Daphne (age 10) shares her favorite graphic novels for kids. Check out her recommendations for your children, whether they are already graphic novel fans or brand new to the genre.
Graphic novels are super popular right now, and with good reason. They combine the visual storytelling with interesting conversations, plots, and character development. And they appeal to both reluctant and advanced readers alike (research even shows that graphic novels can be as mentally challenging as chapter books).
This was going to be a summer reading post, but since summer is almost over, this is an anytime reading post, perfect for kids who are already fans of graphic novels as well as those who are new to them.
It is always a great time for finding a new series of fun books to read!
Jean’s daughter Daphne (age 10) LOVES graphic novels and is here to share why your kids might like them too, along with some of her favorites.
Without further ado, here’s Daphne…
Graphic Novel Series for Kids
I like graphic novels for a few different reasons:
- Pictures: I like books with pictures because it shows me what the characters look like and what’s happening. This helps me to imagine the scene better.
- Speech bubbles: I like the speech bubbles because I can see who is saying things better. And it makes the graphic novel more fun to read as it seems more in person compared to a regular novel.
- Length: I like the length of graphic novels because they’re not as long as chapter books.
1. Zita the Spacegirl books
I like Zita the Spacegirl books because they have robots, humans, giant mice, magical contraptions, and other creatures. They are also funny and dangerous.
- Zita The Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
- Legends Of Zita The Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
- The Return Of Zita The Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
- Also the Mighty Jack books by the same author (see below)
2. Phoebe and Her Unicorn series by Dana Simpson
I enjoy the Phoebe and Her Unicorn books because they are funny and magical, and the characters are great. They have dragons, unicorns, humans, pixies, goblins, and sea monsters.
- Phoebe and Her Unicorn, volume 1
- The Big Sparkly Box of Unicorn Magic: Phoebe and Her Unicorn box set volumes 1-4
3. The Baby-Sitters Club series by Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan
I enjoy The Baby-sitters Club books because they have nice characters, secrets, and children.
- Kristy’s Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club volume 1)
- The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels 1-7 boxed set
4. Lumberjanes series
I like the Lumberjanes books because they are funny, dangerous, and adventurous. Plus they have mermaids, dinosaurs, magical elephants and foxes, yetis, rock creatures, sea monsters, gods and goddesses, seals, and cats with magic powers.
5. Five Worlds series by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun
I like 5 Worlds books because there is always a problem and solution, there are robot people, and funny characters.
More Great Graphic Novel Series That I Love
- Smile | Sisters | Drama by Raina Telgemeier
- Click | Camp | Act by Kayla Miller
- Awkward | Brave | Crush by Svetlana Chmakova
- Knife’s Edge | Compass South by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock
Some of My Favorite Graphic Novels Are Stand Alone Books
- Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: A Modern Retelling of Little Women by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo
- Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
- Cici’s Journal by Joris Chamblain and Aurelie Neyret
- El Deafo by Cece Bell
- Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
- The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner
Even More of My Favorite Graphic Novels!
- The Goldie Vance graphic novels by Hope Larson
- Real Friends | Best Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
- Invisible Emmie | Becoming Brianna by Terri Libenson
- The Tea Dragon Society | The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill
- Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton
- Sunny Rolls the Dice and other Sunny books by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
Graphic Novels I Think Boys Would Like
- The Mighty Jack books by Ken Hatke
- The Five Worlds books (see above)
- Knife’s Edge | Compass South by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock
- The Amulet books
- The Captain Underpants books by Day Pilkey (have not read these)
- The Avatar graphic novels (have not read these)
More Reading & Listening Ideas for Kids
- Our All Time Favorite Audio Books for Kids
- Trying Out Immersion Reading with Narrated Books for Kids
- Why Read Aloud Time is Drawing Time
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About The Author
12 Comments
Ashlee
August 14, 2020 at 11:43 amMy Daphne, who is nearly 9, loves graphic novels too. I just picked up the babysitters club box set for her and the first little sisters set. Going to grab 5 Worlds soon too since that’s not one I’ve heard of! Thank you for this!
Jean Van't Hul
August 17, 2020 at 2:11 pmYou’re so welcome! I hope your Daphne loves those books as much as mine has!
Cindy Hawkins
August 14, 2020 at 12:23 pmAny suggestions for a 2nd grade girl, who is not warming up,to,reading?
Jean Van't Hul
August 17, 2020 at 2:19 pmMany of them! I actually think that graphic novels are a great way to encourage reading in those who are not super interested in it. Daphne was “reading” her big sister’s graphic novels, including Smile, Sisters, El Deafo, and Roller Girl, long before she could actually read. Some that might be especially good for that age include Phoebe and Her Unicorn, the Little Sisters set (the younger readers version of the babysitter’s club), and The Tea Dragon Society. Also the Zita books. Some of the others (Crush, Drama, LumberJanes, etc) have middle school and teenage concerns.
Julie Fabros
August 14, 2020 at 1:47 pmPlease thank Daphne for the wonderful post & recommendations! My daughter is going into 2nd grade and found her love of books this summer thanks to graphic novels. She shares many of the same favorites and would encourage you to check out the Babymouse series by Jennifer & Matthew Holm (which makes her giggle out loud while reading), the Hilda series by Luke Pearson (has magical creatures and amazing art), and Dog Man by Dav Pilkey (which we all find super silly, cute & fun).
Happy Reading!
Jean Van't Hul
August 17, 2020 at 2:23 pmThanks, Julie! Daphne has actually read many (possibly all!) of the Babymouse books and really enjoyed them, too! Thanks for the other recommendations! We’ll have to look into those!
Melisa
August 14, 2020 at 2:33 pmI love your post! There are many graphic novels on your list that my three children have enjoyed. I even found a few they haven’t read yet that I will get for surprise birthday present!! Thank you!!
In the future it would be great to not put books into gender categories, but rather interests. Instead of ‘graphic novels I think that boys would like’ you could say ‘graphic novels full of adventure and suspense’….I have a boy and two girls and they pick their books on topic. They all enjoy Babysitter Club, Amulet, Roller Girl, etc.
Thank you so much for your recommendations and sharing which graphic novels you have enjoyed! I love your moms blog and its great you are also taking part!
Jean Van't Hul
August 17, 2020 at 2:26 pmGood point, Melisa. You’re right about avoiding gender categories. I’ll be sharing these comments with Daphne as well. Thank you! -Jean
Mo Billow
August 14, 2020 at 3:24 pmWe ❤ cardboard kingdom. It is inclusive of race, culture, family structure, gender, and gender identity while being appealing and engaging to elementary kids.
Jean Van't Hul
August 17, 2020 at 2:09 pmThanks, Mo! We’ll have to check that one out!
Bethany
August 15, 2020 at 3:24 pmThank you, Daphne. We love graphic novels at our house. This list will really come in handy!
Jean Van't Hul
August 17, 2020 at 2:09 pmYay! I’m glad you like the list and find it helpful! I’ll let Daphne know. :) Thanks for the comment! -Jean