New Release: MALL GOTH

MALL GOTH by Kate Leth (S&S Young Readers, Sept 2023)

Liv Holme is not exactly thrilled to be moving to a new town with her mother. After all, high school can be brutal, even more so when you’re a fifteen-year-old, bisexual goth. But Liv is determined to be who she is, bullies or not. Still, being the new kid and the only out student brings her a lot of unwelcome attention, and Liv flounders in her search for community. The only person who makes time for her is one of teachers, but Liv isn’t sure how to feel about the way he behaves toward her.

Thankfully, she’s found the perfect escape: the mall. Under its fluorescent lights, Liv feels far away from her parents’ strained marriage and the peers who don’t understand her. Amid the bright storefronts, food court smell, and anonymous shoppers, Liv is safely one of the crowd and can enjoy the feeling of calling the shots in her own life for once.

With the help of her suburban refuge, Liv sets off on a journey of self-acceptance and learns to navigate the ups and downs of high school and to recognize true friendship.

Select praise for MALL GOTH:

• Kirkus review: “Liv’s emotional struggles, vividly shown in the expressive art, will feel relatable to many readers… a thoughtful, relationship-driven story.”

New Release: DUNGEON CLUB: ROLL CALL

D&D: DUNGEON CLUB: ROLL CALL by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma
(HarperAlley, Nov 2022)

Middle school is a dungeon… At least, that’s how Jess sees it.

Luckily, she and her best friend Olivia know how to escape into the sprawling worlds of their own imaginations. The two friends have always loved making up stories, first with little kid games of make-believe, and more recently with the fantasy roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons. When they play, Olivia runs the game as Dungeon Master and Jess is the solo party member, playing a take-no-prisoners, lone-wolf fighter of her own design named Sir Corius.

But when Olivia wants to add new players to their group, Jess finds herself struggling to share their game—and her best friend. Will their epic campaign withstand all this change, or has their adventure—and their friendship—finally come to an end?

Select praise for DUNGEON CLUB: ROLL CALL:

• “What Molly Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma pull off in Dungeon Club is nothing short of astounding… this book will be a treasured artifact for years and years to come!”
  — Brennan Lee Mulligan, creator of Dimension 20

• “An absolutely wonderful story that exemplifies the joys, challenges, and lifelong memories forged between friends in the creative furnace of roleplaying games... I absolutely loved it.” — Matthew Mercer, creator of Critical Role

• “A thrilling and gorgeous adventure that goes straight for your heart.” — ND Stevenson, NYT-bestselling author of Nimona

New Release: OTHER EVER AFTERS

OTHER EVER AFTERS by Melanie Gillman (RH Graphic, Sept 2022)

Once upon a time . . . happily ever after turned out differently than expected.

In this new, feminist, queer fairy-tale collection, you’ll find the princesses, mermaids, knights, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories taking center stage. A gorgeous all-new collection in graphic novel format from a Stonewall Honor-winning author and artist.

What if the giant who abducted you was actually thoughtful and kind? What if you didn’t want to marry your handsome, popular, but cold-inside suitor? What if your one true love has all the responsibilities that come with running a kingdom? Award-winning author Melanie Gillman’s phenomenal colored-pencil art creates another "ever after" for the characters who are most worthy of it.

Select praise for OTHER EVER AFTERS:

• Booklist review: “A work of fresh twists and many queer happily-ever-afters for all lovers of fairy tales.”

• Kirkus review: “Fresh and exciting; sure to delight and surprise.”

• The Bulletin review: “These inspiring, brief stories will especially resonate with readers who have always felt underrepresented or absent entirely in fairy tales, romance novels, or even their own lives.”

New Release: SLIP

SLIP by Marika McCoola and Aatmaja Pandya
(Algonquin Young Readers, June 2022)

From Eisner-Award nominated writer Marika McCoola and debut artist Aatmaja Pandya, an emotional coming-of-age graphic novel for fans of Bloom and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me.

Right before Jade is about to leave for a summer art intensive, her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide. How is Jade supposed to focus on herself right now?

