The Best Graphic Novels Your Kids Will Enjoy
This list of graphic novels for kids and tweens is sure to contain a few titles that your child will love. You’ll find adventure stories, fantasy, humor, drama, and more in this collection of graphic novels for kids of all ages.
This particular list of graphic novels for kids contains the titles that I am using in my weekly graphic novel book club on Outschool. I began teaching a weekly graphic novel class and it has continued to be full every week because graphic novels are popular with kids and teens of all ages.
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Reading Graphic Novels with Kids
Graphic novels are certainly a great way to encourage reluctant readers, but they are also a fantastic choice for readers of all levels. Kids of all ages will enjoy delightful artwork paired with well-crafted stories.
In addition, graphic novels are a wonderful way to discuss literary elements with your children including plot arc, opening hooks, mood, and more. Don’t miss our free guide to discussing graphic novels with kids:
Thirty Graphic Novels for Kids
Wings of Fire, Dragonet Prophecy
Tui T. Sutherland and Mike Holmes
Publisher’s Description: “Not every dragonet wants a destiny … Clay has grown up under the mountain, chosen along with four other dragonets to fulfill a mysterious prophecy and end the war between the dragon tribes of Pyrrhia. He’s not so sure about the prophecy part, but Clay can’t imagine not living with the other dragonets; they’re his best friends. So when one of the dragonets is threatened, all five spring into action. Together, they will choose freedom over fate, leave the mountain, and fulfill their destiny — on their own terms.
The New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series takes flight in this first graphic novel edition, adapted by the author with art by Mike Holmes.”
Clash
Kayla Miller
Publisher’s Description: “There’s a new kid in town! From the moment Natasha sets foot in class, it’s clear she’s one of the coolest kids in sixth grade. Everyone wants to be her friend, including Olive . . . but things might not be so easy.
Olive tries her best to befriend Nat, but it seems like the only thing they have in common is that they both want to hang out with Olive’s friends! Watching as Natasha gets closer with some of her best buds, Olive can’t help but worry that they’re starting to like Nat more than they like her . . . and who could blame them? Nat is just that cool . . . and Olive is, well, just Olive.
The New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Kayla Miller delivers a nuanced look at navigating middle school friendships and the importance of both empathy and respect.”
Measuring Up
Lily LaMotte
Publisher’s Description: “Twelve-year-old Cici has just moved from Taiwan to Seattle, and the only thing she wants more than to fit in at her new school is to celebrate her grandmother, A-má’s, seventieth birthday together.
Since she can’t go to A-má, Cici cooks up a plan to bring A-má to her by winning the grand prize in a kids’ cooking contest to pay for A-má’s plane ticket! There’s just one problem: Cici only knows how to cook Taiwanese food.
And after her pickled cucumber debacle at lunch, she’s determined to channel her inner Julia Child. Can Cici find a winning recipe to reunite with A-má, a way to fit in with her new friends, and somehow find herself too?”
Glitch
Sarah Graley
Publisher’s Description: “Izzy has an incredible secret — she can enter the world of her new video game! She meets Rae, a robot who says Izzy is destined to save Dungeon City from the Big Boss. How is this possible?! And how can she fight for this virtual world when she’s got a whole real life to keep up with: her family (though she could do without her mom’s annoying cat), and her best friend, Eric. Things get even weirder when Izzy loses a life while inside the game, and she starts to worry about what might happen if she gets a Game Over for good. Meanwhile, Eric has been super upset with Izzy since she’s been keeping secrets and bailing on their plans. Can Izzy survive Dungeon City and save their friendship?”
The City of Ember: A Graphic Novel
Dallas Middaugh and Jeanne DuPrau
Publisher’s Description: “In the spring 2003, kids, parents, teachers, librarians—whole communities—discovered and fell in love with Jeanne DuPrau’s story about a doomed city, and the two children who found a way out. Nearly 10 years later, that story, The City of Ember, is a bona fide classic, with over 1.7 million copies sold. Now experience Jeanne DuPrau’s vision anew as artist Niklas Asker faithfully brings to life the glare of the lamps, the dinginess of the streets, and the brilliance of the first sunrise.”
Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer
Gillian Goerz
Publisher’s Description: “Jamila Waheed is staring down a lonely summer in a new neighborhood–until she meets Shirley Bones. Sure, Shirley’s a little strange, but both girls need a new plan for the summer, and they might as well become friends.
Then this kid Oliver shows up begging for Shirley’s help. His pet gecko has disappeared, and he’s sure it was stolen! That’s when Jamila discovers Shirley’s secret: She’s the neighborhood’s best kid detective, and she’s on the case. When Jamila discovers she’s got some detective skills of her own, a crime-solving partnership is born.
The mystery of the missing gecko turns Shirley and Jamila’s summer upside down. And when their partnership hits a rough patch, they have to work together to solve the greatest mystery of all: What it means to be a friend.”
Sort of Super
Eric Gapstur
Publisher’s Description: “Eleven-year-old Wyatt Flynn had something amazing happen to him: he got superpowers! Good ones too, like super-flight, super-strength, and super-speed. The only problem? Wyatt got his superpowers totally by mistake, and his dad—who’s been overprotective since Wyatt’s mom disappeared—thinks he’s too young for them and worries what would happen if everyone found out. So he makes Wyatt hide his powers.
Keeping such a huge secret from his best friends Beto and Nara is bad enough, but not being able to use his new abilities to defend them from the biggest bully at school makes Wyatt feel useless and frustrated. But his little sister thinks the good his powers could do is more important than following Dad’s rules. Slowly, the two of them become a dynamic crime-fighting duo right under their dad’s nose.
Lying to his dad isn’t much easier than lying to his friends. But Wyatt might be able to make a real difference in the community…and maybe even find Mom. That makes it all worth it—right?”
The Underground Abductor
Nathan Hale
Publisher’s Description: “Araminta Ross was an enslaved woman born in Delaware. After years of backbreaking labor and the constant threat of being sold and separated from her family, she escaped and traveled north to freedom. Once there, she changed her name to Harriet Tubman. As an “abductor” on the Underground Railroad, she risked her life helping countless enslaved people escape to freedom.”
Kristy’s Great Idea: A Graphic Novel (Babysitter’s Club #1)
Raina Telemeier and Ann M. Martin
Publisher’s Description: “Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey are best friends and founding members of The Baby-sitters Club. Whatever comes up — cranky toddlers, huge dogs, scary neighbors, prank calls — you can count on them to save the day. Baby-sitting isn’t always easy, and neither is dealing with strict parents, new families, fashion emergencies, and mysterious secrets. But no matter what, the BSC have what they need most: friendship.”
Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian
Tim Probert
Publisher’s Description: “Deep in the heart of the planet Irpa stands the Salty Pig’s House of Tonics & Tinctures, home of the wise Pig Wizard and his adopted granddaughter, Bea. As keepers of the Endless Flame, they live a quiet and peaceful life, crafting medicines and potions for the people of their once-prosperous world.
All that changes one day when, while walking through the woods, Bea meets Cad, a member of the Galdurians, an ancient race thought to be long-extinct. Cad believes that if anyone can help him find his missing people, it’s the Pig Wizard.
But when the two arrive home, the Pig Wizard is nowhere to be found—all that’s left is the Jar of Endless Flame and a mysterious note. Fearing for the Pig Wizard’s safety, Bea and Cad set out across Irpa to find him, while danger fights its way out of the shadows and into the light.
Will these two unexpected friends find the beloved Pig Wizard and prevent eternal darkness from blanketing their world? Or has Irpa truly seen its last sunrise?
