This posting lists some fiction titles published in 2025 (unless designated otherwise). A batch of graphic novels have come my way and I was pleased to see some titles that have transformed noteworthy prose fiction into graphic format. Each of the publications listed below can be connected to a multicultural tough topics theme.
ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renee Watson (Verse novel) / Death Loss and Remembrance
The opening lines of this novel read: “I didn’t know / best friends could die.” On 13 year old Sage’s 13th birthday, he best fiend was killed by a drunken driver. Sage is overcome with grief and when she chooses to join a counselling group, she comes to learn that all losses are not the same and dealing with grief is filled with sadness, guilt and slow healing. She must also deal with carrying on, knowing that each day is filled with coping with feelings of anger and joy (a first kiss). “Death Loss and Remembrance” is a chapter I present in my book Teaching Tough Topics and it is a topic that many teachers feel uncomfortable about unpacking in their classrooms because it can trigger deep feelings. Still, children’s literature is a special way to help young people deal with any loss in their life and there are a number of picture books (Our Lake by Angie Kang, Always with You by Eric Walters) and novels The Final Year, by Matt Goodfellow A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness that provide narratives about students coping with grief. Such literature can be bibliotheraputic for some readers. Many students hearts will be filled with emotion and perhaps comfort with in Renee Watson’s fine verse novel, winner of the Caldecott Medal, 2026.
A BIRD IN THE AIR MEANS WE CAN STILL BREATHE by Mahogany L. Browne / Poverty / Mental Health (YA)
A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe (beautiful title) digs into stories of teen characters, their families and communities who grapple with the of surviving the pandemic, living with fear, poverty and isolation. The short novel (145 pages) is presented through mixed voices and mixed forms (i.e., story, letter, list, poetry). The book is set in New York city and each of the character’s stories offers insight into the loss and pain, resilience and hope of teenagers trapped by the perils of COVID-19 lockdowns. The book’s style is rather poetic inviting readers (of any age) to look back on the pandemic (or learn about it) and the seperation as well as the coming together of the time.
Excerpt (p. 143)
“Listen to young people, we know more than you can realize. We have ideas about what is next. And we’ve been taking notes from adults for years. Which is to say, you can learn a thing or two from us!
A WORLD WORTH SAVING by Kyle Lukoff / Gender Identity/ Transgender (YA)
This novel intertwines elements of Jewish mythology with an examination of transphobia. Lukoff presents a unique narrative of a 14- year old trans character named ‘A’ whose coming out experience was tenuous at best, especially cames to the forced attendance to Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD) meetings his parents drag him to. A’s best friend Yarrow disappears after one of the SOSAD sessions run by bigoted demon. Kyle Lukoff cleverly weaves in the character of the golem to save Yarrow and the use of judaic mythology to overcome bigotry as demons. (Note: A golem is an animated anthromporphic character from Jewish folklore, traditionally created from caly or mud to act as a protector or servant).Not being a lover of fantasy narratives, full disclosure, I did ended up losing interest in the story and stopped reading. The Jewish content of the story, important though it is, may baffle some YA readers but any piece of fiction that uncovers the trans experience and addresses anti-trans legislation is worthy of attention. A World Worth Saving was a 2025 National Book Award finalist.
SHOUT OUT
BUNNS RABBIT by Alan Barillaro / Physical Challenges / Kindness
C.S. Lewis, author of the Narnia series claimed: “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” Bunns Rabbit is a book for any age of reader. Middle Years readers may read this title independently. Adults may choose to read this aloud to an audience of young listeners II’d say that this is an ideal read aloud for junior classrooms),. Teenage readers might be somewhat reluctant to read a book with the title Bunns Rabbit or pick up a book that is heavily illusrated, but they should get much reading pleasure from experiencing a story filled with adventure, allegory and heart. I am fond of fiction with animal characters (Dominic by William Steig, The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate). Those who enjoyed the 2024 Newbery award-winning book The Eyes and the Possible by David Eggers , illustrated by Shawn Harris are certain to be taken away with Barillaro’s book.
Alan Barillaro is an Academy Award winning creator of animated films and his studies in animation and twenty-five year experience at Pixar Animation Studio confirm him to be an artist of high quality. The art work in Bunns Rabbit is staggering. Each spread features awesome visual images of animals and landscapes presented in a painterly style. Holding this book is like having an art gallery exhibit in your hand.