But at the Art Farm, Jade has artistic opportunities she’s been waiting for her whole life. And as she gets to know her classmates, she begins to fall for whimsical, upbeat, comfortable-in-her-own-skin Mary. Jade pours herself into making ceramic monsters that vent her stress and insecurities, but when she puts her creatures in the kiln, something unreal happens: they come to life. And they’re taking a stand: if Jade won’t confront her problems, her problems are going to confront her, including the scariest of them all—if Jade grows, prospers, and even falls in love this summer, is she leaving Phoebe behind?

Select praise for SLIP:

• Kirkus review: “A fierce, transformative graphic novel about art and relationships.”

• School Library Journal review: “This graphic novel successfully brings the story to life via symbolism and figurative language coupled with deeply developed characters…With themes ranging from mental health to self-discovery, this ­art-infused text will entice graphic novel fans and art students and leave them wanting another installment of Jade’s ­story.”

New Release: ACROSS A FIELD OF STARLIGHT

ACROSS A FIELD OF STARLIGHT by Blue Delliquanti
(Random House Graphic, Feb 2022)

When they were kids, Fassen’s fighter spaceship crash-landed on a planet that Lu’s survey force was exploring. It was a forbidden meeting between a kid from a war-focused resistance movement and a kid whose community and planet are dedicated to peace and secrecy.

Lu and Fassen are from different worlds and separate solar systems. But their friendship keeps them in each other’s orbit as they grow up. They stay in contact in secret as their communities are increasingly threatened by the omnipresent, ever-expanding empire.

As the empire begins a new attack against Fassen’s people--and discovers Lu’s in the process--the two of them have the chance to reunite at last. They finally are able to be together...but at what cost?

Select praise for ACROSS A FIELD OF STARLIGHT:

• Kirkus review: “Charming, kinetic, and colorful in more ways than one.”

• Publishers Weekly review: "In jewel-toned art that foregrounds figures and technology, Delliquanti’s tropey comic offers a variously inclusive cast, including incidental nonbinary representation, and explores themes of nationalism, imperialism, and revolution."

New Release: THE GREATEST THING

It’s the first day of sophomore year, and now that Winifred’s two best (and only) friends have transferred to a private school, she must navigate high school on her own.

But she isn’t alone for long. In art class, she meets two offbeat students, Oscar and April. The three bond through clandestine sleepovers, thrift store shopping, and zine publishing. Winifred is finally breaking out of her shell, but there’s one secret she can’t bear to admit to April and Oscar, or even to herself―and this lie is threatening to destroy her newfound friendships.

With breathtaking art and honest storytelling, rising star Sarah Winifred Searle delivers a heartfelt story about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

Select praise for THE GREATEST THING:

• "Raw and beautiful. A story that finds the tiny holes in your heart, tears them wide open, and puts in hope. Searle's art and mastery of the medium shines. I wish I had this book as a teen." — Colleen AF Venable, author of Kiss Number 8

• "Sarah Winifred Searle's comics look the way I wish the world did. She combines raw emotions with gorgeous artwork to create stories full of feeling, intention, and heart. Give this book to the teens in your life." —Tillie Walden, author of Spinning and Are You Listening?

• Girl’s Life review: “This graphic novel will give you serious feels... You'll cry, laugh, and smile through this slice-of-life read.”

• Kirkus review: “A poignant, honest, and deeply engaging work.”

THE GREATEST THING by Sarah Winifred Searle (First Second Books, Feb 2022)

• Booklist review: “In her crisp, precise art, Searle deftly depicts the emotions of her characters, largely through their expressive body language; Winifred’s slumped shoulders as she curls into herself are easily worth a thousand words... this is a sensitive, compassionate portrayal of teenage mental health struggles that emphasizes the importance of community, self-acceptance, and finding the courage to ask for help.”

• Publishers Weekly review: "Searle’s semi-autobiographical graphic novel covers teen relationships, mental health... and disordered eating with crackling specificity...a visually and emotionally satisfying read about escaping depression and loneliness through art-making."

• School Library Journal review:"...a lovely graphic novel that takes an honest look at how easy it is for teenagers to get lost in despair...This sensitive read is a must-have on library shelves."

