YA Graphic Novel Celebration!

From delightful dance competitions to the struggles and triumphs of high school, these YA graphic novels tell tales you just can't miss! We're delighted to be hosting STEPHANIE EVANGELISTA FUKUDA and DAIGO FUKUDA, author-illustrators of President of the Anime Club; E.E. SALO, author of Too Hot to Tango; and KIARA VALDEZ, author of Stepping Up. Join us in-store as we celebrate these fantastic reads!

President of the Anime Club by STEPHANIE EVANGELISTA FUKUDA and DAIGO FUKUDA

It’s the first day of high school, and Cherie is unsure how to find her place. But then she meets Naomi, a fellow freshman and fan of Cherie’s favorite anime. Naomi’s warmth and confidence ignite confusing feelings in Cherie. Their duo becomes a trio when they befriend Miro, a boy in their class with an interest in learning about anime.

Enter Jenny: a charismatic upperclassman and president of the school’s anime club. When she invites the three friends to join, it creates tension between them. As Cherie, Naomi, and Miro deal with complicated feelings, can their special bond survive? And will their love of anime endure?

Too Hot to Tango written by E.E. SALO

This summer, soccer superstar Honey is the coach at an elite sports camp. Life is a game, that game is about winning, and Honey knows the rules by heart—that is, until she meets Teddi, the brusque Australian dance coach at the arts camp across the lake. 

When an inter-camp competition gone awry accidentally lands Teddi’s dance partner with a broken arm, Honey volunteers to step in. With a crucial audition coming up, Teddi has no choice but to accept the offer.

As Teddi teaches Honey the steps, they start to match each other’s rhythm on and off the dance floor . . . but do these opposites have what it takes to tango their way to the top? 

Stepping Up written by KIARA VALDEZ

A timely and vibrant teen graphic novel memoir about community, friendship, and self-discovery told through the eyes of a high school freshman Kiara, one of the few Black students at her predominantly white boarding school—perfect for fans of Almost American Girl and Brownstone!

Kiara is a long way from Washington Heights. She’s at Phillips Academy Andover—the prestigious school of her dreams. But her bulky financial aid laptop in a room full of brand-new Macs, her classmates’ endless chatter about overseas vacations, and everyone’s pristine North Face jackets have her feeling like she’ll never fit in.

Then she discovers the all-star step team, SLAM. Kiara will gladly endure long practices, sore muscles, and chafed palms to finally find her place on campus. That is, until tragedy strikes and those closest to her are hurt, and she realizes exactly what it means to be an Andover student.

Because at a school where her wealthy white classmates can get away with almost anything and students like her are made to feel lucky to even be at the academy to begin with, is belonging really what Kiara wants? And is she brave enough to step up—for herself and her friends?

Wednesday, September 30th at 6pm at Our 17th St Store!