Once more for the people in the back: Graphic novels are books! Not only do they “count” as reading (how silly to think otherwise), but the best graphic novels are an invaluable tool to help early readers learn to love the written word. That’s why we recommend having a wide variety of the best graphic novels for kids on the shelves in your classroom. Not only are these choices some of the quickest to spread from student to student, but the diverse stories and beautiful illustrations can engage readers of all ages for whom large blocks of text can prove challenging. From early readers perfect for reading aloud to National Book Award finalists, these are our picks for the best graphic novels for kids.
Best Graphic Novels for Kids in Grades 2 and 3
1. Shark Princess by Nidhi Chanani
Kitana is the very first Shark Princess the ocean has ever seen. Her best friend, Mack, wants to be one too but worries his big teeth and bigger allergies make him a poor candidate to follow in her fin-steps. This gentle adventure story is a great pick for kiddos who need a boost of confidence, either in reading or in realizing that who they really are is enough. Bonus: tons of shark facts for science integration!
Buy it: Shark Princess
2. Pencil & Eraser by Jenny Alvarado
Pencil and Eraser are your classic head-in-the-clouds/feet-on-the-ground duo. But one thing they have in common is their love of adventure (at least when their human, Stella, isn’t looking). And when Pencil faces the start of the school year with a dull point, the pair must set off to find a sharpener. Will they be able to cross the classroom together without being spotted by Stella’s classmates, the teacher, and the eagle-eyed janitor? A great pick for kids who learn best when they’re laughing.
Buy it: Pencil & Eraser
3. Cookie & Broccoli: Ready for School! by Bob McMahon
Cookie and Broccoli couldn’t be more different, but that doesn’t stop them from being best friends. But on the first day of school, making new friends can be hard, even for outgoing Cookie. The two come up with the perfect plan to get over their first-day jitters: forming the Shy Friends Club! This early graphic novel series is a fun read-aloud for kids still getting used to their new classroom.
4. The Gingerbread Man: Class Pet on the Loose by Laura Murray
The fan-favorite Gingerbread Man graphic novels for early readers are back with a new friend: the class pet, Squeaks. But when her cage door is left open, it’s a wild-goose chase (mouse chase?) to find her. The interactive illustrations and rhymes make this an excellent pick for the youngest readers, particularly fans of the picture book series.
5. Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon by Paula Danziger
Amber Brown is not a crayon, but the classic young reader chapter book is now a graphic novel! Nine-year-old Amber and fellow 3rd grader Justin have been best friends since preschool. But when Justin finds out his family is moving, the besties must learn to keep their bond strong even as they say goodbye.
This is a perfect “branch out” book for kids who might be skeptical of chapter books. How does the graphic novel compare to the original? They’ll have to read to find out.
Buy it: Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon
Best Graphic Novels for Kids in Grades 4-6
6. PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together by Nathan Fairbairn
Best friends Gabby, Mindy, and Priya love animals. Sadly, none of them are able to have pets. So the trio comes up with the perfect plan: an after-school dog-walking business. But it turns out that actually running a business is harder than they first thought. Will they be able to balance their other commitments and keep their clients happy? PAWS is a great series for enthusiastic students who might see themselves reflected in these ambitious characters.
Buy it: PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together
7. Redwall: The Graphic Novel by Brian Jacques
Illustrated by famed comics artist Bret Blevins, this award-worthy graphic novel brings vibrant new life to the classic adventure story. The mice of Mossflower Wood fear the coming of the wicked rat, Cluny, and his horde. Only the lost sword of Martin the Warrior can save them … that and a humble, bumbling apprentice who seeks to become a hero. The Redwall saga has been a tested favorite for almost 40 years and is ideal for reluctant readers and bookish kids alike.
Buy it: Redwall: The Graphic Novel
8. Who Is the Man in the Air? Michael Jordan by Gabe Soria
Fans of the popular Who Was series will love this story of the athleticism and willpower of a true G.O.A.T. (if you don’t know, ask your students), Michael Jordan. This graphic novel for kids highlights Jordan’s triumphant “Flu Game” of 1997 when he powered through a mysterious illness in game 5 of the NBA finals. Great for inclusion in a biography unit or for students who think they would rather be watching the game than reading a book.
9. The Deep! Wild Life at the Ocean’s Darkest Depths by Lindsey Leigh
Did you know that scientists know more about the surface of the moon than the bottom of the ocean? And what we do know is fascinating: transparent fish, 1,000-year-old tube worms, and an aquatic worm called a “flying buttocks.” One of the best graphic novels for kids that presents scientific facts comics-style, and a good choice to teach in tandem with an ocean unit.
10. Doodles From the Boogie Down by Stephanie Rodriguez
Steph is an artistic Dominican American girl about to embark on an NYC rite of passage: applying to high schools. Her dream is to attend LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, but she knows her strict mom would never let her make the daily commute from the Bronx to midtown Manhattan. Her plan to make her dream come true is genius, but it requires lying to everyone she loves. This graphic novel for kids is a great way to introduce readers to literary conflict.
Buy it: Doodles From the Boogie Down
11. Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze by Maple Lam
Chinese literature meets Greek mythology in this charming graphic novel. Sun Wukong—the Monkey King—is on the path to becoming a god. But first he must battle monsters that plague the land, starting in Greece, renowned for its many terrible monsters, like a three-headed hellhound and the Minotaur. The Monster and the Maze is among the best graphic novels for kids who have already read all of Percy Jackson and still want more.
Buy it: Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze
12. The Adventures of Invisible Boy by Doogie Horner
Stanley is the new kid at school, and he wishes he could disappear. Luckily, after a mysterious spill at the science fair, that’s exactly what happens. Unluckily, the formula’s inventor is also invisible now and is using their newfound powers to wreak havoc on the town. Stanley wants to help, but will doing so cost him his newfound powers? For readers who love Dog Man and Captain Underpants, this is among the best graphic novels for kids to broaden their literary horizons.
