Anzu's family just moved to a new town, and it happens to be Obon as well; Anzu isn't adjusting well to the move and doesn't want to participate in Obon. Some strange things happen, and suddenly, she's in Yomi, the underworld of her deceased grandmother's stories. Anzu suddenly has to face the very real possibility of never seeing her family again while also being confronted with the fact that all the stories are real and while trying to stay alive to get home and process her grief for her grandmother, among other things. High action and high feelings, Anzu and the Realm of Darkness is a thrilling read.

The supernatural and spooky theme of the story could appeal to fans of ghost comics, like Ghost Roast or Ghost Book. Because it also discusses identity and grief, it's a good suggestion for readers of Pilu of the Woods or Lion Dancers.

Shannan Prukop

Lai tells the story of when all of her siblings got chickenpox through the eyes of her older sister, Abby. The year is 1994, and Abby is 11 years old. She loves hanging out with her two best friends and trying out makeup, and she actually likes going to school because it gets her away from her four siblings. Then her friends come over her house after school one day, and unbeknownst to anyone, one of them brings the chickenpox virus into the house. Soon, her little siblings start showing signs of chickenpox, and all the kids need to stay home for 2 weeks to prevent spreading the virus to anyone else. Abby wonders if she can last 14 days cooped up with her siblings without losing her mind.

Older sibling will relate to Abby struggles with her siblings and the pressures that are put on her as "the oldest".

Tayla Cardillo

Nao decides after high school to study in Japan to reconnect with her Japanese heritage and shake up her life. What she gets is the experience of living in Himawari House, where students from all around the world live together while studying in Tokyo. So, the story becomes not just about Nao but also about the friends she makes in Hyejung and Tina and the perspectives they bring to the House. The story has that dreamlike quality that living on your own in your early adulthood can have, and it is full of ups and downs as well. It's also a multilingual story, with parts told in Japanese, Korean, and Singlish, which helps immerse the reader in these girls' lives.

This is one of those comics that has a fairly wide range of appeal; some readers might come to it for the story of identity and connecting to heritage, while others might come to it for the experience of life as a young adult. Some might want it for the depiction of studying abroad, and yet others for the reminders of those times. It's sad, sweet, funny, and thoughtful, all told with lovely art.

Shannan Prukop

Indu was found alone on a moon, but his mom- a spaceship pilot- offered him a loving home. Now, Indu is leaving the safe, familiar spaceship to go to New Earth and be with his mom’s new husband and children. Indu soon struggles to fit in on this new planet and with his new family. Then, a voice offers to take him away from it all.

With beautiful illustrations and a compelling story, Lunar Boy is perfect for readers seeking more queer sci-fi/fantasy stories, or anyone who has ever struggled to belong.

Transphobia; misgendering

Megan Rupe

Valentina thinks her family is cursed to never have happiness in love. Her father never moved on after the loss of her mother, and she feels like him, that she is destined to be alone. When 2 potential suitors come into her life, the outgoing Leslie and the distant Jae, her idyllic version of St. Valentine as a joyful cupid-like figure turns into a haunting vision that tells her that she has one year to find love, or she will be alone forever. Will Leslie or Jae be the person who touches her heart and saves her from this fate?

Fans of "Heartstopper" and "All the Boys I've Loved Before" will enjoy this story about fate, family, and falling in love.

Estranged parents, discussions of the death of a parent.

Tayla Cardillo

Laura Gao lived with her family in Wuhan and knew a different one than the one shown in media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. After Laura moves to the United States, she grapples with her family's expectations, her own goals, and her sexuality. Told in a heartfelt, honest manner, Messy Roots is a wonderful coming-of-age tale.

Readers who enjoy memoirs that explore themes of immigrant identity and coming of age will likely like Messy Roots.

Racism, homophobia

Tayla Cardillo

The story, told through snapshots and moments, flashbacks and flashforwards, is a wandering tale about hunger, both physical and creative, eating, and food. We follow Rubin Baksh, secretly the demon Baksura, and Mohan, a college student with abandoned dreams and lost hunger. Through scenes of vivid color and winding stories, we learn about them and the foods around them, culminating in the documentary Baksh said he wanted Mohan to create. It's hard to describe the story precisely because it takes its time and goes on tangents that don't seem like they'll be related, ending in a very beautiful and unusual tale.

