Middle Grade Graphic Novels About Crushes and First Kisses

Inspired by the author’s immigration experiences, this fantastic graphic novel follows 12-year-old Lia, who has just immigrated from Romania to Montreal with her family. Shortly after their arrival, Lia has her first period, and unfortunately, she has painful cramping with subsequent periods. She attends an international middle school where kids speak many languages and come from many backgrounds, and Lia has trouble communicating and making friends. She develops a crush on a kid who runs the school newspaper, while another classmate develops an unrequited crush on Lia. I love how Calin tackles menstruation in this graphic novel, as well as the many complications of first crushes and finding friends.

I only had horrible summer camp experiences, which makes this adorable graphic novel about an excellent theater summer camp even more special. This is what I wish I’d experienced as a kid! Ash (they/them) has a crush on their long-time cabin mate at the musical theater summer camp they attend, but Ivy (she/her) has no idea. This is the last year they can attend the camp, and Ash wants it to be the best year yet. But Ivy and Ash are put in different cabins, and it feels like Ivy is falling for her fellow star in the musical they’re performing — “Ella,” a retelling of Cinderella. Ash feels jealous and doesn’t know how to tell Ivy they have a crush on her.

This is the second graphic novel in the Growing Pangs series, though both can be read as stand-alone. It’s such a sweet and relatable queer first-crush story and also set in the theater scene. Twelve-year-old Katie, who is homeschooled, is sad about her best friends moving away to be closer to their grandmother, who is ill. Katie dreads attending church camps without her two friends, where youth leaders teach the kids about “purity” and how same-sex relationships are a sin. This makes Katie extra confused at theater. She’s cast as an orphan in “Annie,” as is new girl Grace. Grace makes Katie’s heart beat extra hard, and she can’t stop smiling whenever she thinks about her. But it can’t be a crush, right? This wonderful graphic novel is inspired by both the author’s and illustrator’s experiences.

I wanted to include one book that depicts a less-than-ideal crush because not all first crushes are sweet and romantic. Bay Ann, who has cerebral palsy, has a crush on her arch nemesis Alyee Maq. He wins at everything, and Bay Ann is determined to show him that she can win, too, and maybe even impress him a little when she does so. Unfortunately, the one time Bay Ann does manage to win something, Alyee is a total ableist jerk and steals the spotlight. Bay Ann is determined to beat him and reach viral fame, despite her friends trying to convince her that Alyee is not worth the energy. Bay Ann is a quirky and fun character, and this graphic novel has so much good friend drama. Like Bay Ann, the author has cerebral palsy and is a Muslim Palestinian-American.