Raina Telgemeier tells tales of common middle school struggles in a way that kids can relate to. Most kids have to adapt to the changes that sixth grade brings and seeing a character in a book that is relatable, can really help kids. On this book list, you'll find novels for fans of Telgemeier that can help with middle school survival.
1. Katie The Catsitter by Colleen Venable
Katie is your typical kid until she takes a job catsitting 217 cats! Is their owner a supervillain? Katie is determined to find out. This book is a great combination of a growing-up story, with a superhero mystery.
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2. Twins by Varian Johnson
These twins always did the same things, until the start of middle school. They begin growing apart, but does that mean that they aren't sisters anymore? Kids of color aren't depicted enough in books, which is one of the reasons this book made the list.
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3. Go With The Flow by Karen Schneemann
This is such a relatable story for anyone who has ever had to manage to have their period at school. A group of girls takes a stand for women's rights at their high school when they aren't provided with enough sanitary products and the admin doesn't care.
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4. Nat Enough by Maria Scrivan
Natalie is struggling with being good enough and when middle school begins, things go downhill. She needs to focus on the positive and not let the negative drag her down. She may never be one of the "cool girls", but that's okay. There are 2 more books in the series, so if you enjoy this book, there are more of Natalie's tales to follow.
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5. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
When Astrid goes to Derby camp, her entire life changes. At first, she regrets it but grows to realize she can do anything she puts her mind to. Roller Girl also has a follow-up to this one!
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6. Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley
Jen is uprooted from her city life and transplanted on a farm. She has a difficult time figuring out her new life. Lucy Knisley is a New York Times best-selling author who captures young teens' real-life struggles so well with her relatable writing.
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7. Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
Imagine being sent to a Russian summer camp! Vera is living her worst nightmare when she is sent to her by her single mother. She wishes she could be at a cool summer camp with her friends, but she learns to make the best of it.
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8. Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
Peppi had 2 rules when she started her new school, but soon enough she realizes that they aren't going to last long. This is a relatable story of middle school survival that will leave kids feeling at peace with being awkward.
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9. Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
Priyanka's mom left India, and her father won't explain why. Priyanka finds a pashmina hidden away and uses it and her imagination to transport herself to India. Chanani tells a story that is so common for immigrant children in this beautiful graphic novel.
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10. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
This group of girls is anything but plain. They are trying to set things right in their community with art while going about their daily life. This story about friendship and advocacy is perfect for your budding human rights activist.
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11. To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel
Siena wanted to be a ballerina ever since she was little. This book shows her journey from a six-year-old, at a dance camp, to a professional ballerina in the New York Ballet. Siegel did an amazing job telling her life story in a beautiful way.
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12. Click by Kayla Miller
When Olive is suddenly left alone for the variety show, she wonders what to do and why her friends didn't include her. While this is a typical childhood experience, Olive doesn't know how to handle it at first.
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13. Stargazing by Jen Wang
In this story about friendship, Christine and Moon are different on the surface but become friends. When Moon ends up in the hospital, can Christine continue their friendship, when Moon so greatly needs it? Jen Wang tells her story semi-autobiographical story in a creative way.
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14. New Kid by Jerry Craft
Art-loving Jordan Banks gets to go to the illustrious Riverdale Academy Day School, yet he feels out of place both there and at home. Trying to balance both worlds, we see Jordan's real-life daily struggles play out in this heartfelt story.
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15. Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte
Cici is trying to come up with a way to celebrate her grandmother's 70th birthday with her. She wants to enter a cooking contest but needs an American recipe. Will she win and be able to get her grandma to the US in time? Read this book to find out!
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16. The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson
At first glance, the description of this book makes it sound like it's going to turn out to be your typical Carrie-like story, but it's not. Faith starts middle school and joins the soccer team, which leads to amazing things. It goes to show that not all middle school-aged girls are mean.
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17. Invisible: A Graphic Novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
When first reading the summary, The Breakfast Club was my immediate first thought, which was the inspiration for this book. Five kids are serving community service and banding together to help someone in need.
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18. Primer: A Superhero Graphic Novel by Thomas Krajewski & Jennifer Muro
Body paint that gives you superpowers? Foster kid Ashley found them, but she shouldn't have them. Does she return them and protect the best foster family she has ever been with, or keep them and continue on with her once troubled past?
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19. The Girl and the Glim by India Swift
Bridgette is awkward and has a hard time making new friends at school. Suddenly she begins seeing scary, dark creatures and has to stand up to them in order to save her town. Will she succeed? Find out in this fantasy story that teaches kids that it's okay to be scared.
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20. Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemang
Is Ananse real? To Nana, he is and causes her to get into a lot of trouble. When she ends up spending the summer with her grandma in Ghana, she discovers why Ananse has been doing the things that got her into trouble in the first place. His magic forest is being destroyed and he needs some help to save it. Can Nana and her new friend do it?
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21. Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun
Pippa has a lot to live up to and then gets a scholarship to an elite school. She tries to keep her old life separate from this new one, but when a cyberbully is about to expose her secrets, she thinks they may not be necessary.
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22. Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo
Most Hispanic girls dream of having a Quinceanera, but Sue is not one of them. When it is sprung on her, while visiting family in Honduras, Sue doesn't know what to do. She would rather work on her comics than wear a fluffy dress. Come along with Sue while she learns about her family's traditions.
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23. Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse
Are witches real? Effie wondered why her aunts were so weird, and then she finds out that she has powers of her own! This authentic story of friendship and family will take you on a wild ride.
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24. The Aquanaut by Dan Santat
Sophie has been hanging around Aqualand since her father was lost at sea. When a discovery leads her to find that Aqualand has become something dark, she works with an Aquanaut to free the marine life trapped there.
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25. Spotlight Soccer by Ricardo Sanchez
Franco dreams of becoming a pro soccer player, but he's not one to worry about scoring. When he goes to a new team, he has to change his style. This is a great book for kids who love soccer.
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26. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy by Rey Terciero
In this modern twist on Little Women, these 4 sisters are just trying to make ends meet while dealing with school and everyday life. This book recommendation is a wonderful story, told across 3 books.
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27. All Summer Long by Hope Larson
Bina and Austin had been friends for the longest time, but when Austin goes to soccer camp and they drift apart, things change. Bina makes a new friend and finds ways to pass the time all summer.
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