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The Best Graphic Novels for Kids

Wondering if graphic novels for kids are the best route for your children? Graphic novels and comic books have a bad reputation among some parents, teachers, and librarians. But the research shows that graphic novels are beneficial for kids. They work just as well (and sometimes even better than prose) to teach storytelling, harness creativity, and make reading enjoyable. And kids are more likely to keep reading when they enjoy it.


FAQs: Understanding what graphic novels are

Table of Contents

  • FAQs: Understanding what graphic novels are
    • What is a graphic novel?
    • What is the difference between a comic and graphic novel?
    • Do graphic novels help kids read?
    • What age group is graphic novel appropriate for?
    • Is Diary of a Wimpy Kid a graphic novel?
  • Why graphic novels are great for kids
    • 1. They’re visually engaging
    • 2. They improve children’s vocabulary
    • 3. They’re easier to understand and follow
  • 100+ Best Graphic Novels for Kids
  • The Best Graphic Novels for Elementary School Kids (Ages 6-9)
  • Graphic Novel Series for Middle Schoolers (Ages 8-12)
  • The Best Middle Grade Graphic Novels
  • The Best Graphic Novels for Teens
  • Graphic Novels for Kids (By Interests)
  • Want Even More Kids Graphic Novels?
  • Pin This: The Best Graphic Novels for Kids

We’ll get into our favorites soon, but first, let’s tackle some commonly asked questions about graphic novels.

What is a graphic novel?

Graphic novels are novel-length stories prepared in a comic style, with panels, illustrations, and speech bubbles. They look like this:

graphic novels for kids look like this - sample page of the tryout
Sample page from The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat

In a graphic novel, there’s very little prose and more focus on the dialogue or, sometimes, the thoughts of the characters.

What is the difference between a comic and graphic novel?

Comic books are often shorter than graphic novels; they’re typically not novel length. Also, they tend to be produced in volumes, whereas graphic novels can exist as standalone stories, although graphic novel series are also common.

Do graphic novels help kids read?

They do! Graphic novels make an excellent bridge between picture books and longer chapter books. The pictures encourage curiosity and provide useful context that can encourage kids to read.

What age group is graphic novel appropriate for?

Graphic novels exist for kids of all ages — from elementary to the teenage years. We have recommendations for all age groups in this post!

Is Diary of a Wimpy Kid a graphic novel?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (and books like it) are heavily illustrated middle grade books — technically not graphic novels. Books like these feature substantial portions of prose like novels, but also include illustrations and some speech bubbles. If anything, they’re more of a hybrid. However, they’re often grouped with graphic novels because a large percentage of the content is graphics.


Why graphic novels are great for kids

Three important research-backed benefits of graphic novels for growing children are:

1. They’re visually engaging

When children first start learning to read, they’re drawn to the colorful pictures in picture books and they lean into the storytelling, hanging on to every word. Graphic novels recreate this experience for young readers. It’s no wonder they can’t get enough.

2. They improve children’s vocabulary

Although graphic novels contain pictures, they’re in no way “baby books.” Research shows that graphic novels contain more rare words (higher level vocab) than other children’s books (and many adult books). While enjoying their stories, rest assured that your kids will be learning new words with graphic novels.

3. They’re easier to understand and follow

Finally, kids gravitate towards enjoyment (more than adults who are often searching for “deeper meaning). That alone shows that graphic novels are much easier to understand and follow. The illustrations provide context and the relatively minimal text in bubbles keeps readers following the story — and keeps them reading!


100+ Best Graphic Novels for Kids

Now that we know the value of graphic novels, here are 100+ of the best graphic novels for kids for a variety of ages, including pre-schoolers, tweens, and teens alike. Click on the images to be redirected to the post page. Happy reading!

The Best Graphic Novels for Elementary School Kids (Ages 6-9)

Click the box below to see our list.

30 Best Graphic Novels for Elementary Students (K-6)

These picks have short text and fewer pages, but wonderfully illustrated stories for kids ages 6-9. My favorite is Weenie featuring Frank & Beans: Mad About Meatloaf — absolutely delightful!


Graphic Novel Series for Middle Schoolers (Ages 8-12)

Click the box below to see our list of 20 middle grade graphic novel series.

Best Middle Grade Graphic Novel Series

If your kids ask for more after reading graphic novels, you might want to look into these graphic novel series for tweens. I have so many favorites on this list, but I’ll share three:

  • The Click series by Kayla Miller
  • Sunny series by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
  • Best Friends series by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pharm

The Best Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Click the box below to see our list.

52 Best Middle-Grade Graphic Novels

Whether your kids love sports, food, animals, or other interests, you’ll find something for them on this list of middle grade graphic novels. A few of my favorites:

  • Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter
  • Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez
  • Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
  • Guts by Raina Telgemeier
  • Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte and Anne Xu
  • Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright
  • Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

If your kids are in upper elementary or just entering middle school, you’ll enjoy our graphic novel recommendations by age:

  • Graphic novels for 8 year olds
  • The best graphic novels for 9 year olds
  • Top graphic novels for 10 year olds
  • Great graphic novels for 11 year olds
  • Our recommended graphic novels for 12 year olds

The Best Graphic Novels for Teens

Best Graphic Novels for Teens

On this list, I absolutely love Robin Ha’s Almost American Girl, which is also perfect for older middle schoolers. Cub is equally fantastic.


Graphic Novels for Kids (By Interests)

Some kids won’t touch a book with a 6 foot tall pole unless its theme aligns with their interests. Thankfully, graphic novels cover a variety of themes, from sports to family to mental health. We’ve been working on multiple lists highlighting graphic novels featuring characters facing different circumstances.

