Tess’s New Teen Graphic Novel Highlights

There are some brilliant new firecrackers in this department, but this month we’ve got to show some love for the inimitable Tillie Walden. I began with ‘On A Sunbeam’, highlighted in many an Eisner Award category, and all the hype is worth it. Evocative, minimalist illustration which packs a real punch when it needs to (especially in some of the abandoned buildings she draws) this graphic novel is a hefty tome and an absolutely beautiful read. Emotionally nuanced but with a great plot, appropriate for 14+ or for anyone who has read and enjoyed Noel Stephenson, Heartstopper, or Bloom, or just wants a straight up brilliant read. Moving on to her more recent ‘Are You Listening’, we follow an 18 year old who has run away from home for reasons we later find out. Another touching and at times hilarious coming-of-age graphic novel with some thrills in there to boot. Enjoy!