Can’t wait For Barbie? Try these graphic novels!

The Barbie movie comes out TOMORROW! If you’re on pins and needles for more Barbie content, or if your local theater has sold out, try these tween and teen graphic novels that might scratch your Barbie itch.

The Sweet Valley Twins are BACK: in graphic novel format! Join Jessica and Elizabeth as they take on middle school. They’ve always been inseparable twins, but will their new interests drive them apart??

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao is the story of Asian American author Soontornvat’s own adolescence! Christina and her best friend Megan are planning to try out for the middle school cheer squad. But will the experience bring them closer together or tear them apart? Heartfelt and funny, this one is a great graphic memoir for tweens!

Welcome to Memorial Middle School. Drama is everywhere! In Junior High Drama by Louise Simonson and Sumin Cho, four girls take on the mean girls, the gossip, the boys, and the friendships of junior high in a fun, pink and purple palette. Barbie would love it!

Cheer Up! Love and Pom Poms is the story of two queer girls, Bebe, a trans girl, and Annie, as they try to become cheerleaders. This sweet, queer, slice of life story follows them as they face the challenges of falling in love, transphobia, and overprotective parents. A lovely, sporty rom-com!

Taking a sharp left into feminist horror (which yes, we think Barbie would approve of!), Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle takes on a popular clique of girls who moonlight as werewolves who prey on creepy, slimy boys who take advantage of girls. Of course, things become muddied and messy, and new girl Becca feels she might be in over her head. How’s this one going to end? Pick it up and find out!

There you have it! Enjoy your Barbie-inspired graphic novel reads, and enjoy the movie this weekend!

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