50 Best Graphic Novels for Kids Age 6 to 12 Years
Whether your child loves comic book stories or they’ve fallen down into the rabbit hole of the rapidly expanding graphic novel genre this awesome list is sure to be a hit! With a broad range of titles suitable for children aged from six to twelve years of age, this list of the best graphic novels for kids has plenty of titles to keep kids reading!
And it really is just a jumping off point – below you’ll also find links to heaps of our awesome, themed graphic novel collections – everything from action to humor to historical fiction.
What is the difference between graphic novels vs comic books?
But what is the difference between a graphic novel and a comic book? Is a graphic novel just a fancy term for a comic book? And is reading either a comic book or a graphic novel really reading?
As a general rule, both graphic novels and comic books share their stories using a visually based comic strip format. But where a comic book is generally a serialized periodical – with an ongoing story shared across regularly released issues, graphic novels tend to feature a more detailed, involved story shared in entirety within the one volume.
Whilst both comic books and graphic novels predominantly share fictional stories, more and more diverse graphic novel titles are appearing, including personal memoirs, historical tales, and even non-fiction, factually based texts. In fact, we’ve collected together over 30 Historical Fiction Graphic Novels and 15 Graphic Novel Adaptations of Classics for tweens & teens for your convenience.
Many child readers find the fun, visual elements of comic books and graphic novels engaging – and getting kids into books can be half the issue in raising regular readers – but these same elements can also act to provide important contextual support for less confident readers.
It’s important to note however that comic books and graphic novels aren’t just for struggling readers. My sixteen and twelve year olds are both independent readers who LOVE graphic novels.
And yes, reading a comic book or graphic novel is still reading! Whatever gets your child excited to keep turning the page is a win, if you ask me!
Best Graphic Novels for Kids Age 6-12 Years
As with each of the book collections in our Best Books for Kids library, each title below is linked to an Amazon page (these are affiliate links) where you can find further reviews for any you might not be personally familiar with.
Best Graphic Novels for 6-7 Year Olds
Planetary-Yum! (book 1 of the Waffles and Pancake series) by Drew Brockington
One very special Saturday, Dad-Cat decides to take Waffles and his sister Pancake to the big city to visit the science museum. While they’re there, the kittens see extraordinary things, like dino-cats, hairballs in 4D, and even the planetarium. But as the kittens learn about constellations and Neil Pawstrong, they get separated from Dad-Cat. Oh no!Will the kittens be able to find their (possibly invisible) Dad-Cat?
(Age 6+ years)
Dinosaurs Before Dark (book 1 of Magic Treehouse series). Adapted by Jenny Laird
When siblings Jack and Annie discover an enchanted tree house in the woods of Frog Creek, PA they are transported back in time, encountering majestic dinosaurs in their original habitat. Jack and Annie are in for an unexpected visitor as a Tyrannosaurus Rex approaches the nest of baby Anatosauruses they uncover. Not only will they have to evade history’s most fearsome dinosaur, but they will also have to figure out how to get safely home before bedtime.
(Age 6+ years)
Fox and Rabbit (book 1 of the series) by Beth Ferry
A sweet first story of true friendship between unlikely friends – easygoing Fox and anxious Rabbit. The five adventures include important lessons about fear, being brave, being a good friend and more. Our 8 year old and her friends love this series.
(Age 6+ years)
The Cat Kid Comic Club (book 1 of a series) by Dav Pilkey
When Li’l Petey, Flippy, and Molly introduce 21 eager baby frogs to the art of comic making, the lesson progresses with many funny mishaps and re-directions. Children will learn lessons about the importance of mistakes, practice and persistence.
(Age 6+ years.)
Catstronauts: Mission Moon (book 1 of the series) by Drew Brockington
With the world is thrust into darkness due to a global energy shortage, a bold plan is devised to set up a solar power plant on the moon. But someone has to go up there to set it up, and that job falls to the CatStronauts – the best space cats on the planet!
(Age 6+ years)
The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan (book 1 of the series) by Maxwell Eaton
A group of evil penguins steals beaver Ace’s surfboard just before a big surfing competition. When Ace and his brother, Bub, follow the penguins in order to rescue the surfboard, they discover the penguins evil plan to destroy the whole island. How will the beaver brothers stop them?!
(Age 6+ years).
Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Each book in this fun graphic novel series features three stories and interesting sea-worthy facts.
(Age 6+ years).
Karen’s Witch (book 1 of The Baby-Sitter’s Club Little Sisters series by Ann M. Martin)
In this first book of the graphic novel adaptation of the classic The Baby-Sitter’s Club Little Sisters series, Karen lives next door to Mrs Porter, who wears long robes and has wild gray hair, and a black cat named Midnight. Karen isn’t supposed to spy on her neighbour but she’s determined to prove that Mrs Porter is a witch!
