The War at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks

Juniper is the new girl, which sucks. She decided on her own to work hard to earn a scholarship to attend Ellsmere Academy, an upper class boarding school that lets in one scholarship student a year. Jun wants to go to a good secondary school and knows that doing well at Ellsmere Academy is her best shot at a great academic future. Unfortunately, boarding school isn’t quite ready to welcome Jun, except for her roommate Cassie. Cassie has been going to Ellsmere forever, and has been pretty miserable forever. Emily wants to be the best, most popular, smartest girl at school and is willing to put down anyone who gets in her way, and when she crosses paths with Jun who threatens her “smartest girl in school” status, trouble bubbles up, threatening to disrupt the natural order of things.

The black-and-white graphics carry this super fun story, complete with evil plans, bloody noses, and unicorns. Recommended to all readers, especially as an intro to graphic novels.
Call number: YA GRAPHIC HICKS (Teen Room)

Recommended by kate the librarian