Katie the Catsitter Book 2: Best Friends For Never
Colleen AF Venable
Publisher’s Description: “Katie loves skating with the Wheelas and the fact that she’s officially a superhero sidekick. But now that school’s starting, everything’s changing. The Mousetress is getting blamed for things Katie knows she didn’t do. Sidekick training is NOT as exciting as she’d hoped. Katie’s best friend Beth is back in town and Beth’s new boyfriend is always hanging around (ugh!). Not to mention that all of Katie’s friends are mad at her. Fixing this will be harder than any skateboarding trick. But with the help of 217 slightly out-of-the-ordinary cats, Katie’s going to try!
Can she clear the Mousestress’s name, uncover the real supervillain, and become the sidekick (and the friend) she’s always dreamed of being?”
Pea, Bee, and Jay #1 & #2
Brian “Smitty” Smith
The Oracle Code
Marieke Nijkamp
Occasionally I find a title for the younger kids (ages 8-10) that is just too young for the older kids (ages 11-14) and vice versa. This is one of those times. Each age group will read a different title when we read these books.
City of Dragons
Jaimal Yogis
Publisher’s Description: “Grace and her friends must protect a newly hatched dragon from mysterious evildoers.
When Grace moves to Hong Kong with her mom and new stepdad, her biggest concern is making friends at her fancy new boarding school. But when a mysterious old woman gifts her a dragon egg during a field trip, Grace discovers that the wonderful stories of dragons she heard when she was a young girl might actually be real–especially when the egg hatches overnight.
The dragon has immense powers that Grace has yet to understand. And that puts them both in danger from mysterious forces intent on abusing the dragon’s power. And now it’s up to Grace and her school friends to uncover the sinister plot threatening the entire city!”
Power Up
Sam Nisson
Publisher’s Description: “Miles and Rhys know each other only as Gryphon and Backslash, and in the video game Mecha Melee they’re an unstoppable team. They’re the best friends they’ve got, online or in the real world, and they don’t even realize they go to the same middle school.
But real-life wrongdoing blasts their duo into a crater the size of Arcticon. With life online and off a complete mess and BattleCon—and the Every Game Ever tournament—just weeks away, can the boys play their way back to each other?”
Runaway Princess
Johan Troïanowski
Olympians: Zues
George O’Connor
Once again, I selected different books for the two age groups of students in my Outschool class. The Zeus book is in the Young Adult section of the library and seemed a little dark for the younger kids. Runaway Princess was a great choice for the younger group.
Marshmallow & Jordan
Alina Chau
Publisher’s Description: “Jordan’s days as star player for her school’s basketball team ended when an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Now, she’s still the team captain, but her competition days seem to be behind her…until an encounter with a mysterious elephant, who she names Marshmallow, helps Jordan discover a brand new sport.
Will water polo be the way for Jordan to continue her athletic dreams–or will it just come between Jordan and her best friends on the basketball team? And with the big tournament right around the corner, what secret is Marshmallow hiding?”
Red’s Planet
Eddie Pittman
Publisher’s Description: “Meet Red, a quirky, headstrong 10-year-old who longs to live in her own perfect paradise far away from her annoying foster family. But when a UFO mistakenly kidnaps her, Red finds herself farther away than she could have possibly imagined—across the galaxy and aboard an enormous spaceship owned by the Aquilari, an ancient creature with a taste for rare and unusual treasures.
Before Red can be discovered as a stowaway, the great ship crashes on a small deserted planet, leaving her marooned with a menagerie of misfit aliens. With her newfound friend, a small gray alien named Tawee, Red must find a way to survive the hostile castaways, evade the ravenous wildlife, and contend with Goose, the planet’s grumpy, felinoid custodian. Surely this can’t be the paradise she’s been hoping for.”
Besties: Work It Out (The World of Click)
Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino
Publisher’s Description: “Meet Beth and Chanda, two stylish best friends on their way to building their fashion empire! An unexpected business opportunity presents itself when the girls are asked to dogsit at Ms. Langford’s luxurious house while she’s away, but it quickly turns into a disaster after an accident leaves one of Ms. Langford’s prized possessions in pieces.
