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.
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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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