(Age 7+ years).
Best Graphic Novels for 8-9 Year Olds
Diana: Princess of the Amazons by Shannon & Dean Hale
11 year old princess, Diana (aka Wonder Woman), is the only child on an island of immortal Amazons. And she’s bored. When she hears the story of how she was made out of clay, Diana decides to make her own clay best friend. Enter Mona….who may not be the best influence of Diana. Diana makes some bad decisions that could put the whole idyllic Amazonian world in danger!
(Age 8+ years)
Minecraft (book 1 of the series) by R Ste Monster
If your child loves Minecraft, then they will love this graphic novel of Minecraft stories! Tyler, along with his friends Evan, Candace, Tobi, and Grace have been going on countless adventures together across the expanses of the Overworld and are in need of a new challenge. They decide to go on the Ultimate Quest-to travel to the End and face off against the ender dragon!
(Age 8+ years)
The Promise (book 1 of the Avatar The Last Airbender series) by Gene Luen Yang
This beloved childhood cartoon in graphic novel form is one your kids are sure to love! In the first exciting installment, Aang and friends face off against the Fire Nation that threatens to throw the world into another war, testing all of Aang’s powers and ingenuity!
(Age 8+ years)
The Doughnut Kingdom (book 1 of the Cucumber Quest series) by Gigi DG
This series was adapted from a popular webcomic series. The seven kingdoms of Dreamside NEED a legendary hero. Instead, they’ll have to settle for Cucumber, a nerdy magician who just wants to go to school. As destiny would have it, he and his way more heroic sister, Almond, must now seek the Dream Sword, the only weapon powerful enough to defeat Queen Cordelia’s Nightmare Knight.
(Age 8+ years)
Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Ten year old Maggie has always wanted a pet. When her parents finally agree to her getting a dog, the family discovers Maggie has a sever allergy to fur and feathers. Struggling to accept her allergy and determined to find a pet that she can tolerate, Maggie is also facing the difficulties of a new baby for her family, starting a new school, and the attempt to find and keep new friends. Portrayed with sensitivity, this lovely story still manages to be light, with moments of true humor, whilst also balancing feelings of frustration, loneliness and sadness.
(Age 9+ years)
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Witches are real and very, very dangerous! They wear ordinary clothes and live in ordinary towns and there’s nothing they despise more than children! When an 8 year old boy and his grandmother come upon the Grand High Witch herself, they may be the only ones who can stop the witches’ plot to get rid of every last child in the country!
(Age 9+ years)
The Divided Earth (book 1 of The Nameless City series) by Faith Erin Hicks
The Nameless City series tells a story of good versus evil in a brave quest for good! With deft world-building, frantic battle scenes, and a gentle and moving friendship at its heart, the Nameless City has earned its place as one of the great fantasy series of our time.
(Age 9+ years)
The Stonekeeper (book 1 of The Amulet series) by Kazu Kibuishi
Emily and Navin move house with their mother after tragedy strikes their family. After a mysterious creature kidnaps their mother, determined to rescue her, Emily and Navin are led into a world of robots, talking animals, flying ships, new friends and enemies! Emily learns that she is a Stonekeeper and essential to the survival of this strange world.
(Age 9+ years)
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Roller Girl is all good! It cleverly explores growing apart from childhood friends, finding new friends, standing up for yourself and others, the importance of positive role models, defining who you are as a person as you grow up, facing your fears and surviving them!
(Age 9+ years)
The Sand Warrior (book 1 of the 5 Worlds series) by Mark Siegel
The Five Worlds are on the brink of extinction unless five ancient and mysterious beacons are lit. When war erupts, three unlikely heroes will discover there’s more to themselves, and more to their worlds, than meets the eye!
(Age 9+ years)
Mighty Jack (book 1 of the series) by Ben Hatke
Jack might be the only kid in the world who’s dreading summer! His mum takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. Which is super boring because Maddy doesn’t talk. But then, one day Maddy tells Jack in no uncertain terms to trade their mum’s car for a box of magic beans. It’s the best mistake Jack has ever made.
(Age 9+ years)
Click! (book 1 of the series) by Kayla Miller
Olive’s fifth grade class is having a talent show and all her friends have paired off with other kids for their act, leaving Olive on her own. Now Olive must find away to either fit in with her friends or find her own path.
(Age 9+ years)
Zita the Space Girl (book 1 of the series) by Ben Hatke
When her best friend is abducted by an alien doomsday cult, our fearless heroine, Zita, leaps to the rescue and finds herself a stranger on a strange planet. But saving her friend may just result on Zita herself being stranded in this strange land, never to see Earth again!
