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36 Outstanding Graphic Novels for Kids

graphic novels for kids

July 13, 2022 //  by Seda Unlucay

Graphic novels occupy the happy medium between text-heavy chapter books and illustration-focused comic books, making them a great choice for beginning readers.

This collection of creative, compelling, and colorful graphic novels for kids features famous authors such as Nidhi Chanani, Colleen AF Venable, Chris Duffy, Falynn Koch, and Michelle Mee Nutter. Full of brilliant fantasy worlds and daring adventures, they are sure to keep young readers captivated for hours.

1. El Deafo by David Lasky

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El Deafo, known as Cece to her friends, develops a special ability to hear all sorts of conversations with the help of a magical hearing aid. But the real question is: Will her superhuman abilities help her fit in at her new school?

Learn more: Amazon

2. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton

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This popular graphic novel features Narwhal and Jelly, a fun pair who enjoys exploring all the adventures of the sea with their quirky animal friends. This beginner's graphic novel is a great way to help your young reader find a balance between video games and reading.

Learn more: Amazon

3. Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm

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Florida may be the home of Disneyworld, but it's nowhere near as fun as Sunny expected. That is until she meets her partner in crime, Buzz.

Learn more: Amazon

4. The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell 

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Get creative with a group of kids who transform ordinary boxes into an entire cardboard kingdom, complete with knights, dragons, and robots. Chad Sell's powerful narrative combines humor and adventure with lessons about emotional resilience.

Learn more: Amazon

5. Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel 

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Olga discovers a new creature called the olgamus ridiculous and turns into a scientist as she tries to discover everything she can about it.

Learn more: Amazon

6. Mystery Club: A Graphic Novel by Aron Nels Steinke

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There are a ton of mysteries to solve at Hazelwood Elementary, but Randy and the gang are up for the challenge.

Learn more: Amazon

7. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

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When Moth discovers that she's a half-witch, she goes on an adventure that connects her with her royal witch heritage.

Learn more: Amazon

8. Hilo Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick

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This Random House Books for Young Readers features the loveable Hilo, a mutant space kid who has fallen from the sky and has to adjust to going to a normal school.

Learn more: Amazon

9. Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani 

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Nidhi Chanani's debut graphic novel tells the story of Priyanka, who must learn to find a delicate balance between her new home in America and her Indian culture.

Learn more: Amazon

10. Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable

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Katie is willing to do whatever it takes to go camping with her friends - even if it means catsitting for 217 zany kitties. Stephanie Yue's whimsical illustrations bring the adventures to life in vivid color.

Learn more: Amazon

11. The Wild Mustang by Chris Duffy

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Who thought prehistoric horses and western logging camps would make a compelling theme for a graphic novel? Learn all about wild horses and how they shaped American history in this graphic novel with captivating stories brought to life by the talented illustrator Falynn Koch.

Learn more: Amazon

12. Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd 

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Can Maggie find a pet that doesn't give her horrible allergies? The colorful illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter bring this fun and heart-warming story to life.

Learn more: Amazon

13. Anne of West Philly: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Anne of Green Gables by Noelle Weir 

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This retelling of Anne of Green Gables by the talented Noelle Weir tells the story of a young adopted girl who learns to express her creativity and make friends in her new community, all while learning what it means to be part of a family.

Learn more: Amazon

14. One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks 

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When Juniper earns a scholarship to a prestigious school, she has no idea that the woods nearby are haunted or the trouble she's in with the queen bee of the popular crowd.

Learn more: Amazon

15. The Legend of the Fire Princess by Gigi D.G.

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This first edition of the graphic novel series based on the beloved comic book takes kids on a tour of a magical land where the fight for power threatens to tear the kingdom apart.

Learn more: Amazon

16. The Fifth Quarter by Mike Dawson

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Lori uses her athletic skills and starring role on the basketball team to deal with her middle school insecurities.

Learn more: Amazon

17. Pea, Bee & Jay: Stuck Together by Brian Smith

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Pea is scared he can't get through a thunderstorm without his old veggie friends. But when he meets his new quirky animal friends, Jay who needs help to fly, and Bee who is a know-it-all, he discovers that he might be okay after all.

