Tag Archives: first second

Small Magics is an adorable graphic novel perfect for younger readers

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A young girl uncovers the small magics of her aunts’ island home, where dogs talk and the wind blows your way if you say “please,” in this stunning middle grade graphic novel from the Geisel Honor creator of Tiger vs. Nightmare. Perfect for fans of The Moth Keeper.

It’s the last summer before Sara’s family moves and she has to start over at a new school. The last summer before everything changes. But instead of spending it with the friends she’ll be leaving behind, Sara is sent to stay with her aunts on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere, miles and miles away from any other kids.

At least it’s a magical island.

The moment Sara steps foot on its shores, she begins to discover the small magics that make life there an endlessly surprising adventure. From talking animals to trees with minds of their own, this island is full of impossible, incredible things. And with her aunts’ two dogs as her eager (and very chatty) guides, Sara is ready to discover them all.

Celebrate the sweetness of summer, the joy of new friendships, and the hidden wonders of the world with Small Magics.

Story: Emily Tetri
Art: Emily Tetri

Get your copy now!

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First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Don’t Be Scared is a solid ghost story for younger readers, perfect for the spooky season

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Riz is determined to prove to his dad that movies matter and ghosts are real, but he and his friends might be in over their head when they investigate the local creepy mansion.

Riz Choudhry lives for two things: movies and anything spooky. His dad? Not so much. While Riz dreams of filmmaking and jump scares, his father dreams of Riz going to med school or law school―and neither one includes ghosts.

But the film club is Riz’s safe haven, a place where other supernatural-obsessed first-gen kids swap scary stories from their cultures. So, when the group decides to film a documentary about the creepy old mansion in town, Riz is all in. But there’s a problem. His dad wants Riz to quit the club. AND the building is about to be demolished. Now Riz and his friends must use the power of filmmaking to save the mansion…before it vanishes forever.

Packed with shivers, laughter, and heart, Don’t Be Scared celebrates friendship, heritage, and daring to fight for what matters―even if it means disagreeing with your family.

Story: Saadia Faruqi
Art: Shadia Amin

Get your copy now!

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven is a nice introduction to the classic Journey to the West

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Drawing from classic Chinese adventure Journey to the West, Alina Chau’s bright new adaptation centers on the Monkey King’s wild beginnings and brings one of mythology’s most unforgettable troublemakers to life in a whole new way.

Sun Wukong wasn’t born in the usual way―he hatched from an egg atop Hua Guo Mountain, full of big dreams and an even bigger attitude. With a shape-shifting staff, a cloud he can ride like lightning, and an unstoppable belief in himself, Wukong isn’t just another monkey . . . he’s the Monkey King.

When word of his wild powers reaches the Heavenly Realm, the gods try to keep him close to prevent any chaos. But Wukong didn’t come all this way to play by someone else’s rules. And when he decides to shake things up, the skies themselves might not be ready for the storm he’s about to unleash. Can one monkey’s mischief really cause an uproar in heaven?

Combining Alina’s sumptuous, dreamy art with a faithful, respectful adaptation of a favorite mythical tale, Uproar in Heaven still manages to be as much fun as a barrel full of monkeys.

Story: Alina Chau
Art: Alina Chau

Get your copy now at your local comic shop or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Donut Squad: Take Over the World! delivers shorts that kids might enjoy

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Ever wondered what donuts get up to when they’re not being eaten? No, because that would be silly! But it turns out, donuts have BIG PLANS FOR WORLD DOMINATION!!! Perfect for fans of InvestiGators, Dog Man, and Max Meow!

Meet Sprinkles, the leader of the squad; Jammyboi, who spreads stickiness EVERYWHERE; Dadnut and Lil’ Timmy, who explain obscure facts, and Spronky, who is bizarrely unconventional! But don’t mention the arch-nemeses of the donuts… the bagels, who are secretly plotting Donut Squad’s doom!

In this explosive new series from the UK, pastry has never been more exciting. As the sweet team invades the US, they are sure to be up there with the gold standard titles of the blazing hot middle grade graphic novel genre.

Story: Neill Cameron
Art: Neill Cameron

Get your copy now!

