Do you remember reading funny comic books from the grocery store as a kid? Modern graphic novels have taken comic adventures to a whole new level. Graphic novels are a fantastic way to engage young readers. Funny graphic novels are even better! Even the most resistant readers can get hooked by a hilarious character in a favorite comic book series. You can use these texts as a jumping-off point for all kinds of interesting lessons!
Reading graphic novels also has hidden benefits for struggling readers. Graphic novels illustrate each part of the storyline, allowing students to comprehend texts that are slightly beyond their independent reading level.
1. Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth
This New York Times best-selling graphic novel series features Hilo, the boy who fell from the sky, and his earthly friends D.J. and Gina. Hilo has no idea where he came from but he does have superpowers! This is a funny and entertaining book that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
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2. Dog Man: A Graphic Novel
Any teacher will tell you that Dog Man is an all-time favorite of their elementary-aged students. From the creator of Captain Underpants, Dav Pilkey, Dog Man is another exciting and hilarious series that will get even the most reluctant readers engaged in the story!
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3. Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?
The cover says it all - this silly duo is one that kids can't help but love. Everyone has a favorite, what is yours? Pizza or tacos? You can have them both in this fun graphic adventure from Stephen Shaskan.
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4. Narwhal and Jelly: Unicorn of the Sea
You can't help but love these two friends, whose silly adventures will make even the most resistant readers laugh. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they create their own amazing world under the sea!
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5. Pepper and Boo: A Cat Surprise
Pepper and Boo are a pair of doggy roommates who have no idea what to do with the cat in their house. The cat, as always, is in charge! These hilarious novels would make a great read-aloud in your elementary classroom and are perfect for readers 6-10 years old.
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6. Thundercluck: Chicken of Thor
This uproarious take on classic Norse mythology will have your students laughing and learning at the same time. Talk about a perfect hook for your middle grades social studies lesson, this is it! These sarcastic stories will grab their attention.
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7. Stinkbomb and Ketchup Face and the Badness of Badgers
You can tell by the name that this British gem is out to lunch in the best possible way! In the wondrous and bizarre kingdom of Great Kerfuffle, Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face are sent on a fantastical quest to exterminate the bad badgers, who are (you guessed it) really bad!
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8. Catstronauts: Mission Moon
The CatStronauts series is a perfect jumping-off point for science lessons about renewable energy. In this book, there is not enough energy to go around and the shortage plunges the world into darkness. The CatStronauts are tasked with setting up a solar energy plant on the moon!
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9. The Big Bad Fox
This compelling story is highly recommended and has received rave reviews from teachers and families alike. This fox is anything but bad, no matter how hard he tries!
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10. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute
This hilarious and well-loved ongoing story features the fearsome lunch lady in book one of a ten-book series. This graphic novel will captivate and entertain your middle-grade readers.
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11. Lucy and Andy Neanderthal
Jeffrey Brown's side-splitting tales of Lucy and Andy Neanderthal are perfect for your middle school units on the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods.
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12. El Deafo
In this funny yet meaningful book, Cece Bell tells the story of what is like to be a deaf person in today's society. This fabulous, semi-autobiographical story is a Newberry Honor award winner and one of our favorite reads for kids 7-10.
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13. InvestiGATORS
These Gators are giving Sherlock and Watson a run for their money! This series of funny books by John Patrick Green is perfect for elementary students ages 6-9, who will love Mango and Brash and their Very Exciting Spy Technology.
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14. Owly: The Way Home
Owly, a sweet tale of a good-natured and loveable owl, is perfect for the younger elementary school student. Owly meets Wormy, another sweet creature in need of a friend, and we join the two for adventures in fun and friendship.
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15. Cat Kid Comic Club
Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants, Dog Man, The Dumb Bunnies, and more, has created a new series that the younger elementary set will fall in love with - Cat Kid Comic Club!
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16. Awkward
Awkward is a novel that is both funny and relatable to middle school students. This is a coming-of-age story about Peppi and Jamie, who don't feel like they fit in, and their rivalry that ends up teaching them both important lessons about growing up. This text could support social and emotional learning for the teens in your life.
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17. Baloney and Friends: Dream Big!
Greg Pizzoli brings us another colorful picture book series, this time in graphic novel form, Baloney, and Friends. Geisel Award winner and author of The Watermelon Seed and other treasured children's books, Pizzoli's colorful style is one-of-a-kind.
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18. Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter
Ham Helsing is not your typical monster-hunting hero. He is a creative soul who would rather be making art. Reluctantly, Ham is called to fill his deceased older brother's shoes and go after vampires in this witty and delightful yarn.
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19. Plants vs. Zombies: Zomnibus Volume 1
A perennial favorite with the elementary crowd, Plants vs. Zombies would be the ultimate hook for a project-based learning lesson. This blog post has some great ideas for critical thinking questions inspired by the Plants Vs. Zombies universe.
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20. Hyperbole and a Half
This popular webcomic by Allie Brosh was so highly regarded that she turned her collection of comics into a full graphic novel published in book form. In Hyperbole and a Half, Brosh uses her quirky illustrations and sarcastic stories to bring light to mental health issues and challenging life situations.
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21. Intro to Alien Invasion
Intro to Alien Invasion stars Stacy, a college student stranded on campus with her friends during an alien invasion. Unable to escape the campus and forced into all kinds of extra-terrestrial hijinks, this funny tale by Owen Kind and Mark Jude Poirier is a must-read.
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22. Be Prepared
All of the kids from school attend cool summer camps, but Russian summer camp is another beast entirely! Vera Brogsol tells a hilariously unfortunate and downright fabulous semi-autobiographical story.
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23. Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic
Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone have been exiled from Boneville. What follows are some of the most popular graphic novel adventures in recent times, brought to you by creator Jeff Smith.
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24. Blinky The Space Cat
Blinky is an official member of Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel, and he is ready to take off - until he realizes that he must protect his humans from harm. However, Blinky's space adventures continue from the comfort of his home, and his imagination!
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25. Adventure Time: The Graphic Novel Collection
Have you ever visited the land of Ooo? If not, Finn the Human, Jake the Dog, and Princess Bubblegum are here to show you the way. This riotous collection of comics is great for fans of the Adventure Time show, as it stays true to the voice and spirit of the original. This post has a great list of life lessons learned from Adventure Time.
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26. Lumberjanes
Lumberjanes combines thoughtful societal critique with beautiful comics in this tale of misfits who find belonging where they least expect it. As far as cool summer camps go, this one takes the cake! This empowering series by N.D. Stevenson is as funny as it is reflective.
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