Fantasy, sci-fi, realistic fiction, historical fiction, poetry, non-fiction. What kind of reader are you? What kinds of readers are your kids?
I’m a realistic fiction reader. My husband is the non-fiction guy. Not really my thing. My daughter loves fantasy. Ugh. Much to her dismay, I could not get beyond the first 100 pages of The Golden Compass. And my nine-year-old son? Truly, I thought he was going to read Geronimo Stilton FOREVER. Honestly, what is so compelling about that dang mouse?
I spent 14 years teaching middle school English. I was on top of every new publication for young readers. But it’s been, yikes, 13 years since I was a classroom teacher. Naturally, the publishing industry continued without me. The number of new books I don’t know about is vast. Additionally, in that time, the graphic novel has emerged as a powerful medium for readers.
Guess what? Cereal isn’t just for breakfast. And graphic novels aren’t just for reluctant readers. While they have been deemed an accessible entry point for struggling readers, good readers enjoy them, too. In fact, Scholastic (and they know kids and books) says, “graphic novels with rich, complex plots and narrative structures can also be satisfying to advanced readers.”
What’s the story with the graphic novel? Is it a comic? A real book? Or something in between?
Rather than trying to figure out the “true” definition of a graphic novel, just know this format is yet another opportunity for reading. And don’t we all want our kids to read?
Oh, one more thing. Parents are often deceived by illustrations, making the assumption that a book with “pictures” means “little kid” ideas. Content people. My go-to resource for “age appropriate” reviews is Common Sense Media.
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Here’s a list to get you started!
Giants Beware! (series) (7+)
by Jorge Aguirre
Smart and funny fairy tale showcases young Claudette off to battle giants.
El Deafo (9+)
by Cece Bell
Charming, funny memoir about growing up deaf.
The Last Kids on Earth (series) (8+)
by Max Brailler
An apocalypse turns a town into zombies except for Jack and his best friends.
Narwhal and Jelly (series) (6+)
by Ben Clanton
New this year, two undersea creatures without much in common become friends.
Zita the Space Girl (7+)
by Sierra Filucci
Earth girl Zita travels through space meeting monsters, magicians, and making new friends. Lots of sci-fi action with one brave girl at the heart of the story.
Mighty Jack (series) (8+)
by Ben Hatke
A modern take on “Jack and the Beanstalk” throws in a little sci-fi as well.
Baby Mouse (series) (7+)
by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm, a brother-sister writing/illustrating team
This sassy little mouse takes readers through the ups and downs of elementary school.
Squish (series) (7+)
by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
The Holms siblings team up again to bring you an amoeba learning to navigate his way through school. A little bit of science, a whole lotta fun.
All’s Faire in Middle School (9+)
by Victoria Jamieson
A story of a former homeschooled girl navigating the challenges of middle school.
Rollergirl (8+)
by Victoria Jamieson
This coming of age, “girl power” story won a Newbery honor award in 2016.
Amulet (series) (8+)
by Kazu Kibuishi
This quest fantasy is full of spaceships, aliens, and adventure.
Lunch Lady (series) (8+)
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Justice is served in the school cafeteria.
The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-fu Cavemen from the Future (7+)
by Dav Pilkey
Perhaps the title says it all? Need I say more? George and Harold make a comic book filled with facts about science.
Smile (10+)
by Raina Telgemeier (She’s been busy writing graphic novels; check out her other titles, too.)
This autobiographical story takes the reader through both dental drama and middle school drama.
Space Dumplins (8+)
by Craig Thompson
A daughter’s quest to find her father takes her on a fantasy adventure.
Are you sensing a sci-fi, fantasy theme here? Not true of all graphic novels but certainly appealing to many readers.
Head to the nearest library and introduce your kids to the graphic novel!
