If you’re trying to get a kid off YouTube and back into a book, this is your silver bullet. Kazu Kibuishi’s art is so good it makes most other graphic novels look like they were drawn in a rush.

It’s not just pretty, though—the story is heavy. Emily is carrying a magical nuke around her neck that tries to manipulate her, and her mom is literally dying from spider-toxin for most of the book. It’s high-stakes and a bit dark, but it’s the kind of 'safe' scary that helps kids grow. Plus, giant mechs. You can't lose with giant mechs.