(Age 9+ years)
El Deafo by Cece Bell
El Deafo is the fabulous, semi-autobiographical story of Cece as she adjusts to life as a deaf person. Cece is trying to find ways to cope as the only deaf student in her school – a job made especially difficult thanks to the giant hearing aid strapped to Cece’s chest! The story is funny, deeply honest and a fabulous lesson in learning to accept individual differences.
(Age 9+ years)
Best Graphic Novels for 10 Year Olds
Four Eyes by Rex Ogle
Rex needs to survive sixth grade – which isn’t easy when his friends are unreliable, the school bullies have him in their sights, and he discovers that he needs glasses…but his family can only afford the cheapest (and ugliest!) pair in the store. Any hope Rex has of fitting in is gone in this great graphic novel for middle grades
(Age 10+ years)
Go With the Flow by Lily Williams & Karen Schneemann
A wonderful story of friendship, bullying, activism and periods. Three teens take the new girl under their wing after she gets her period at school. The four become close and realise how unfair it is that the sanitary supplies machine is never stocked, and it costs money, and they decide they want to try and change it.
(Age 10 + years)
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Josh and Jordan are twins. They love basketball, following in the steps of the father. As they grow up, Jordan begins to stray from basketball and Josh feels left behind. Add in health issues for their dad and you have a powerful story about family, with great energy and emotions shared through the verse text and illustrations.
(Age 10+ years)
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (book 1 of the series) by Rick Riordan
Lately Percy can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. When Percy’s mother finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth. She sends Percy to a summer camp for demigods where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. At Camp Halfblood Percy also learns that his very existence has caused tension between the gods and with Zeus’ lightning bolt missing, he and the other demigods must dive into action before a fully fledged war of the Gods erupts.
(Age 10+ years)
Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel
When amazing child scientist Olga crosses paths with a weird creature and becomes the first person to discover the species olgamus ridiculus, she is ecstatic! What does an olgamus eat? How does it poop? Why does its burp sound like the word rubber? With her trusty observation notebook Olga sets out to do science-learning the facts about her smelly, almost-furry pal.
(Age 9+ years)
Escape From Lemoncello’s Library (book 1 of the series) by Chris Grabenstein
When Kyle learns that the world’s most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, he’s determined to be there! But the tricky part isn’t getting into the library–it’s getting out. Kyle and his friends must solve every clue and puzzle to find the hidden escape route!
(Age 9+ years)
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in a refugee camp in Kenya. When Omar is given the opportunity to go to school, he hopes it could be the change for their future that the brothers need. Heartbreak and hope exist together in this wonderful biographical graphic novel about family and hope.
(Age 9+ years)
Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Eleven year old Avery loves her life. She lives in a great neighborhood, has terrific friends, and loves her family. Despite all this, she’s feeling squished by her six siblings and just wants some space of her own. A great middle grade graphic novel exploring family dynamics, emotional communication, friendship, and the complexities of being a pre-teen in an ever changing world.
(Age 9+ years)
The Awakening Storm (book 1 of the City of Dragons series) by Jamail Yogis
When Grace moves to Hong Kong her biggest concern is making friends at her fancy new boarding school. But when a mysterious old woman gifts her a dragon egg during a field trip, Grace discovers that the wonderful stories of dragons she heard when she was a young girl might actually be real. And when the egg hatches overnight Grace finds herself in danger from mysterious forces intent on abusing the dragon’s power. And now it’s up to Grace and her school friends to uncover the sinister plot threatening the entire city!
(Age 9+ years)
The Baby-Sitter’s Club graphic novel series
The beloved series of four best friends and their business -The Baby-Sitter’s Club – written by Ann M. Martin and reimagined for a new generation in this fabulous graphic novel series featuring best selling illustrator’s Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan.
(Age 9+ years)
Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
Serafina lives in the basement of the magnificent Biltmore mansion, home of the influential Vanderbilt family. She’s lived there all of her life with her Pa taking care of her, but the Vanderbilts have no idea she’s even alive. With the entire estate to roam, she must take care never to be seen by the folks upstairs, and never to leave the estate grounds to venture into the forbidden forest nearby. But, when the children of the estate begin to vanish, only Serafina knows the truth. Her life is thrown into turmoil on the night that she witnessed the Man in the Black Cloak vaporize a child into thin air. And now, he wants her
(Age 10+ years)
A Wrinkle in Time. Adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson
The classic science fiction story following three children as they travel through space and time to rescue the scientist father of the lead character, Meg, has been successfully transformed as a graphic novel for middle grades.
(Age 10+ years)
Epic Zero: Tales of a Not-So-Super 6th Grader by R. L. Ullman
This comic follows the story of a boy who lives in a family full of superpowers. Everyone has one – even his dog! Everyone except for him. Elliott feels ever-so-ordinary, until a mysterious girl changes everything. With menacing supervillains and globe-conquering aliens closing in fast, will Elliott find the power to be the epic hero he’s always wanted to be-or will he always be just an Epic Zero?
