The Cartoonists Club

This is not your typical graphic novel – it is a narrative non-fiction how-to book in the format of a graphic novel. This book moves on two engaging tracks at once: it follows a group of middle schoolers as they come together to form a cartoonists’ club, while also serving as a hands-on guide for young readers interested in making zines, graphic novels, and visual stories of their own.

Makayla and Howard begin as friends who swap sketches and story ideas, often at the expense of paying attention in algebra class. Their teacher becomes a character in one of their imagined tales. A trip to the library was the turning point, where Ms. Fatima, the perceptive librarian, helps them turn their creative energy into something more purposeful. She brings together a small, diverse group of aspiring storytellers: Makayla and Howard, the soft-spoken Lynda, and Art, an enthusiastic maker who loves experimenting with different materials. Guided by Ms. Fatima’s clear, encouraging instructions, the club begins to take shape, and readers are gently coached along the way. The advice is straightforward yet thoughtfully detailed, making this book an inviting resource for anyone eager to develop their storytelling and illustration skills.

A must-have for all graphic novel readers, budding creators and enthusiasts!