One of the greatest legends of all time is the story of King Arthur and the Round Table. I have always been intrigued by the people, magic, and mystery that surrounds this story. We previously have shared five different versions of the story, but here are six more titles to further expand your Arthurian knowledge.  

THE SQUIRE’S TALE
By Gerald Morris
(1998)

In medieval England, 14-year-old Terence finds his tranquil life changed suddenly when he becomes the squire of the young Gawain and accompanies him on a long quest to prove Gawain’s worth as a knight and reveal a secret about Terence’s true identity. Morris has a whole series of Arthurian books that feature Terence and the Knights of Camelot. They are witty and full of adventure and magic. Great for older children and teens. 

OVER SEA, UNDER STONE
By Susan Cooper
(1965)

Three children are on vacation in Cornwall when they find an ancient manuscript that sends them on a dangerous quest in the battle between the forces of the Light and the Dark. This is the first book in Cooper’s THE DARK IS RISING series and is a classic for a reason. There is lots of adventure, magic, and family dynamics as they race against the clock to defeat the Dark. 

AVALON HIGH
By Meg Cabot
(2006)

High school junior Ellie has just enrolled at Avalon High School when strange things start to happen, and it seems that some of her classmates may be reincarnations of King Arthur and his court. I remember reading this book as a teen, and absolutely loved it. It is fun to see Arthur set in contemporary time, and Cabot manages to throw in some surprises that keep the characters and the reader on their toes. 

ONCE AND FUTURE
By Amy Rose Capetta
(2019)

King Arthur’s most recent reincarnation is 17-year-old Ari, a female king who fights a tyrannical corporate government who is taking over the solar system, with the aid of her friends and a teenaged Merlin. Camelot in Space! A fun mix of futuristic technology and medieval jousting and chivalry, a group of diverse teenagers tries to stop an evil corporation from destroying the solar system. 

THE GUINEVERE DECEPTION
By Kiersten White
(2019)

In order to protect King Arthur, the banished Merlin has sent a 16-year-old changling to Camelot, where her magic is outlawed, to impersonate the deceased Guinevere. In a court torn between the old and new, Guinevere must try to keep Arthur safe while keeping her true identity hidden. Full of deadly jousts, forbidden romances, and complex characters, this is a great read for readers who love fantasy and mystery. 

TOMORROW’S MAGIC
By Pamela Service
(2007)

This 2-in-1 volume follows a young, resurrected Merlin as he tries to bring back King Arthur and stop Morgan Le Fey in the wake of a nuclear holocaust. Set in a post-nuclear apocalypse time, Merlin is trying to resurrect Arthur with the help of two boarding school outcasts and stop the evil Morgan Le Fey. This futuristic tale will appeal to both Arthurian purists and fantasy lovers. Have I missed any of your favorite Arthurian adaptations? Be sure to share them in the comments.

Just like there are great graphic novel adaptations of classic literature, the library also has a host of modern classics that combine word and image. These adaptations can make a moving story even more powerful with the addition of illustrations. Here are just a few examples from our adult and teen collections.  

EYE OF THE WORLD
By Robert Jordan and Chuck Dixon
Artwork by Chase Conley
(2011) 

In this first volume of the WHEEL OF TIME SERIES, Ran al’Thor and his friends flee their home village, and are barely ahead of the pursuing Trollocs and Draghkar. Will the young people learn what they need to know in order to survive this dangerous world? 

ENDER’S GAME : BATTLE SCHOOL
By Orson Scott Card and Christopher Yost
Artwork by Pasqual Ferry and Frank D'Armata
(2009) 

The Earth is in a desperate fight against a deadly alien race, and one child, Ender Wiggin, may be the key to saving mankind. 

SPEAK
By Laurie Halse Anderson
Artwork by Emily Carroll
(2018) 

Melinda starts her freshman year at Merryweather High School friendless and an outcast, all because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now, no one will listen to her, but what secrets could Melinda be keeping inside?  

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES
By Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen, and Tony Lee
Artwork by Cliff Richards
(2010) 

A plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton that causes the dead to return to life. Heroine Elizabeth Bennett is determined to wipe out the zombies, but will a haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy distract her from her mission?  