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Flight of the G.E.M.S. is a fun graphic novel for kids as the Mice attempt to make their way home

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An exhilarating graphic novel about courageous lab mice who embrace their newfound superpowers and work together to find their way back home from space. Perfect for fans of DOG MAN and CASTRONAUTS!

Theodore, Dorothy, Jonas, Ursula, and Hugh were ordinary lab mice until the scientists at NASA turned them into GEMs (genetically engineered mice) and launched them to the International Space Station. Now that they’re free from the team of astronauts and floating in space on their own, the real adventure begins . . .

There’s just one problem: How can five mice fly a spaceship back to Earth?

The G.E.M.S. must band together as a team and use their unique mutations to find their way home. Will their survival instincts be strong enough to carry them through?

Story: Marian Dealy
Art: Pablo Ballesteros

Get your copy now!

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Aurora and the Orc is great for all ages and we get a second opinion from our youngest reviewer!

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There’s something strange about the new kid in class. Maybe it’s because he’s from a faraway country where they practice different customs. Or maybe it’s because his skin is green, he carries a club, and his favorite pastime is slaying elves.

Her teacher and classmates are unfazed, but to Aurora, it’s obvious—the new kid is an orc! And as his unofficial chaperone, Aurora must teach him about human life and curb his outrageously orc-like behavior. But as she travels with him and sees more of his world, it becomes clear she also has much to learn, not just about him but her own family.

Story: Lewis Trondheim
Translation: Montana Kane

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Exposures is entertainment and very educational, teaching about OCD and its treatments

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Let me tell you about the winter I had to face all my fears.

I used to like a lot of things when I was younger, like dancing, baking, and most of all skiing. But as I got older, things started to change…I started to feel afraid of things like certain colors, numbers, and cracks in the sidewalk.

But there was a way to manage these scary thoughts, and start enjoying the things I used to – it started with something called exposure therapy.

Even though it was hard at first, I learned how brave I truly am.

This is the story of my OCD and how, despite the challenges, I learned to face my fears.

Story: Lily Williams
Art: Lily Williams

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Exclusive Preview: Exposures: A Story About Life with OCD and the Power of Facing Your Fears

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Exposures: A Story About Life with OCD and the Power of Facing Your Fears

(W) Lily Williams (A) Lily Williams
Purchase: Bookshop – Amazon

Eisner nominated creator Lily Williams’s latest graphic novel is an honest and heartwarming account of what it’s like living with OCD, and the courage it takes to confront your deepest fears.

Let me tell you about the winter I had to face all my fears.

I used to like a lot of things when I was younger, like dancing, baking, and most of all skiing. But as I got older, things started to change…I started to feel afraid of things like certain colors, numbers, and cracks in the sidewalk.

But there was a way to manage these scary thoughts, and start enjoying the things I used to – it started with something called exposure therapy.

Even though it was hard at first, I learned how brave I truly am.

This is the story of my OCD and how, despite the challenges, I learned to face my fears.

Exposures: A Story About Life with OCD and the Power of Facing Your Fears

Archives of the Unexplained: Lost Skies and Seas is great X-Files(ish) mystery for young readers

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Shiver me timbers! Divya and Neal’s school trip to a maritime museum takes an eerie turn when they sneak away to explore the out-of-bounds areas. There they meet an old bearded docent who is full of strange tales of vanishing planes and ships. What really did happen to the crew of Flight 19, lost over the ocean during a training exercise? And what was the fate of the USS Cyclops, vanished without so much as an SOS signal or a trace of wreckage? One thing’s for sure—when their teacher finds Divya and Neal they’re going to be in a boatload of trouble!

Story: Steve Foxe
Art: Daryl Toh

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Hand-Me-Down: A Graphic Memoir tugs at the heart and delivers an emotional punch

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Damian’s mother died when he was a baby, and he has lived with his grandma ever since. Now, all he has left of his mother are old photos and the stories Nanny shares with him. Nanny has a lot of stories, some about his mom and some about her own childhood growing up in foster care.

When Damian feels lonely, he imagines what life was like when his mother and grandmother were middle schoolers like him. Through memories, stories, and daydreams, he feels closer to the mother he lost and begins to see the mother he found.

Story: Damian Alexander
Art: Damian Alexander

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

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