graphic novel books for 8 year olds

12 Graphic Novels 6- to 8-Year-Old Kids Are Raving About

By kari ness riedel.

Young readers in my book clubs gobble up graphic novels. They say that this format immerses them in the story, and the mix of pictures and words sparks their imaginations and brings the plot to life in their heads. I once resisted graphic novels but have come to love them, too. As a notorious speed reader, they make me slow down and read each frame carefully. As I absorb the details of the illustrations, they help me understand the feelings and actions of the characters.

Graphic novels are an excellent way for emerging and newly independent readers to practice their phonics and decoding skills and experience the pure joy of an engaging book. Here are 12 graphic novels highly recommended by young readers on Bookopolis , an online platform I created that is like Goodreads for kids. This list spans genres including fantasy, adventure, realistic fiction, and historical fiction that will let readers laugh, learn, and reflect.

Pacey Packer: Unicorn Tracker Book 1

by J.C. Phillipps

Pacey is skeptical that unicorns are real, despite her little sister Mina’s claims about her favorite stuffed unicorn toy, Slasher. But when Mina disappears, Pacey follows Slasher into a magical land to save her sister and discover the truth. Girl power reigns in this witty, magical, and adventure-filled series. Molly raves, “If you love Phoebe and Her Unicorn, read this!!”

Babymouse #1: Queen of the World!

by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Babymouse delivers a mix of optimism, pluck, and charming dorkiness as she navigates everyday dramas that elementary school kids can relate to. In the first book of this bestselling series that blends fantasy, drama, and humor, Babymouse wants to be the queen of the world and tries to get invited to a sleepover with the popular mice. But will it be as fun as she imagines? Lane highly recommends it, “I love this book and this whole series...it is hilarious!!”

by Laura Knetzger

This charming “opposites attract” friendship story centers on two beetles: Stag-B and Rhino-B. As they go on adventures around Bug Village, they learn to appreciate each other’s strengths and navigate the normal ups and downs experienced by elementary school-aged friends. Evelyn recommends it. “It's an amazing, cute adventure book. [If you are] looking for a comforting graphic novel, this one is for you!”

Batpig: When Pigs Fly

by Rob Harrell

Gary was your typical mud bath and video game-loving pig until a radioactive bat bit him, and he became…Batpig! Hijinks and adventures ensue as he fights local bullies and supervillain robots. Written by the acclaimed cartoonist behind Big Top and Adam@Home , this series uses humor and action to tell a fun story that packs an emotional punch.

Grumpy Monkey Freshly Squeezed

by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang

When Jim Panzee wakes up grumpy, he sets out on a walk by himself. As friends and neighbors join him, he gets grumpier and grumpier. This hilarious graphic novel series is an excellent way to talk with young readers in an age-appropriate way about handling emotions and dealing with stress. And Jackson wants other young readers to know, “This is a very funny and fun book!”

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #1)

by Ben Clanton

A shared love of waffles and adventure leads to an unlikely friendship between happy-go-lucky Narwhal and strait-laced Jelly the Jellyfish. As they travel across the ocean, they have fun escapades and learn the value of friendship. Sienna gives it high praise. “This book is filled with humor and will make you laugh. I really love this book.”

Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?

by Stephen Shaskan

The title sums up the underlying premise of this laugh-out-loud funny book that Dimitrius rated 5 out of 5 stars. While most of us will agree that both Pizza and Taco are amazing, they want to know if one is more popular! Can Pizza and Taco’s friendship last when they get friends like Hamburger and Hot Dog to vote on who is the best? Read to find out!

Max Meow Book 1: Cat Crusader

by John Gallagher

When Max takes a bite of a radioactive space meatball, he gets superpowers and becomes the Cat Crusader. But his newfound abilities go to his head. Can he remain a kind and loyal friend AND save the day? This “hiss-terical” book is perfect for Dog Man and Cat Kid fans. Or, as Penelope shares, “I recommend it to 2nd and 3rd graders, but every superhero fan will love this book.”

Donut Feed the Squirrels

by Mika Song

What would you do to get a donut? Squirrel best friends, Norma and Belly, go on a page-turning adventure to find the best donut ever. Positive values like the power of working together and tenacity blend with fast-paced action and pure silliness to make this humorous story a delight.

Dinosaurs Before Dark Graphic Novel

by Mary Pope Osbourne, adapted by Jenny Laird, illustrated by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews

The magical tree house whisks siblings Jack and Annie across time and space for fast-paced adventures that offer readers an engaging story filled with historical facts. In the first book, they time travel to a prehistoric period where dinosaurs roam free. This graphic novel is excellent for fans who already love this bestselling series and newly independent readers who might want to try the “words” version after enjoying this one.

Disney Encanto: The Graphic Novel (Disney Encanto)

by Random House Disney

If your young reader breaks into song at the mention of Bruno, this graphic novel is for them. It retells the beloved story of the magical Madrigal family and how Mirabel, the only Madrigal without a special power, takes a risk to save her beloved Encanto. Elisabeth gives it 5 stars and simply says, “I love it!”

Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell

by Melanie Watt

As his name suggests, Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of everything. He prefers to stay in his safe, comfortable tree. One day, he must go out into the world, where he encounters a super-scary bunny. As he tries new things and meets new friends, he realizes new things can be great, too. This charming story is perfect for readers who prefer sticking to their comfort zones. Liz raves, “OMG, this is more than a 5-star rating. It is a 1,000-star rating!”

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The 50 Best Graphic Novels for Kids of 2024

Our top picks include a wide range of subjects for all ages

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Courtesy of Merchants / Photo Illustration by Marcus Millan for Verywell Family

Graphic novels are a fantastic way to encourage a child’s love for reading . These approachable stories differ from standard novels in that they combine imaginative text with vivid action-packed images , so kids can enjoy reading while taking in visuals to help them better comprehend the narrative. Because they’re less intimidating than a page full of text, kids can easily dive into a story with confidence, regardless of their reading level. Graphic novels are available for children of all ages (and adults, too!) and can help early readers bridge the gap from picture books to text-only novels.

“Picture books and graphic novels can help teach a variety of lessons ," says Rurik Nackerud, manager of education programs at KinderCare Learning Companies. Books depicting people or characters having a variety of emotions can help children learn to name feelings and understand what those feelings look like on others’ faces, which translates to empathy.”

If you’re looking for the best graphic novels for kids, there are a few factors to consider before purchasing. To start, it’s imperative to select a book that’s the appropriate reading level for your child. If a reading level is too low, the child could be bored or disinterested, and if a reading level is too high, a child will have trouble following the storyline and may struggle to retain interest. Next, make sure to select a book with interesting subject matter . Graphic novels come in a variety of genres—like mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction—so it’s important to select a topic that your child will identify with and be interested in.

• How We Selected
• What to Look For

Why Trust Verywell Family

Tater tales: the greatest in the world.

This kids’ graphic novel is hilarious and silly, following the epic challenges of two spud siblings , Rot and Snot. Rot wakes up feeling like the greatest in the world, except it makes Snot feel like the grumpiest in the world! To sort out their differences, the two go head-to-head in an epic contest judged by their baby sister, Tot . 

Mr. Wolf's Class

Classrooms can be a fun, exciting, and adventurous place for new students. That’s why we love this story centered around the unique cast of (animal) characters in “Mr. Wolf’s Class.” He’s a new teacher , and his fourth-grade students’ big personalities make each day a bit more fun. The story from Eisner Award-winning author Aron Nels Steinke is best suited to kids from second grade to fifth grade. 

Babymouse Queen of the World

Babymouse is tired of the same old ordinary routine, and wants a little glamor and excitement! When she hears about an invitation to the most exclusive slumber party of the year, she’s faced with the difficult decision to attend or cancel plans with her best friend. Read along as Babymouse grapples with the tough decision in her own cute, smart, and sassy way. From author Jennifer L. Holm, Babymouse is recommended for readers with a second-grade to fifth-grade reading level .

Part dog and part man, this police officer is quite the memorable hero. This funny, engaging story follows Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man as he takes down evil cat thieves and squirrels at the same time. It explores ideas of empathy, kindness, and persistence (even if this comes along with some share of potty jokes), which makes it a particularly strong choice for a younger audience. The recommended grade level is second grade and up. 

Cat Kid Comic Club

Also from Dav Pilkey comes this hilarious Dog Man spinoff , a collection of stories. Featuring a team of baby frogs who share their stories in the comic book club, these silly comics serve as stories-within-the-story. The style is thoughtful and creative , and young or new readers will love taking in all the vibrant imagery . The recommended reading level is grade two and up.

Spider-Ham: Great Power, No Responsibility

This story follows the hilarious Marvel character Spider-Ham , a notoriously distracted anti-hero, as he loses (and must recover) the key to the city. This action-packed story is filled with silliness, so it’s perfect for grabbing the attention of young ones. Author Steve Foxe’s Spider-Ham series is recommended for kids from second to fifth grade. 

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea

The love of friendship is highlighted in this delightful book from Ben Clanton that follows an unlikely pair— a narwhal and a jellyfish —as they discover the deep ocean together. Through parties and adventures, their bond grows stronger and stronger, and they soon form a pod of even more friends. This book is a fantastic way to teach little ones about the joys of friendship , the benefits of working together, and the delights of imagination and curiosity. It’s recommended for grade levels one to four.

Owly: The Way Home

Owly is a helpful, good-natured, sweet little owl who is always helping others. He wants a friend, but he always manages to scare everyone away. That is, until he meets Wormy—another creature in need of a friend. This introduction to graphic novels from Andy Runton is perfect for young readers, because it combines a collection of words, images, and symbols . It’s recommended for grade levels two to five.  

Split between two worlds—the neighborhood he lives in and the fancy private school his parents enrolled him in—Jordan just doesn’t seem to fit in, no matter where he is. This complex, Newberry Award-winning story from author Jerry Craft depicts the struggle of fitting in, especially when you don’t feel or look like the other kids in school. This insightful story shows how Jordan learns to navigate two different cultures while staying true to himself . It’s recommended for grade levels three to seven.

Paul the Apostle: Graphic Story Bible

Full of bravery, miracles, faith, and more, this action-packed graphic novel tells the story of Paul the Apostle . Throughout the story, kids (and parents) will find Bible verse references for further discussion, detailed illustrations, and a fun comic book format.

Smiling seems easy, but for kids with tooth trouble , it can cause a lot of anxiety. After tripping and falling after Girl Scouts one night, Raina starts down a path of surgery, headgear, fake teeth, and on-again, off-again braces. It’s a frustrating and tiresome journey , one that so many kids can relate to. This charming story from author Raina Telgemeier that helps kids realize that even the toughest times can get easier eventually. It’s recommended for readers grade three to six. 

Hilda and the Mountain King

This action-packed series from author Luke Pearson is fun for the whole family, thanks to the misadventures of our heroine, Hilda. As Hilda is stuck in the body of a troll , her mother is worried, confused, and disturbed by the monster who has taken her daughter’s place. This is a fun read for the whole family, and even little ones will delight in the adventurous imagery . It’s best for readers in grades three to seven. 

The Secret Garden on 81st Street

Parents and kids will love reading the modern retelling of this classic story from author Ivy Noelle Weir. Mary is surrounded by technology and heavily dependent on her gadgets until she moves in with her uncle in New York City and discovers an abandoned rooftop garden . With the help of some new friends, Mary leaves her gadgets behind and works to revitalize the garden and bring it back to its former glory . This story is recommended for readers in grades three to seven.

Neil Gaiman’s best-selling children’s book is given a new life with descriptive imagery in the graphic novel version from illustrator P. Craig Russell. When Coraline discovers another world that’s eerily similar to her own, she finds it marvelous at first. However, it’s more difficult to return to normal life than she thought. Coraline must use her wit, strong will, and courage to get back home. This story is recommended for readers in grades three to seven. 

