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Readalikes · May 1, 2023

Books Like Raina Telgemeier’s Graphic Novels

So you read the fantastic graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier, and now you’re on the hunt for books like Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels? Welcome!

Books Like Raina Telgemeier's Graphic Novels

Recommending readalikes can be a tricky process, but as I said in the first post in this series, I enjoy the process of finding similar threads running through even books that appear different on the surface. Today’s pick is slightly different because I’m sharing 10 brilliant books (all but one are graphic novels) for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

Telgemeier is an excellent illustrator who shares stories, mostly inspired by her life experiences. My favorite books of hers are Smile, Guts, and Sisters. The readalikes I’m recommending today are most similar to those three stories! If you or your kids loved these books, here are more books like Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels.

Ready? Let’s go.

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10 Wonderful Books Like Raina Telgemeier’s Graphic Novels

Here are 10 great graphic novels for your Raina Telgemeier fans:

Picture Day

Picture Day (The Brinkley Yearbooks)

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Published: June 27, 2023

This is the first in a brand new graphic novel series starring seventh-grader Viv. On picture day, Viv decides she’s tired of being boring and blending in style-wise. So she cuts her hair into an edgy style — first by herself in the school bathroom and later in a hairstylist’s shop.

Suddenly, Viv is an influencer, and everyone wants life and style advice from her. But fame comes at a cost. This was a fun, lighthearted graphic novel with important lessons about being yourself and focusing on what really matters in life.


Jawbreaker

Jawbreaker

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Published: October 24, 2023

Max Plink’s life is complicated. Her parents aren’t getting along. The school bullies are relentless―and her own sister is the cruelest of them. Worst of all, her mouth is a mess. With a mismatched puzzle of a jaw, Max has a Class II malocclusion, otherwise known as a severe overbite. She already has braces, which means she lives on Advil and soft foods after each orthodontist appointment. But now Max has to wear painful (and totally awkward) orthodontic headgear nicknamed “the jawbreaker.” Could things get any worse?

Yes. The journalism competition Max wants to enter has a video component. But being on camera means showing her face not just to her junior high classmates, but possibly the whole city. Going viral is the last thing Max needs, but winning this competition is what she wants most. Turns out, following her dreams is complicated, too.


Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel

Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel (Four Eyes #1)

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Published: May 2, 2023

Sixth grade isn’t as great as Rex thought it would be. He’s the only kid who hasn’t had a growth spurt, and the bullies won’t let him forget it. His closest friend is unreliable, at best. And there’s a cute girl in his class, who may or may not like him back.

With so much going on, everything is a blur — including Rex’s vision! So when he discovers that he needs glasses, and his family can only afford the ugliest pair in the store, any hope Rex had of fitting in goes completely out of focus. I loved this sweet and moving graphic novel!


Doodles from the Boogie Down

Doodles from the Boogie Down

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Published: April 25, 2023

Steph is finishing eighth grade in a Catholic middle school, and she and her friends are applying to high school. She is not great at Math or Science and prefers art instead, so she’s thrilled when her art teacher encourages her to apply to LaGuardia, an arts high school.

Unfortunately, her strict Dominican mom doesn’t think art is a profitable career pursuit, so Steph’s plan is to only tell her mom about plans when she’s gotten in. On top of that, she’s struggling with understanding one of her friends who seems to like a group of girls who bully Steph. This is a great pick for kids who enjoy graphic novels/graphic memoirs and middle grade books set in New York City.


Roller Girl

Roller Girl

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Published: March 10, 2015

Astrid and Nicole are best friends who do nearly everything together. Until Astrid’s mom takes them to watch roller derby. While Astrid can’t get enough of the cool girls and all the derby action, Nicole is immediately put off. So when Astrid signs up for junior derby, Nicole chooses a ballet elective instead — but she never tells her mom that she’s derby rolling instead of doing ballet with Nicole.

I loved this action-packed exploration of roller derby, the thrill of finding a passion, and the power of perseverance. Raina Telgemeier fans and Fans of sports graphic novels like The Tryout and Play Like a Girl will love this one.


Frizzy

Frizzy

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Published: October 18, 2022

Marlene hates the salon where her mom takes her to get her natural curls straightened weekly. Her mom and some in their circle/family believe that “good hair” is straight hair. But Marlene isn’t so sure. She sees an internet influencer and her favorite aunt, Tia Ruby rocking their curls and is eager to try. But her first attempt fails woefully.