The incredible visuals of this one bring to mind comics like Somna or The Great Beyond, where the art is so present in the story. It is also a travelogue, stating on the page that part of Rubin's inspiration was Anthony Bourdain's death and is very much about food. This is one to pick up for the experience of having read it.

References to cannibalism

Shannan Prukop

Twins Zeeshan and Zara constantly fight, so their parents confiscate their phones during a family trip to Florida. Unable to pursue their interests independently, Zeeshan and Zara explore the beach and discover a beached sea turtle that Zara names Sunshine. Can they band together and bring kindness to an often cruel world?

With a brave animal rescue and exploration of a fraught sibling dynamic, Saving Sunshine is perfect for readers seeking family stories or stories featuring animals.

Islamphobia

Megan Rupe

13 year old Aria travels to San Francisco to spend the summer with her grandmother. While she loves spending time with her Nainai (paternal grandmother), she also tries to handle some drama with her friends. She especially loves helping her Nainai with the boba cafe and spending the summer coming up with ideas to get more customers. Her grandmother resists some of these changes because they might get in the way of her sneaking away at precisely 6 o'clock every night. Aria tries to figure out what her grandmother is up to and why it is so important that she be kept out of it.

Fans of Be Pepared by Vera Brosgol and Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling will love this story about summer adventures, food, and family.

Tayla Cardillo

Tiến and his mother love to read fairy tales together, but Tien can’t find the words in Vietnamese to explain to his parents that he’s gay. As Tiến wrestles with his secret, his mother is struggling with the fact that her mother is ill and far away in Vietnam.

With gorgeous artwork and a wonderfully woven story, The Magic Fish will appeal to readers who believe stories can help them explore difficult topics.

Homophobia

Megan Rupe

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States government forcibly removed Japanese Americans from the West Coast and imprisoned them in internment camps. We Hereby Refuse tells the story of three Japanese Americans who resisted their incarceration and unjust treatment.

These stories deftly capture the context and injustices Japanese Americans faced and the bravery of the three individuals (and others!) who resisted. Teen and adult readers looking for stories about Japanese American resistance to the camps or a more in-depth look into the internment camps will want to pick up We Hereby Refuse.

Violence; suicide; inhumane conditions in camps; racism

Megan Rupe

In this graphic memoir Bechdel, best known for Fun Home and Dykes to Watch Out For, explores her complicated relationship with her mother and her somewhat subconscious search for mother figures in other women in her life, particularly her therapist. She masterfully weaves in references to notable psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott, Virginia Wolfe, and other great authors who influenced her understanding of her relationship with her mother in a way that is nothing but literary.

Adults with a strained relationship with a parent will relate to Bechdel's search for a deeper understanding of her relationship with her mother.

Nudity and sexual situations, brief depiction of body horror

Tayla Cardillo

Christine is making their first trip to see family in Mexico without their parents or siblings. Their main worry at first is the fact that Christine still struggles to speak Spanish, though they can understand it pretty well, but with time, they settle into a routine. They learn about the places their mother grew up around. After their mother joins the trip, they realize how homesick they are for Texas but continue learning, trying new things, and exploring.

With a focus on the real world and history, this is a good comic for readers of nonfiction and biography. Ay, Mija! is also bilingual, so Spanish learners and families with mixed Spanish and English can appreciate the challenge and representation of dialogue in both languages. The themes of learning family history and finding one's place in the world can be a good pick for many teens feeling out of place.

Shannan Prukop

Charise is creative and active, yet her actions often hurt her younger brother, Daniel. In this graphic memoir, she reflects on her actions and explores what it means to be a good sibling.

With its evocative illustrations and thoughtful storytelling, Bad Sister will appeal to readers looking for stories with realistic yet complicated sibling dynamics like the ones in Smile or Sisters or stories about “bad kids.”

Some blood

Megan Rupe

This graphic novel shows that it's never too late to be with the love of your life or to be your truest self. This story follows Hazel and Mari, who meet in 1963 when Mari moves to New Jersey from California and starts attending the same school as Hazel. They become fast friends, but both of them secretly want more. Soon after they both confess their feelings to each other, they are caught kissing by Mari's grandmother and are forced to stop seeing each other by both of their families. They both go on to marry men and start families of their own, but both of their lives are turned upside down when, almost 50 years later, they meet and kiss again.

Everyone looking for a rainbow romance with a happy ending.

Homophobia

Tayla Cardillo

Tessa Hulls' grandmother and mother managed to escape communist China, yet her grandmother suffered a breakdown and never recovered. In this powerfully drawn memoir, Hulls explores her family's history to figure out how it has shaped her psyche and impacted her relationship with her mother and grandmother.

