ache. Food, school, Michelle picking on her, and Raina’s best friend Jane becoming friends with Michelle are all making it worse. Raina learns that everyone has secret worries that affect them in different ways. Telgemeier provides a look into the life of a typical middle schooler and advice on managing anxiety. The uses of visuals over words works well to reflect and express how Raina feels when she does not know the words, this not only allows you to better understand how she feels but guides you on how to identify your own emotions and how you might feel in these types of situations too.
Bibliographic Details:
Telgemeier, R. (2019). Guts [Print]. Scholastic.
The Sad Ghost Club (2021)
By Lize Meddings
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Themes: Social anxiety, Loneliness, Isolation, Mental health, Friendship, Accepting others
Format: Print
A book for anyone that’s every felt sad, alone and that they don’t belong. About to leave a party, Sam sees another ghost, someone just as uncomfortable and lonely at the party as him, and in Socks he finds the much-needed comfort of being understood. Together they decide help others like them, and soon find that they’re not as alone as they thought they were. A simple story that focuses more on emotion than plot, and is told through simple black and white illustrations to visually explore feelings of being invisible, loneliness, isolation and negative self-thoughts and doubts.
Bibliographic Details:
Meddings, L. (2021). The Sad Ghost Club [Print]. Hodder Children’s Books.
Image Sources:
Miller, K., & Miller, A. (2022). Clash (Cover Illustration & Design). In K. Miller, Clash (Book Cover). Walker Books Australia. https://www.booktopia.com.au/covers/big/9781760655174/2410/clash.jpg
Cho, H. A. (2019). Your Letter (Cover Illustration). In H. A. Cho, Your Letter (Korean Edition Book Cover). https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1645041507i/60431189.jpg
Telgemeier, R., & Falco, P. (2019). Guts (Cover Illustration & Design). In R. Telgemeier, Guts (Book Cover). Scholastic. https://embed.cdn.pais.scholastic.com/v1/channels/sso/products/identifiers/isbn/9780545852500/primary/renditions/700
Meddings, L. (2021). The Sad Ghost Club (Cover Illustration & Design). In L. Meddings, The Sad Ghost Club (Book Cover). Hodder Children’s Books. https://hachette.imgix.net/books/9781444957358.jpg?auto=compress&w=440