Bunns Rabbit is a special kit born with small blunt ears. Although his family gives him warmth and affection, the elder superstitious rabbits of the warren assume that Bunns is responsible for the appearance of Spirit Fox and imminent danger and so he must he disfigured rabbit must be banished. Bunns Rabbit sets of on her own to find Spirit Fox who supposedly grant a wish and transform Bunns into a ‘normal rabbit’. The young rabbit’s journey is filled with perilous adventure shared by animal characters she meets along the way, a hummingbird, a loon, and hundreds of butterflies The author brilliantly weaves in tales of mythological folklore, (presented in graphic format style). Bunns Rabbit works on many levels. Being physically challenged and not ‘fitting in’ is at the centre of the narrative. It is also a story of kindness, perseverance and the quest to find a place of belonging. Wishes, dreams, entrapments, spirits, survival and heartsong are all part of the compelling telling A visual and verbal treasure, this book gets a five star rating from Dr. Larry. Spoiler; I’m not fond of books that ‘scream’ sequel upon book’s end, but I look forward to reading more about this heroic rabbit in future sequels.
Excerpts
Bunns tossed in the night. “I don’t belong.” she whispered in her sleep until a darkness grew in the pit of her stomach like a deep-holed ringed with sharp, thorn-like pinches… ThA-thum, thump thump… thA-thump, thump, thump… (p. 60)
“The two birds suddenly caught sight of Bunns and cocked their heads in unison. “My, my,” they chirped. “Look at those short ugly ears! How horribly different! How differently horrible.” (p. 85)
“A red glow appeared on the horizon. Cinders danced up into the sky, becoming the stars above. The night wind became the Fox’s breath, the moon a milky blind eye. Bunns no longer knew whether she was awake or if she was falling deeper and deeper into a dream.” (P. 227)
SHOUT OUT
THE KITES ARE FLYING by Michael Morpurgo; Illus. Laura Carlin
/ Diversity, Kindness
I read this book after it was first published in 2009. With the Israel / Palestine Gaza conflict in recent years, this story seems to have a stronger impact. For centuries, Arabs and Jews have been fighting over this small piece of land and the conflict has aroused political and humanitarian upsets, especially since so many children have been wounded and killed. Michael Morpurgo wrote this story to uncover how children’s hopes and dreams for peace fly above walls that divide communities and religions. In this slim novella (my version I have is 77 pages), the author tells the story from the point of view of Said. a young fatherless boy whose brother was killed in the conflict. Said, now a select mute, has terrible nightmares that express his fears. Still, the boy is committed to carrying on the tradition that his brother, Mahmoud ,once had of carrying for the sheep and flying kites to the other side. Interspersed throughout the narrative is a reporter’s accounts that capture the culture, the tension and the hopes of Palestinian citizens as he inspects and reflects on the life of ‘the best shepherd boy in all of Palestine. Stories can help make sense of the world around us. The tale that Morpurgo tells in The Kites Are Flying may now, 16 years after it was written bring readers understanding and questions of a complex and divisive conflict and why it doesn’t stop. Laura Carlin’s astonishing art work conveys a powerful sense of character and setting through evocative and expressive images. On the front cover of the book, we read the words “Friendship Knows No Barriers”. Stories like this one can help to reflect on friendship, barriers and dreams for a better, safer tomorrow. Staggering!
Excerpt
“Every time I fly a kite, little brother, I’m thinking it’s me up there, and that I’m far away from all this down here, far away from the soldiers and the checkpoints and the tanks. Up there I’m out of it. I go wherever the wind takes me, and no one can stop me. No soldiers, no checkpoints, no tanks,’ you said (p. 16)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<
GRAPHIC NOVELS
The first 3 titles are ones that have. been transformed from prose to graphic format. I’m in favour of seeing a movie or reading other interpretations of popular books that have engaged and informed readers. I would argue, however, that the original text should be read first. Just sayin’.
GHOST BOYS: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes; Illus. Setor Fiadzigbey 2018 / 2025 / Anti-Black Racism
In he opening pages of Ghost Boys, Jerome, a twelve year old Black boy is shot by a white police officer. As a ghost, Jerome is given the chance to learn how the community and the family is dealing with his death but also to observe the unjust killing is being handled in the courts. Along he way another Ghost Boy named Emmet Till is introduced and Jerome (and readers) learn about a profound event in racist history. Jerome also encounters, Sarah the daughter of the police officer on trial and as she grapples with her father’s actions, readers are given a perspective that further reveal the complexities of American Blackness in a contemporary world. This novel helps to illuminate too many stories that have emerged over the past decades in the United States. Ghost Boys is a powerful,novel and the graphic version offers readers a rather cinematic approach to what is happening through dynamic and gripping art work. Jewell Parker Rhodes’s book, in both versions, is a poignant, must read experience for middle age readers.