(Age 10+ years)
White Bird by R J Palacio
As part of Julian’s school assignment he asks his grandmother to share her story as a teenage Jewish girl in southern France during WWII. Her story of survival is a remarkable tale of human kindness and unspeakable bravery.
(Age 10+ years)
Target Practice (book 1 in the Cleopatra in Space series) by Mike Maihack
Cleopatra, Cleo to her friends, is transported from Egypt into the future to the planet Mayet. There she is seen as the saviour to this world, and she has been chosen to defeat the evil dictator ruining civilisations on the planet. But first Cleo must attend an intergalactic school to learn the skills she will need to fulfill her destiny of saving the universe.
(Age 10+ years).
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Drama is about embracing what you love, courage and dedication. It shares the story of Callie – a seventh grader who loves the theatre, and the work, friendships, crushes and drama that develop backstage during the school musical production.
(Age 10+ years)
Mexikid by Pedro Martin
DA heartfelt and hilarious graphic novel memoir by Pedro Martin sharing his story as a Mexican American born boy in a big family and their oftentimes chaotic road trip in an old Winnebago to Mexico to bring home their ailing Abuelito (grandfather) to live with them in the US. Pedro is not looking forward to the addition to the family, his family already has eleven people living in a house suited to five, and he doesn’t know what he will even talk to his Spanish speaking grandfather about!
(Age 11+ years)
Drawn to Change the World by Emma Reynolds
Profiling sixteen diverse climate activists, such as Autumn Peltier, an Indigenous water rights activist fighting for safe drinking water in Canada, and Indonesian sisters, Melati and Isabel Wijsen who founded the Bye Bye Plastic Bags movement. Each profile is illustrated by a different graphic artist, making this both visually interesting, engaging and entertaining..
(Age 11+ years)
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
A magically unique story about friendship and family, and the importance of being kind, tolerant, loving and respectful. With a cast of wonderfully diverse characters, including Snapdragon who just doesn’t feel like she fits in, Jacks – who is called a witch by the townspeople but really just has a truly odd job, Lu – a transgender girl learning how to be herself, and a three legged puppy named Good Boy! (Age 11+ years)
Ghost Book by Remy Lai
July can see ghosts. And summon them, and sometimes even converse with them. But this often gets July into trouble with her dad who insists ghosts don’t exist! But now it’s Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He’s a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As they embark on a journey to return William to his body, the two unearth a ghastly truth – they’ve always been connected, and for William to live, July must die.
(Age 11+ years)
Best Graphic Novels for 12 Year Olds
Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
Kids who like sports will enjoy this cool insight into basketball. When all the kids at the high school where he teaches are talking about their basketball team, Yang investigates and finds the talk is all about a super basketball team that had never won a state championship, despite playing in the championship game many years. Could this be their year? Part memoir, part action packed sport story with a little sport history too.
(Age 12+ years)
Buzzing by Samuel Sattin
Isaac is a lonely twelve-year-old struggling with OCD, an overbearing mother and older sister. When he finally makes some friends at school who want him to join their role playing game, he feels a lot less lonely but video games can make OCD worse so when his grades start to slip his mother forbids him from continuing. How will Isaac explain how necessary the friends and game are to quietening the constant worrying thoughts swirling around in his head?
(Age 12+ years)
Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir and Sarah Andersen
Years after their respective returns from Wonderland, Neverland, and Oz, Alice, Wendy and Dorothy meet at boarding school, Cheshire Crossing. Now teenager, the trio are soon dashing from one magical universe to the next, leaving havoc in the wake, and accidentally creating a deadly super-villain love match that they now must overcome.
(Age 12+ years)
Sheets by Brenna Thummler
A young girl’ fight, even when all parts of her world seem to be conspiring against her proves that second chances are possible, even when life feels over… or life is over. But above all, it is a story of the forgiveness and unlikely friendship that can only transpire inside a haunted laundromat.
(Age 12+ years)
Displacement by Kiku Hughes
Cleverly blending fact with fiction, Displacement tells the story of a modern day, biracial teenager transported back to the time of her grandmother’s detention in a Japanese internment camp in the US during World War II. A great title for engaging students with an important historical period – that wasn’t actually that long ago, that also highlights valuable parallels to recent political events.
(Age 12+ years)
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren’t the heroes everyone thinks they are.
(Age 12+ years)
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. Adapted by Charles Dixon
When a band of dwarves embark upon a dangerous quest to reclaim the gold stolen from them by the evil dragon, Gandalf the wizard suggests an unlikely accomplice – an unassuming Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Together they face multiple threats and dangers and Bilbo learns of his own unexpected qualities of courage and cunning, and a love of adventure.
(Age 12+ years)
