It Takes Two: Graphic Novels on Family & Friendship

Libby Molina is the middle school librarian at Convent of the Sacred Heart, the oldest independent all-girls school in New York City, educating young women from pre-K to grade 12. She was recently named 2021 Board Fellow by the Young Adult Library Services Association. YALSA’s mission is to support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful, fulfilling lives.

Jennifer L. Holm is the author of three Newbery Honor books: Our Only May Amelia, Penny from Heaven, and Turtle in Paradise, a tale inspired by her family stories, including those of Holm’s great-grandmother, who emigrated from the Bahamas to Key West in 1897. Holm is also the author of several other highly praised books, including Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf and the Babymouse graphic novel series, on which she collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm. Turtle in Paradise: The Graphic Novel (Random House Graphic) is an adaptation of her beloved bestselling novel with comic artist Savanna Ganucheau. Eleven-year-old Turtle is smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it’s 1935, and money – and sometimes even dreams – is scarce. When events at home push her to go to Florida to live with relatives, she finds her new surroundings to be like nothing she’s ever seen before, and maybe even a little bit fun. And before she knows what’s happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of her shell. Kirkus celebrated it as a “lively adaptation certain to entertain readers old and new.”

Savanna Ganucheau is a comic artist who co-authored her first graphic novel, Bloom, with Kevin Panetta; the book received a distinction from the Junior Library Guild, a GLAAD award nomination, and was an Amazon pick for  best graphic novel of 2019. She is also the illustrator behind Turtle in Paradise: The Graphic Novel (Random House Graphic), an adaptation of the beloved bestselling novel of the same name by Jennifer L. Holm. Eleven-year-old Turtle is smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it’s 1935, and money – and sometimes even dreams – is scarce. When events at home push her to go to Florida to live with relatives, she finds her new surroundings to be like nothing she’s ever seen before, and maybe even a little bit fun. And before she knows what’s happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of her shell. Kirkus celebrated it as a “lively adaptation certain to entertain readers old and new.”

Lee Durfey-Lavoie is a college dropout who was able to find a career in writing. Just Roll With It is his debut graphic novel, with cartoonist and illustrator Veronica Agarwal. The book follows Maggie, who’s desperately hoping to get through her first year of middle school with a minimum of stress. But between finding the best after-school clubs, trying to make friends, and avoiding the rumored monster on school grounds, she’s having a tough time. So she turns for help from her 20-sided dice. But what happens if Maggie rolls the wrong number? A touching middle-grade tale, Just Roll With It explores the complexity of anxiety, OCD, and learning to trust yourself and the world around you. Gale Galligan, adaptor and illustrator of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel series, praised it as a “charming, compassionate story that’s sure to resonate with anyone who’s ever stayed up worrying.”

Veronica Agarwal is a cartoonist and illustrator. Just Roll With It is her debut graphic novel, with writer Lee Durfey-Lavoie. The book follows Maggie, who’s desperately hoping to get through her first year of middle school with a minimum of stress. But between finding the best after-school clubs, trying to make friends, and avoiding the rumored monster on school grounds, she’s having a tough time. So she turns for help from her 20-sided dice. But what happens if Maggie rolls the wrong number? A touching middle-grade tale, Just Roll With It explores the complexity of anxiety, OCD, and learning to trust yourself and the world around you. Gale Galligan, adaptor and illustrator of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel series, praised it as a “charming, compassionate story that’s sure to resonate with anyone who’s ever stayed up worrying.”