New Release: THE GIRL FROM THE SEA

THE GIRL FROM THE SEA by Molly Knox Ostertag
(Scholastic, June 2021)

Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives.

She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad, divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends...who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl.

Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore.But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface...whether Morgan is ready or not.

Select praise for THE GIRL FROM THE SEA:

• Kirkus review: “Selkie lore is enchantingly interwoven in this light fantasy tale… the romance is charming and tender. Sweet, fun, Sapphic fluff.”

• Publishers Weekly starred review: “This endearing and often funny graphic novel cohesively combines queer teen romance, realism, and fantasy.”

• School Library Journal starred review: “Adorable and authentic, this coming-out story is a must-purchase”

New Release: A MAP TO THE SUN

A MAP TO THE SUN by Sloane Leong (First Second, August 2020)

One summer day, Ren meets Luna at a beachside basketball court and a friendship is born. But when Luna moves to back to Oahu, Ren’s messages to her friend go unanswered.

Years go by. Then Luna returns, hoping to rekindle their friendship. Ren is hesitant. She's dealing with a lot, including family troubles, dropping grades, and the newly formed women's basketball team at their high school.

With Ren’s new friends and Luna all on the basketball team, the lines between their lives on and off the court begin to blur. During their first season, this diverse and endearing group of teens are challenged in ways that make them reevaluate just who and how they trust.

Select praise for A MAP TO THE SUN:

• School Library Journal review: “…an intricate exploration of camaraderie, teamwork, friendship, and expression with a BIPOC cast of characters. The color work is gorgeous, with dreamy greens, purples, and yellows setting a breathtaking, surreal backdrop….this tale shines.”

• Publishers Weekly review: “Leong elevates the classic ragtag-sports-team narrative by giving her characters grit and gravitas, and rendering their world of malls, convenience stores, and slumping apartment buildings in brilliant reds and purples.”

New release: STAGE DREAMS

STAGE DREAMS by Melanie Gillman
(Lerner Graphic Universe, Sept 2019)

In this rollicking queer western adventure, acclaimed cartoonist Melanie Gillman puts readers in the saddle alongside Flor and Grace, a Latinx outlaw and a trans runaway, as they team up to thwart a Confederate plot in the New Mexico Territory.

When Flor—also known as the notorious Ghost Hawk—robs the stagecoach that Grace has used to escape her Georgia home, the first thing on her mind is ransom. But when the two get to talking about Flor’s plan to crash a Confederate gala and steal some crucial documents, Grace convinces Flor to let her join the heist.

Select praise for STAGE DREAMS:

• School Library Journal starred review: “This charming and poignant queer romance set against a Civil War–era backdrop will resonate with readers.”

• Kirkus review: “An engrossing escapade with a heart-stealing queer romance.”

• Booklist review: “An illuminating western with a refreshingly matter-of-fact queer romance.”

New Release: CURSED

CURSED by Karol Ruth Silverstein (Charlesbridge Teen, June 2019)

A debut novel for fans of The Fault in Our Stars that thoughtfully and humorously depicts teen Ricky Bloom’s struggles with a recent chronic illness diagnosis.

As if her parents’ divorce and sister’s departure for college weren’t bad enough, fourteen-year-old Ricky Bloom has just been diagnosed with a life-changing chronic illness. Her days consist of cursing everyone out, skipping school–which has become a nightmare–daydreaming about her crush, Julio, and trying to keep her parents from realizing just how bad things are. But she can’t keep her ruse up forever.

Ricky’s afraid, angry, alone, and one suspension away from repeating ninth grade when she realizes: she can’t be held back. She’ll do whatever it takes to move forward–even if it means changing the person she’s become. Lured out of her funk by a quirky classmate, Oliver, who’s been there too, Ricky’s porcupine exterior begins to shed some spines. Maybe asking for help isn’t the worst thing in the world. Maybe accepting circumstances doesn’t mean giving up.

Select praise for CURSED:

• Booklist review: "A blistering coming-of-age tale that will propel readers into Ricky’s corner."

• Kirkus review: “Ricky’s sharp, flowing, uninhibited voice makes this a page-turner… Protagonists with chronic nonmalignant pain and illness are far too rare.”

