The Best Graphic Novels for Kids

Do you have a child who LOVES graphic novels? Pop in your email address below and I’ll send you this huge list of graphic novels for kids ages 8-12 right to your inbox!

If there is one thing that is a sure-fire hit at our house, it’s a graphic novel.

Ella, especially, LOVES graphic novels and at least half of her reading is made up of graphic novels. She helped me put together this list and wrote the descriptions of them and it was so fun to see her delight at picking her all-time favorite graphic novels and share why she loves them.

If you’re looking for the best graphic novels for your middle grade reader (“middle grade” usually refers to readers between the ages of about 8 and 12), I hope you’ll find some graphic novels on this list that are a big hit.

Best Graphic Novels for Middle Grade Readers

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
This is a super well done graphic novel, with beautiful illustrations, great characters, and a fun storyline. It’s a definite winner! Bree is excited for her first day at her new middle school, until she finds out that the only elective left open is swim team. But how can she tell her friends and coach she doesn’t know how to swim?

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken and Leigh Dragoon
Brightly Woven is a fantastic story. Sydelle is an exceptional seamstress and is always wondering what life would be like outside of her tiny village. One day, a young wizard arrives at her house and tells her he needs to bring news to the capital that could stop a war between countries. When he needs to take someone with him on his journey, to help mend his magical cloaks, Sydelle is the perfect candidate.

Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
8 books in series
When Emily and Navin move into their great-grandfather’s house and find a mysterious door, everything turns on it’s head. With a plot full of magic and adventure, follow Emily and Navin through this new world as they try to find and save their mother.

Real Friends by Shannon Hale
3 books in series
Shannon is shy, timid, and has always been content with her one good friend, Adrienne. When Adrienne becomes popular and starts making new friends, will Shannon be left alone or stand up for herself? This relatable and realistic book will make you laugh and cry.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
2 books in series
This book was so fun to read! Twins, Josh Bell and JB Bell, are best friends and basketball teammates at their high school. Until one day, JB starts taking his eyes off the ball and onto other things, like his girlfriend. Once you start reading this poetic and page-turning novel, you won’t be able to set it down.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier
3 books in series
Braces. Most kids get them, most kids don’t like them. When Raina gets them, it’s not just because her teeth were crooked, she fell and severely injured her two front teeth. Braces, headgear, surgery, and even fake teeth, make her already hard middle school life, into a jumble of confusion and embarrassment.

The Baby-Sitters Club by Raina Telgemeier
13 books in series
I sometimes feel like the only girl who grew up in the 90s that didn’t read 10,000 Babysitter Club books, but after 1 or 2, I didn’t really have all that much interest (Sweet Valley Kids was more my style). And then Ella discovered there were graphic novel version and  . . . surprise. She was all in. These super fun books follow four girls as they start their own club for babysitting and make new friends along the way. Each book is based on one of the original books.

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs
I read the original Spy School and then this graphic novel version, and they are both really good. Could anyone be less ready to be a secret agent? Ben would love nothing more than to work for the CIA, but he is so awkward that he knows it’s impossible. So, when he is invited to a school that trains young secret agents, he thinks it’s too good to be true. It is. He goes to the school and finds that something is amiss, his identity to be specific.

Bunnicula by James Howe and Andrew Donkin
Finally, a graphic novel of one of my all-time favorite Halloween reads. A strange bunny is now apparently part of the family. Harold and Chester, the other family pets, decide it is their job to investigate the weird events that take place once the rabbit is living with them. For example, the rabbit seems to be sucking blood… vegetable blood…and sometimes little fangs will peek out from his mouth. Is there more to this seemingly innocent and cute rabbit than meets the eye?

I Survived by Lauren Tarshis
6 book in series
I love reading these books because they are so eye-opening to what life would be like during these historical events. George, his little sister, and his aunt have practically won the lottery. They are on an amazing ship called the Titanic. But while George is exploring, he hears a loud BOOM as the ship hits an iceberg and begins to sink. Will he be able to escape with his family, or will he go down with this legend of a ship?

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
This book is so heartwarming! Omar lives in a refugee camp with his adopted mother and younger brother, Hassan. He knows that Hassan, who doesn’t speak, needs medical attention. In the camp they sometimes don’t have enough food and with little hope of getting it. Omar feels torn when he gets an offer to go to school. Should he stay and take care of Hassan or help his own future along by getting an education?

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Allergic is a really cute graphic novel that was a fun, quick read. Maggie wants nothing more than a cute, playful, amazing little puppy. When her birthday finally comes, the trip to the pet store instantly becomes her favorite present. But as she starts playing with the new puppy she knows is for her, she starts to sneeze and scratch herself. It turns out she is allergic to fur and can’t have a pet. She is absolutely heartbroken, but can she find a way to have a pet, or will she always be missing out?

InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
6 books in series
There are no better investigators than the InvestiGators! Traveling by toilet, using cool gadgets, and catching criminals, they are unstoppable! But when there’s a case with two criminals, will they come out on top, or will they be outsmarted?

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale
11 books in series
This series is fantastic and teaches so much about history. Everyone has heard of the famous spy, Nathan Hale, famous for his last words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” But did you know that he is also a fantastic storyteller? Follow these entertaining and educating stories which Nathan Hale tells to his executioners.

Stargazing by Jen Wang
Christine and Moon are polar opposites, but become friends when they live next to each other. When Moon lets Christine in on her secret, that she has visions of heavenly people telling her she doesn’t belong on earth. It turns out that these hallucinations end up sending her to the hospital. Will Moon be OK, or will Christine lose her best friend?

Last Dance by Hanna Schroy
Miriam’s dream is to be a professional ballet dancer, but when she is finally accepted into the Lulli Dance Company, she gets hurt. The doctor tells her she will be fine, but will never dance again. She his heartbroken but a pair of mysterious ballet slippers tells her that they can make her dance again, and it’s true! She just has to comply with what the slipper spirit asks for, to dance with her and her company.

Nancy Drew by Stefan Petrucha
24 books in series
The classic mystery series, Nancy Drew, is now a graphic novel! Nancy is a teenage detective solving crimes in her town of River Heights. Follow Nancy Drew, Bess Marvin, and George Fayne as they find clues, sniff out trouble, and catch the criminals!

Hardy Boys by Scott Lobdell
24 books in series
Another classic mystery series that has been updated…the Hardy Boys! Joe and Frank Hardy work together to solve crimes and catch the bad guys. From finding ancient jewels to saving civilians from burning buildings, no case is to difficult for these two!

Compass South by Hope Larson
2 books in series
When their father mysteriously disappears, twins, Alex and Cleo join the Black Hook Gang. Their luck runs out when the gang is caught by the police. After they turn in the other gang members in exchange for tickets to New Orleans they embark on a journey to find their father. But will they be able to keep themselves out of trouble?

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale
2 books in series
A wild, Western twist on the classic fairytale, Rapunzel. Finally breaking free from her “mother’s” tower, or as she would refer to it, a prison, Rapunzel sets off across the Wild West. She meets Jack, the giant killer, and they save the day all over the expansive desert.

El Deafo by Cece Bell
Cece is starting her first day of school, but school is harder when you have a giant hearing aid attached to your chest. At her old school, Cece was normal, all the other kids had the same hearing loss, but now she is singled out. She soon realizes that having the hearing aid isn’t just a weird quirk, now she can hear everything her teacher says, even when she’s not in the room! Could this be considered a superpower?

Bone by Jeff Smith
10 books in series
Meeting up at a farm run by Gran’ma Ben, the three bones, Phoney Bone, Smiley Bone, and Fone Bone, are relieved to be out of the forest. But there are dark things at work and the three small heroes are far from relieved of responsibility. With Gran’ma Ben, her granddaughter Thorn, can these cousins save the day?

The Pathfinders Society by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian
3 books in series
Five kids join forces to solve the mystery of Henry Merriweather. At their summer camp, they see an old movie about the history of their town, Windrose, and decide to learn more. They find an old castle where something is not quite right. This castle apparently belonged to Merriweather and time seems to be warped in this old, rundown building.

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte
This book has shown up on about a million graphic novel lists! Cici who has just moved to Seattle from Taiwan is trying both to fit in at her new school AND figure out how to celebrate her beloved grandmother’s 70th birthday in person. Then she sees her chance, a kids cooking contest with enough prize money to fly her grandma there and back! Finally she has a chance, but can she win when she only knows how to cook Taiwanese food?

The Time Museum by Matthew Loux
2 books in series
Delia is thrilled to land a summer internship at the prestigious time museum, but it’s not quite what she expected when she gets paired with a bunch of kids from all across history and their job? Is defending the Time Museum which is going to require brains, courage and a whole lot of time traveling.

Sweet Valley Twins by Nicole Andelfinger and Francine Pascal 
2 books in series
I read SO many Sweet Valley books growing up and my sister and I endlessly pretended to be Jessica and Elizabeth. I am thrilled to see this new graphic novel adaptation of the first Sweet Valley Twins book Twins are supposed to be identical, right? Jessica and Elizabeth have always done everything the same. They participate in the same clubs, play the same sports, and basically always try to be together. When will they realize that having separate interests might not be a bad thing?

