This column, featuring some of OPL staff's favorite coming-of-age graphic novels appeared in the August 16, 2026, edition of the Omaha World-Herald. It is also available at Omaha.com (opens in a new tab).
Omaha Public Library wants to help readers find new books — or at least books new to them. Our employees recommend reading based on different writing genres, themes or styles. OPL staff have put together a list of some of their favorite coming-of-age graphic novels that we feel readers would enjoy. Find these books and more at your local branch or omahalibrary.org.
“Embrace Your Size” by Hara. “In this mostly black-and-white graphic novel, Hara shares her personal journey of growing up ‘plus size’ in Japan. She shares her journey to self-acceptance through therapy, fashion magazines geared toward her size, and two influential movies. Hara also defines various terms that form a vocabulary for her new awareness.” — Theresa Jehlik, strategy & business intelligence manager
“A First Time for Everything" by Dan Santat. "Dan is a good kid who always tries to do the right thing, even if that makes him feel invisible and occasionally gets him bullied. He's not sure why his teacher was adamant he join the class European trip, but as Dan experiences many new firsts in his life (including love), he starts to understand why." — Jacob Lee, assistant branch manager at the Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch
“Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel. “Cartoonist Alison Bechdel details her growing up years with an emotionally distant father and an unhappy mother. Set in small-town Pennsylvania, Bechdel's parents teach English and run the family funeral home. This coming-of-age story chronicles Bechdel's growing awareness of her father's artistic, almost effeminate, tastes and her mother's ways of coping with his unacceptable tastes and behaviors.” — Jehlik
"Honor Girl” by Maggie Thrash. “This autobiographical work showcases a beautiful and heartbreaking coming-of-age story as a young girl in summer camp grapples with her newfound queerness and a crush on a counselor that goes too far. It will make the reader laugh out loud, cry, and want to throw the book in anger all on one page. All of it wrapped up in a very unique art style.” — Emma Niebaum, library specialist at the Saddlebrook Branch
“How to Say Goodbye in Cuban” by Daniel Miyares. “Riveting, heartbreaking, beautifully illustrated, this memoir covering the experience of the author's father shows coming of age through difficult and traumatic times. A personal look at Cuba's history and a deeply moving story all in one.” — Emily Beasley, learning & development librarian
“How to Talk to Your Succulent” by Zoe Persico. “Adara has to deal with a lot of big changes in a short amount of time. Throughout the book, she learns to cope with the loss of loved ones, make friends, and ask for help.” — Laura Peterson, MCC library assistant at the South Omaha Library
“Huda F Are You?” by Huda Fahmy. “I loved this one, from the title & cover through the charming story of growing up with all of her sisters, parents, and school experiences. Sometimes she stood out as the girl with the headscarf, and sometimes that was so common that she had to figure out some other way to identify herself.” — J Booth, library specialist at the Millard Branch
“The ‘Huda F’ series is pretty amazing! Huda Fahmy shares a series of super relatable, incredibly funny stories about the wonderful, awful, and uncomfortable parts of growing up and figuring out who you are. Plus a new book is coming out this Fall, so it is a perfect time to start this series!” — Bethany Barelman, branch manager at the Downtown Branch
“Miss Quinces” by Kat Fajardo. "Sue didn't want to travel to Honduras with her family for the summer; all she wants to do is read manga and hang out with her friends back in the States. She especially didn't want the huge quinceañera that her mother has been secretly planning. With a little luck, Sue will find her place among her two family cultures.” — Lee
“Realm of the Blue Mist” by Amy Kim Kibushi. “Follow Tabby on a fantastical quest to discover what happened to her researcher father. The truth is far more complicated than Tabby could have ever imagined, as is her own purpose. This is the first installment in a series.” — Beasley
“Reel Life” by Kane Lynch. "Galen, Jasmine, and Kyle have been friends and film nerds for as long as they can remember. Things start to get complicated when Kyle starts acting out while his parents are going through a divorce. Galen doesn't really understand what his friend is going through until his dad drops a major bombshell: his parents are getting a divorce." — Lee
"This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki. “A wonderful book about a young girl going to her familiar vacation spot with her family but with everything changing around her. A raw look at how adult problems can still affect children, even when the adults think they are naive to them. Alternatively, it also showcases the real and often humorous truth that kids think they're great at hiding things from their parents, but are really not.” — Niebaum
“What is Home, Mum?” by Sabba Khan. “This biographical graphic novel explores the Pakistani diaspora to Britain after the 1947 India-Pakistan partition. The story is told through the eyes and experiences of Sabba, the child of immigrant parents. As Sabba matures and becomes aware of the vast differences between her upbringing and the surrounding society, she grows increasingly conflicted about her place in the world.” — Jehlik
These graphic novels follow characters through a big transformation as the characters find themselves growing in many unexpected ways. Pick up a book from your local Omaha Public Library branch today!
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