I loved this delightful, thought-provoking graphic novel about natural hair, self-acceptance, and body image. It’s also the 2023 Winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children’s Text!


Allergic

Allergic: A Graphic Novel

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buy on amazon

Published: March 2, 2021

Maggie loves animals and has been waiting patiently to get a dog, only to discover that she’s allergic. She starts getting shots to get her allergies under control while on the hunt for a hypoallergenic pet. Things appear to be looking up when Maggie meets Claire, an only child living with her single dad who indulges her every whim. Claire is one grade above Maggie but the two become fast friends — until Claire gets a dog.

This graphic novel is a sweet, realistic depiction of what it’s like to suffer from allergies. This graphic novel features stunning illustrations, a lovable protagonist, and a rambunctious family.


Play Like a Girl

Play Like a Girl

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buy on amazon

Published: September 27, 2022

When Misty gets mocked for wanting to play football with the boys, Misty determines she’ll sign up for the team with her best friend (who’s convinced because she wants time with boys). But the training process is rigorous, and playing football is physically challenging — especially with boys.

This was a great read! It’s a compelling, heartfelt middle grade graphic memoir about challenging the status quo, playing football, and finding your tribe. 


Lo and Behold

Lo and Behold: (A Graphic Novel)

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Published: May 2, 2023

The last thing Addie wants to do is make a new friend, but when her dad’s summer job takes them across the country, she meets Mateo and finds herself caught up in an exciting project. With the help of a virtual reality headset, she’s suddenly scaling castle walls, dodging angry kittens, and seeing the world in whole new ways. She and Mateo use VR to help other kids — and also help themselves cope with their emotional issues.

This graphic novel has such a unique premise and addresses tough topics like the death of a sibling and a parent with drug addiction/misuse. I loved the insight into VR and appreciated Addie and Mateo’s platonic friendship.


Measuring Up

Measuring Up

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buy on amazon

12-year-old Cici who moves from Taiwan to the US with her parents, leaving behind her beloved A-ma (her grandmother). She and her parents struggle with American culture, like sleepovers, and fireplaces, and she quickly stops bringing Taiwanese food to lunch, preferring instead to learn to make American food, so she can blend in. Most of all, Cici misses her A-ma with whom she used to go to the market and cook. So when she stumbles upon a kid cooking contest, it feels like the perfect opportunity to earn $1000.

This is an excellent feel-good, coming-of-age story that pays homage to the love between a granddaughter and her grandmother.  It will certainly appeal to Julia Child fans who enjoy middle-grade books about food or those who enjoy watching cooking contests.


There they are: 10 of the best books like Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels! Which of these graphic novels have you read and loved? What did I miss?

More Readalikes

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  • Great books like Refugee
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✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

I’m not a big re-reader but if I had to re-read favorite middle grade titles, this would be at the top of my list! Clea is a highly motivated middle schooler who’s finding it harder and harder to keep up with school work. Her thoughts keep jumping around and the only time she can really focus is when she’s playing chess. Soon, she’s diagnosed with ADHD and has to find ways to work with the way her brain functions.

I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

#adhd #bookstagram #mglit
✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
My current adult reads! HAPPY TRAVELER is a non- My current adult reads! 

HAPPY TRAVELER is a non-fiction title about making travel work for you and creating enjoyable, memorable experiences. So far, I’m enjoying the author’s musings on travel.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a bookstagram darling (need I say more?) and I already know I’ll be reading it for a while. It’s one of those books that really forces you to slow down. The writing is so tender; it feels like the author loves her characters ❤️

#bookstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram
✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨ 🤓 ✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨

🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

#graphicnovel #middleschoolbooks #kidlit
Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
✨a devastating debut✨ This book! Brilliantly ✨a devastating debut✨

This book! Brilliantly written, impressive characterization, and a plot so unexpected. It left me physically shaken (it's not feel-good), but it feels so necessary, so timely. A solid debut about the search for the great American Dream, familial sacrifices, and confronting our ugly inner selves -- all in less than 300 pages. 

You'll like this if you like:

Multiple perspectives (3 perspectives, 3rd person POV)
Character-driven stories
Time-jumping plots
Devastating endings

If you prefer straightforward, plot-rich, fast-paced stories, you might struggle a bit with this one at the start. But it's worth it!

#bookstagram #amreading #fiction
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