New Kid by Jerry Craft
I picked up this one in 2019 when my Children’s Literature Book Club was reading it and I blazed through it in a day! I also listened to it after reading (plus the companion book, Class Act) and had it on my Everyday Reading Book Club list in 2021! Such a wonderful, warm tale of a middle schooler who is going to a rich, private school as one of the few people of color. It’s smart and funny and I loved every page. (See the full review here)

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
2 books in series
This one scored a Newbery Honor so I knew I had to read it! Astrid falls in love with roller derby and decides to go to derby camp over the summer, while her best friend Nicole – uninterested in  roller derby – heads off for dance camp. It’s a huge change for Astrid who has spent her whole life doing things with Nicole.

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm
4 books in series
Instead of lounging on the beach, shopping on the boardwalk, and hanging with her best friend, Sunny is stuck in Florida with her grandpa. Having found no other kids so far, she is delighted to meet Buzz, a comic book obsessed boy who’s even her age! Can she make the best of this summer or will it be a flop?

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
Instead of going to a fancy summer camp like all of her friends, Vera’s mom sends her to a camp she can afford, a Russian one. Instead of fitting in as she had hoped, she is challenged again and again. First it’s boring history lessons, next, drama with the other kids at the camp. Is this officially the summer of her nightmares or will it turn around?

All Summer Long by Hope Larson
3 books in series
Usually when school is over, Bina and her best friend Austin spend the summer making music and hanging out. But when Austin goes to soccer camp, Bina doesn’t know what to do with herself. Even after he gets back, things seem different between them. Will they stay friends or are those glorious, relaxed summers over forever?

Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley
2 books in series
Stepping Stones follows Jen, who doesn’t want to move to a farm with her mom and her mom’s boyfriend, Walter. She also doesn’t want to leave her friends, her dad, and her life in the city, but most of all she does NOT want to live with Andy and Reese, Walter’s daughters.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier
How can the head of the stage crew make the middle school play into a Broadway-worthy production when she knows little to nothing about being part of the stage crew? And to make matters worse, there have not been near enough ticket sales. When two cute actors join the fray, who knows how this performance will turn out?

Long Distance by Whitney Gardner
When Vega’s parents send her to summer camp to make more friend, she isn’t convinced it will work.  But things at camp seem a little weird, including her cellphone not working. Is the summer camp more than it appears, or is it just her imagination?

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
Moving to Bahía de la Luna isn’t what Catrina wanted at all. She’s only doing it for her little sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the clean air. Maya is delighted when a neighbor tells her that this town contains ghosts! Catrina, on the other hand, is terrified of them and doesn’t know if she can face them, even if it will make her sister happy.

Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner
When they start sixth grade, AJ’s friends keep talking about all their summer adventures, but he didn’t do anything but read. Feeling extremely boring, AJ decides that he needs to dress like a vampire to get the attention of his crush, Nia Winters. Unfortunately, it turns out that AJ was wrong. Nia doesn’t love vampires, she’s a vampire slayer!

Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson
6 books in series
Invisible Emmie follows two girls: Kate and Emmie. Kate is popular and athletic, while Emmie is shy and artsy. But everything changes when a note gets passed to the wrong person. Follow these two girls through middle school and all it encompasses: drama, crushes, and friends.

The Fifth Quarter by Mike Dawson
Lori has always felt different and awkward, but this might be the turning point. Even though she plays in the fifth quarter, extra time for players who didn’t get to play the rest of the game, basketball helps her gain confidence. Can she also use this new found confidence in her daily life?

Oh My Gods by Stephanie Cooke and Insha Fitzpatrick
2 books in series
When Karen, a normal teenage girl from New Jersey, moves to live with her father in Greece, she is now the abnormal one at her new school. At Mt. Olympus Junior High, all the students are gods and goddesses, and strange things are happening, like kids turning to stone!

Dream Jumper by Greg Grunberg
2 books in series
Can you imagine if anytime you slept you had nightmares? Ben has this very problem, but even more than that, he can jump into other people’s nightmares! Throughout his dream jumping he finds that there is a very serious problem. A monster that keeps kids from waking up. Can he save his friends and defeat this monster?

Twins by Varian Johnson
Two twins, Francine and Maurine, have always been practically the same person. They have the same hobbies, work together on projects, and dress the same. When Maurine runs for president and starts to do things differently from Fran, Fran decides to run against her. Who will win and will these sisters stay friends during the race for president?

And if you’d like a printable copy of this graphic novel list that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!

If you liked this post about graphic novels for kids, you might also like these other posts:

• 10 Reasons You Should Encourage Graphic Novel Reading
• 18 Tips to Encourage Tween and Teen Reading
• The best graphic novels for early readers