The Graphic Novel of Hope

In these two engaging and hopeful graphic novels by award-winning creators, young girls try to make things right by searching for the answer to their dreams—but it’s friendship and family that save the day. Dream On, the first in a new graphic novel series by mega-bestselling author Shannon Hale, offers a heartfelt take on meeting life’s hardships and big emotions with compassion. Angelica and the Bear Prince, the highly anticipated second book from Minnesota cartoonist Trung Le Nguyen, follows a high school girl who has had some very low moments, but who’s starting to put her life back together thanks to friends and a surprising romance. Join us as these creative powerhouses discuss how they use the graphic novel medium to tackle tough issues for youth.

About the Authors

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of over 40 books, which have sold 15 million copies in North America and been translated into dozens of languages worldwide. Her novels for young readers include The Goose Girl, Book of a Thousand Days, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy. With LeUyen Pham, she created her best-selling graphic novel memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and the Kitty-Corn picture book series. Shannon co-writes graphic novels with her husband Dean Hale, like the Eisner-nominee Rapunzel’s Revenge (with Nathan Hale) and Diana, Princess of the Amazons (with Victoria Ying) as well as the best-selling chapter book series The Princess in Black (with LeUyen Pham). She lives in Utah with their four children and two ridiculous cats. Visit her at shannonhale.com.

Trung Le Nguyen is an award-winning Vietnamese American cartoonist, artist, and writer. His first original graphic novel, The Magic Fish, was published in 2020. He has contributed work both as an author and as an artist for a variety of comics publishers, including DC Comics, Oni Press, Boom! Studios, Image Comics, and Marvel. Trung has been nominated for an Eisner, a prize at Angoulême (France), a GLAAD award, and has won two Harvey Awards and a Romics (Italy). He currently lives in Minneapolis and raises a small flock of very spoiled hens. Visit him at trungles.com.