When Raina wakes up with a stomach ache, she assumes it’s probably just a bug. Once back at school, Raina realizes her tummy trouble might have something to do with the anxiety she’s feeling about school, food, and her changing friendships.  Another true story from author Raina Telgemeier, this is a thoughtful take on growing up and our ability to gather the courage to face hardships, no matter how big or small they seem. It’s best suited for readers in grade levels three to seven. 

The Okay Witch

This fun and funny story from author Emma Steinkellner follows Moth Hush, an ordinary girl who discovers extraordinary powers . Born and raised in a town that’s packed with witch history, Moth slowly discovers that she has a lot in common with the witches of the past. After some adventures with a talking cat , a magic diary, and a secret witch world, Moth slowly uncovers the truth about her town, her family, and herself. This story is recommended for grades three to seven. 

Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian

The first story in this other-worldly series from author Tim Probert introduces us to two friends, Bea and Cad, who find themselves in the midst of an epic quest to save the world . Cad is a member of the Galdurians, an ancient race that everyone believed to be extinct. The two set out on an adventurous and enticing journey , which makes this story a fantastic read for parents and young ones to enjoy together. This is recommended for readers in grades three to seven.

Anne of Green Gables

This fun adaptation from author Mariah Marsden is the perfect way to enjoy a timeless classic with the whole family. Anne is a delightfully mischievous orphan who brightens up the town of Green Gables with her bright personality. Though the graphic novel is best suited for kids age 7 and up, but parents will love remembering the old story that’s refreshed and new again. This story is recommended for readers in grades four through six.

This heart-wrenching story from author Jen Wang has it all: friendship, mystery, and joy . Moon and Christine soon become fast friends after moving in next door to each other. When Moon tells Christine her deepest secret —that she sees visions of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars—Moon ends up in the hospital fighting for her life. Their warm, relatable friendship is tested with these challenging times . This story is recommended for readers in grades three and four. 

The Croc Ate My Homework

This silly, clever story is the second in a collection from “Pearls and Swine,” a series of stories from author Stephan Pastis specifically designed for young readers. It’s goofy and fun , and the cast of characters is expertly drawn. The digestible and approachable comics are fantastic for younger readers, so this is a great book for parents to read with children, helping to encourage an early love for books . This story is recommended for readers in grades four through six.

A pet is the perfect companion, unless you’re severely allergic to anything with fur. That’s the situation Maggie finds herself in this sweet story from author Megan Wagner Lloyd. While her parents are preoccupied, and her twin siblings are off in their own world, Maggie wishes for a puppy to keep her company. Read along as she seeks to overcome her allergies in search of the perfect pet. This story is best suited to readers from third to seventh grade. 

It can be hard to embrace a new sibling , especially for the big sister who doesn’t have time for cranky, grouchy babies. However, once Raina realizes the importance of sticking together , she and Amara develop a closer bond than she could’ve ever imagined. Hilariously funny and wildly charming, this tale of two sisters from Raina Telgemeier is inspiring and sweet. It’s recommended for readers in grades three to seven.

When they’re forced to complete mandatory community service , these five students think they couldn’t be more different. One is brainy, one is tough, one’s rich, one’s a loner, and one is an athlete, but eventually, they realize they have more in common than they thought. Parents will recognize the “Breakfast Club '' inspiration of this story from author ​​Christina Diaz Gonzalez and will love the way it brings unique kids together despite their differences. It’s recommended for grade levels three to seven.

Measuring Up

This inspiring story from author Lily LaMotte is an example of how food can help us come together and find our way. After entering a kids’ cooking contest , Cici realizes she only knows how to cook Taiwanese food. Determined to cook something more widely recognized, she seeks to find a recipe that will help her fit in more with her new friends. Read along as Cici learns the importance of staying true to herself, even when immersed in a new culture. This story is recommended for readers in grades three to seven.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1

Entering a new school can be tough, and it’s a challenge that most people remember for their entire lives. This hilarious depiction of middle-school-aged Greg shows him grappling with the challenges of adapting to school with the big kids. This modern classic is a blend of standard novel and graphic novel from author Jeff Kinney that any kid can relate to, regardless of their age or background. (And get ready to buy another 16 in the series , not to mention the spinoffs.) It’s best for kids in grades three to seven.

Sunny Side Up

In this graphic novel from author Jennifer L. Holm, Sunny gets shipped off to Florida to spend the summer with her grandfather. The trip is pretty boring at first, that is until she meets Buzz, another kid living in her grandfather’s neighborhood. Sunny and Buzz get up to all kinds of adventures, facing off against alligators , runaway cats, and mysterious neighbors. All the while, Sunny still isn’t sure why she’s in Florida in the first place, and the reason turns out to be the biggest mystery of all . This story is recommended for grades three to seven.

When transitioning to a new school, Cece struggles to fit in, partly because she’s the new kid, and partly because she wears a large hearing aid strapped to her chest. After realizing that her hearing aid lets her hear her teacher wherever she is, she becomes a superhero to her classmates. Though it seems great at first, her disability makes her feel different, and her newfound super power makes her feel different, too. All Cece wants is a true friend, and this book from author Cece Bell teaches little ones that it’s OK to feel different sometimes. It’s recommended for grades three to seven.

While at a magical school for girls, Manu is silly and playful , rather than serious and studious. Her teacher thinks she can use her magic for good, but Manu would rather have fun than help people with her powers. After a prank goes seriously wrong, Manu is forced to grapple with the strength of her power and get serious about her intention. This story from author Kelly Fernández, who based this story in part on the magical folklore of the Dominican Republic , is recommended for grades three to seven.

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix Collection

Fans of the original novels from Ann M. Martin will love this adaptation of the beloved “ Baby-Sitters Club ” books. The graphic novel version from adapters Gale Galligan and Raina Telgemeier follows Kristy, Mary Anne, Dawn, Mallory, Stacey, and Claudia as they tackle all the usual problems babysitters face —like barking dogs, cranky kids, and scary neighbors. Nothing is too much for this group of headstrong, entrepreneurial girls who always seem to save the day. This series is recommended for grade levels three to seven. 

I Survived Graphic Novel Collection

In this engaging series, historical facts combine with action-packed stories for a book your young one won’t be able to put down. With titles like “I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic 1912,” and “I Survived the Nazi Invasion 1944,” this series from author Lauren Tarshis handles advanced subject matter in a way that’s easy to digest and approach. Each book contains a nonfiction section with real-life facts and images of each event, so your child can get a real idea of the story from a historical point of view. It’s recommended for grades three to seven.

Friends: The Series Boxed Set

The series—”Real Friends,” “Best Friends,” and “Friends Forever”—in this box set is inspired by author Shannon Hale’s own life, which makes it insightful, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Friendship can be a tough thing to navigate, especially in middle school. Anyone facing the cliques of school will relate to these graphic memoirs that also touch on family and the difficulties of staying true to one’s self. It’s recommended for readers in grades four to six. 

Phoebe and Her Unicorn

Granted one magic wish after freeing unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils from an unusual trap, Phoebe wishes to make the beautiful, vain creature her best friend. The two unlikely pals form a special bond while facing hilarious adventures. The unicorn’s magic shines on Phoebe, who gradually discovers how special and awesome she really is. From author Dana Simpson, this story is recommended for grade levels four to six.

The Cardboard Kingdom

Summer is a magical time for kids, and this graphic novel from ​​Chad Sell highlights all the fun and adventure the season has to offer. All you need is some cardboard and your imagination. Kids will love to read along as this crew turns their neighborhood into a cardboard kingdom . They’ll encounter knights, robots, and monsters, all with the help of a few ordinary boxes. The recommended reading level is fourth grade to seventh grade. 

Be Prepared

As a Russian girl in the American suburbs, Vera struggles to fit in. When her friends all escape to fancy summer camps, all Vera wants to do is follow suit, and she does so by attending a Russian summer camp filled with the same drama and hijinks. This hilariously truthful story is an honest depiction of author Vera Brosgol’s experience growing up. This story is recommended for readers in grades four to seven. 

This fun and inspiring book from author Claribel A. Ortega teaches young girls to embrace their appearance , and to love the special traits that make us all different. For Marlene, that trait is her big, beautiful curly hair. When her mom tries to make her straighten it, she refuses to do so and instead embraces her curls with pride . This story is recommended for grades three to seven.

Katie the Catsitter

From the author Colleen AF Venable comes this irresistible series about friends, adventures, and cats . Katie picks up a summer job so she can pay for summer camp, but it turns out her job is way more fun, exciting, and illuminating than camp could ever be. Can Katie wrangle cats, save a friendship, and crack a mystery all at the same time? We promise, your young reader won’t be able to put this story down. It’s recommended for grades three to seven.

After moving to help her sister deal with chronic illness, Catrina realizes there are ghosts in their new town . Cat’s sister Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. In this insightful story from one of our favorite authors, Raina Telgemeier, Cat learns to put aside her fears to help her sister. It’s a touching story about the power of friendship and family and is a good example of how loved ones give us courage that we might not have thought possible. It’s recommended for readers grade three to six. 

All's Faire in Middle School

For any kid struggling with the transition to middle school, this funny book from author Victoria Jamieson will be a welcome read. Eleven-year-old Imogene’s parents work at the Renaissance Faire, and she’s excited to join them by training as a squire. In an effort to prove her bravery, Impy enrolls in middle school after a lifetime of being homeschooled . Just like most kids, she’s faced with the highs and lows, embarrassment, and anxiety of middle school, and it isn’t as easy as she thought it might be. This story is recommended for readers in grades four through seven. 

The Girl from the Sea

In this sweet coming-of-age story from author Molly Knox Ostertag, 15-year-old Morgan is desperate to grow up and escape the little island that she grew up on. After meeting Keltie, a mysterious girl from the sea, she realizes her feelings might be stronger than friendship. The more she tries to hide from her feelings, the more they come to the surface. This story is recommended for readers in seventh grade and up. 

Displacement

This important graphic novel from author Kiku Hughes draws attention to a time in our country’s history that is often forgotten or overlooked: the Japanese-American internment camps . When Kiku visits San Francisco, she finds herself forcibly placed in the 1940s internment camp her late grandmother was in. The story is riveting and educational for kids who might not already know the struggles previous generations went through in the not-so-distant past. This story is recommended for grades seven through nine. 

The Best We Could Do

This meaningful and moving memoir tells the true story of author Thi Bui and her family as they escape South Vietnam in the 1970s. The family searches for a better future while longing for the past, and the detailed imagery shows the struggle and despair that families can go through during the immigration process . It’s evocative, emotional, and provocative, and it’s recommended for grades eight and up. 

Girl on Fire

From Grammy winner and author Alicia Keys and author Andrew Weiner comes the riveting story of Lolo, an ordinary girl who discovers extraordinary powers. Lolo finds strength she didn’t know she had in this coming-of-age tale that’s packed with family drama, action, and magic. This story is recommended for readers in grades nine through 12. 

The Fire Never Goes Out

In this collection of comics, mini-essays, and illustrations , author ND Stevenson depicts exactly what it’s like being a creative person in the world. Drawing from his own experiences spanning over eight years of his life, this collection is an accurate depiction of the highs and lows of everyday life. This memoir is recommended for grade levels nine to 12. 

This is a powerful memoir from author Jarrett J. Krosoczka that handles some tough subject matter —main character Jarrett has a drug-addicted mother and missing father. The story follows along as he tries to make his abnormal family life seem as normal as possible. Thankfully, he finds a way to express himself through drawing, which is an artform that helps him cope with it all . This memoir is recommended for grades seven to nine. 

Heartstopper

This sweet coming-of-age story from author Alice Oseman combines the ideas of friendship and growing up with the challenges and ups and downs of coming out. It’s a charming and funny LGBTQIA+ series that’s great for teens who might be struggling with their own sexuality, or anyone who just wants a wholesome love story. This series is recommended for grades seven and up. 

