Displacement by Kiku Hughes

From the Publisher

A teenager is pulled back in time to witness her grandmother's experiences in World War II-era Japanese internment camps in Displacement, a historical graphic novel from Kiku Hughes.

Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when suddenly she finds herself displaced to the 1940s Japanese-American internment camp that her late grandmother, Ernestina, was forcibly relocated to during World War II.

These displacements keep occurring until Kiku finds herself "stuck" back in time. Living alongside her young grandmother and other Japanese-American citizens in internment camps, Kiku gets the education she never received in history class. She witnesses the lives of Japanese-Americans who were denied their civil liberties and suffered greatly, but managed to cultivate community and commit acts of resistance in order to survive.

Kiku Hughes weaves a riveting, bittersweet tale that highlights the intergenerational impact and power of memory. 

-----NOT RUNNING AS A BOOK GROUP-----

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks

From the Publisher

New York Times bestseller Faith Erin Hicks is back with Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy, a young adult graphic novel romance about a hotheaded hockey player who asks for temper management lessons from the cool, calm boy in drama club.

It should have been a night of triumph for Alix's hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before she knows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women's U18 Team's summer camp is on the line.

She needs to learn how to control this anger, and she is sure Ezra, the popular and poised theater kid from her grade is the answer. So she asks for his help. But as they hang out and start get closer, Alix learns that there is more to Ezra than the cool front he puts on. And that maybe this friendship could become something more.... 

-----NOT RUNNING AS A BOOK GROUP-----

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

From the Publisher

* Named one of the Best Books of the Year: New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Publishers Weekly *

In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he's gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.

Tien and his mother may come from different cultures-she's an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he's been raised in America-but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased.

But as much as Tien's mother's English continues to improve as he reads her tales of love, loss, and travel across distant shores, there's one conversation that still eludes him-how to come out to her and his father. Is there even a way to explain what he's going through in Vietnamese? And without a way to reveal his hidden self, how will his parents ever accept him?

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel speaks to the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together even when we don't know the words. 

-----NOT RUNNING AS A BOOK GROUP-----

Spirit World by Alyssa Wong; Illustrated by Haining

From the Publisher

Travel between the lands of the living and the dead alongside a brand-new Chinese hero in a thrilling entry in DC’s We Are Legends initiative, introducing legendary Asian-American characters!

We Are Legends expands the DC Universe with authentic stories starring characters of Asian descent, as told by Asian talent!

Spirit World stars Xanthe, a non-binary Chinese hero with the ability to travel in and out of the Spirit World—the realm of the dead, and that of the living. Xanthe possesses the ability to burn items folded from ceremonial joss paper and turn them into real objects that can be used in the physical world. 

Their super power is based on the East Asian custom of burning joss paper at gravesites to send resources to ancestors in the spirit world. Their weapon of choice is a large broadsword (because who doesn’t love a big sword when you can choose to use a big sword?!).  

The adventure begins as Xanthe forms a reluctant alliance with DC’s bad boy of the mystic arts, John Constantine, to rescue Batgirl Cassandra Cain from a horde of jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampires).Who knows what other spirits they’ll find in the Spirit World — like that skateboarding boy wearing hanfu with some headphones and a gaping hole in his chest?!

Spirit World is written by beloved comics and sci-fi author Alyssa Wong, and beautifully illustrated by Haining! Get on board an unforgettable journey with one of comics’ most compelling new characters!

The Comic Book Story of Baseball : the heroes, hustlers, and history-making swings (and misses) of America's national pastime by Alexander Irvine; Illustrated by C. P. Smith

From the Publisher

A graphic novel-style history of baseball, providing an illustrated look at the major games, players, and rule changes that shaped the sport.

This graphic novel steps up to the plate and covers all the bases in illustrating the origin of America's national pastime, presenting a complete look at the beginnings (both real and legendary), developments, triumphs, and tragedies of baseball. It also breaks down the cultural impact and significance of the sport both in America and overseas (including Japan, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic), from the early days of America to the flying W outside Wrigley Field in 2016.

Featuring members of Baseball's Hall of Fame and modern day stand-outs--including Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, the 1930s New York Yankees, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, the 2016 Chicago Cubs, and more--The Comic Book Story of Baseball spotlights the players, teams, games, and moments that built the sport's legacy and ensured its popularity. 

Elvis : the graphic novel by Chris Miskiewicz; illustrated by Michael Shelfer

From the Publisher

Every generation has a soundtrack that defines their lives, but not everyone was there to hear the one that changed the world.

Witness the King of Rock 'n' Roll's humble beginnings in Memphis as a young artist struggling to define his voice and break into the music industry. From the history-making Sun Studio to television sets across the nation, the trials and tribulations of Elvis Aaron Presley are explored in graphic detail by authors Chris Miskiewicz (Grateful Dead: Origins) and Marvel Comics artist Michael Shelfer. 

-----NOT RUNNING AS A BOOK GROUP-----

Hidden Systems : water, electricity, the internet, and the secrets behind systems we use every day by Dan Nott

From the Publisher

We use water, electricity, and the internet every day--but how do they actually work? And what's the plan to keep them running for years to come? This nonfiction science graphic novel takes readers on a journey from how the most essential systems were developed to how they are implemented in our world today and how they will be used in the future.

What was the first message sent over the internet? How much water does a single person use every day? How was the electric light invented?

For every utility we use each day, there's a hidden history--a story of intrigue, drama, humor, and inequity. This graphic novel provides a guided tour through the science of the past--and reveals how the decisions people made while inventing and constructing early technology still affect the way people use it today.

Full of art, maps, and diagrams, Hidden Systems is a thoughtful, humorous exploration of the history of science and what needs to be done now to change the future. 

-----NOT RUNNING AS A BOOK GROUP-----

Side Quest : a visual history of roleplaying games by Samuel Sattin

From the Publisher

For fans of dungeon crawls and dice rolls--and anyone wanting to know more about them -- Side Quest is a stand-alone graphic novel history of roleplaying games (RPGs), from ancient games to those played today, with personal stories from creators throughout!

With a meld of history, fantasy, and memoir, Side Quest: A Visual History of Roleplaying Games gives existing fans of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) insight into the history of the medium--and provides a gateway for anyone new to the phenomenon.

The creators, Steenz and Samuel Sattin, narrate the book, switching between personal stories about their RPG experiences and concrete information that reveals the fascinating and often little-known history of these games. (Did you know that H. G. Wells created an RPG in the early 1900s You will soon, along with so much more!)

This is an inviting introduction to what TTRPGs are, why they matter, and how readers can get involved. And like any popular guide to arcana, this book is geared toward an audience of gamers, non-gamers, and general readers alike. Equal parts enlightening, adventurous, and approachable, this appealing graphic nonfiction book is one that everyone can enjoy!