Tween Comic Club is a place for comic lovers ages 9-14 to discuss what they are reading each month. Here is the latest list of the books we’ve been talking about and that our tween readers recommend! Follow the links to check out a copy for yourself. And don’t forget to join a Tween Comic Club meeting if you would like to learn how you can submit your own recommendations to our feature! We typically meet on the third Tuesday of each month. Find our next meeting on the events calendar.

Giant-Size Gwen Stacy by Christos N. Gage, et al

Before she met Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy had a life of her own. In this in-continuity mini-series, she meets the Green Goblin and the Kingpin and teams up with the X-Men.

Marian J. Templeton says: “The illustrations are really real and legit. There are so many plot twists! Definitely five stars.”

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks

After a fight with her best friend, competitive rider Victoria switches stables so she can focus more on riding and less on winning. She is also determined not to make any more friends with riders. But life can be lonely without friends, and soon Victoria is reevaluating whether she might not want a few people by her side.

Ms. Krysta says: Ride On is a love letter to everyone who grew up obsessed with horses. The book focuses on celebrating the joy of riding, even if that means not devoting one’s life to winning ribbons, and explores the possibilities of branching out into new hobbies, as well. Growing up sometimes moving on–not only from old friends but also from old interests–and Ride On sensitively chronicles the journey one girl makes as she asks herself what she really wants from life. A beautiful coming-of-age story perfect for fans of contemporary graphic novels such as Roller Girl and Swim Team.”

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

Garlic and her sentient vegetable friends lead a quiet life tending to the garden and selling produce at the local market–until a vampire moves in next door. All of Garlic’s friends want her to confront him, believing that garlic and vampires don’t mix. But Garlic is afraid! Will she find the courage to protect her home?

Ms. Faith says: “Garlic is a shy, unlikely hero, but when Vampire shows up to a home that he’s long abandoned, Garlic has to be the one to save the day. This adorably illustrated graphic novel sets the stage for the underdog to be the hero, the bad guy to be misunderstood, and the bullies to find humility and empathy.”

Dungeon Crawlers, Academy: Into the Portal by J. P. Sullivan and Elmer Damaso

After four kids discover a magic portal to a dungeon full of treasures and monsters, they establish an academy to train other kids who can explore the dungeon and bring back the wealth. Nathan longs to be a hero and find a treasure of his own–but first, he will have to survive school. 

Zoe, The Storyteller: “The art style and storyline are really fun. People who like fantasy and magic would really like this story.”

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Cat is not happy about moving to Bahía de la Luna, but the sea air is supposed to be good for her sister, who has cystic fibrosis. Then neighbors tell the sisters that Bahía de la Luna is haunted. Cat wants nothing to do with ghosts! But Maya longs to meet the spirits of some of their departed family members. Can Cat overcome her fear of supporting her sister?

Izzy B. says: “I loved the illustrations and the plot. With a hint of romance, a dash of adventure, and a sprinkling of emotion, Ghosts is a must-read book.

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