Almost American Girl

Thrust into a world that she doesn’t quite understand, Robin finds solace in her local comic book drawing class . This emotional memoir tells the story of the author Robin Ha and her recently married mother, who were once as close as can be, after they move from Seoul, South Korea, to Huntsville, Alabama. Robin relies on drawing to get her through the challenging time, and it gives her the confidence to try to find her place, even when she feels like an outsider. This story is recommended for readers in grades eight and nine.

Messy Roots

Immigrating from a different country can be unspeakably challenging for a young kid, but this memoir tells author Laura Gao’s story in a way that’s engaging, relatable, and hilarious . Packed with real-life anecdotes of her experience moving from Wuhan, China, to Texas at an early age, it chronicles her experience developing her own identity , both culturally and sexually. This story is best for readers in grades nine through 12.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Jacob grew up hearing stories of the remarkable children at Miss Peregrine’s Home—the place where his grandfather lived during the Second World War . As Jacob got older, he assumed these stories must be fake, but after his grandfather’s surprising death, he seeks to untangle the mystery of the strange, gifted children living on an island in Wales . Cassandra Jean illustrated the graphic novel adaptation of author Ransom Riggs’ beloved YA novel, and it is recommended for readers in grades eight and up. 

For high school girls, meeting a new group of kids can feel like a horror story. Turns out, this story from author Maggie Tokuda-Hall actually is. After Becca transfers to a new school , she quickly befriends the most popular girls in school. Suspicious, Becca soon discovers that something isn’t quite right about Marley, Arianna, and Mandy. Their big secret is revealed in this captivating and fast-paced story. It’s recommended for readers in grades nine through 12. 

A Wrinkle in Time

Madeleine L'Engle’s science fiction/fantasy classic is renowned by audiences across the world, and now you can enjoy it in graphic novel form from illustrator Hope Larson. In the first time this story has ever been illustrated, the story’s characters and adventures come to life in vivid imagery. The graphic novel version brings a fresh depiction of the classic story that new audiences are sure to enjoy. This story is recommended for readers in grades five through nine.

How We Selected Graphic Novels for Kids

To select the best graphic novels for kids, we spoke with Kenneth Varner , professor and director of the Gayle A. Zeiter Literacy Development Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Rurik Nackerud, manager of education programs at KinderCare Learning Companies , who says reading is beneficial for young children, but learning goes beyond language. Next, we researched more than 80 books on the market for young children (second grade) to teens (high school). We also monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings and researched reviews from customers and competitors. 

With Nackerud’s guidance and our research in mind, we narrowed our list to the 50 top-rated graphic novels for kids and studied their material and length. We carefully considered age and grade recommendations, the number of pages, material, and overall value when reviewing products.

What to Look for in Graphic Novels for Kids

• Age Level: As is the case with any type of reading material, it’s important to make sure that the graphic novel you choose for your child is appropriate for their emotional maturity level as well as their reading level. Some stories contain complex and challenging storylines, and are therefore better suited to an older audience—like teens or preteens. Moreover, if a story contains a basic plot that’s designed for young readers, older kids will be bored, disinterested, and won’t gain any educational value from unchallenging text. And if subject matter is too advanced, kids can be confused and uninterested. “Graphic novels cover a breadth of ages and genres,” Nackerud told us. “Young readers should be paired with appropriately leveled chapter books and graphic novels. Just as there are young adult novels, there exist young adult graphic novels.”
• Educational Value: Graphic novels are an entertaining way to educate kids and encourage imagination, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. “They facilitate the ability for a child to develop imaginative reading skills where they can learn how to take text and create their own visualizations,” said Kenneth Varner , professor and director of the Gayle A. Zeiter Literacy Development Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 
• Artistic Quality: “While prose and film are amazing avenues to spark a child’s imagination, when used effectively, comics occupy a unique niche for a child’s imagination. Artwork within a graphic novel is not bound by space, time, or budget constraints,” Nackerud said. He added that words accompanied with images can help kids of all ages understand concepts more easily. “By looking at a book featuring pictures of real items or animals, your baby will begin to associate what they see in the book with what they experience every day.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Graphic novels combine the evocative imagery of picture books with the descriptive text of novels. These books are a great way for young readers to approach more complex concepts because they contain pages with supporting images that help drive home ideas and emotions.  “Graphic novels, like picture books, offer an opportunity to be creative that is more accessible to young readers across many ages,” said Nackerud. “Pure prose, especially in the early reading and writing years, may limit a young person’s comfort with articulating their ideas. The multimedia experience of art and word combined in graphic novels relieves this pressure,” Nackerud added.

Graphic novels are a fantastic learning tool for kids, as long as the subject matter is appropriate for their age group. In fact, graphic novels can be an incredibly useful learning tool. “For many readers, graphic novels provide a blend between traditional elements of text with visualizations that help set the way in which a reader makes sense of the storyline,” said Varner. “To that end, they are extremely effective for a variety of readers, but particularly for those [for whom] visualization is a key part of how they learn and for readers for whom text is challenging without context.”

Generally, graphic novels are broken into three categories: superhero stories, non-superhero stories, and personal narratives. But as this art form grows, its genres have become limitless.

“Not all graphic novels are the same, just as not all text is the same,” said Varner. “Graphic novels vary in complexity, approach, style, and interpretive elements, and they often present high interest visualization, which we know is important for students to develop reading engagement.”

Laura Denby is a food, parenting, and lifestyle writer who specializes in writing thoroughly tested and fully researched product reviews. She aims to help her audience become more informed shoppers by selecting products that are functional, educational, and affordable. Laura’s work can be found in FoodNetwork.com, Food & Wine, Forbes, and Taste of Home. For this piece, Laura spoke with librarians and literacy experts to determine the best graphic novels for kids. Rurik Nackerud is the manager of education programs at KinderCare Learning Companies . Kenneth Varner is a professor and director of the Gayle A. Zeiter Literacy Development Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He focuses on literacy, language, and cultural studies with an emphasis in glocality.

21 Fabulous Graphic Novels for Tweens: Ages 9-12 Year Olds

Inside: Our pick of 21 of the best graphic novels for tweens, ages 9-12 year olds .

In the world of kids books, graphic novels are so hot right now. For the unfamiliar, graphic novels are book length stories told with the visual support of a comic strip format. The inclusion of visual elements provides more opportunity for kids to interact with the text and the graphic features.

Thanks to the recent publication of many new titles by a fabulous collection of tween/middle school focused graphic novel authors, they are also great for inviting discussion around important themes and topics relevant to the 9-12 year old age group.

Both my eight and twelve year olds are big fans of graphic novels. They are confident readers and voracious consumers of all different genres of books, so while graphic novels are great for supporting struggling readers – the visuals providing important contextual support to help the reader decipher text and meaning – they are also attractive to children and tweens across a vast range of reading levels.

Each book included on our list is linked to both an Amazon and/or Book Depository online store page – these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

List continues below.

For more great graphic novels for kids, check out the great big list in our blog post, Best Graphic Novels for Kids (6-12 years). Or browse our collection of the latest graphic novels for pre-teens in our feature, 20 Best New Graphic Novels for Tweens , all published in 2020. Or click through to find our pick of the best Funny Graphic Novels for Kids .

Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

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The Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table is thrilled to introduce the 2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List. This reading list highlights the best graphic novels for children aged 5 – 12 years old, published in late 2020 and through 2021, and it aims to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections.

Best Graphic Novels for Children 2021 Selection Committee

• Angela Frederick, Chair - High School Librarian, Williamson County Schools
• Alessandra Affinito - Children's Librarian, New York Public Library
• Kristi Henry
• Todd Krueger - Collection Development, Baltimore County Public Library
• Angela Ocana - Youth Services Supervisor, Eugene Public Library
• Deeba Rehman - Student, University of North Texas SLIS
• Heather Rowan - Librarian I, Austin Public Library
• Nhora Serrano - Associate Director for Digital Learning & Research, Hamilton College
• Suzanne Temple - Metadata Librarian, NoveList
• Kerrie Mierop
• Dawn Zimmerer - Director of Youth Services, Madison County Library System

The Best Graphic Novels for Children committee would like to recognize and thank Midwest Tape for allowing all committee members free access to Hoopla® during this term of service.

2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children Top Ten

Arlo & Pips series . Written by Elise Gravel. Art by Elise Gravel.

• King of the Birds , Vol. 1. 2020. HarperAlley , $7.99 (9780062982223). - Arlo the crow is beautiful, and he knows it. He aims to impress his new friend Pips the songbird with the many cool things he can do with his big brain and quirky personality. PreK – 2nd grade.
• Join the Crow Crowd , Vol. 2 . 2021. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780062394231). - In this sequel, Arlo feels lonely and longs for more crow friends. He meets a very special crow, Marla, and tries to figure out how to make a good impression. PreK – 2nd grade.

The Golden Hour. Written by Niki Smith. Art by Niki Smith. 2021. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9780316540339). After a harrowing experience of gun violence, Manuel Soto deals with his trauma by utilizing photography. He also finds companionship in classmates who live on a farm outside town, and together they prepare for the local county fair. 5th – 6th grade.

Just Roll with It. Written by Lee Durfey-Lavoie. Art by Veronica Agarwal. 2021. Random House Graphic, $20.99 (9781984897008). Maggie is a shy kid who loves to explore her imagination with role-playing games and takes a D-20 with her everywhere she goes. The better the roll, the better her day will be! But with all the stresses of after-school clubs, trying to make friends, and keeping up with her family, she'll have to take an introspective look at her anxieties, and start trusting in herself instead of chance. 5th – 6th grade.

The Magic Fish. Written by Trung Le Nguyen. Art by Trung Le Nguyen. 2020. Random House Graphic, $23.99 (9781984851598). For Tien, sometimes it feels like the only way he can connect with his Vietnamese immigrant parents is through fairy tales. But now he must find the words to tell his mother that he's gay and find the courage to be his true self around friends. 5th – 6th grade.

Measuring Up. Written by Lily LaMotte. Art by Ann Xu. 2021. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780062973863). Cici has recently moved to Seattle from Taiwan and desperately misses A-má, her grandmother. To pay for a plane ticket for A-má to visit her, Cici hopes to win a cash prize through a junior chef competition.  3rd – 4th grade.

Pawcasso. Written by Remy Lai. Art by Remy Lai. 2021. Holt Books for Young Readers, $21.99 (9781250774484). A dog carrying a basket in his mouth while doing errands around town is a source of curiosity for eleven-year-old Jo. 3rd – 4th grade.

Salt Magic. Written by Hope Larson. Art by Rebecca Mock. 2021. Holiday House, $21.99 (9780823446209). Vonceil's brother is back from war, but it seems he no longer has time for games with his little sister. But when a mysterious sorceress curses the family well, Vonceil will have to set things right and reveal family secrets in a mystical journey across the Oklahoma desert. 5th – 6th grade.

Twins. Written by Varian Johnson. Art by Shannon Wright. 2020. Scholastic, $24.99 (9781338236170). Maureen and Francine are twins who share a bedroom, take the same classes, participate in the same clubs, and have the same friends. When one of them starts to pull away, it spells trouble. 5th – 6th grade.

Unsolved Case Files series . Written by Tom Sullivan. Art by Tom Sullivan.

• Escape at 10,000 Feet , Vol. 1 . 2021. Harper Collins, $12.99 (9780062991515). - This volume explores the mystery of the only unsolved airplane hijacking case in the US, perpetrated by D.B Cooper. 5th – 6th grade.
• Jailbreak from Alcatraz , Vol. 2. 2021. Harper Collins, $12.99 (9780062991560). - Explore the daring escapes from the maximum-security prison on the island of Alcatraz. 5th – 6th grade.

The Witches of Brooklyn series. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse.