Mixing Chinese history with her family's story and drawn with powerfully compelling illustrations, Feeding Ghosts will appeal to readers interested in stories about intergenerational trauma and/or Chinese history.

Hull’s family story takes place in the aftermath of China’s Communist Party’s rise to power; therefore, many difficult topics are discussed, including violence, famine, abuse, and cannibalism. There is also discussion of suicide and mental illness.

Megan Rupe

Jarrett's family has never looked the way most other kids' families look. He was raised by his grandparents, and his mom would make brief appearances in his life in between her stints in rehab or prison for drug-related crimes. No one ever even talks about his dad, to the point that Jarrett doesn't even know his name until he's a teenager. This story explores his experience being raised by this very complicated family and how art helped him process his feelings and find his place in the world.

Anyone who feels like art is their lifeline in a turbulent world will resonate with this book.

Addition/drug abuse, estranged parent(s)

Tayla Cardillo

Filipino siblings JJ and Althea struggle to fit in at school and want nothing to do with their family's food truck. JJ and Althea are in for a surprise when they get attacked by mysterious creatures and discover their parents have been sitting on a big secret. Can JJ and Althea sort themselves out and save the world?

With delightful and often humorous family dynamics and bold action sequences, readers who enjoy a heavy dose of fantasy with their family adventures will likely enjoy Mabuhay. Althea and JJ's struggles to fit in as Filipino students in a mostly non-Asian community will likely resonate with readers who liked stories similar to American Born Chinese.

Bullying; fantasy violence (but nothing gory)

Megan Rupe

Safia's life is upended by a fire taking her family's home and bookstore, as well as her parents. Then the orphanage lets her know that she has a distantly related aunt who's looking to take her in! Over time, Safia gets to know Aunt Whimsy and Miss Cathryn and learns that she's been on all kinds of adventures, which Safia assumes she'll never get to do. The adventure finds them, leading Whimsy and Cathryn to confront the past and their coddling of Safia. There are spies, curses, chaos, and a found family, so everything a story needs.

This is a great choice for readers who enjoy a little whimsy and a lot of adventure in their stories. The world of My Aunt is a Monster has an almost Lemony Snicket feel. However, it also deals with grief, learning to trust, and pushing past assumed limitations, which can be fantastic for readers who need some encouragement. If readers loved Grace Needs Space or The Moth Keeper, they'll likely enjoy this one, too.

Shannan Prukop

Sora is sixteen, wants to be a painter, and is gay. The last thing is the hardest because he just knows if he comes out, he'll be bullied and disowned, so he puts on a mask around his family and classmates. He pretends there could possibly be a romantic relationship between him and his best friend, a girl. When he ends up at Mr. Amamiya's out-of-the-way coffee shop, he sees for the first time an out and proud gay man. They become friends, and Amamiya encourages Sora's interest in painting by working on a mural in the coffee shop. There are some twists and painful moments, but Our Colors shows that life is as beautiful as it is complicated.

Readers of queer stories exploring identity like Our Dreams at Dusk or Is Love the Answer are likely to enjoy this one as well. The artwork is also gorgeous, and there's a mood similar to Makoto Shinkai's movies, so it could be a good recommendation for fans of films like Your Name.

Shannan Prukop

During a visit to the United States, Feng-Li and her siblings discover that they will be staying in the U.S. permanently while their parents travel back and forth from Taiwan. On their own in an unfamiliar place, the siblings will have to figure out how to work together to fulfill their American dream.

Weaving her own experiences into the story, Betty C. Tang tells an engrossing story about the importance of sibling relationships in the face of challenges. Readers who enjoy nuanced family immigrant stories will want to pick up Parachute Kids.

Bullying; racism

Megan Rupe

Avery is one of seven kids. She shares a room with her younger sister and feels like there is nowhere quiet in her house where she can hear herself think, never mind working on her art. She wants her own room, but her parent's plan is to move another of her siblings into her room so that her teenage brother can have his own room. Frustrated and looking for any way to have some peace and quiet this summer, she hatches a plan to try to earn enough money through odd jobs to be able to redo their basement into a room for her. Will she be about to carve a space for herself in her house, or will even bigger changes turn her plan upside down?

Anyone who had to share a room with a sibling will relate to this story.

