The Master of Shadows

Reach for this graphic novel when your child is beginning to transition from the safety of home to the wider, sometimes intimidating world of social hierarchies and hidden fears. It is an ideal pick for a reader who is curious about the 'unknown' but might need a visual roadmap for how to stand by friends when things get dark or complicated. The story follows three friends who discover a portal to a shadow world in an old house, forcing them to confront literal monsters and the Master of Shadows. While the setting is fantastical, the emotional core focuses on the resilience required to navigate mystery and danger. Parents will appreciate the way it balances high-stakes adventure with the grounded reality of childhood friendship, making it a safe yet thrilling bridge into the middle-grade fantasy genre.