Buy it: The Adventures of Invisible Boy
13. Who Was the Voice of the People? Cesar Chavez by Terry Blas
In 1966, Cesar Chavez helped lead the National Farm Workers Association on “the Road to Sacramento.” For 300 miles, they protested in support of farmworkers’ rights. Now, students can engage in this important history through vivid, full-color illustrations. This is a great pick for Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond.
14. The Last Kids on Earth: The Graphic Novel by Max Brallier
This is one of the best graphic novels adapted from an original series and is sure to be a hit with reluctant readers. Jack has been living in his tree house ever since the monster apocalypse hit town. The 13-year-old has protected himself with catapults and a moat and is well supplied with video games and junk food. But Oreos and even a moat can’t protect him from the creatures that lurk below. So he builds a crew of some unlikely allies to defeat the vile Blarg.
15. Anzu and the Realm of Darkness by Mai K. Nguyen
It’s Obon, a Japanese festival of the dead, but the celebration of ancestors hasn’t been the same since Anzu’s obaachan (grandmother) died. While avoiding holiday festivities, Anzu chases after a mysterious stray dog and takes a spill. When she awakes, she finds she’s in Yomi, the Shinto underworld, and the dog is none other than the Gatekeeper of this spirit realm. Can she return to the physical plane—and escape the evil Queen Izanami—before sunrise? The anxiety of moving to a new place, identity, and other SEL themes will be relatable for many kids.
Buy it: Anzu and the Realm of Darkness
16. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín
Pedro has grown up hearing stories about his grandfather, a hero of the Mexican Revolution. But that doesn’t mean he’s excited that Abuelito (Grandpa) is coming to live with his family. His road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home is full of laughs, heartache, and important life lessons. This Newbery Honor and Pura Belpré award winner is one of the best graphic novels for kids, full stop.
Buy it: Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir
17. The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
Page and Turner (get it?) believe in the magic of the library. They’ve been going since they were babies, especially since their parents are often traveling for work. But when their dad’s valuable edition of Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, they find themselves on a secret mission featuring a mysterious Night Librarian, and famous heroes (and villains) that have broken free from classic books. Can they save their beloved New York Public Library from destruction? This graphic novel is a wonderful free-read choice for your book-loving students.
Buy it: The Night Librarian
18. When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
We have seen more than one student start tearing up over this National Book Award finalist. Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in a Kenyan refugee camp, where life is hard and the goal is always to get out. When Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future, but it also means leaving non-verbal Hassan every day. Based on a true story, this beautiful, funny, heartbreaking graphic novel for kids is an excellent way to teach character development and elements of storytelling.
Buy it: When Stars Are Scattered
19. Fake Chinese Sounds by Jing Jing Tsong
Měi Yīng has resigned herself to a boring summer. Well, except that her năi nai (grandma), with whom she connects despite a language barrier, is visiting from Taiwan. But as the summer ends and năi nai heads home, Měi Yīng finds herself starting 5th grade as the butt of racist jokes, and she must struggle to reclaim her identity and voice. This graphic novel is an excellent way to talk about bias-based bullying.
Buy it: Fake Chinese Sounds
20. Saving H’Non: Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung
From the creators behind the Eisner-nominated Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear, this gorgeously illustrated graphic novel adventure based on a true story follows young conservationist Chang as she overcomes the odds to save and return an elephant, Wat, to its natural habitat near Yok Don National Park in Vietnam. A great graphic novel for kids to incorporate into an environmental unit.
21. The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor
This genre-bending adventure story has earned numerous awards for its creative and sensitive depiction of a 13-year-old-girl struggling to thrive in America in the years following the Chinese Exclusion Act. Mei works in a logging camp in the western United States in the 1880s and copes with the racism—and her growing romantic feelings for her friend Bee—through reimagining American folk hero Paul Bunyan as Po Pan Yin, a Chinese matriarch. Truly one of the best graphic novels for kids in the past few years, Auntie Po is a wonderful read for folklore units as well as AAPI Heritage Month (and beyond!).
Buy it: The Legend of Auntie Po
22. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Astrid has done almost everything in her 12-year life with her best friend, Nicole. But when the girls’ interests diverge—Astrid dives into roller derby while Nicole goes to dance camp—it’s going to be a tough summer. Astrid struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, and she feels Nicole slipping away. This Newbery Honor winner is a fan favorite and a great read for any student who needs an extra boost of girl power.
Buy it: Roller Girl
23. Alex Rider: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
Alex was told his uncle died in a car accident. But when the 14-year-old discovers bullet holes in his uncle’s windshield, he knows it’s up to him to find out what really happened. Soon, Alex has picked up his uncle’s top-secret mission, complete with government-issued tech … and bad guys who want to see him dead. A great pick for the reader looking for their next adventure series.
Buy it: Alex Rider: Stormbreaker
24. Puzzled by Pan Cooke
Growing up with undiagnosed OCD wasn’t easy for Pan Cooke. His intrusive thoughts were pervasive, and in this heartfelt, funny story, he shares those experiences with candor and compassion. This graphic novel is a great way to start a conversation on mental health with your students.
Buy it: Puzzled
25. Sports Superheroes: Stephen Curry by Josh Bycel and Rich Korson
Steph Curry is one of the NBA’s all-time greats, but his success was never guaranteed, or even likely. Considered too short, too slow, and too weak, he was a true underdog on his path to four championships. Middle-grade readers may find themselves connecting with his inspiring story. Perfect for a biography unit.
