Juniper Mae
Part of the collectionJuniper Mae→Best for graphic novel readers who like clever young inventors, hidden cities, robots, guardian myths and colourful adventure.
- Books3 / 3
- Arcs2
- Span2023–2026
- StatusOngoing
The series
At a glance.
Juniper Mae is a graphic novel series created by Sarah Soh, with Tim Fraser credited as co-author on later seeded titles. It begins in Tykotech City, where Juniper's inventor instincts and homemade tech place her at the centre of a larger mystery involving guardian knights and the world beneath the city. The books are visually accessible and bright, but they offer more plot and worldbuilding than very early comics. Juniper is a strong heroine for children who like making, fixing, exploring and out-thinking problems, while the adventure gives the series enough peril to feel properly exciting.
Best for graphic novel readers who like clever young inventors, hidden cities, robots, guardian myths and colourful adventure.
Primary themes
Overall tone
- Adventurous
- Exciting
- Warm
- Whimsical
Read in publication order. The later books build on Tykotech City, the guardian-knight mythology and Juniper's earlier discoveries.
Two arcs
A series that changes as it goes.
- INarrative arcBooks 1–2 · 2023–2024Moderate sensitivity
Tykotech City and the guardian knights
Juniper's invention-led city adventure opens into guardian-knight secrets and a larger hidden mythology.
The opening Juniper Mae arc establishes the series' distinctive blend of technology and myth. Knight of Tykotech City introduces Juniper as an inventor-hero whose curiosity and tools pull her into danger, while Secrets of the Guardian Knights expands the lore around the city's protectors and hidden history. This is the strongest entry stretch because it gives readers both the immediate pleasure of gadgets and the longer pull of mystery. The peril is moderate but manageable: there are threats, action and scary moments, but the bright graphic style keeps the series approachable.
- IINarrative arcBook 3 · 2026Moderate sensitivity
The levels below
Juniper's world expands downward into the hidden levels beneath Tykotech City.
The third seeded Juniper Mae book opens the world further by sending Juniper towards the Levels Below. It is best after the first two books because the reader already understands Tykotech City, Juniper's inventor identity and the guardian-knight mythology. This arc keeps the same strengths — bright graphic storytelling, action, technology, discovery and courage — while making the setting feel larger and stranger. It remains a moderate-sensitivity adventure rather than a dark fantasy series, but sensitive children may still notice the danger and underground tension.
Fit check
Right for your reader?
Where the series lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- 15
- 17
- 19
- Best fit · 7–11
- Read aloud · 7–10
- Independent · 7–11
Reluctant-reader friendliness
Very high
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Adult crossover
High
Grows with the reader
Designed to
Sensitivity envelope
Moderate overall, and consistent.
Content notes
- Scary imagery
- Violence
Per-arc breakdown
Where it sits
In conversation with other series.
Similar in feel
Different shelves, same wavelength.
About the author