• The Witches of Brooklyn , Vol. 1 . 2020. Penguin Random House, $20.99 (9780593119273). - When Effie's mother dies, she is sent to live with two aunts who are somewhat welcoming, although strange and fascinating. Soon Effie starts having strange dreams, and when a popstar invades the house in the middle of the night with a huge problem, Effie learns who she and her aunts really are - witches. 5th – 6th grade.
• The Witches of Brooklyn: What the Hex?, Vol. 2.   2021. Penguin Random House, $20.99 (9780593125441). - When two competing statues are causing unusual phenomena in Park Slope, it’s up to Effie to help the older witches solve the problem. But first she'll have to overcome her own difficulties when a new girl joins her school and befriends her group. 5th – 6th grade.

2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children Official List

All ages (prek - 6th grade).

Andy Warner’s Oddball Histories: Pests and Pets. Written by Andy Warner. Art by Andy Warner. 2021. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9780316463386). Historic and odd facts about animals that we consider pets and pests.

The Bug Club. Written by Elise Gravel. Art by Elise Gravel. 2021. Drawn and Quarterly, $19.95 (9781770464155). Elise Gravel shares some interesting facts about her favorite bugs, accompanied by her characteristic drawings.

The Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame Your Anxiety! Written by Rachel Brian. Art by Rachel Brian. 2020. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, $15.99 (9780316495196). An exploration of what it means to feel anxiety and how to overcome it.

Young Readers (PreK - 2nd grade)

Apple of My Pie. Written by Mika Song. Art by Mika Song. 2021. Random House Graphic, $12.99 (9781984895851). The adventures of Norma and Belly the intrepid (and hungry) squirrels continue when Gramps is taken away from the city on an apple truck! With the help of Little Bee and some human friends, they'll travel to a faraway orchard and might even sample some fresh pie along the way.

Beak & Ally #1: Unlikely Friends. Written by Norm Feuti. Art by Norm Feuti. 2021. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780063021570). Ally’s peace is disturbed by a noisy bird named Beak.

Beak & Ally #2: Bedtime Jitters. Written by Norm Feuti. Art by Norm Feuti. 2020. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780063021600). Beak is trying to sleep, but with so many noises there must be monsters. As Beaks' wild imagination grows, Ally gets drawn into the monster hunt.

Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite. Written by Ashley Spires. Art by Ashley Spires. 2021. Kids Can Press, $11.99 (9781525301469). Burt the ten-lined June beetle is trying to figure out what makes him outstanding. As Burt describes other bugs' superpowers in a series of fun facts, he starts to feel left out. When Burt's friends find themselves in a pickle that Burt is uniquely able to solve, he begins to see how his own traits make him something special.

Donut Feed the Squirrels. Written by Mika Song. Art by Mika Song. 2020. Random House Graphic, $12.99 (9781984895837). Two intrepid squirrels scheme to snatch a donut from a food truck that stops in their park.

Fox & Rabbit Celebrate. Written by Beth Ferry. Art by Gergely Dudas. 2021. Amulet Books, $12.99 (9781419751837). Fox and Rabbit are on another set of adventures. Fox decides to become Fix It Fox and goes around trying to fix items that are not really broken. Fox is excited about how he helped so many of his friends.

Pea, Bee & Jay Lift Off. Written by Brian “Smitty” Smith. Art by Brian “Smitty” Smith. 2021. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780062981226). Jay, with the help of his friends, learns how to fly. When birds who look just like Jay invite him to fly off with them, he learns the true meaning of being yourself, who your friends truly are, and how family are those that care for you most.

Pea, Bee & Jay Stuck Together. Written by Brian “Smitty” Smith. Art by Brian “Smitty” Smith. 2020. HarperAlley, $7.99 (9780062981165). When Pea's competitive nature gets the best of him and he rolls too far away from his farm, he'll need the help of a know-it-all bee and a ground-bound Jay to help him get home.

Middle Readers (Grades 3 - 4)

The Cardboard Kingdom #2: Roar of the Beast. Written by Chad Sell. Art by Chad Sell. 2021. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $20.99 (9780593125540). Nate is positive he saw a monster, but none of his friends believe him.  

Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic. Written by Wauter Mannaert. Art by Wauter Mannaert. First Second, $12.99 (9781250622051). Yasmina is an expert at whipping up amazing dishes using the fruits of her neighborhood gardens. But when an evil corporation moves into town with a brand of potatoes genetically engineered to be irresistible, it’s up to her to find a cure to the madness!

Dungeon Critters. Written by Natalie Riess. Art by Sara Goetter. 2020. First Second, $14.99 (9781250195470). In this mad-cap fantasy adventure, a group of quirky animal friends use their various Dungeons and Dragons skills to defeat a botanical monstrosity and investigate a plot for the crown.

Forever Home. Written by Jenna Ayoub. Art by Jenna Ayoub. 2021. KaBOOM!, $12.99 (9781684156030). After many moves with the military, Willow and her parents finally find their perfect home in historic but haunted Hadleigh House.

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin. Written by Deborah Kerbel. Art by Angela Poon. OwlKids, $18.95 (9781771474115). The true story of the young surgeon who, with the help of his canine lab heroes, successfully isolated the pancreatic secretions later known as insulin, saving countless lives in the process.

Garlic and the Vampire. Written by Bree Paulsen. Art by Bree Paulsen. 2021. Quill Tree Books, $12.99 (9780062995087). Someone new has taken up residence at the castle across the hill from Witch Agnes’s Garden. Now it’s up to Garlic and her veggie friends to scope out the situation and learn a bit about bravery along the way.

Hilo #7: Gina – The Girl Who Broke the World. Written by Judd Winick. Art by Judd Winick. 2021. Random House Books for Young Readers, $13.99 (9780525644095). Gina is the only one who can see the giant magical beings that have descended upon the Earth.

Katie the Catsitter. Written by Colleen AF Venable. Art by Stephanie Yue. 2021. Random House Graphic, $20.99 (9780593306321). Katie’s summer job cat sitting for her neighbor takes an interesting turn.

Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian. Written by Tim Probert. Art by Tim Probert. 2020. Harper Alley, $12.99 (9780062990464). Bea lives with her aging and forgetful adopted grandfather, the Pig Wizard, protecting their flame jar and helping gather ingredients for his potions. On a foray into the woods for supplies, Bea falls out of a tree and is rescued by the last Galdurian, an extinct people responsible for the inventions that bring light to their dying planet.

Long Distance. Written by Whitney Gardner. Art by Whitney Gardner. 2021. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $21.99 (9781534455665). Anxious their reserved tween daughter will have trouble making friends after their move to Seattle, Vega's dads sign her up for Very Best Friend Camp, a summer camp guaranteed to help introverts make friends.

Marshmallow & Jordan. Written by Alina Chau. Art by Alina Chau. 2021. First Second, $14.99 (9781250300614). Jordan is a talented basketball player, but since an accident paralyzed her from the waist down, she must find new ways to showcase her athletic skills. Luckily, she'll have a little help from a mysterious elephant who appears in her neighborhood one day, as well as the support of a strong network of family and friends.

Mr. Wolf's Class #4: Field Trip. Written by Aron Nels Steinke. Art by Aron Nels Steinke. 2020. Graphix, $9.99 (9781338617634). Mr. Wolf's students are going on a field trip! Everyone gets to sleep in log cabins, come up with fun camp names, and journey through the great woods.

No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest. Written by Robin Robinson. Art by Robin Robinson. 2021. First Second, $14.99 (9781250211538). When earthquakes threaten a subterranean goblin, sister Pella and Bix worry they'll have to leave their home forever.

Power Up. Written by Sam Nisson. Art by Darnell Johnson. 2021. Etch/Clarion Books, $12.99 (9780358325659). 'Gryphon' and 'Backlash' are an unstoppable team in the video game Mecha Melee, but their real life counterparts Miles and Rhys are a different story. Miles struggles to find balance between video games and other interests, while Rhys just wishes the bullies would leave him alone. Will this online duo preserve their friendship IRL?

The Secret Garden of 81st Street. Written by Ivy Noelle Weir. Art by Amber Padilla. 2021. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, $12.99. (9780316459709). In this modern retelling of the Secret Garden, Mary is sent to live her uncle in New York City after the unexpected death of her parents.

Stealing Home. Written by J. Torres. Art by David Namisato. 2021. Kids Can Press, $17.99 (9781525303340). After being forced onto a Japanese internment camp, Sandy feels like he's in another universe. But by bringing his love of baseball into his situation, both as philosophy and as a pastime, he's able to hold onto hope of a better future.

The Treasure in the Lake. Written by Jason Pammet. Art by Jason Pammet. 2021. HarperAlley, $22.99 (9780063065185). Iris is so ready to leave her small town, bristling with feeling constrained, while her best friend Sam wouldn't be anywhere else. A detour on the way to a tourist trap statue lead to the friends finding some unusual objects in a nearly dry riverbed.

Turtle in Paradise: The Graphic Novel. Written by Jennifer Holm. Art by Savanna Ganucheau. 2021. Random House Graphic, $20.99 (9780593126318). It's 1935- money is tight, jobs are hard to find, and Turtle is moving halfway across the country. Key West, Florida is far different from her New Jersey home in many ways, but with the help of her mischievous cousins and through her own industrious spirit, she's determined to explore her new island surroundings.

Older Readers (Grades 5 - 6)

Allergic. Written by Megan Wagner Lloyd. Art by Michelle Mee Nutter. 2021. Scholastic, $12.99 (9781338568905). Maggie loves animals; however, she learns she is highly allergic to anything with fur or feathers, despite desperately wanting a pet of her own.

Artie and the Wolf Moon. Written by Olivia Stephens. Art by Olivia Stephens. 2021. Graphic Universe, $16.99 (9781541542488). After discovering that the giant wolf stalking the woods is her mother, Artie is thrust into a new community of werewolves, and the history of her family that has remained unspoken is unearthed along the way.

The Awakening Storm: A Graphic Novel (City of Dragons #1). Written by Jamail Yogis. Art by Vivian Truong. 2021. Graphix, $12.99 (9781338660432). After moving to Hong Kong with her mom, Grace must get used to everything from learning a new language to making new friends at her fancy boarding school. But when an old lady gifts her a mysterious dragon egg that hatches overnight, Grace will have to deal with a whole new set of problems as evil forces try to harness its power.

Big Apple Diaries. Written by Alyssa Bermudez. Art by Alyssa Bermudez. 2021. Roaring Brook Press, $14.99 (9781250774286). In this graphic memoir, 12-year-old Alyssa navigates the challenges of the cusp of middle school--grades, friends, a first crush on a cute new classmate, preparing for NYC's complicated middle school application process, her art, working out what it means for her to be Puerto Rican, and splitting time between her mom's and dad's apartments. When the terrorist attacks of 9/11 happen, the collective loss puts everything else in stark perspective, and Alyssa tries to figure out if she can still find a way to be a kid and find purpose and meaning amidst the destruction.

Black Heroes of the Wild West. Written by James Otis Smith. Art by James Otis Smith. 2020. Toon Graphics, $16.95 (9781943145522). A short history of Black Americans who were extraordinary individuals who lived incredible lives in the Wild West. Mary Fields was born a slave who became a stagecoach driver. Bass Reeves, was the first Black Deputy US Marshal, and Bob Lemmons was amazing with horses.

Bounce Back. Written by Mikaso Rocks. Art by Mikaso Rocks. 2021. Feiwel and Friends, $12.99 (9781250806291). Lilico must move to America from Japan right before her basketball team's finals, and her new home is not so welcoming. The mean girls in her grade don't want her on their team or in their class.  

Class Act. Written by Jerry Craft. Art by Jerry Craft. 2020. Quill Tree Books, $22.99 (9780062885500). Drew Ellis feels as if he works twice as hard as some of the kids at Riverdale Academy Day School but doesn’t get the same opportunities in life.  

The Dragon Path. Written by Ethan Young. Art by Ethan Young. 2021. Graphix, $12.99 (9781338363296). Eager for adventure, Prince Sing of the Wong Clan, journeys with his clan to the Old Land in order to have a better life.

