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
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?
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2. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton
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.
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3. Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm
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.
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4. The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell
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.
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5. Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel
Olga discovers a new creature called the olgamus ridiculous and turns into a scientist as she tries to discover everything she can about it.
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6. Mystery Club: A Graphic Novel by Aron Nels Steinke
There are a ton of mysteries to solve at Hazelwood Elementary, but Randy and the gang are up for the challenge.
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7. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
When Moth discovers that she's a half-witch, she goes on an adventure that connects her with her royal witch heritage.
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8. Hilo Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick
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.
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9. Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
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.
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10. Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable
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.
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11. The Wild Mustang by Chris Duffy
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.
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12. Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd
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.
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13. Anne of West Philly: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Anne of Green Gables by Noelle Weir
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.
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14. One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks
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.
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15. The Legend of the Fire Princess by Gigi D.G.
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.
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16. The Fifth Quarter by Mike Dawson
Lori uses her athletic skills and starring role on the basketball team to deal with her middle school insecurities.
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17. Pea, Bee & Jay: Stuck Together by Brian Smith
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.
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18. Stealing Home by J. Torres
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.
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19. Class Act by Jerry Craft
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.
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20. Forever Home by Jenna Ayoub
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.
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21. The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag
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.
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22. The Runaway Princess by Johan Troïanowski
This Random House Graphic features Robin, a young princess who decides to leave home for the adventure of a lifetime.
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23. Spy School the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs
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.
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24. Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
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.
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25. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
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.
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26. Babymouse #1: Queen of the World! by Jennifer Holm
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.
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27. Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
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.
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28. Donut Feed the Squirrels
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.
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29. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
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.
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30. Real Friends by Shannon Hale
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.
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31. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
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?
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32. Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli
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.
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33. Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
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.
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34. The Way Home: A Graphic Novel by Andy Runton
This heartwarming story of Owly and Wormy makes a wonderful introduction to graphic novels for new readers.
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35. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
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.
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36. CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington
Can the space cats save the world from an energy shortage? These CatStronauts sure think they're up to the task!
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