Visual storytelling—as evidenced by cave paintings and petroglyphs—predates written language by thousands of years. Many of the world’s languages still have no written form, preserving heritage through speech and physical culture. From coats of arms to emojis, we’ve long been drawn to communicate meaning through images. So it should be no wonder that graphic novels—despite decades of overt prejudice from those who denigrate them as not “real books”—are flourishing, attracting stressed-out, overscheduled young readers who might not have the time or energy for reading traditional prose. This year, we see the release of YA graphic novels richly varied in artistic style and content.

Following her splashy 2022 graphic memoir debut, Messy Roots, Laura Gao returns with Kirby’s Lessons for Falling (in Love) (HarperAlley, March 4), a coming-of-age story with a queer opposites-attract romance. After an injury sidelines Chinese American rock climber Kirby Tan, she embarks on a new extracurricular to raise her English grade. Skeptical Kirby coauthors the student paper’s astrology-themed romance column with true believer Bex Santos. The appealingly dramatic, largely monochromatic artwork features expressive salmon highlights.

Season of the Roses by Chloé Wary, translated by Jenna Allen (Fantagraphics Books, March 25), is an eye-catching French import that won two awards in 2020. Soccer player Barbara and her friends live in a multicultural suburb of high-rise apartment buildings, a setting that’s worlds away from the stereotypical, sanitized Paris that U.S. readers typically encounter. Colorful felt-tip pen illustrations lend energy to this tale of battling sexism in sports even as a winning girls’ team is forced to forfeit an opportunity in favor of prioritizing the boys’ team.

In Nordlys, a bestselling, multiple-award-winning fantasy series opener from Norway by Malin Falch, translated by Olivia Lasky (Inklore/Random House, May 13), a girl on the cusp of adulthood wants to keep enjoying the freedom and adventures of nature instead of settling down into staid village life. A Peter Pan–like figure pulls her into another world, where she encounters creatures from Nordic mythology and ends up in perilous circumstances. Her adventures are portrayed through cinematic illustrations.

Arcana: The Lost Heirs (Feiwel & Friends, June 24), by debut author/illustrator Sam Prentice-Jones, immerses readers in a London-based, tarot-influenced society of witches that’s responsible for monitoring magical activities. Eli Jones is working in a coffee shop, completely unaware that he is a witch—or that there are others like him. Being recruited by Arcana offers him belonging and purpose. The remarkable artwork, which is both cozy and otherworldly, distinguishes this series opener, which celebrates its diverse and inclusive cast.

In a stirring, heartfelt collaboration between author SJ Sindu and illustrator Dion MBD, a teen struggles to connect with the mother she doesn’t remember. Tall Water (HarperAlley, August 12) follows Nimmi Campbell, who’s been raised by her white American journalist father and separated from her Sri Lankan mom by visa issues and the ongoing civil war. She and her dad finally make it back, but they barely settle in before the 2004 tsunami wreaks havoc on the orphanage run by Nimmi’s amma.

Laura Simeon is a young readers’ editor.