• Publishers Weekly review: "Silverstein, who was diagnosed with arthritis as a teen, excels at evoking the physical and emotional pain Ricky endures without having Ricky’s condition define her. She emerges as a likable, relatable heroine whose wit and sense of hope will prove inspiring."

• School Library Journal review: "Readers will enjoy this contemporary coming-of-age story featuring a resilient protagonist and charming plot."

New Release: SPEAK: The Graphic Novel

SPEAK: The Graphic Novel (FSG, Feb 2018)
by Laurie Halse Anderson, art by Emily Carroll

The critically acclaimed, award-winning, modern classic SPEAK is now a stunning graphic novel.

"Speak up for yourself - we want to know what you have to say."

From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless - an outcast - because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her.

Through her work on an art project, she is finally able to face what really happened that night: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her.

With powerful illustrations by Emily Carroll, Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK comes alive for new audiences and fans of the classic novel.

Select praise for SPEAK: The Graphic Novel:

- Kirkus starred review: "A masterful graphic novel transformation... this visual adaptation takes readers outside Melinda’s head and sits them alongside her, seeing what she sees and feeling the importance and power of her desire to create art and express herself. Carroll’s stark black-and-white illustrations are exquisitely rendered, capturing the mood through a perfectly calibrated lens. With the rise of women finding their voices and speaking out about sexual assault in the media, this reworking of the enduring 1999 classic should be on everyone’s radar. Powerful, necessary, and essential."

- School Library Journal starred review: "This potent retelling of the modern classic SPEAK blends words and images to create magic: a new representation of a teen whose voice is ripped from her, the battles she must wage to find it again, and the triumph of finally being able to speak out. Carroll’s grayscale artwork perfectly depicts the starkness of Melinda’s depression...This gripping, powerful work will introduce SPEAK to a brand-new audience and enthrall longtime fans."

- Booklist starred review: "Carroll, well-known for her horror comics, does an excellent job of bringing the vignettes of Anderson’s novel to the graphic format...Carroll powerfully evokes moods with creeping, smudgy shadows; faces with missing eyes and mouths; and jagged panel borders. Grasping hands reach down from tree branches until trees and hands are tumbled together in a juddering haystack of overlapping lines. Those moments are striking, but they’re even more striking when set against scenes of Melinda’s quiet, isolated day-to-day reality, as well as her gradual growth and steps toward recovery. Carroll strikes a deft balance, gracefully juggling the acute terror of Melinda’s rape, the pernicious paranoia that follows her in its wake, the swirling rumors and bullying surrounding her, and glimmering moments of hope and comfort. With spellbinding artwork, this exceptional adaptation masterfully does justice to its source material while adding new depth and nuance." 

- Horn Book starred review: "In this new graphic novel adaptation of Anderson’s SPEAK - a powerful narrative of a freshman’s year of self-preservation after a brutal sexual assault - artist Carroll starkly renders protagonist Melinda’s pain and healing in black and white, expertly deploying visual perspective and tension to sharpen the emotional impact."

- Shelf Awareness starred review: "The entire graphic novel is illustrated in grayscale, allowing the work to be as visually dark as its content. Strong lines, overlapping panels and clever use of blank space show Carroll's skill in creating Melinda's stifling, near-silent world. SPEAK: The Graphic Novel is hypnotizing and heart-breaking, with the kind of empowering finish that unshackles protagonist and readers alike."

Deal Announcement: CURSED

Monica Perez at Charlesbridge has bought Karol Ruth Silverstein's debut YA novel, Cursed. Erica "Ricky" Bloom, recently diagnosed with a chronic illness that's nearly as embarrassing as it is painful, employs her best coping mechanisms—cursing and cutting class—to deal with pain, family upheaval, and the challenges of school. When she's caught, she must struggle to catch up to avoid a far worse horror: repeating ninth grade. Publication is set for spring 2019.

Deal Announcement: A MAP TO THE SUN

Photo credit: Brandon O'Larey

Sloane Leong's A MAP TO THE SUN, to Calista Brill at First Second Books, for publication in 2019, by Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management (world).