Tayla Cardillo

This lovely comic walks the reader through 64 Korean recipes that help teach some of the basics of Korean cooking in an engaging and welcoming way. The art is so vibrant and charming that it feels encouraging throughout, along with the text, really diminishing the intimidation factor of trying a cuisine someone may not be familiar with.

Cooks curious about how to get started with Korean cuisine and comics readers that enjoy the idea of reading a cookbook that's also a story.

Shannan Prukop

While the food and recipes in this series are made using fantasy ingredients, they are based on real-world recipes. Also, the plot of Delicious in Dungeon really invites the reader to consider their place in the food chain, what it means to eat and be eaten, and the nature of desire or hunger in its many forms. So, while this manga may not teach someone how to make omelets, it does encourage thoughtful eating and existence.

This series is a great pick for readers who also play Dungeons & Dragons. Much of the comic takes place in a dungeon, deals with a dragon, and even echoes some of the ideas used in tabletop role-playing games. It's also great for fans of food-based series like Food Wars, where the food may not be quite real, but the passion is undeniable.

Blood, character death, butchering of dead monsters for consumption.

Shannan Prukop

Pham uses food, both Vietnamese and American, to take the reader through his family's journey from Vietnam to America as refugees. It begins with their boat ride out of the country and continues with the author's finally becoming a citizen in his middle age. In between is the families' struggle to learn English, get steady work, and achieve the American Dream. Along the way, the author struggles with not feeling American enough to fit in when he first arrives here and not feeling connected enough to his Vietnamese heritage as he matures into an adult completely in America. This graphic memoir is a moving depiction of what it's like to be an immigrant in America.

Fans of American Born Chinese and The Best We Could Do will enjoy this food-focused take on the immigrant experience.

Racism and Xenophobia

Tayla Cardillo

When was the last time you read a cookbook cover to cover? Probably never, right? Well, with "Let's Make Dumplings," you won't want to miss any of the colorful illustrations or interesting tidbits about dumplings across Asia. This cookbook meets graphic novel not only depicts the food but all the steps along the way, making things like intricate folding techniques easy to understand. Ten Speed Press has put out two other Let's Make titles: "Let's Make Ramen" and Let's Make Bread, as well as "Cook Korean!: A Comic Book with Recipes".

Aspiring chefs and food lovers of all kinds!

Tayla Cardillo

Cici is adjusting to her new life in the United States, but she misses cooking with her A-má. When she discovers a kids’ cooking contest with enough prize money for a plane ticket, she is determined to win and bring her beloved grandmother from Taiwan. The catch is that Cici only knows how to cook Taiwanese food. With support, practice, and her own ingenuity, can Cici win the day?

Fans of relatable stories that incorporate family and coming-of-age themes, such as Gene Luen Yang and Jerry Craft’s work

Megan Rupe

Can’t get enough of Thai food? Dive into this comic cookbook! In Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice, Mallika Kauppinen and Christina De Witte combine cute illustrations, helpful step-by-step instructions for main dishes, desserts, and sides, and tips on supplies and substitutions. Pair with an introduction to Thai regional cuisine, and you’ve got a welcoming foray into Thai cuisine that will have you wanting to try a recipe or two!

Readers interested in Thai cuisine and culture will want to check out Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice.

Megan Rupe

Cartoonist Lucy Kinsley shares her key memories as a member of a food-loving family and community. From sautéed mushrooms to croissants, this is a heartwarming collection of food and love. Readers will also enjoy the recipes scattered throughout the narrative!

Home cooks and foodies will savor this love letter to food.

Tayla Cardillo

Nekoya is a restaurant that looks normal at first, but every seven days, doors open from the restaurant into many other worlds and all manners of fantasy beings such as elves, demons, and dragons come to eat the delicious food the chef makes. The illustrations of each visitor eating and enjoying their food will make your stomach rumble and your mouth water.

Manga fans will love this delicious take on the Isekai genre.

Some implied nudity and fan service.

Tayla Cardillo

Nomoto loves to cook lots of food, but she can’t eat all of it. When she discovers her neighbor, Kasuga, has a voracious appetite, Nomoto offers to cook for her. As they grow closer, could their relationship become something more?

With its slow-burn romance, delicious-looking foods, and thoughtful handling of sensitive subjects, readers who crave more queer romances--especially more food-related stories such as Blue Delliquanti’s Meal--will not want to miss this series.

Abusive family; anti-LGBT experiences; one of the secondary characters struggles to eat

Megan Rupe