The Ghoul Next Door. Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Cat Farris. 2021. HarperAlley, $12.99 (9780062896094). Eleven-year-old Grey has a run in with the mysterious ghouls of his New England town. His new friend Lavinia knows tons about local history but will their unlikely bond cause problems for the living residents of Anders Landing?

The Girl from the Sea. Written by Molly Knox Ostertag. Art by Molly Knox Ostertag. 2021. Graphix, $22.49 (9781338540574). Morgan's life has changed a lot in the past few years. Dealing with her parent's divorce, a little brother who is angry, the dynamic of her friendship with her friends changing, and a secret she is trying to hide, Morgan learns how important it is to trust your friends and love your family.

History Comics: The American Bison: The Buffalo's Survival Tale. Written by Andy Hirsch. Art by Andy Hirsch. 2021. First Second, $19.99 (9781250265838). Learn all about the American Bison, the last of North America's megafauna and its near extinction as part of the genocidal Native American Wars and its recovery from the brink.

History Comics: The Wild Mustang: Horses of the American West. Written by Chris Duffy. Art by Falynn Koch. 2021. First Second, $19.99 (9781250174277). Join two prehistoric horses as they explore the history or wild horses in America.

Hooky. Written by Miriam Bonastre Tur. Art by Miriam Bonastre Tur. 2021. Etch/Clarion Books, $24.99 (9780358468301). Dani and Dorian miss their bus to magic school and don't want to disappoint their exacting parents, so they begin a wild ride of trying to find another place to learn magic. Learning under their aunt leads to them becoming wanted fugitives, so they land in an inconspicuous town with a jealous errand boy, a welcoming soothsayer, and a cute waiter.

Horse Trouble. Written by Kristin Varner. Art by Kristin Varner. 2021. First Second, $12.99 (9781250225887). Kate loves being around horses, even though her horseback riding skills are less than amazing. But how will she navigate the snide comments of other girls in the stable without her best friend to have her back?

Jo & Rus. Written by Audra Winslow. Art by Audra Winslow. 2021. KaBOOM!, $12.99 (9781684156108). Two unlikely friends find each other with the help of a mysterious one-eyed cat.

Jukebox. Written by Nidhi Chanani. Art by Nidhi Chanani. 2021. First Second, $14.99 (9781250156372). Shaheen's dad lives in his own world of vintage and rare vinyl collecting, and every moment of her life has a soundtrack. When her dad does not come home one night, a mysterious Jukebox, old vinyl records, and cryptic notes on music history are her only clues to her father's abrupt disappearance.

Just Pretend. Written by Tori Sharp. Art by Tori Sharp. 2021. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, $24.99 (9780316538855). Tori’s life has big changes as she enters 8th grade.  

The Leak. Written by Katie Reed Petty. Art by Andrea Bell. 2021. First Second, $14.99 (9781250217967). 12- year-old Ruth Keller is an aspiring journalist who finds a mysterious black substance at the local lake.

The Legend of Auntie Po. Written by Shing Yin Khor. Art by Shing Yin Khor. Kokila, $22.99 (9780525554882). A historical look at life for a young Chinese-American girl working at a western logging camp of the late 1800s, but also a magical dive into how stories and our imaginings of heroes shape the way we view the world.

Living with Viola. Written by Rosena Fung. Art by Rosena Fung. 2021. Annick Press, $22.95 (9781773215495). Livy's anxiety manifests as a shadowy twin named Viola who criticizes her as she moves to a new school, makes new friends, and deals with the pressure of being the child of immigrants.

Miles Morales: Shock Waves. Written by Justin A. Reynolds. Art by Pablo Leon. 2021. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338648041). Miles is struggling to balance school, his personal and family life, and the demands of being Spider-man, when an earthquake in his mother's beloved home of Puerto Rico upsets the delicate balance.

The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow. Written by Emma Steinkellner. Art by Emma Steinkellner. 2021. Aladdin, $12.99 (9781534431485). Moth is learning about being a witch, but her mom won't teach her any good spells, especially ones that would fix some of her problems.

The Queen’s Favorite Witch, Book 1: The Wheel of Fortune. Written by Benjamin Dickson. Art by Rachel Smith. 2021. Papercutz, $14.99 (9781545807217). It's 1563, and nefarious plots are swirling around Queen Elizabeth I, who is newly in need of a royal witch. Meanwhile, young witch Daisy is desperate to get out of her village and do more than sell potions at the market, so she runs away from home to apply for the position.

Séance Tea Party. Written by Reimena Yee. Art by Reimena Yee. 2020. Penguin Random House, $20.99 (9780593125328). Lora is a middle school late bloomer who feels left behind by her friends until she is reunited with a ghostly companion from the past.

Shark Summer. Written by Ira Marcks. Art by Ira Marcks. 2021. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, $24.99 (9780316461443). Gayle, dealing with a disastrous softball season, is spending her first summer on Martha's Vineyard. A Hollywood film crew is filming a movie on the island over the summer and is hosting a youth film contest. Gayle meets Elijah and Maddie and between the three they set out to discover the truth behind the island's own sea monster and win the prize money.

Sue & Tai-chan #1. Written by Konami Kanata. Art by Konami Kanata. Translated by Melissa Tanaka . 2020. Kondasha, $12.99 (9781632369390). Sue is an elderly cat enjoying her feline years in relative solitude and peace, when suddenly rambunctious kitten Tai-chan comes along, wreaking havoc to her household.

Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas. Written by Sam Maggs. Art by Kendra Wells. 2021. Amulet Books, $21.99 (9781419739668). Anne Bonny and her crew of female pirates sail the Caribbean, seeking adventure and stealing treasure.

Tidesong. Written by Wendy Xu. Art by Wendy Xu. 2021. Quill Tree Books, $12.99 (9780062955791). A 12-year-old girl named Sophie is sent to live with her aunt to study hard at magic and gain entry to a prestigious school of magic.

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80 Best Graphic Novels for Kids (+ Printable)

This post may contain affiliate links.

There are so many good graphic novels, how can you pick the best graphic novels for kids? This created book list of my personal recommendations and reviews will help you find the right book for each kid in your life, whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or grandparent.

I’ve worked with young readers for decades in the classroom and in my home. I’ve found that whenever kids get a CHOICE ABOUT WHAT TO READ (and that choice includes graphic novels,) their time spent reading and competence improve.

Let’s dive into my top picks of the best graphic novels for early readers , chapter books , middle grade , and YA ! Books that, yes, keep your readers reading and building their reading stamina and comprehension skills.

Top 8 Graphic Novels for

Boys and girls ages 6 to 9.

• Do You Like My Bike?   by Norm Feuti
• Owly: The Way Home  by Andy Runton
• Bear and Bird The Picnic  by Jarvis
• Zita the Spacegirl   by Ben Hatke
• Cat Ninja  by Matthew Cody
• Cat Kid Comic Club  by Dav Pilkey 
• Magic Tree House The Graphic Novel Dinosaurs Before Dark  by Mary Pope Osborne
• Pup Detectives  by Felix Gumpaw 
• Dragon Kindom of Wrenly  by Jordan Quinn
• Mellybean and the Giant Monste r  by Mike White

The graphic novel format entices kids into stories with illustrated comics and compelling plots told primarily through dialogue. I love that kids (mine included) get excited to read, read, and read because they love the illustrated format. Don’t you?

What is a graphic novel?

While I do have graphic novels under my genre drop-down menu for ease of navigation, graphic novels are not actually a genre, they’re a format! Graphic novels are defined as longer-form comic books (comics are the medium) and can be in any genre of fiction or non-fiction, from science fiction to adventure, realistic narrative stories, classic novels, or short stories.

If you remember your Marvel comics or those favorite Archie comic books in those small little paperback magazine-type books, those were comic books. They were short serial stories that were part of a larger story.

Meanwhile, a graphic novel is bigger in size because it is an entire story with a complete story arc, complex characters, and a problem and resolution –all in one book.

Top 12 Graphic Novels for

Boys and girls ages 9 to 12.

• Amulet   by Kazu Kibuishi
• Smile   by Raina Telgemeier
• Act  by Kyla Miller
• Katie the Catsitter  by Colleen AF Venable
• Things in the Basement  by Ben Hatke
• Crabgrass Comic Adventures  by Tauhid Bondia 
• The Baby-Sitter’s Club   by Ann M. Martin
• Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle  by Dana Simpson
• 5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior  by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun 
• Invisible  by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
• Leon the Extraordinary  by Jamar Nicholas
• Frizzy  by Claribel A. Ortega

And in case you’re wondering about manga — that’s the Japanese term for a comic format featuring specific art styles. Manga is read from right to left, not right to left. Mangas are becoming increasingly popular with tweens and teens, and you’ll find many bookstores with enormous sections of manga. (I just bought my first manga and hope it will become easier to read as I dive into it.) If you’re interested in manga read this article about manga and manga books . You might also like to know that there are many television series based on mangas.

Do graphic novels count as real reading?

YES! Graphic novels count as reading! And they aren’t just for reluctant readers, as some may think, they are for everyone. They’re not just for boys who hate reading, although that works, too.

Every child deserves the chance to read graphic novels–they’re so much fun to read!

Plus, kids need variety and choice to become good readers — and that means reading outside of the typical prose novel format. I recommend all sorts of reading beyond typical novels , including graphic novels, magazines , audiobooks, how-to books, poetry , and so forth.

So if you want to get your kids reading more, try one of the top graphic novel book recommendations in the list below for ages 6 to 16, including beginning chapter books, middle grade books, and YA books.

How do graphic novels build literacy skills?

And if you still don’t believe that graphic novels count as real reading, let me illuminate all the reading and literacy benefits of reading graphic novels.

• Graphic novels build a reader’s knowledge of story elements such as setting, plot, characters, character arc, problem and solution, theme, and conflict.
• You aren’t told all the details, you must make inferences about all the nuances of what’s happening, what the characters are feeling, and anything else the illustrations show that the text doesn’t describe.
• With the exception of some learning disability situations, almost always more reading means improved reading comprehension skills.

What are the best graphic novels?

The quality of graphic novels continues to impress me. In the last ten years especially, there have been more amazing stories, better representation, and topics and themes for every interest. These high-quality books contain all the same literary devices that you would find in a prose book, too.

To find the best book for your reader, pick a book from this list that sounds good to you! That’s a great place to start. See what you like and keep trying new books to refine your interests.

Here’s a list of graphic novel chapter books for beginning readers ages 6 to 9.

If you’re looking for a graphic novel series , visit this list of 38 graphic novel series .

Do your readers like graphic novels with boy main characters ? What about graphic novels with girl main characters ?

Finally, if you have a favorite book in prose, you might be surprised to learn how many prose books are getting turned into graphic novels. The Wings of Fire graphic novels are hugely popular as are the Babysitters Club graphic novels, Percy Jackson graphic novels, and the I Survived books. For young adults, Heartstoper #1: a Graphic Novel is a huge best seller.

Where can I get free or cheap graphic novels?

The library! Use the Libby app to find eBooks or the Overdrive website to put a physical book on hold.

Download a free pdf printable list

Get the printable list.

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The Best Graphic Novels for Kids

Beginning graphic novels (for readers ages 6 – 9).

Do You Like My Bike?   (Hello, Hedgehog!) by Norm Feuti FRIENDSHIP A supportive first graphic novel experience. Hedgehog can’t wait to show his friend Harry his new bike. Kids will love these darling stories of friendship and bike riding.

Owly: The Way Home by Andy Runton FRIENDSHIP It ‘s hard for a predator like Owly to make friends. But when he saves a worm from a rainstorm, he makes a friend for life. His kindness and gentle spirit help him befriend more new friends after that.

Bear and Bird The Picnic  by Jarvis I adore these darling stories of friendship adventures full of miscommunications.  For example, in one story, Bear forgets to pack the picnic, but instead of telling Bird, Bear figures out something better, and it all works out because the friends are adaptable. Best friends forever! If your beginning readers love  Frog and Toad , try this book next!

Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell by Melanie Watt HUMOR Scaredy Squirrel has many fears and therefore, elaborate coping strategies. In the first story, the scariest thing is an adorable pom-pom-tailed creature–a rabbit.

Expedition Backyard by Rosemary Mosco, illustrated by Binglin Hu  NATURE ADVENTURE Two best friends, Mole and Vole, go on adventures together in nature. When the two friends accidentally move to the city, they make the best of it. In the city, they have exciting new city nature adventures and discover new animal friends, sights, and sounds!

Cat Ninja by Matthew Cody, illustrated by Yehudi Mercado SUPERHERO By day Claude is Leon’s pet, but by night, he’s Cat Ninja, Metro City’s protector! His nemesis is Leon’s sister’s evil hamster, Master Hamster. Learn the Cat Ninja’s origin story then follow his perilous, exciting, and humorous adventures!

Schnozzer & Tatertoes Take a Hike!  by Rick Stromosky Hoping to find Tatertoes mom, Schnozzer and Tatetoes journey through the  fairy tale  story-filled woods  where they meet the Three Bears, Hansel and Gretel, and Little Red Riding Hood. The only directions they get is to “follow their nose” which seems very unhelpful. Their adventure is funny with a heartwarming ending.

Jop and Blip Wanna Know #1  by Jim Benton STEM / HUMOR If you like kooky stories, playful characters, and random facts, this beginning graphic novel for ages 6 to 10 is a hilarious and informative reading experience. Jop and Blip ponder topics like farts, words that begin with silent letters, perspective, dragons, and more — and as they discuss, you’ll learn a thing or ten.

Magic Tree House The Graphic Novel Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne, adapted by Jenny Laird, illustrated by Kelly & Nichole Matthews HISTORICAL FICTION In this exceptional graphic novel adaptation of the best selling prose series, brother and sister Jack and Annie, find a magical treehouse filled with books. Jack begins a book on dinosaurs and wishes that he could travel to see them and zoom, they do! Annie befriends a flying dinosaur and they help save some baby dinosaurs.

Smell My Foot (Chick and Brain) by Cece Bell HUMOR Written in comic panels, you’ll crack up at the hilarious and weird conversations between Chick and Brain and eventually, Spot. Chick tries to teach Brain about polite conversation and Brain demands that Chick smells his foot. Which Chick won’t do until…Brain says please. It’s friendship, fun, and frivolity.

Dragon Kindom of Wrenly: The Coldfire Curse by Jordan Quinn FANTASY When Cinder’s father crashes, it’s clear that he’s sick from the dreaded “cold curse” so Cinder must ask the king for help. Cinder meets a red dragon named Ruskin, the pet of the human king. Cinder, Ruskin, and their friend Groth travel to the fairies in order to get the ingredients to cure the curse. It’s a fast-paced and excellent story with a hook that will keep you reading the series!

Mimi and the Cutie Catastrophe by Shauna J. Grant MAGICAL FRIENDSHIP Mimi doesn’t want to be called cute, so she asks her magical plush friend Penelope to transform her into a superhero! She gets a superhero outfit. Next, she tries to be a teacher, and after that, a “cool kid”. Finally, Mimi realizes that being herself is best! Expressive and charming pink and purple-centric illustrations add so much cuteness.

Mal and Chad   by Stephen McCranie  HUMOR A hilarious graphic novel book series about Mal, a young inventor, and his best sidekick, his dog, Chad. Perfect for growing readers and reminds me a little of the beloved comic strip Calvin and Hobbes.

Mellybean and the Giant Monste r by Mike White FANTASY Run out to buy this graphic novel series — it’s heartwarming and adventurous. Mellybean is a happy dog whose outlook on life is positive and innocent. Outside in her yard, she falls into a hole that leads to another world. There, a greedy king is hunting a large, lovable monster who Melly and her new friends rescue from the king’s knights. She shows the so-called monster that not all humans are mean like the king. And, Melly saves the entire kingdom!! (Guess who will be the new king? Hint: It’s not Melly.)

Banana Fox and the Secret Sour Society by James Kochalka HUMOR If you’re about 7 years old and like very weird and wild stories that ONLY make sense to kids, you must meet Banana Fox. The book is filled with totally ridiculous humor (not potty humor) about Banana Fox whose goofy antics to stop the Secret Sour Society will keep you laughing the book.

Two-Headed Chicken by Tom Angleberger  FUNNY One of the most hilarious graphic novels on this list– read this book next if you like wacky, bizarre humor This is a story about the multiverse in which you are a two-headed chicken being chased by a moose…and it’s probably one of the top five funniest books I’ve ever read. (And I’ve read a lot of books.) Also funny quizzes, a fish with deep feelings, and lawyers… I laughed out loud throughout this book.

Kitty Quest by Phil Corbett First-time monster hunter cats embark on their first job. The job is hilarious because it’s only a plumbing problem, not a monster. Then, they face a dragon, a tower of slime with a ghost, and a wizard. The big question is who is controlling the monsters and if there is a real villain they must defeat.

Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song HUMOR Norma and Belly are squirrel friends who really, really want a donut. Can they work together, sneak in a food truck, and have the biggest ever donut party ever? Minimal text, plenty of silliness, and a lovely surprise ending!

The Bailey School Kids Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots by Pearl Low based on the novel by Marcia Thronton Jones and Debbie Dadey PARANORMAL After the misbehaving kids ran off the last teacher, the new teacher seems much worse — she seems like a vampire. Eddie is scared but continues to behave badly until Mrs. Jeepers pulls him out of class and stops his bad behavior once and for all. Graphic novels based on the prose books.

Sparks by Ian Boothby, illustrated by Nina Matsumoto SUPERHERO A fter escaping the evil laboratory, cats August and Charlie help others in a “Super Dog” dog disguise. But their evil scientist nemesis, a diaper-wearing baby named Princess, will stop at nothing to recapture the escaped cats…and conquer the entire world. Grab these superhero graphic novels with adventure, friendship, and humor!

Jurassic Jeff: Space Invader by Royden Lepp ages 7 – 10 SCIENCE FICTION (graphic novel) review written by Jemma Taylor JURASSIC JEFF is a story about dinosaurs , aliens, and friendship. Jeff is a space alien picked on by the other remembers of the Intergalactic Cadets. He’s sent to conquer a planet called Earth, where the lifeforms are surprisingly unadvanced, but they’re able to teach him things he knew nothing of before: friendship, forgiveness, and not having to prove yourself. It’s a sweet story for anyone who has ever felt like an outcast — and also for anyone who likes dinosaurs!

Middle-Grade Graphic Novels (for Readers Ages 9 – 12)

First Cat in Space by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris  SCI-FI Absurdly hysterical, this is a bizarrely perfect adventure in space with a cat and a toenail-clipping robot who journey into space to stop the rats from eating the moon. Silly adventures ensue –like befriending a whale, becoming pirates, and answering a sphynx’s riddle — plus plenty of drama and creative world-building.

Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi FANTASY When two siblings and their mom move into a creepy inherited house after losing their father, they discover a magical amulet that warns them of danger. But their mom gets kidnapped, and the siblings embark on an epic adventure to save their mom in an underground world of elves, demons, robots, and talking animals. One of the most popular graphic novels of all time!

Your Pal Fred by Michael Rex  SCI-FI Fred is a robot who brings kindness (and STICKERS!) to a dystopian world he makes better in this funny, warmhearted, and interesting story.  When Fred discovers that two warlords are capturing innocent people to fight as soldiers for them, Fred knows what he has to do–ask the two bad guys to try peace. Will Fred succeed on his seemingly impossible mission? 

Smile by Raina Telgemeier GROWING UP 6th grade is hard enough for Raina but it’s even worse with braces, headgear, and friend troubles. My 10-year-old daughter loves this series that starts with Smile . She read  Sisters  four times the first week she owned it — they’re all excellent graphic novels and quite addictive. ALSO READ:  Drama, Sisters

Travis Daventhorpe  by Wes Molebash FANTASY Travis is a science-loving kid who accidentally pulls out a sword from the stone and learns that he’s the prophesied hero who will defeat the evil Nol Invictus.  Add in a black-hand birthmark, portals between the worlds, video-game-like character profiles, and intelligent dialogue! and you have a super-compelling, totally funny story.

Leviathan: Adventures in Comics by Jason Shiga CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE Original and interactive, this choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel takes readers on a quest for a magic wand that will stop the Leviathan. But what is the history of the coastal town and the Leviathan? And how did Leviathan’s attacks stop crime in the village? I predict kids will totally enjoy this captivating adventure/mystery!

Aquanaut by Dan Santat  MAGICAL REALISM Wildly imaginative and enthralling, this is a heartfelt story of family, legacy, and protecting animals. When a lumbering “aquanaut” controlled by sea creatures stumbles into the Aqualand theme park, Sophia and the creatures uncover a nefarious plot by greedy investors. To save the park’s creatures, Sophia and the Aquanaut release them back into the wild. But will her uncle see the truth about his investors and about his brother’s last wishes?

Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke ages 8 – 12 (GRAPHIC NOVEL) This beautifully drawn and narrated clever adventure is set in the world of…the basement. When Milo’s baby sister loses her special pink knit sock, he searches for it in the basement. The basement leads Milo to another basement, and then another basement, and to a whole labyrinth of basement worlds. He befriends a friendly skull named Chuckles, an eyeball creature named Weepie, and a ghost named Belle. Milo uses the sock’s yarn, help from his ghost friend, and his problem-solving skills to rescue his friends from the Gobbler and return home with the pink sock. This is a fantastical, magical journey of friendship , kindness , and secret worlds!

Crabgrass Comic Adventures by Tauhid Bondia  FUNNY You will LOVE the friendship adventures of Kevin and Miles. These stories are fun, hilarious, relatable, and entertaining.

My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun GROWING UP Four sweet stories of Yu’er and her grandpa show their warm bond and Yu’er’s adventures around their Beijing, Japan neighborhood. The first story is about Yu’er’s desire to compete in the Special Olympics. Other stories include defending herself from bullies with the help of a new friend as well as a magical old mailbox that transports Yu’er through time. This is a beautifully illustrated book of stories that feels nostalgic and heartwarming.

The Baby-Sitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Raina Telemeter  FRIENDSHIP This classic chapter book series is now retold in graphic novels! Four best friends work together to handle all sorts of issues — from babysitting to emergencies, to competition from other babysitters. Your kids will love these excellent, addictive stories. ALSO READ: ( The Truth About Stacey #2 ,  Mary Ann Saves the Day #3 )

5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun  SCIENCE FICTION (series) Gorgeous artwork sets the tone for an otherworldly story of five worlds falling into chaos. When one world attacks another, Oona Lee, a sand dancer, rescues two boys and they journey on a mission to light the unlit Beacons in order to save the worlds. But they face a dark force and a devastating betrayal.

Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault July MISFIT MANSION is a heartwarming story about what it means to Be family, even if you’re not related by blood. The “horrors” who live at the titular mansion have been told that its’ too dangerous to venture outside into the human world. But a young creature named Iris wants to give humans another chance. If you’re looking for a book about found family, learning from prejudice, and friendship, a cannot recommend MISFIT MANSION enough.

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas REALISTIC Bree and her dad move to Florida where she has to take Swim 101 at school . But, she ditches because she can’t swim and is afraid. luckily, her neighbor and babysitter is a former swim team captain, and she teaches Bree how to swim. When Bree accidentally makes the swim team, she learns about teamwork and friendship. This is a wonderful feel-good story about failure, perseverance, and teamwork.

Match Point by Maddie Gallegos review written by Jemma Tayor REALISTIC Match Point by Maddie Gallegos is one of my favorite books I’ve read in the past year, with a cute style, wholesome story, and a message about the importance of communication. They also integrate ASL into the book in a really natural and interesting way for the graphic novel medium. Rosie’s dad wants her to become the racquetball champion, but she hates the sport. When she meets Blair, a cool girl her age who plays as well, she finally starts to learn how to have fun with the game again. 

