11 New 2020 Graphic Novels for Readers Ages 6 to 12

Do your kids love reading graphic novels? So many kids do! And the options for quality reading just keep getting better and better.

You’ll notice that on today’s list of new books, there are five biographies or memoirs which might expand your reader’s horizons into a different kind of reading.

New 2020 Graphic Novels for Readers 6 to 12

Owly: The Way Home by Andy Runton
BEGINNING GRAPHIC NOVEL / FRIENDSHIP
It’s hard for a predator like Owly to make friends. But when he saves a worm from a rainstorm and helps him find his home, he makes a friend for life. Not to mention, his kindness and gentle spirit make him even more new friends than he could have imagined. Readers who like graphic novels, as well as sweet, relatable stories, will enjoy this charming book for beginning readers.

Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland
HISTORICAL MEMOIR
Excellent! In this historical memoir, Cynthia Copeland shares about the time in her life when she got to be a “cub” reporter, when middle school was composed of predators and prey (she was prey), and when she discovered her own strength. While mentor reporter helps Cynthia become interested in local and national politics and events like equal rights for women and Watergate, we also see Cynthia going “steady” with a boy and making new friends when her best friend dumped her. Wise, relatable, and thoroughly enjoyable to read, I loved this life snapshot of a girl coming into her own. (*Sensitive readers, this book includes the word cr*p.)

The Boy Who Became a Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story by Jim Di Bartolo
BIOGRAPHY
You don’t have to love martial arts to enjoy this engaging biography about the martial artist and movie star legend Bruce Lee. From his birth in San Francisco to life in Hong Kong during and after the Japanese occupation, then his move back to the U.S., you’ll meet a troubled kid who gets into lots of trouble yet even as a child, manages to work as an actor like his father. He experiences racism for having mixed-race heritage and a dad who worked for the hated Japanese so Bruce leaves his home in Hong Kong for the U.S.. There, he’s a more settled man who opens up several martial artist studios, falls in love, and becomes a movie star. Lee’s life is fascinating and the author does a great job with all the historical references.

DC Super Hero Girls: Powerless by Amy Wofram, illustrated by Agnes Garbowska
SUPER HEROES
The electric grid and computer cloud go out which is a huge change for our super hero girls who aren’t used life without technology. But it becomes a good learning experience with lessons of teamwork, friendship, and family. Of course, the girls also find the culprit and restore power to Metropolis.
See more 2020 DC graphic novels here.

I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 (Graphic Novel) by Lauren Tarshis, Georgina Ball, illustrated by Haus Studio
GRAPHIC NOVEL / HISTORICAL FICTION
Retold in a graphic novel format, this tells the story of a boy on the Titanic who is traveling with his mom and sister to reunite with his father in the United States. If you have a reader who prefers graphic novels, give this historical fiction book a try. Personally, although I love graphic novels usually, I prefer the narrative version because it hooked me into the action and tension of the story better.

Catherine’s War by Julia Billet, illustrated by Claire Fauvel
HISTORICAL MEMOIR

When World War II comes to France, Rachel, a Jewish girl, must change her name and go into hiding. She moves frequently to avoid Germans but one thing stays the same, her love for photography. Using her camera, she documents the war from her perspective. Based on the author’s mother’s life, this is a beautiful story of WWII that focuses on growing up, the kindness of strangers, and art.

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks
BIOGRAPHY

What a fascinating, informative look at the difficult road that women faced in their journey to become astronauts! Despite facing misogynistic attitudes, American women persisted in their quest to become astronauts. Meanwhile, the Russians started a female space program and launched a woman astronaut long before the U.S. did. Eventually the U.S. caught up and you’ll be inspired by reading the stories of these fascinating trailblazers, American and Russian.

Major Impossible by Nathan Hale
BIOGRAPHY
After the Civil War, Major John Wesley Powell sets off on a perilous expedition through the Grand Canyon. The story begins with his life as a child and it 100% action and dialogue. Many kids, especially boys who love history, devour the Nathan Hale books which are filled with adventure, sarcasm, and history. I’m not personally a fan of the writing style or the illustrations but can see how these appeal to may readers. Another recent book in this series is Alamo All Stars, perfect for Texan readers.

Bluebeard by Metaphrog
FAIRY TALE
Beginning in a small village shadowed by Bluebeard’s castle, this is a richly illustrated retelling of a classic, macabre fairy tale by Charles Perrault. When Bluebeard invites the starving villagers to his country home, he takes Eve as his wife and imprisons her with magic. The authors skillfully build suspense with every page which is realized when Eve discovers a terrifying secret room filled with Bluebeard’s dead previous wives and buckets of blood. With the help of her sister and her childhood love, Tom, Eve defeats Bluebird at long last.