  • Graphic novels about sports

a student reading a graphic novel for kids

Want Even More Kids Graphic Novels?

We’ve reviewed dozens of kids’ graphic novels. Find the best one for your child.

graphic novel reviews

Pin This: The Best Graphic Novels for Kids

100+ Best graphic novels for kids of all ages

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Afoma
🏡 The Parent Trap meets The Holiday 🏡 🏴 🏡 The Parent Trap meets The Holiday 🏡 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 In The House Swap, tweens Allie and Sage are forced together when their families plan to swap houses goes awry. Allie is a British girl living in the countryside and preparing to be a spy when she grows up. She’s also the (overlooked, she feels) middle child, stuck between a teen brother and a talkative little sister. 

🇺🇸 Sage is an only child in sunny California, growing up with parents who seem to be growing apart. She gets more worried when she discovers that only her mom will be coming with her to the English countryside. Both girls realize that they have more in common than they think and decide to help each other — Ally with Sage’s parents and Sage with being Allie’s friend.

🏄‍♀️ The House Swap is a cozy, charming middle grade book about family (history & secrets), new friendships, and navigating parental divorce. Reminiscent of the beloved movie, The Holiday, this middle grade book is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good reading experience with a touch of history, family drama, and characters you can root for.
I’m a contemporary fiction girl through and thro I’m a contemporary fiction girl through and through but the only historical fiction I’ll make room for (besides TJR) is middle grade historical fiction! I’ve read and loved so many in the last few years and here are some I recommend — including forthcoming & backlist titles!

Books mentioned:

A SKY FULL OF SONG by @susanlynnmeyer 
FAR OUT by @annebustard 
THE SECRET DIARY OF MONA HASAN by @salmahwrites 
IT AIN’T SO AWFUL, FALAFEL by Firoozeh Dumas
A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON by @kealbus 
STEALING MT. RUSHMORE by @daphnekalmar 
HOOPS by @tavaresbooks 

You’ll see there’s a few extra in the cover picture too! 😉 What’s your favorite middle grade historical fiction? And do you particularly like them?
🏊‍♀️ Aniana is a child of Dominican paren 🏊‍♀️ Aniana is a child of Dominican parents growing up on Galveston, an island in the state of Texas. Her mom has undiagnosed PTSD from the death of her (Aniana’s mother’s) brother years ago in a storm back in their home country, so she doesn’t want her daughter near the water. Aniana’s father wants his daughter to pursue her passion and takes her to swim meets without her mother’s knowledge. 

🦴 But when Aniana wakes up one day with painfully swollen joints and other weird symptoms after swimming, their secret is exposed, and Aniana is faced with a new diagnosis that may threaten the one sport she loves.

🏝️ Aniana Del Mar Jumps In is a tender, moving middle grade verse novel about disability, sports, family trauma, and standing up for your dreams. 

❤️This verse novel is excellently written and painfully honest about the challenges of bridging the culture and communication gap when a parent has unresolved emotional trauma. Ani does a fantastic job of standing up for her goals, and the ending is very satisfying.
Which middle grade authors are your auto-buys? I h Which middle grade authors are your auto-buys? I have so many that I’m making this a series! So excited to spotlight more of my favorites 🥰❤️
If you’re big on graphic novels like I am, here If you’re big on graphic novels like I am, here are 3 exceptional MG options to put on your TBR this year 😍

Books mentioned:

HOOPS by @tavaresbooks 
FOUR EYES by @thirdrex 
DOODLES FROM THE BOOGIE DOWN by @stephguez 

Books shown in montage in order of appearance:
SUNNY MAKES A SPLASH
ALLERGIC
HOOPS
I often get messages from readers looking for more I often get messages from readers looking for more children’s books set in Africa (because I’m from & live in Africa). Unfortunately, there aren’t that many realistic, contemporary middle grade books or chapter books set here, but at least we have Atinuke! 🥲

Atinuke is a British- Nigerian author of chapter books and picture books who spent her formative years in Nigeria. Her stories are whimsical but realistic and focus more on the character and their family than they do on locale. I love her storytelling and I love that more kids are getting to see Nigeria through the eyes of her characters.
Middle grade books written in a unique format can Middle grade books written in a unique format can be hit or miss for some. Here are 3 (+1) of my favorite unique format stories done right!

Books mentioned:

WHAT HAPPENED TO RACHEL RILEY by @claireswinarski 
ANNIE’S LIFE IN LISTS by @kristinmahoneybooks 
LASAGNA MEANS I LOVE YOU by @kloshaughnessy 
THE NIGHT DIARY (which is written in letters in her diary to her deceased mom — voiceovers are hard!) by @veerawrites 

Do you love any stories written in multiple/unique formats? I’d love to hear!
🫁 the first own voices cystic fibrosis novel ✨

🐬 centers young Penny, a middle schooler with cystic fibrosis. Penny has to take digestive enzymes and do her breathing treatments to help her lungs get rid of mucus that affects her breathing. While her CF case is relatively mild-moderate, she still struggles with being chronically ill. 

🚤 One day a dolphin shows up in the lake near their house and Penny feels a strong connection with the animal. It turns out the dolphin (who Penny names Rose) is also sick and needs to return to her pod to get better. Penny may be the only one who can help the scientists take Rose back. But can she do that, when she feels so drawn to the animal?

🫁 No Matter the Distance is a beautiful middle grade verse novel about living with cystic fibrosis and finding belonging in community. Also starring an adorable dolphin and warm family dynamics, this book will appeal to kids who love animals, books about sisters, and stories about chronic illness and disability.
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