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks REALISTIC Norrie loves horses and connects with a new friend named Victoria who also likes horses and a science fiction show. They find common ground, forgiveness, and mutual support. It’s a beautifully knit-together, relatable story of friendship, horses, being yourself, and growing in confidence.

Phenomena: The Golden City of Eyes by Brian Micahel Bendis and Andre Lima Araujo SCI-FI/FANTASY In a wildly unique world, this is a journey of a boy and a cyper named Spike who travel towards a mysterious city. They follow a deceitful girl who stole Spike’s blade. As they venture north, they experience new places, creatures, and methods of travel, including the girl’s flying abilities. When they arrive at the fallen Golden City, they fight the invaders, which reveals Spike’s true purpose. Exceptional artwork and storytelling — a must-read graphic novel triumph!

Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, illustrated by Gabriela Epstein  REALISTIC Spanish-speaking kids are thrown together to complete before-school community service hours. When the kids notice the homeless mom and her child living in a van, they try to help with leftover food. But they get into trouble with the mean cafeteria lady who thinks they’re stealing and watches them like they’re delinquents. This is an award-winning graphic novel about kindness, racism, differences, and marginalized individuals — both non-English speakers and homeless individuals.

Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas SUPERHERO In a world of Supers, Leon isn’t a Super, but he still wears goggles and a homemade cape to stand up to bullies like Clementine, a mean girl who likes to take lunch money and humiliate Leon. When the other kids with phones turn into zombies from a game app, Leon and Clementine are the only kids who don’t have phones and aren’t affected. So they must work together to stop the evil game creator. And in an unexpected ending, after Leon saves the world, he discovers the biggest surprise of his life!

Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel written by Nikki Grimes, art by Theodore Taylor III REALISTIC Garvey’s dad wants him to play sports instead of reading. Making life even worse, everyone seems to make fun of Garvey’s size, calling him names like chunky and little piggy. Then, a new foodie friend helps Garvey enjoy food and not feel guilty about eating. That same friend also encourages Garvey to join the chorus, which he does secretly, and loves it. Singing makes Garvey feel more like himself. This sweet coming of age story is written in tanka poetry so it reads like a graphic novel in verse with some dialogue. It’s fast, mesmerizing, and emotion-filled.

Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta REALISTIC Twins who live on the Mexico-US border make two different choices in middle school, separating for the first time. Fernando stays in Mexicali, Mexico and Teresa cross the border daily to go to school in Calexico, United States. Their choices lead them down different paths with Fernando finding a friend who is a bad influence with prejudices and a drug business and Teresa commuting for hours and spending more hours doing homework.

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, illustrated by Rose Bousamra REALISTIC In a family with good hair and bad hair, Marlene’s mom and relatives judge her hair as bad. Marlene dreads Sundays when she’s forced to spend all day at the salon getting her hair straightened to look presentable in her mom’s eyes. On a weekend sleepover, her tía shows Marlene how to properly take care of her hair and the right products to use so she can wear her naturally curly hair. It’s a fantastic journey of empowerment and self-love!

Saving H’Non Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung EPISTOLARY ANIMAL RESCUE Based on a true story, this story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming with a beautiful emotional arc. In first-person narration, Chang describes working at a wildlife rescue center in Vietnam and meeting an abused older elephant named H’Non. She and her boss save him from maltreatment and search for a kind trainer to work with H’Non. As you cheer Chang along, you’ll learn about Vietnam, elephants, and animal rescue work. The illustrations are detailed, gorgeous, and memorable.

Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter REALISTIC GRAPHIC NOVEL Avery has six siblings — and she’s responsible for watching the littles a lot. She really wants her own room but instead of getting her own room, she and her sister Pearl also share a room with her baby brother Max. Max has trouble with sleeping, and starts escaping his crib, even climbing up to her top bunk.  Despite the challenges of a large family and a move to a new town, ultimately, Avery learns to value her close-knit family.

Santiago! Santiago Ramón y Cajal –Artist, Scientist, Troublemaker by Jay Hosler BIOGRAPHY Hosler writes a sequential narrative that shows us Santiago as a young child and mischief maker and aspiring artist with a demanding dad who forbids his art and sends Santiago to medical school. Santiago applies his love for art and observation to medicine, eventually winning the Nobel Prize. He’s known as the father of modern neuroscience.

New Kid by Jerry Craft GROWING UP / RACISM Jordan’s parents make him go to a private school across town where he’s one of the only kids of color. Besides having the tricky business of navigating friendships, he now must deal with the two separate worlds of his neighborhood and his school along with racism and balancing academics with his art. This story feels truthful, relatable, and important.

Barb The Last Berzerker by Dan & Jason ADVENTURE / NORSE MYTHOLOGY (ish) Join Barb on a funny, gross, and adventurous quest to find the northern tribe of Zerks so they can help rescue her clan from the Witch Head has captured. Barb steals a special magical sword to help her become a Berzerker. She and her yeti friend named Porkchopface snot goblins, a giant, and vampire goat fiends, eventually finding their way to the Northern Zerks to rescue her clan.

Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable First of all, the artwork throughout this graphic novel is genius, with a black, gray, and red palette and expressive characters. I also loved the big type size with strong dialogue bubble lines! The students in this teacher’s classroom share eerie stories, the creepier, the better. The stories are spooky but not terrifying, and the entire book is mesmerizing from cover to cover. Loved it!

Bunnicula by James Howe and Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin PARANORMAL Narrated by Harold the dog, readers learn what transpires when his family brings home a bunny they find at a Dracula movie . The cat Chester believes Bunnicula is a vampire bunny. And why else would he suck out the juices from vegetables and turn them white? But Harold likes his new friend even though Chester still believes the bunny is a vampire and shares his suspicions and evidence. What will you think?

Silverwing Graphic Novel by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Christopher Steininger ANIMAL ADVENTURE In a world where the owls control the skies, a young bat named Shade breaks the rules to glimpse the sun. Furious, the owls burn the bats’ home! The colony escapes to the South, but Shade gets separated from them. He meets a solitary Brightwing bat named Marina, who was kicked out of her group because of her banded leg. Together, they travel south on a journey fraught with danger and adventure, encountering gigantic meat-eating jungle bats, sinister rats, blood-thirsty pigeons, and a wise albino bat. A fast-paced, exciting adventure with visually stunning illustrations.

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee, illustrated by Molly Brooks REALISTIC I love this story– the author (and illustrator) skillfully shows realistic friendship changes and the challenges of a mental health issue.  Katie’s struggling with friendships and is having buzzing thoughts that tell her to do repetitive things. As her best friendship deteriorates, she makes new friends and tries new things like theater. Eventually, Katie tells her parents about the buzzing and they get her help for what she learns are obsessive-compulsive thoughts.

Living with Viola by Rosena Fung REALISTIC Fung masterfully shows us inside Livy’s mind so we can understand what it’s like to have an anxiety disorder named Viola. Livy’s family are Chinese immigrants in Canada and she feels a lot of pressure from her extended family about being an exceptional student and good daughter. Then with friendship struggles, Viola’s voice is stronger than ever. Livy finally tells her parents and gets a diagnosis and support. Moving, profound, and empathy-building .

Strubble Town Squirrel Do Bad by Stephan Pastis HUMOR Because of her overprotective dad, Wendy the Wanderer is stuck inside all day–until her dad takes a trip and she gets an inattentive teenage babysitter. You might be able to predict that this story will be a cascade of funny cause and effect .

Big Hero 6 #1: The Series by Hong Gyun An SUPERHERO Hiro’s new life as both a college student and superhero with his friends Baymax, Go Go, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, and Fred is complicated. As superheroes, they’re trying to defeat a mother/daughter villain team called High Voltage. But at school, Hiro is assigned a mentor who hates him. It helps when Hiro learns from Baymax how his older brother also failed but continued to persevere. Adventurous and fun to read!

Glitch by Sarah Graley SCI FI Izzy gets sucked into her new video game, learning she’s the chosen one who must save Dungeon City. She struggles to balance her virtual task and new friend Rae with her real life with school, her family, and best friend Eric. It’s an action-packed adventure with relatable characters, humor, and good vs. evil.

Skeleanor the Decomposer by Emily Ettlinger review written by Jemma Taylor PARANORMAL ( GRAPHIC NOVEL ) 64 pages Skeleano has a passion for music, and all she truly wants is to join a band. There’s just one problem: everyone runs away when she tries to play for them. Skeleanor the Decomposer is short and cute–and has all the skeleton puns you could ever want.

Science Comics The Periodic Table of Elements Understanding the Building Blocks of Everything by Jon Chad SCIENCE Mel is a middle schooler who freezes up on tests even though she knows the material. She enters the Land of Elements, where she must overcome fear and use her knowledge to defeat Elementor, the villain who wants to poison the world. Mel teaches what she knows to her new friend Hydrogen and the readers will learn about the building blocks of the elements of the periodic table as well. Educational with a storytelling adventure!

Ghost Book by Remy Lai review written by Jemma Taylor GHOST STORY ( GRAPHIC NOVEL ) 320 pages Rema Lai’s GHOST BOOK follows July Chen, a 12-year-old who can see ghosts. She meets a ghost named William one day who is actually a wandering soul, and from there, her life spirals into an unexpected adventure in which she learns about her new friend and, surprisingly, herself. The mysteries in this book are so fun to unravel, but the best part is watching July’s journey with her first friend.

Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Heroes by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Shauna J. Grant CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY This is a must-read, compelling historical look at the important contributions of Black women like Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin, and Jo Ann Robinson to the Civil Rights Movement. Before Mrs. Parks, there was a girl named Claudette Colvin who also refused to move to the back of the bus and was arrested. When Rosa Parks also got arrested for not moving to the back of the bus, another woman named Jo Ann Robinson thought of the bus boycott idea. The bus boycott dragged on and on, but eventually, the persistence of many brave individuals helped change the unjust system.

Miles Morales Stranger Tides by Justin A. Reynolds, illustrated by Pablo Leon SUPERHERO Miles discovers a new villain in town— the Stranger, who   freezes people using a video game, including Miles’ best friend and parents . The Stranger has judged humans lacking so he plans to destroy half the population. To defeat the Stranger, Miles gets help from an old nemesis, Trinity, and Mr. G., who use their time travel and electric superpowers to send The Stranger far away from Earth. It’s another exciting adventure for readers who love superheroes.

Gunhild by Fred Toranger ages 8 – 12 NORSE MYTHOLOGY (graphic novel) review written by Jemma Taylor An exciting adventure set in the realm of Norse mythology, GUNHILD follows a 12-year-old fire jotin (giant) girl trying to join the ranks of the gods in Asgard while also stopping Ragnarok. (She’s very busy.) Although it’s only the first volume, this story is filled with so much passion and heart; it’s a definite must-read for mythology enthusiasts! (Note: use of the word “hel” about the Norse underworld.)

Dungeon Club Roll Call written by Molly Knox Ostertag and illustrated by Xanthe Bouma REALISTIC 8th grader Olivia and her best friend Jess love the tabletop RPG game Dungeons and Dragons. Jess is a loner and only wants one friend Olivia, their Dungeon Master. But when Olivia starts a D&D club, Jess gets mad that Tyler joins. She is mean to him and kills him in the game. (Jess didn’t like Tyler because in 6th grade, to avoid being called gay, he said they were going out.) Jess’s father helps her see the power of friends to fight monsters and she apologizes to Tyler and makes room for more friends in her life. A great life lesson, stunning artwork, a tabletop RPG game, what’s not to love!?

Saving Sunshine written by Saadia Faruqi, and illustrated by Shazleen Khan review written by Jemma Taylor REALISTIC Saving Sunshine is both a heartwarming ode to sibling relationships and also, a sobering depiction of the daily prejudice Muslim kids face. In the novel, twins Zara and Zeeshan can’t stop getting on each other’s nerves—their constant conflict gets so bad that their parents confiscate their phones until the two can get along. Can the siblings finally learn to understand each other on this awful vacation?