Now Beth and Chanda have to take on as many odd jobs as they can in order to afford a replacement. Car washing, book sales, interior decorating—you name it, Beth and Chanda are there! Will they be able to patch up their mistake in time?”
No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest
Robin Robinson
Publisher’s Description: “Bix and Pella are goblins sisters with very different dispositions. Bix is a worrywart who is most content when she’s home knitting. Her little sister, Pella, is an impetuous thrill seeker who is always getting in trouble. When Pella’s thirst for adventure leads her into the Enchanted Forest―a strange and dangerous place that no goblin has ever safely returned from―Bix is forced to leave her comfort zone to save her. Elemental demigods and countless hungry monsters stand in her way, but Bix is about to learn that even a worrywart can become a hero.”
Dogman
Dav Pilkey
Apocalypse Taco
Nathan Hale
Dogman by Dav Pilkey and Apocolypse Taco by Nathan Hale are another set of titles that I selected for each age group to read separately. This was mainly because Apocolypse Taco seemed a bit mature for the 8-10 year old group so Dogman was a fantastic option for the younger group.
Anti-Hero
Kate Karyus Quinn
Publisher’s Description: “When a mission to steal an experimental technological device brings the two girls face to face with each other, the device sparks, and the two girls switch bodies! Now they must live in each other’s shoes as they figure out a way to switch back.
Anti/Hero is a story that explores what makes a hero, how one can find friendship where it’s unexpected, and what it means to walk in another person’s shoes…literally!”
Redwall: The Graphic Novel
Brian Jacques
Publisher’s Description: “The classic fantasy adventure that began the Redwall phenomenon is finally available in a cool graphic format. Illustrated by renowned comics artist Bret Blevins, Redwall: The Graphic Novel brings to life all the battles, all the heroes, and all the villains in a fun new format perfect for reluctant readers, those just entering the Redwall world, or the countless existing fans of the series.”
Tom’s Midnight Garden
Philippa Pearce
Publisher’s Description: “When Tom’s brother gets sick, he’s shipped off to spend what he’s sure will be a boring summer with his aunt and uncle in the country. But then Tom hears the old grandfather clock in the hall chime thirteen times, and he’s transported back to an old garden where he meets a young, lonely girl named Hatty.
Tom returns to the garden every night to have adventures with Hatty, who mysteriously grows a little older with each visit. As the summer comes to an end, Tom realizes he wants to stay in the garden with Hatty forever.
Lafayette
Nathan Hale
Publisher’s Description: “Gilbert du Motier became the Marquis de Lafayette at a young age, but he was not satisfied with the comforts of French nobility—he wanted adventure!
A captain at eighteen and a major general by nineteen, he was eager to prove himself in battle. When he heard about the Revolution going on in America, he went overseas and fought alongside Alexander Hamilton and George Washington for America’s independence.”
Miles Morales: Shock Waves
Justin A. Reynolds
Publisher’s Description: “Miles Morales is a normal kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of Brooklyn as Spider-Man. After a disastrous earthquake strikes his mother’s birthplace of Puerto Rico, Miles springs into action to help set up a fundraiser for the devastated island. But when a new student’s father goes missing, Miles begins to make connections between the disappearance and a giant corporation sponsoring Miles’ fundraiser. Who is behind the disappearance, and how does that relate to Spider-Man?”
Explorer (The Mystery Boxes #1)
Kazu Kibuishi
Publisher’s Description: “Seven clever stories answer one simple question: what’s in the box? Funny, fantastic, spooky, and suspenseful, each of these unique and beautifully illustrated short graphic works revolves around a central theme: a mysterious box and the marvels—or mayhem—inside.”
Target Practice: Cleopatra in Space #1
Mike Maihack
Publisher’s Description: “When Cleo finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, really far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo’s style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, while trying to figure out how she’s going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!”
More Graphic Novels for Kids:
Over 30 Graphic Novels Your Elementary Schooler Will Love
The Best Graphic Novels to Engage Early Readers
Have fun with Graphic Novels for Kids
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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