Teen Books with Artist Main CharactersLike this list

27 items

• Bunt!

  Striking Out on Financial Aid

  Ukazu, Ngozi,

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  When Molly's scholarship to art school mysteriously disappears, she has no choice but to try to win an athletic scholarship through softball.

• Self Portrait

  Volbeda, Ludwig, 1990-

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  A trans teen grapples with their identity when tasked with an assignment to draw a self portrait.

• Red Flags and Butterflies

  Azzam, Sheryl,

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  An aspiring artist has to find a way to reconcile her plans for the future with her father's conflicting wishes.

• Song of a Blackbird

  Van Lieshout, Maria,

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  An artist's work unites two stories, one set in 1943 and the other in 2011.

• If I Promise You Wings

  Small, A. K.,

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  An aspiring fashion designer navigates the Paris fashion scene.

• Freshman Year

  Mai, Sarah,

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  A graphic novel inspired by the author's life explores the trials and tribulations of starting college.

• These Vengeful Wishes

  Montalban, Vanessa,

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  A fantasy horror inspired by the myth of La Cegua.

• Chloe and the Kaishao Boys

  Coyiuto, Mae, 1994-

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  Chloe is excited for college in California, and the animator career she sees in her future. Before leaving Manila, she has to make it through the Filipino debut party her father and aunt are throwing for her.

• Wings in the Wild

  Engle, Margarita,

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  What if you could be arrested for creating art? When Soleida’s parents are arrested for their activist sculpture, Soleida escapes to a refugee camp in Costa Rica where she meets fellow artist, Dariel.

• Going Bicoastal

  Adler, Dahlia,

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  Natalya isn’t sure what she wants to do after high school, but she wishes there were a way to use her art skills in a career. She explores the possibilities over the summer in this book, which alternates between dual timelines.

• Almost American Girl

  An Illustrated Memoir

  Ha, Robin,

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  This graphic memoir shares Chuna’s experience immigrating from South Korea to Alabama, and the important role art played in her experience.

• A Forgery of Roses

  Olson, Jessica S.,

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  Myra has a gift: she can change a person’s body, even take away minor injuries, by painting their portrait. When the mayor’s wife blackmails her into using her power to bring back her murdered son, Myra must solve the crime before she’s next.

• Wolfwood

  Baer, Marianna,

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  Struggling financially, Indigo takes on the task of secretly finishing her mother’s series of paintings – only to find herself pulled into the strange world of the paintings themselves.

• Primer. 1, A Superhero Comic

  Muro, Jennifer,

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  Imagine if paint could give you superpowers? Ashley discovers her mother has stolen a new scientific discover from work: paints that grant superpowers. But Ashley isn’t the only one interested in using these paints.

• It's Boba Time for Pearl Li!

  Chen, Nicole, 1980-

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  When her favorite tea shop is in danger of closing, Pearl Li decides to raise the needed money by selling her crocheted amigurumi dolls. Managing an online store is tough – even tougher when you have to hide what you’re doing from your parents.

• Punching the Air

  Zoboi, Ibi Aanu,

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  Amal was never a fighter; he was an artist and poet. But one night, a confrontation leads to his unjust arrest and incarceration. Inspired by a true story.

• Bitter

  Emezi, Akwaeke,

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  Outside the walls of Bitter’s art school, protestors call for political reform. When the protests result in her friend getting injured, Bitter uses her art to conjure a monster bent on revenge. This is a companion book to Pet.

• A Phở Love Story

  Le, Loan,

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  Despite their family’s feud, Bao has never forgotten his early crush on Linh. While their parents grow increasingly hostile to each other, Bao and Linh grow closer.

• The Art of Insanity

  Webb, Christine

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  At her mother’s insistence, Natalie works to hide her bipolar disorder. While pursuing a new relationship and an opportunity to professionally showcase her art, Natalie begins to confront the stigmas around mental health.

• Violets Are Blue

  Dee, Barbara,

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  To cope with her parents’ divorce, Wren dives into learning special effects makeup by watching online tutorials. As she navigates her new role doing the makeup for a school theater show, she struggles with her mother’s growing difficulties.