Learn more: Amazon

18. Stealing Home by J. Torres

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After his family escapes a Japanese internment camp, Sandy finds meaning and solace in his love for baseball while adjusting to a new family life dynamic.

Learn more: Amazon

19. Class Act by Jerry Craft

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This follow-up to New Kid, one of the best-selling graphic novels for kids is sure to be a hit with young readers. Being one of the few kids of color at Riverdale Academy Day School means that Drew has to work twice as hard for the same amount of recognition.

Learn more: Amazon

20. Forever Home by Jenna Ayoub

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The daughter of military parents who is constantly moving around, middle schooler Willow is looking for her forever home. She has high hopes that it will be the historic Hadleigh House, but soon discovers that it's haunted by a gang of not-so-friendly ghosts.

Learn more: Amazon

21. The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag

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Two new students at a magic school have to stick together to learn the art of shapeshifting and spell casting. But they soon discover that the school of magic is also a place to learn about friendship and loyalty.

Learn more: Amazon

22. The Runaway Princess by Johan Troïanowski 

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This Random House Graphic features Robin, a young princess who decides to leave home for the adventure of a lifetime.

Learn more: Amazon

23. Spy School the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs

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After a grueling middle school application process, Ben is finally accepted to a fancy boarding school, but he has no idea that it's a front for a junior CIA academy. Luckily for him, he meets an unstoppable team of friends who help show him the ropes.

Learn more: Amazon

24. Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

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Vera doesn't have the same opportunities in life as her peers, who get to improve their horseback riding skills all summer, while she is sent to a Russian summer camp where the outhouses are scarier than any campfire ghost stories and the campers pass time by coming up with fun camp names.

Learn more: Amazon

25. Smile by Raina Telgemeier

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This runaway best seller tells the story of 6th grade Raina, who loses her two front teeth and struggles to fit in with braces and surgeries. Based on the author's real-life counterpart, it's a story of learning self-acceptance, even if it means losing false friends.

Learn more: Amazon

26. Babymouse #1: Queen of the World! by Jennifer Holm

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Babymouse is a smart, fun-loving mouse that imagines herself to be the queen of the world but really just wants to be invited to a school slumber party. It turns out that while making imaginary friends is a piece of cake, human friends are a whole other matter.

Learn more: Amazon

27. Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

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After the death of their father, Emily and Navin have no idea of the incredible lives waiting for them. When they move to a strange house, they quickly discover a new world of robots, talking animals, and creatures with tentacles.

Learn more: Amazon

28. Donut Feed the Squirrels 

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Who thought hunting for a donut would be this much work? Norma and Belly are two donut-loving squirrels who have to contend with the mean donut truck owner and unpredictable human friends in this hilarious caper that's sure to have kids giggling.

Learn more: Amazon

29. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

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Dog Man has to give up the call of the wild to become a cop hero and impress his human friends while saving countless lives.

Learn more: Amazon

30. Real Friends by Shannon Hale

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In a world where popularity matters more than friendship, 8th grader Shannon struggles to figure out who her real friends are. She starts cutting class and showing up to school late just to avoid the drama.

Learn more: Amazon

31. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

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4th graders George and Harold love creating their own comic books and cracking jokes. But do they have what it takes to defeat the real-life villain, Mr. Krupp?

Learn more: Amazon

32. Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli 

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This simple-to-read book features the adventures of Peanut the horse, Bizz the bumble bee, and their human friends and is sure to be an enjoyable read for new readers.

Learn more: Amazon

33. Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

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Does Garlic have what it takes to face the vampires in Witch Agnes's garden? With the help of her friend Carrot, she has to find the courage to protect her beloved garden from attack.

Learn more: Amazon

34. The Way Home: A Graphic Novel by Andy Runton

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This heartwarming story of Owly and Wormy makes a wonderful introduction to graphic novels for new readers.

Learn more: Amazon

35. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

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What does the lunch lady get up when she's not serving up food in the cafeteria? Turns out, it's keeping the school safe from dangerous robots and evil substitute teachers.

Learn more: Amazon

36. CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington

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Can the space cats save the world from an energy shortage? These CatStronauts sure think they're up to the task!

Learn more: Amazon

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