Liz Montague Livres

A heartfelt and funny graphic novel memoir from one of the first Black female cartoonists to be published in the New Yorker, when she was just 22 years old. When Liz Montague was a senior in college, she wrote to the New Yorker, asking them why they didn't publish more inclusive comics. The New Yorker wrote back asking if she could recommend any. She responded: yes, me. Those initial cartoons in the New Yorker led to this memoir of Liz's youth, from the age of five through college--how she navigated life in her predominantly white New Jersey town, overcame severe dyslexia through art, and found the confidence to pursue her passion. Funny and poignant, Liz captures the age-old adolescent questions of “who am I?” and “what do I want to be?” with pitch-perfect clarity and insight. This brilliant, laugh-out-loud graphic memoir offers a fresh perspective on life and social issues and proves that you don’t need to be a dead white man to find success in art.

The story follows Rose, Amethyst, and Lavender, who are navigating their fifth year at the Brooklyn School of Magic. As they prepare for the crucial Equinox Test necessary for advancing to Middle Magic, they confront personal insecurities, a cheating scandal, and emerging conflicts within the magical community. Their journey explores themes of friendship, integrity, and the challenges of growing up in a magical world.

Set in a school filled with enchantment, three friends embark on adventures brimming with magic and chaos. This illustrated series by Liz Montague, a New Yorker cartoonist and NAACP Image Award nominee, captures the whimsical and unpredictable nature of their experiences. It appeals to fans of Witchlings and The Wizards of Waverly Place, offering a blend of humor and fantasy through engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations.

A stirring picture-book biography about Jackie Ormes, the first Black female cartoonist in America, whose remarkable life and work inspire countless artists today. Zelda Jackson—or Jackie—was born in Pittsburgh on August 1, 1911, and discovered early on that she could draw any adventure. A field she could run through as far as her hand could draw. An ocean she could color as blue as she liked. As she grew, Jackie put her artistic talents to use, doodling and chronicling daily life for her high school yearbook. But she was already dreaming of bigger things. Jackie would go on to create bold and witty cartoon characters—Torchy Brown, Candy, Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger—who entertained readers of African American newspapers like the Pittsburgh Courier and the Chicago Defender. She tackled racism, pollution, and social justice—and made the world listen. Jackie was the first Black female American cartoonist, but she would not be the last. Author Liz Montague, one of the first Black cartoonists at the New Yorker, carries Jackie's indelible legacy forward in vibrant text and evocative cartoons.