Maker Comics Design a Game by Bree Wolf and Jesse Fuchs INSTRUCTIONAL Kids from all over the galaxy attend the summer camp for game design. As the teacher guides the students step by step to think about what they like, the basics of a good game, scoring, and more, kids and readers get to play games and learn design principles. Even though it’s instructional, kids will love it too because it’s got a storyline, interesting characters, and reliability.

The Bright Family by Matthew Cody and Carol Burrell, illustrated by Derick Brooks SCI-FI It’s a wild trip into new worlds when Jayden sneaks into his dad’s lab and accidentally sends his mom and dad into a dimensional portal, then jumps in after them with his sister, Nia, and their robot nanny, Dusty. The siblings work together to face beasts, weather perils, and an entire species before they eventually reunite with their parents. If you like epic adventures in space and relatable characters with heart, don’t miss this first book in a new series.

Ms. Marvel Stretched Thin by Nadia Shammas, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali SUPERHERO Juggling school, family, and being a secret superhero is tiring and stressful for Kamala Khan, aka. Ms. Marvel. When a robot attacks Avengers Tower, Kamala’s stretched too thin (literally) and learns to rely on her team which helps her become more confident in her problem-solving abilities. A great read with a likable main character.

Keeper of the Lost Cities Graphic Novel  written by Shannon Messenger, adapted by Celina Frenn, and illustrated by Gabriella Chianello FANTASY It’s always weird to read a beloved novel adapted as a  graphic  narrative, told primarily in dialogue and art. I probably will always prefer the narrative  Keeper of the Lost Cities , but this adaptation also works to share the story in the first half of the first book. Sophie learns she’s an elf from a different world. For her own safety, she must leave the human world and say goodbye to her family, whose minds get erased. Then, she’s placed with foster parents and enrolled in the fancy school for powerful elves.

Fibbed  by Elizabeth Agyemang MAGICAL REALISM Everyone accuses Nana of lying and, as a result, she’s sent to visit relatives in Ghana. There, she meets Anase, the trickster spider god and father of stories. He can relate to not being believed for his stories either. When her disbelieving cousins realize that Nana’s stories have been true all along, they join Nana and Anase to expose the company that is secretly destroying the protected forest.  Magic, folktales, advocacy, African culture, and the power of stories, this is a unique, beautifully illustrated graphic novel adventure.

Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis REALISTIC Based on her own experience, this graphic novel story addresses body image and eating disorders within a family of two sisters. Lucy’s older sister Olivia is diagnosed with anorexia and gets all the attention. Soon, Olivia develops an eating disorder, too. I’m not sure if it’s a cautionary tale — but think it would be an important book to discuss. At the end of the story, Olivia and Lucy are in recovery and Oliva’s crush turns into a boyfriend — an addition I thought was unnecessary to the plot.

K Is In Trouble   written and illustrated by Gary Clement FUNNY If you like  quirky, funny stories , you need to read this  graphic novel  about a boy named K. Poor K is always in trouble, no matter what he does. In these stories of everyday life, you’ll see that K is constantly misunderstood, and it’s hilariously absurd.  I love the artwork  — the dialogue text is big and readable, and the illustrations are appealing and fun.

Prisoner of Shiverstone by Linette Moore ADVENTURE In a mysterious “all is not as it seems” story, shipwrecked Helga sneaks onto a remote island where mad scientists are kept separate from mainlanders. Her goal is to rescue her grandfather from his imprisonment inside a giant crystal. With the help of a specialized robot, she searches the island for components to make a crystal-breaking machine. The writing is excellent plus I loved the world-building and wanted to know what would happen next. This is a fast-paced graphic novel of science and adventure!

Legend of Brightblade by Ethan M. Alddridge FANTASY While his mom negotiates a peace treaty with the trolls, Elf prince Alto runs away to become a bard. He witnesses a sinister magical bard. Alto with his bard group including Ebbe and Clarabel know they must warn Alto’s family and stop the bad magic before it’s too late. If you like magical fantasy worlds, you’ll love this story about pursuing your passion, making friends who become family, and the magic of music.

Bomb by Steve Sheinkin, illustrated by Nick Bertozzi HISTORY Three major storylines depict the significant historical events around the making of the atomic bomb : the Germans breaking the atom, the spy who was caught after giving the Russians the American plans for a nuclear bomb, and the American scientists working in New Mexico at a secret site to develop the atomic bomb. The stories are fascinating, more so because they’re based on actual events, but I did get bogged down with some of the science. *some bad language

Anne of West Philly by Ivy Noelle Weir, illustrated by Myisha Haynes REALISTIC (ages 10+) This is an updated Anne of Green Gables story with a modern Anne who is a foster child in the 8th grade. Anne talks non-stop (which is a bit much for her new foster mom) and occasionally loses her temper. But she’s a smart girl who learns from her mistakes. She loves having a room of her own, a best friend, and soon, a forever family. And she even makes friends with her nemesis, Gilbert, when they work on a robotics team together.

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat MEMOIR (ages 10+) In this memoir, Dan describes a transformative trip during the summer before high school that helped him grow from awkward and insecure to confident and outgoing. The trip gave the students lots of freedom. He tries beer and cigarettes. He meets a cute girl and finds the courage to get to know her, even sharing a kiss. He falls in love with the cultures and languages, too. Readers will probably want their own European experiences, too.

Captain America The Ghost Army by Alan Gratz, illustrated by Brent Schoonover SUPERHERO Set during WWII, Captain America and Bucky fight against an evil magician who has created a ghost army that has the power to kill. The only way to stop the ghosts temporarily is with water, but how can they defeat the ghosts for good? It’s an exciting, dangerous, and action-packed story.

Hoops by Matt Tavares HISTORICAL FICTION Judi is growing up in the 1970s. She loves playing basketball so she’s excited when her school starts a girls’ basketball team. Unfortunately, they’re not treated the same as the boy’s team. The girls make their own uniforms, practice at 7 pm, and don’t get a bus to away games. After the girls push through and keep playing to victory, they change the mind of the high school athletic director. It’s an atmospheric story that shows the struggles for gender equality in sports.

Young Adult Readers Ages 13+

Danger and Other Unknown Risks by Ryan North and Erica Henderson This book is genuinely one of my new favorite graphic novels EVER. The world collapsed on New Year’s Day of the year 2000, but not because of technology; because magic became real. Billions died, electricity became a thing of the past, and everyone had to rebuild their lives in the new post-apocalyptic society. Everything sucks, but Marguerite is the chosen one who will save the world. (Or is she?) With visually stunning art, a creative setting, and a fantastic story, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Family Style by Thien Pham ages 12+ MEMOIR In Thien Pham‘s immigration story, he begins with his life in a refugee camp where he played and watched his parents be entrepreneurial. When they immigrate to the US, he learns English slowly and makes friends as he watches his parents be entrepreneurial by starting their own bakery after working hourly jobs. When he is an adult, Thien becomes a citizen to vote. I love how the earthy color palette and gorgeous illustration style help to narrate Pham’s personal memoir.

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Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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Ages 8-12: Best Graphic Novel

These graphic novels grabbed us with their illustrations, actions, words, and overall entertainment! As part of the 2021 Kids’ Book Choice Awards , kids choose their top 5 Best Graphic Novels among these amazing ones . No Adults Allowed!

Kids Vote for Best Graphic Novel

Click on each title to view more info about the graphic novel.

Act , by Kayla Miller

Akissi: Even More Tales of Mischief , by Marguerite Abouet; illus. Mathieu Sapin

All My Friends are Ghosts , by S.M. Vidaurri; illus. Hannah Krieger

All Together Now , by Hope Larson

Animorphs #1: The Invasion , by K.A. Applegate and Michael Grant; illus. Chris Grine

Archie & Friends Forever , by Dan Parent; illus. Dan Parent, Bill Galvan, Bill Golliher, Jeff Shultz, and Pat & Tim Kennedy

Archie’s Explorers of the Unknown , by Rich Margopoulos; illus. Rex Lindsey, Jon D’Agostino, and Pat Kennedy

Asterix Omnibus Volume 1 , by Rene Goscinny; illus. Albert Uderzo

Attack of the Stuff , by Jim Benton; illus. Jim Benton

Becoming Brianna , by Terri Libenson; illus. Terri Libenson

Beetle & the Hollowbones , by Aliza Layne; illus. Aliza Layne

Big Nate: The Gerbil Ate My Homework , by Lincoln Peirce

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons , by James Otis Smith

Bluebeard , by Metaphrog; illus. Metaphrog

Bug Boys , by Laura Knetzger

Cat Kid Comic Club , by Dav Pilkey; illus. Dav Pilkey

Cat Ninja: Book 1 , by Matthew Cody; illus. Yehudi Mercado

City of Secrets , by Victoria Ying

Class Act , by Jerry Craft; illus. Jerry Craft

Copycat Science: Step into the shoes of the world’s greatest scientists! , by Mike Barfield; illus. Mike Barfield

Corpse Talk: Groundbreaking Women , by DK

Dinomighty! , by Doug Paleo

Doodleville , by Chad Sell

Dungeon Critters , by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter

Elvis Puffs Out , by Georgia Dunn

Fly on the Wall , by Remy Lai

Go With the Flow , by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann; illus. Lily Williams

History of the World in Comics , by Jean-Baptise dePanafieu; illus. Adrienne Barman

The Inkberg Enigma , by Jonathan King; illus. Jonathan King

Investigators , by John Patrick Green

Jo: An Adaptation of Little Women (Sort Of) , by Kathleen Gros; illus. Kathleen Gros

The League of Super Feminists , by Mirion Malle; translator Aleshia Jensen

Life With Archie Vol. 2 , by Sy Reit, Frank Doyle, Bob White; illus. Bob White, Harry Lucey, Bill Vigoda, Bob Bolling, and Dan DeCarlo

Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian , by Tim Probert; illus. Tim Probert

Lola’s Super Club Volume 1 , by Christine Beigel; illus. Pierre Fouillet

Lumberjanes: Campfire Songs , by Nicole Andelfinger, Brittney Williams, Seanan McGuire, Mari Costa, Liz Prince, and Shannon Watters; illus. Maddi Gonzalez, Brittney Williams, Alexa Bosy, Mari Costa, Kat Leyh, and Brooklyn Allen

Machines That Think! Big Ideas That Changed the World #2 , by Don Brown

Mason Mooney: Paranormal Investigator , by Seaerra Miller; illus. Seaerra Miller

Max Meow Book 1: Cat Crusader , by John Gallagher

Measuring Up , by Lily LaMotte; illus. Ann Xu

Mellybean and the Giant Monster , by Mike White

The Mystery of the Moon Tower , by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian; illus. Steve Hamaker

Nat Enough , by Maria Scrivan; illus. Maria Scrivan

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #10: Blades of Freedom , by Nathan Hale

The New Archies , by Mike Pellowski and Joe Edwards; illus. Henry Scarpelli, Doug Crane, Joe Edwards, and Rudy Lapick

Okay Universe , by Valerie Plante; translator Helge Dascher; illus. Delphie Cote-Lacroix

Phoebe: Camping with Unicorns , by Dana Simpson

The Postman from Space , by Guillaume Perreault; illus. Guillaume Perreault

The Riverdale Diaries 1: Hello, Betty! , by Sara Kuhn; illus. J. Bone

School For Extraterrestrial Girls Volume 1: Girl on Fire , by Jeremy Whitley; illus. Jamie Noguchi

Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery , by Renee Tremi

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer , by Gillian Goerz

Stepping Stones , by Lucy Knisley

Timo the Adventurer , by Jonathan Garnier

Twins , by Varian Johnson; illus. Shannon Wright

When Stars Are Scattered , by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed; illus. Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy

Witches of Brooklyn , by Sophie Escabasse

The Witches (The Graphic Novel) , by Roald Dahl; illus. Pénélope Bagieu

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