100 Books Before Graduation - Books to Get You Started

Aug 27, 2026

100 Books Before Graduation - Books to Get You Started compiles engaging reading recommendations across graphic novels and teen fiction, focusing on stories that tackle identity, immigration, belonging, discrimination, friendship, mental health, and resilience. Selections highlighted include graphic memoirs and biographies, coming-of-age narratives, and historical fiction rooted in major twentieth-century events. The curated list is designed to help students discover impactful titles while supporting reflection and empathy through diverse genres and voices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

Graphic Novel

Graphic Novel Biography

Graphic Novel

Ms. Marvel

Spider-Man Miles Morales

Drama

New Kid

The Prince and the Dressmaker

Historical Fiction

Lovely War

Code Talker

We Are Not Free

Bones of a Saint

Prisoner B-3087

They Went Left

Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

The Downstairs Girl

An Emotion of Great Delight

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Traitor

100 Books Before Graduation: Books to Get You Started Graphic Novel GRAPHIC NOVEL BIOGRAPHY HA, R. Almost American Girl by Robin Ha A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a life. GRAPHIC NOVEL BIOGRAPHY TAKAI, G. They Called Us Enemy by George Takai The iconic actor and activist presents a graphic memoir detailing his experiences as a child prisoner in the Japanese-American internment camps of World War II, reflecting on the hard choices his family made in the face of legalized racism. GRAPHIC NOVEL BIOGRAPHY YANG, G. L. Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang Author Gene Luen Yang turns the spotlight on his life, his family, and the high school where he teaches. GRAPHIC NOVEL GULLEDGE The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge Follows the experiences of depressed teen Mona Starr, who learns how to manage profound feelings of unworthiness through therapy, art, writing and the support of a few good friends. GRAPHIC NOVEL MS. MARVEL Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 No Normal by G. Willow Wilson Kamala Khan, a Pakistani American girl from Jersey City who lives a conservative Muslim lifestyle with her family, suddenly acquires superhuman powers and, despite the pressures of school and home, tries to use her abilities to help her community. GRAPHIC NOVEL NGUYEN The Magic Fish by Le Nguyen Trung Real life isn’t a fairytale. But Tien still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’shard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tien, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through? Is there a way to tell them he’s gay? GRAPHIC NOVEL SPIDER-MAN Miles Morales. Vol. 1, Straight Out of Brooklyn by Saladin Ahmed Balancing a normal life with his superhero activities has never been easy for Miles Morales, but when the rampaging Rhino and a cadre of mysterious criminals start plaguing Brooklyn, things take an even darker turn for the young Spider-Man. J COMIC DRAMA Drama by Raina Telgemeier Callie rides an emotional roller coaster while serving on the stage crew for a middle school production of Moon over Mississippi as various relationships start and end, and others never quite get going. J COMIC NEW New Kid by Jerry Craft New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real, from awardwinning author-illustrator Jerry Craft. J COMIC PRINCE The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Prince Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances—one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Historical Fiction TEEN FICTION BERRY, J. Lovely War by Julie Berry Meeting in a World War II-era Manhattan hotel fora forbidden tryst, immortals Ares and Aphrodite are caught by the latter’s jealous husband before she defends her actions by imparting the tale of four young humans who became connected during World War I. TEEN FICTION BRUCHAC, J. Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue. TEEN FICTION CHEE, T. We Are Not Free by Traci Chee Growing up together in the community of Japantown, San Francisco, four second-generation Japanese American teens find their bond tested by widespread discrimination and the mass incarcerations of people of Japanese ancestry during World War II. TEEN FICTION FARLEY, G. Bones of a Saint by Grant Farley In 1970s nort

FAQs

What kinds of books are included in 100 Books Before Graduation - Books to Get You Started?

The list includes graphic novels and teen fiction, including biography-style graphic memoirs and historical fiction.

Do the recommended titles focus on specific themes?

Yes, many selections emphasize identity, belonging, discrimination, resilience, friendship, mental health, and navigating difficult choices.

How does the book balance modern stories with historical events?

It pairs contemporary coming-of-age and personal journeys with historical fiction grounded in events such as World War II and post-war Europe.

Aug 27, 2026

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