20 Picture Perfect Graphic Novels for Kids & Teens

Beth Wood:  This graphic novel for kids has been read and re-read numerous times by my fifth grader.

Katie G.:  My current 5th grader started reading this series in 3rd grade, but still loves these books and has re-read them this year. He loves graphic novels and this one is definitely at the top of the list!

Kelly R:  I'm not kidding when I say I need to pry these books out of my 6th grader's hands when it's time to send them back to the library. He's a history lover and will read them over and over again. I recommend every single book in the series...he's loved them all. They are educational, funny, and filled with fascinating detail - great for repeat reading.

Kelly R:  The Narwhal and Jelly books are fun early graphic novels for kids. My daughter loved them! Each book contains stories about adorable friends narwhal and jellyfish, fun facts about ocean life, and comics. The stories are simple and easy for first graders to read independently, but are filled with enough silliness and cute illustrations to give them a lot of repeat readability.

Kelly R:  An inspiring graphic novel that tells the true story of German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was involved in plots against Hitler's life. The striking tri-color illustrations really drew my middle schooler in (he finished it in a day). I'm impressed that he gained a better understanding of some pretty complex WWII history, including the moral conflict of many who resisted Hitler.

Shila:  #1 New York Times bestselling author, Raina Telgemeier, has several middle school graphic novels starting out with Smile, a story about a 6th grader requiring braces after her teeth were suddenly knocked out. Imagine that happening, and still having to go through middle school? This story is actually a memoir of Raina's childhood!

Kelly R:  This is a fun series of graphic novel mysteries that my daughter has been loving in the summer before 5th grade, a time when we usually need to coax her to pick up a book. The stories center around two California surfer girls who solve mysteries.

Kelly R:  My sixth grader absolutely loved these graphic novels about John Lewis and his role in the civil rights movement. They are especially powerful books for middle schoolers, as the format makes the history very real (I found myself sucked in as well). Be aware that there is violence and graphic language in the books...we kept an open dialogue about this as he was reading them, and it led to some good conversations.

Alexandra F.:  Two children are on a dangerous mission to rescue their mother, who was kidnapped into a fantastical underground world of demons, robots, and talking animals. My tweens aren't usually into graphic novels, but really enjoyed this engaging fantasy adventure story.

Japanese manga series that follows Light Yagami, a brilliant student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name in it.

Shila:  Kayla Miller has written a series of really good graphic novels for girls that showcase middle grade life. The main character, Olive, comes to navigate friendships, uncomfortable social situations, and school dynamics.

Shila:  These were super popular chapter books in the 80's, and have withstood the test of time as kids today tend to enjoy them just as much. The recently-adapted graphic novel versions feature the same stories as before.

Shila:  Although Dana Simpson's Phoebe and Her Unicorn books are written at an older elementary reading level (some books are over 200 pages), the very nature of a magical unicorn friendship can be appreciated by younger kids too. The plotline along with the whimsical illustrations are light and funny. The series stars Marigold Heavenly Nostrils as 9-year-old Phoebe's unconventional (and forced) best friend.

Shila:  These are some of my 4th grader's favorite books; she can get lost in them for hours. The books are set in a fantasy world with dragons, prophecies, and raging battles.

The series is available in both full text or graphic novel format. In full disclosure, my child prefers the full text version because the dragon illustrations can be a bit elaborate and scary looking to her, but if your child appreciates these type of graphics alongside an awesomely addictive storyline, check it out!

Shila:  El Deafo is a Newbery Honor winning graphic novel for kids and tweens, featuring Cece, the new student in school who also happens to wear a hearing device. This Phonic Ear has given Cece the secret superpower to be the ultimate listener, earning her alter ego the name, El Deafo.

This is a fun, witty and relatable read for kids of all abilities about growing up, inclusiveness, and forming friendships.

All of the characters (authored by Cece Bell) are illustrated with bunny ears which are symbolic of hearing, too.