The American Library Association’s Graphic Novel and Comics Round Table has released its list of the best graphic novels for children ages 5 to 12 published in 2025 and late 2024. The selections, which are at the GNCRT website, include a longlist broken out by ages and a top ten list that includes The Cartoonists Club, by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud (see “Telgemeier, McCloud Collaborate”) and the graphic adaptations of Jewell Parker Rhodes’ Ghost Boys and Rita Williams-Garcia’s Newbury Honor book One Crazy Summer. The top ten, in alphabetical order, are:
- Badge Quest: A Cheesy Brie-ginning! Book 1. Written and drawn by Guy Kopsombut. PreK-2nd grade. (Andrews McMeel Publishing)
- The Cartoonists Club: A Graphic Novel. Written and drawn by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. 3rd-4th grade. (Graphix)
- Deepwater Creek: A Graphic Novel. Written and drawn by Michael Regina. 5th-6th grade. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers)
- Fresh Start. Written and drawn by Gale Galligan. 3rd-4th grade. (Graphix)
- Froggy: A Pond Full of Pals! Written and drawn by Paige Walshe. 2025. PreK-2nd grade. (Flying Eye Books)
- Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel. Written by Jewell Parker Rhodes with art by Setor Fiadzigbey. 5th-6th grade. (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
- Night Light. Written and drawn by Micahel Emberley. PreK-2nd grade. (Holiday House)
- Oasis. Written and drawn by Guojing. 5th-6th grade. (Godwin Books)
- One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel. Written by Rita Williams-Garcia with art by Sharee Miller. 5th-6th grade. (Quill Tree Books)
- The Other Side of Tomorrow. Written by Tina Cho with art by Deb JJ Lee. 3rd-4th grade. (HarperAlley)
The GNCRT recently released its list of the top ten graphic novels for adults (see “ALA Top Ten”).
Source: ICv2
