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.
Four Eyes by Rex Ogle & Dave Valeza
Rex is not excited about middle school. He can’t see the board at all, and his teachers keep yelling at him for it. When he learns he needs glasses, his family can only afford the ugliest pair in the store–and now he’s being bullied for it. His mom just doesn’t seem to understand. Can a new friend help him feel confident again?
Ms. Faith says: “This was an excellent book that not only dove into kids wearing glasses and being bullied for it but also touched on a lot of other subjects, as well – bullying/being bullied for all sorts of stupid reasons, poverty, annoying parents, annoying siblings, divorce, disabilities, unseen disabilities…did I mention annoying parents? This was an absolutely amazing graphic novel. Super easy to read. Totally relatable (whether you wear glasses or not) and with an ending that will make you tear up a bit. On a personal note, I had to start wearing glasses when I was seven years old, and the kids were brutal. Probably because I picked out this huge pair of bright red specks…but still!! Kids can be awful, and this book was spot on! If you’ve been bullied, read this book. If you’re a parent of a bullied kid, read this book. If you’re a bully, read this book. This book is for everyone!!”
Meesh the Bad Demon by Michelle Lam
Twelve-year-old Meesh is a bad demon. She always sees the good in others, and she is fascinated by fairy princesses. But when her family is threatened, Meesh might be the only one who can save them. And to do so, she will need to travel to the Fairy World.
Zoe B. says: “Meesh is a demon girl who doesn’t quite fit in. After a catastrophe strikes, Meesh is forced to leave home and save her city. I liked this book a lot, and the art is amazing.
Dear DC Supervillains by Michael Northrop & Gustavo Duarte
In a series of short stories, members of the Legion of Doom write letters to their fans. But careful readers may notice that the villains seem to be planning something big….
Zoe B. says: “I loved this book! The characters are very dynamic, and the colors and lighting make it very animated. My favorite character is Harley Quinn because…she’s Harley Quinn! Why do you think?!”
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
Deja and Josiah have worked every year together at the same pumpkin patch. This year will be their last. And Deja is determined that Josiah has to talk to the cute coworker he has had a crush on for ages. So starts a wild night of adventure as the two abandon their jobs to find Josiah’s crush before the pumpkin patch closes.
Victoria says: “Pumpkinheads is a fun fall or Halloween book. There are candy apples, pie, and anything fall you can think of. These two friends share their last day at the pumpkin patch. They try to talk to the one character’s crush, but they both get distracted. And they go to a corn maze. The reason they were in the corn maze was because they wanted to catch the hayride, but they did not catch it. After that, they wanted to get candy apples, but they were closed, so they went for popcorn. And it was almost time to leave, so they got a hay ride, and before they left, they had a magical kiss at the end.”
Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet
Listen to the tale of the children long ago who dwelt in high tree houses and stayed up past bedtime. When the cruel grown-up Grindle stalked their halls, turning merrymaking to boring adulthood, one hero stood forth: Bea Wolf. With plastic and foam weapons, she took on the mighty foe, bringing laughter and candy back to the heights. A retelling of Beowulf.
Ms. Krysta says: “A fun retelling of Beowulf for the modern day! In this version, told in alliterative verse, a fun-hating adult does the most terrible deeds of all: he transforms children into grown-ups and teenagers. The premise sounds a bit strange, but it certainly works. And the sketch-like illustrations bring the words to life. Enjoyable for readers old and young!”
