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Summer Reading: Part 3: 30 Nonfiction Graphic Novels

The rise in the popularity of graphic novels includes fiction and nonfiction titles. The third and last part of our summer reading list features historical texts, biographies, and memoirs. Combining words and art, graphic novels are compelling reads for young people and engaging lessons for educators. Choose from 30 great and exciting titles for chapter, middle-grade, and young adult readers. 

See Part 1: 35 Chapter & Middle-Grade Graphic Novels and Part 2: 15 YA Graphic Novels for fiction books and new releases for non-graphic titles.

BCBA is an Amazon and Bookshop Affiliate. Clicking on the book links will direct you away from this site, and BCBA may earn a small percentage on purchases.



1. In Disguise on the Underground Railroad: A Graphic Novel Biography of Anna Maria Weems

Myra Faye Turner | Markia Jenai | Capstone Press | January 1, 2024 | Chp Bk | Amazon | Bookshop


2. The Great Explorer of Mammoth Cave: A Graphic Novel Biography of Stephen Bishop

Shawn Pryor | Alessandro Valdrighi | Capstone Press | January 1, 2024 | Chp Bk | Amazon | Bookshop


3. Jackie Robinson Takes the Field

Elliott Smith | Charles Stewart III | Capstone | August 1, 2023 | Chp Bk | Amazon | Bookshop


4. The Courageous Six Triple Eight: The All-Black Female Battalion of World War II

Dr. Artika R. Tyner | Cynthia Paul | Capstone | August 1, 2022 | Chp Bk | Amazon | Bookshop


5. It’s Her Story: Shirley Chisholm

Patrice Aggs | Markia Jenai | Sunbird Books | February 14, 2022 | Chp Bk | Amazon | Bookshop



6. History Comics: Hip-Hop: The Beat of America

Jarrett Williams | Random House Graphic/First Second | January 2, 2024 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


7. History Comics: Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Heroes graphic

Tracey Baptiste | Shauna J. Grant | First Second | January 3, 2023 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


8. Who Is the Man in the Air?: Michael Jordan

Gabe Soria | Who HQ | Brittney Williams | Penguin Workshop | November 1, 2022 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


9. Best Shot in the West: The Thrilling Adventures of Nat Love―the Legendary Black Cowboy!

Frederick L. McKissack Jr. | Patricia C. McKissack | Randy DuBurke | Chronicle Books | August 23, 2022 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


10. Who Was the Greatest?: Muhammad Ali

Gabe Soria | Who HQ | Chris Brunner | Rico Renzi  | Penguin Workshop | May 31, 2022 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop



11. Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?: Rosa Parks

Insha Fitzpatrick | Who HQ | Abelle Hayford | Penguin Workshop | October 12, 2021 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


12. It’s Her Story: Ida B. Wells

Anastasia Magloire Williams | Alleanna Harris | Sunbird Books | November 15, 2021 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


13. Harriet Tubman: Toward Freedom

Whit Taylor | Kazimir LeeLittle | Brown BYR | June 15, 2021 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


14. Black Heroes of the Wild West

James Otis Smith | TOON Books | September 15, 2020 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop


15. Claudette Colvin Refuses to Move

Ebony Joy Wilkins | Mark Simmons | Capstone Press | August 1, 2020 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop



16. Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America

Ibram X. Kendi | Joel Christian Gill | Ten Speed Graphic | June 6, 2023 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


17. Colin Kaepernick: Change the Game

Colin Kaepernick | Eve L. Ewing | Orlando Caicedo | Graphix | March 7, 2023 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


18. Maybe An Artist

Liz Montague | Random House Studio | October 18, 2022 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


19. Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice 

Tommie Smith | Derrick Barnes | Dawud Anyabwile | Norton | September 27, 2022 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


20. Robert Smalls (From the Tales of the Talented Tenth Series, Vol. 3)

Joel Christian Gill | Chicago Review Press-Fulcrum | May 3, 2021 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop



21. The Black Panther Party: A Graphic History

David Walker | Marcus Kwame Anderson | Ten Speed Press | January 19, 2021  | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


22. Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights

Mikki Kendall | A. D’Amico | Ten Speed Press | November 5, 2019 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


23. Fights: One Boy’s Triumph Over Violence

Joel Christian Gill | Oni Press | January 21, 2020 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


24. Strange Fruit: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History (Volume II)

Joel Christian Gill | Chicago Review Press-Fulcrum | February 1, 2018 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


25. Bessie Stringfield: Tales of the Talented Tenth (v. 2)

Joel Christian Gill | Chicago Review Press-Fulcrum | October 1, 2016 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop



26. March: Book Three

John Lewis | Andrew Aydin | Nate Powell | Top Shelf | August 2, 2016 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


27. March: Book Two

John Lewis | Andrew Aydin | Nate Powell | Top Shelf | January 20, 2015 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


28. Strange Fruit: Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History (Volume 1)

Joel Christian Gill | Chicago Review Press-Fulcrum | May 1, 2014 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


29. March: Book One

John Lewis | Andrew Aydin | Nate Powell | Top Shelf | August 13, 2013 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


30. Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty

G. Neri | Randy Duburke | Lee & Low Books | July 30, 2010 | YA | Amazon | Bookshop


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