THE ALCHEMIST
By Paulo Coelho and Derek Ruiz
Artwork by Daniel Sampere
(2010) 

Shepherd boy Santiago travels from his homeland of Spain to Egypt in search of a treasure in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets several interesting individuals who help Santiago in his quest. Soon his quest becomes more than a search to find worldly goods and turns into a discovery of self-discovery and worth.  

KINDRED
By Octavia Butler and Damian Duffy
Artwork by Nnedi Okorafor
(2017) 

A young black writer from 1970s California finds herself transported through space and time to antebellum Maryland. She soon discovers that her very existence depends on protecting Rufus, a conflicted white child, slaveholder, and progenitor. This is a powerful look at the disturbing effects of slavery on all who it chained together. 

What are some of your favorite books that have graphic novel adaptations? Share them in the comments and be sure to look for our favorite nonfiction and classic fiction posts.

Classic literature – the bane of high school English students. Like many people, I struggled with the works of classical writers, like Shakespeare and Aristotle, during my education. Luckily, the library owns a variety of these works in graphic novel adaptation, combining word and illustration to tell the story. Here are some of my favorite classic literature adaptations. 

FAHRENHEIT 451
By Ray Bradbury and Tim Hamilton
(2009)

Experience Montag’s awakening to the evil of government-controlled thought and the need for philosophy and literature in striking artwork in this authorized adaptation. 

THE ODYSSEY
By Gareth Hinds 
(2010)

Based on Homer’s epic poem, follow the journey of Odysseus as he travels home from the Trojan War. Experience violent storms, sirens, monsters, and sorceresses through word and colorful illustrations in this unique adaptation.  

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
By Fyodor Dostoevsky and David Mairowitz
(2008)

Set in present-day Russia, the black and white illustrations create a haunting picture of Raskolnikov’s inner turmoil. After committing a horrible crime, he is driven toward confession as a reprieve from his agony. A basic understanding of the original novel would enhance this adaptation.  

PRIDE AND PREJUIDUCE
By Jane Austen and Stacy King
(2014) 

Discover the classic love story of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in this Manga Classic adaptation. Sometimes pride and first impressions can get in the way of true love. And check out our other Manga Classic titles for lots more adaptations.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
By Harper Lee and Fred Fordham
(2018)

Read the story of one little girl as she experiences the racial hate in an Alabama town as her father defends a black man accused of rape in this new adaptation of the classic novel.

Do you have any favorite graphic novel adaptations of classic literature? Share them in the comments and be sure to look for our favorite nonfiction and current fiction titles in the coming weeks.

We have already explored some of the graphic novel adaptations that the Library has of classic literature and modern classics. Here to round out our list are classic nonfiction titles that have been transformed through images.  

ANNE FRANK’S DIARY
By Anne Frank
Adapted by Ari Folman
Illustrated by David Polonsky
(2018) 

Explore the story of Anne Frank through illustrations and text from her diary in this authorized graphic biography of a young girl as she faces persecution and hatred during World War II. 

ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
By Charles Darwin
Adapted by Michael Keller
Illustrated by Nicolle Rager Fuller
(2009) 

In this graphic adaptation of Darwin’s famous work, learn more about his pioneering research, the initial public reception, and some of the most recent breakthroughs in evolutionary theory. 

THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO
By Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
Adapted by Martin Rowson
Illustrated by Martin Rowson
(2018)

 Considered to be one of the most influential works of political theory, THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO is brought to life through editorial cartoon style illustrations and lively wit. 

THE LIFE CHANGING MANGA OF TIDYING UP
By Marie Kondo
Illustrated by Yuko Uramoto
(2017) 

Learn about the KonMari Method of tidying up in this fictional and fun case study of one young woman who is struggling with messes in her home, her love life, and her future as she gets advice and inspiration from Marie Kondo. 

Do you have any graphic novel adaptations of nonfiction titles? Share them in the comments and be sure to look for our favorite classic literature and modern classic lists.