Summers always seem to burn bright and fast for Ren but never faster than when she met Luna. Daring and independent, Luna and Ren spend their last middle school break together, only to have their short whirlwind friendship end with Luna’s sudden move away and all without a goodbye.

Two rough high school years later and Ren is being forced to join a basketball team for her poor school record with a crew of other misfits or face expulsion…and as quick as she left, Luna is back and ready to play too. Cliques, bullies, gangs, crushes, rivals and basketball: summer is back with a vengeance.

BookRiot: Exclusive Art Reveal of A Map to the Sun

Deal Announcement: STAGE DREAMS

Melanie Gillman's YA graphic novel STAGE DREAMS, a queer western romance set in New Mexico Territory at the start of the Civil War, following Grace, a young trans girl runaway, who joins forces with a charismatic lesbian stagecoach robber to steal important plans from the invading Confederate army, to Greg Hunter at Graphic Universe, for publication in spring 2019, by Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management.

Women Write About Comics: Melanie Gillman's STAGE DREAMS: A Story of Queer Romance and Espionage!

New Release: THE HYPNOTIC CITY

THE HYPNOTIC CITY by Andrea Berthot
Curiosity Quills Press, August 2016

Philomena Blackwell survived a city plagued with monsters, the gilded cage of high society, and the rule of a heartless man... and she aims to leave it all behind.

It's 1905, and London has finally been freed from Henry Jekyll's terrible legacy - its people cured, its thirteen-year quarantine lifted. The world is waiting, and for a girl who dreams of being its most dazzling star, what could be more enticing than the bright lights of New York City?

She is drawn across the ocean like a moth to a flame, her heart set on proving that while she may be small on the outside, her soaring talent eclipses even Manhattan’s towering skyline. When she lands a big break, it seems as if the city is ready to fall under her spell - just as she seems to be falling for a handsome young stage manager. But is it her stage presence mesmerizing the audience, or something more sinister behind the scenes?

Philomena has always relied on her fierce will and fiery heart, but a new and more terrible danger lurks in the shadows of Broadway's bright lights, and even a mind as determined as hers may not be immune to its seductive, insidious pull...

Both fans of The Heartless City and new readers alike will enjoy this stand-alone / spin-off tale of Philomena’s adventures on stage - and in love - in NYC.

Deal Announcement: I WANT YOU

Madeleine Flores

I want... a cat cafe near my office. Please?

Children's: Young Adult / Graphic Novel

Madeleine Flores' YA graphic novel I WANT YOU, about a girl working in her brother's cat cafe who has a secret magical ability that allows her to get whatever she wishes for whenever she says “I want,” to Ari Yarwood at Oni Press, for publication in 2018, by Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management (World).

New Release: THE HEARTLESS CITY

THE HEARTLESS CITY by Andrea Berthot
Curiosity Quills Press, August 2015

Henry Jekyll was a brilliant doctor, a passionate idealist who aimed to free mankind of selfishness and vice. He’s also the man who carelessly created a race of monsters.

Once shared secretly among the good doctor’s inner circle, the Hyde drug was smuggled into mass-production - but in pill form, it corrupted its users at the genetic level, leaving them liable to transform without warning. A quarter of the population are now clandestine killers - ticking bombs that could detonate at any given moment.

It’s 1903, and London has been quarantined for thirteen years.

Son of the city’s most prominent physician and cure-seeker, seventeen-year-old Elliot Morrissey has had his own devastating brush with science, downing a potion meant to remove his human weaknesses and strengthen him against the Hydes - and finding instead he’s become an empath, leveled by the emotions of a dying city.

He finds an unlikely ally in Iris Faye, a waitress at one of the city’s rowdier music halls, whose emotions nearly blind him; her fearlessness is a beacon in a city rife with terror. Iris, however, is more than what she seems, and reveals a mission to bring down the establishment that has crippled the people of London.

Together, they aim to discover who’s really pulling the strings in Jekyll’s wake, and why citizens are waking up in the street infected, with no memory of ever having taken the Hyde drug…

Heart-eating monsters, it turns out, are not the greatest evil they must face.