REFUGEE: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz, art by Syd Fini / 2017 / 2025 /Refugee Experience
Alan Gratz is the master of historical fiction for young people (e.g., Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade, Prisoner 8-3087). His novel Refugee, published in 2017, has been read in classrooms all over he world and is a must read. Gratz often presents his novels through two or more voices. Refugee is in fact the story of three refugees: Joseph a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany in the 1930’s who’s family boards the MS St. Louis ocean liner in order to escape the threat of being sent to a concentration camp; In 1994, Isabel’s family sets out on a raft from Cuba with hopes of finding find safety in America; In 2025, Mahmoud’s family escapes war-torn Syrian homeland hoping to find refuge in Europe. Though set in different time periods, the three refugees are connected by stories of escape, danger and dreams. The novel has been transformed into a graphic novel with stark visual images that bring the original novel to life. Though some narrative captions appear throughout much of the print is presented as speech bubble dialogue. Josef, Isabel’s and Mahmoud’s perilous journeys are presented in brief, five or six page episodes. Each page is splashed with trauma – and resilience.This grapic version is a brilliant companion to the Alan Gratz’s original brilliant masterpiece.
TUCK EVERLASTING : The Graphic Novel by Natalie Babbitt / 1975 / 2025 / Kindness
I would say that Tuck Everlasting is one of the best novels that I chose to read aloud to my students decades ago. It begs the question (and the dilemma), if you could drink water from a hidden spring that would make you live forever, would you choose to do so. Natalie Babbitt’s book was first released in 1975 and this graphic novel interpretation is a worthy companion to the original text. The art work brings the characters to life and provides a wonderful sense of atmosphere in pages that are often monochromatic to enhance each part of the story. Tuck Everlasting is an intriguing adventure story about immortality, kindness and growing up. This novel is an everlasting treasure!.
>>>>>>>>>>
HALFWAY TO SOMEWHERE by Jose Pimienta / Diverse Cultures / Gender Identity
Halfway to Somewhere is a strong sroy about divorced families, moving to a new country and coming of age and trying to fit in to new community. Ave was born in Mexacali but when her mother acquires a new teaching position at the University of Kansas, she and her younger brother are forced to leave he past and find a place of belonging in a new school with some classmates who are like her and many who don’t. Pimienta’s story is a strong narrative about cultural displacement, particularly from the perspective of a Mexican family. Although Ave’s English isn’t fluent, the speech bubble captions, except in a few cases, don’t highlight Ave’s discomfort. Somewhat mystifying is the fact that this graphic novel was awarded the Stonewall Book prize given to a book that recognizes exceptional merit related to LGBTQIA+ identity. There is only a glimpse of Ave’s nonbinary world early in the book (“.. they weren’t expecting a nonbinary child. They’ve always accept you. Even before you told them.”? Ave is fortunate to have been ‘accepted’ by family and it doesn’t seem to be an issue when she becomes enrolled in her knew school. Being nonbinary might have been explored further (to warrant a Stonewall award). Still, Ave’s worries about adjusting to a new life are presented with empathy and authenticity and fulfills’ he authors goal of exploring the question “If I don’t live in Mexico, what makes me Mexican.” This is an important question that could be asked by any newcomer, no matter their country of origin.
SONG OF A BLACKBIRD by Maria van Lieshout / Historical Fiction / The Holocaust (YA)
This book is a stellar examples of graphic novel publication. The story, art work and skill at weaving past and present together made for an intriguing specimen of historical fiction. The novel is set in two time periods. In 1943 Amsterdam, Emma Bergema witnesses Jewish families beding deported to concentration camps. In this setting, we learn of Emma’s choice to join the Dutch Resistance that includes smuggling Jewish children, forging ration coupons and a bank heist. In 2011 Amsterdam, Annick’s search of a bone marrow for her beloved oma leads to discovery about her grandmother’s past as an adopted child. Art prints, with the signature “Emma B” link both narratives. Most of the illustrations are in black, white and gray with splashes of flat red or sienna on each page (mostly character’s clothing). The arrangement of panels and panels within panels bring a unique style to the graphic format. Special, too, is the inclusion of black and white historical photographs that appear as background setting to life in Amsterdam. A blackbird takes wing throughout the novel whose song serves narration and philosophical commentary and a symbol of freedom. (“Have I mentioned my work is a LIFELINE sometimes? I believe I have, but let me repeat it. When nothing goes right, listen for my SONG, so that things wil begin to bend right again.” (p. 169. Maria van Lieshout has created a remarkable piece of historical fiction of memories of loved ones and memories of events drawn from her own family’s story.
>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<
NEWBERY AWARDS 2026
Newbery Medal Winner
All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson
Newbery Honor Books
A Seas of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvaez by Maria Dolores Aguila
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli written and illustrated by Karina Van Glaser
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartmen; Ill. Marcin Minor
The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri
“