graphic memoir – Mom Read It

Street Noise Books is celebrating five years of take-no-prisoners dissident graphic novel publishing! Five years of queer, BIPOC, and neurodiverse authors publishing their own stories for adults and teens: disabled authors; trans authors; indigenous authors, authors grappling with climate change and social justice; authors struggling for mental health. Street Noise has been recognized this year alone with FOUR Eisner Awards – a heck of a birthday celebration!

I’m a Wild Seed, by Sharon Lee De La Cruz, (Apr. 2021, Street Noise Books), $12.99, ISBN: 9781951491055

Ages 16+

One of the first Street Noise books I picked up was I’m a Wild Seed: My Graphic Memoir on Queerness and Decolonizing the World by Sharon Lee De La Cruz. This full-color graphic memoir details the author’s deep-dive to learn about and unravel the effects of patriarchy and institutionalized racism on her identity, sexuality, and what freedom looks like for her. In De La Cruz’s own words, she “never ‘came into my queerness’ – I decolonized the shit out of my gender and sexuality”. Teens and young adults will embrace De La Cruz’s unflinching and often humorous storytelling. Graphic novel Sharon talks directly to the reader, making the book more of a conversation. Resources in the back matter steer readers interested in learning more to videos, organizations, and books.

If you haven’t yet treated yourself to I’m a Wild Seed, please do – and check out more of the great graphic novels from Street Noise!

Adrift on a Painted Sea, by Tim Bird with paintings by Sue Bird, (Oct. 2024, Avery Hill Publishing), $18.99, ISBN: 9781910395820

Ages 16+

Sue Bird was an artist who “filled the house with her art”. Her son, Tim Bird, created this graphic memoir as a tribute to her. Told in flashbacks, Bird touches on his relationship with his mom and her art. Bird incorporates Sue Bird’s art, art research, and photos in his story, fitting his illustrations and narration around all of it with skill and feeling. Chapters are organized into weather reports and illustration, the titles framing the journey of Bird’s grief and loss. Bird fills this memoir with lessons learned, particularly around one of Sue’s paintings, ever-present in his home, whose origin may differ from the story he grew up hearing: “There are always mysteries – big or small – that go unanswered even when you think you know everything about someone”.

A warm, heartfelt piece on love and loss that works as a crossover graphic memoir for YA collections.