"For those readers who take a keen interest in the state of the world, this is a vivid, accessible and unforgettable graphic novel that shows how young lives can be devastated by war but also how any one of us can find resilience, decency and courage when needed."
October 2026 Graphic Novel of the Month
This is the third timely and powerful graphic novel that this team have produced, following Illegal and Global, and this will be another must have for every school library.
It pulls no punches as it examines some of the effects of war on those drawn into it and in particular on two young people who find themselves on opposing sides.
14yr old graffiti artist Kat is our main narrator. We are vividly shown by the superb artwork what it would be like to live in a city that is invaded by a foreign army. Her family reluctantly decide they have to flee, but when her dad is taken by soldiers, Kat stays behind in the city to get him out.
Meanwhile we are also shown glimpses into the experience of Adam, a young conscript on the opposite side struggling with the separation from his own home and family and to understand why he is being made to fight and what he is fighting for.
Through Kat’s eyes we see the grim reality of life under siege, she watches soldiers pillage homes and buildings burn. The fact that we are never told the name of the city or country really underlines the message that this could happen to any of us, even in the most modern, seemingly safe places. When fate conspires to bring the two teenagers into contact with one another, Kat has to decide whether or not to trust the young man to help her free her father.
The dual perspective gives the reader much to think about and discuss. Kat is an ordinary girl who shows courage and resourcefulness in hugely challenging circumstances and Adam shows that it can be equally difficult to be forced into service in the army while having huge concerns about your country’s actions.
As the opening quote from the founder of Save the Children says ‘every war is a war against children’. This important message is further reinforced by a brief section at the end of the book which gives readers more information about the impact on war on children from the book’s team, followed by a short comic strip based on the true story of one Ukrainian child’s experiences.
An important and essential work that demonstrates how powerful and accessible the graphic novel format can be.
Sally Nicholls chose War as her Guest Editor's Book of the Month - Kat is a teenage graffiti artist living with her parents and younger sister in an unnamed city, when war comes. Kat’s parents are desperate to escape. But when her father is arrested by the invaders, Kat knows she has to rescue him.
She just has to figure out how … Colfer is great at writing young people and family relations, and Kat and her little sister Deena felt very real. He also conveys how quickly the unimaginable becomes ordinary. The graphic novel is mostly about Kat, but also features sections from Adam, a young conscript in the invading army who misses his farm and is, in a different way, another victim of the war.
The book deliberately doesn’t name the conflict, but Colfer took inspiration from conversations with Ukranian refugees. A moving and horribly plausible book.
From the award-winning creators of ILLEGAL and GLOBAL comes a third timely and thoughtful graphic novel this time looking at war - with glorious colour artwork throughout for children of all ages.
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Closing date: 30/09/2026
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War is a book that stays with you, that gets under your skin, that makes you think, 'What if...?'
War is the third graphic novel created by the talented trio of Eoin Colfer, Andrew Dolkin and Giovanni Rigano. It follows Kat, a teenage graffiti artist who, at the start of the book, many could relate to - she could be any teenager anywhere. But then, with little warning, War comes quickly and violently to her city, forcing her family to make difficult decisions about their future. Their plans for seeking safety are dramatically foiled and Kat makes a brave decision to protect those she loves. Juxtaposed with this narrative, the reader is introduced to a soldier on the opposing side and his connections to his own family, combined with the difficult decisions he must also make on his path. Cleverly crafted, the narrative is beautifully enhanced by Rigano's powerful imagery, telling further snippets of the story and bringing it to life.... Read Full Review
An empathetic, superbly crafted and beautifully illustrated story that demonstrates the futility of war and demonstrates that children are always the least responsible and most affected.
This is a beautifully illustrated and compellingly told story of Kat, a 14-year-old girl whose relatively comfortable life is torn apart by the sudden invasion of a foreign army. Her family and friends are forced to flee, but when her father is captured as they leave, Kat makes the courageous and risky decision to remain and attempt his rescue.
The authors cleverly advance the story through the eyes of both Kat and a reluctant young conscript from the opposing side: we learn about both their lives and how neither understands why the conflict is necessary. The fact that the occupied country and the invading force are unnamed illustrates that this could happen anywhere in the world.... Read Full Review
Timely, thought-provoking and deeply moving, War is a vital resource for discussing current affairs and for comparing and contrasting modern conflicts with wars studied throughout history.
Following the acclaimed graphic novels Illegal and Global, War reunites writer Eoin Colfer, co-writer Andrew Donkin and illustrator Giovanni Rigano. Like its predecessors, War explores a major contemporary issue through the eyes of young people, combining an accessible narrative with powerful artwork and a strong humanitarian message.
Set in an unnamed city under invasion, the story follows Kat, a fourteen-year-old graffiti artist whose world is shattered when her father is detained by occupying forces. Refusing to flee with her mother and younger sister, Kat remains behind in a desperate attempt to rescue him. Running parallel to her story is that of Adam, a young conscript struggling to understand the conflict he has been forced to join.... Read Full Review
From the award-winning creators of ILLEGAL and GLOBAL comes a third timely and thoughtful graphic novel this time looking at war - with glorious colour artwork throughout for children of all ages. Set in an unnamed city in an unnamed country, WAR follows fourteen-year-old Kat, a graffiti artist whose world is shattered by invasion.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed War and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-14 years old
War features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for 13+ readers, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Warfare & Battles, Graphic Novels & Comics, American style / tradition comic books, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Graphic novel / Comic book / Manga: styles / traditions
Paperback, Hardback. £11.69, down from the £12.99 cover price. Pre-order. 21st April 2027.
War was written by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and published by Starboard an imprint of Hachette Children's Group
War has 144 pages
£11.69, reduced from £12.99. Pre-order. 21st April 2027.
