Graphic Novel Recommendations -- UPDATED!
This is an updated version of a post from early 2013. Hey, so you like my books! I’m so happy, thank you!!
"I've read this a couple of times...what else you got?"
If you enjoyed Smile, Sisters, Drama, or my Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, here are some suggestions for graphic novels and comics to read next.
The best way to get a hold of most of these titles is to ask your favorite local bookstore or comic shop to order them for you. You can also buy them via online retailers like Indiebound.org or Amazon. And you can always request them at your local library!
For Ages 8 and Up:
My webcomics!
Hey, maybe you haven't read them yet! I've got a whole pile of short-story comics right here on my website. Some of these are over a decade old; some of them are newer. Many of them were originally published in my minicomic series, Take-Out, and some were created for other web or print venues.
El Deafo
by Cece Bell
One of my favorite graphic novels in recent memory. A memoir, in which young Cece suffers from severe hearing loss after a bout with meningitis, and goes through life with a clunky hearing aid. At its core, this book is really about friendship and finding your place in the world, which anyone can relate to!
The Dumbest Idea Ever!
by Jimmy Gownley
A memoir about how Jimmy became a cartoonist when he was a young teenager. A perfect read for budding authors, artists or cartoonists, or anyone who likes stories about real kids with real lives.
Yotsuba&!
By Kiyohiko Azuma
My favorite manga of all time. Hilarious, simple, and some of the best comic timing I’ve ever seen.
Amelia Rules!
By Jimmy Gownley
Amelia and her mom move to a new town, and this series follows the adventures of Amelia and her new friends. A fourth-grade lens on real life.
Chiggers
By Hope Larson
Summer camp! Secrets! Cute boys! Lightning!
Babymouse
By Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
She may be a mouse, but she has many of the problems kids face in their regular lives: homework, a messy locker, bullies at school. Babymouse also has a massive imagination, which helps her overcome!
Lunch Lady
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
A school cafeteria lunch lady who is also a superhero! All of her tools and gadgets are made from kitchen tools and common household objects.
Astronaut Academy
By Dave Roman
Character-driven stories about kids who go to school on a space station. Really fun if you like anime, manga, video games, word play, and space ninjas!
Cleopatra in Space
by Mike Maihack
What if Cleopatra went to school in outer space?! That's really all you need to know before diving into this fun series!
The Silver Six
By AJ Lieberman and Darren Rawlings
A standalone story that feels like it could be based off your very favorite cartoon show. Full of action and fun.
Zita the Spacegirl
By Ben Hatke
An adventure comic with a big heart, beautifully illustrated.
Giants Beware
By Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado
A girl who wants to fight monsters, surrounded by a town of medieval characters. Claudette and her friends make a winning team.
Bone
By Jeff Smith
An absolute classic. Epic story, funny characters, surprising depth, jaw-dropping artwork.
Amulet
By Kazu Kibuishi
Kazu is bringing an animated, Miyazaki-like sensibility to the comics page, and creates an exciting adventure along the way. One of the most gorgeously-drawn comics available today.
The Secret Science Alliance
By Eleanor Davis
If you like jam-packed artwork full of tiny, interesting details, this one’s for you.
Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword
By Barry Deutsch
An 11-year-old orthodox Jewish girl who wants to fight monsters? Sweet!
Cardboard
By Doug TenNapel
Doug has a knack for writing fantastical fables about real-life kids. This is my favorite of his books.
Guinea P.I.G.: Pet Shop Private Eye
By Colleen AF Venable and Stephanie Yue
Super sweet and super funny. Kids who love animals will love this series.
To Dance
By Mark Siegel and Siena Cherson Siegel
An autobiographical graphic novella about a girl who aspires to be a ballerina.
Mal and Chad
By Stephen McCranie
A kid scientist and his talking dog. Love it!
Bird & Squirrel on the Run
By James Burks
A buddy road trip comedy, made even more fun by animal protagonists and solid cartooning.
Sidekicks
By Dan Santat
A houseful of pets all aspire to be their superhero owner’s new sidekick. Delightfully drawn.
Calvin and Hobbes, any volume
By Bill Watterson
Probably the best comic strip of all time. Brilliantly drawn and written, with a lot to say about the world we live in. A must.
For Better or For Worse, especially the volumes published between 1983 and 1990
By Lynn Johnston
My very favorite comic strip, which also taught me how engrossing realistic fiction could be. I credit FBorFW with paving the way for the kinds of comics and stories I like to create today, as well as being the biggest influence on my art style.
For Ages 12 and Up:
Friends with Boys
By Faith Erin Hicks
Faith is quickly becoming the premier YA graphic novelist of our day and age. FWB is about homeschooling, public high school, a missing mother, a bunch of crazy brothers...and a ghost.
Anya's Ghost
By Vera Brosgol
Setting the YA comics bar extremely high, this is an expertly written and drawn graphic novel with a spooky edge. Vera is a storyboard artist for Laika Studios (Coraline, ParaNorman), and it shows in every panel.
American Born Chinese
By Gene Luen Yang
A powerful story about the Chinese-American experience, an ancient Chinese fable, and a look at racism in society...all converging into one narrative, and accessible to any reader. ABC was the first (and so far, only!) comic to win the prestigious Printz Award, as well as a National Book Award finalist.
Will & Whit
By Laura Lee Gulledge
Artsy kids, heartbreak, and a hurricane! If you're a fan of Drama in particular, this book would serve as a wonderful companion.
The! Greatest! Of! Marlys!
by Lynda Barry
Lynda Barry's comics were my YA, before YA really even existed. She's been writing teen stories with an incredibly clear voice since the early 80s. This book collects many of the stories about Maryls and her sister Maybonne, and is probably better categorized as being at the young end of YA comics lit. Raw, ugly, hilarious, and poignant.
Tomboy
by Liz Prince
A fantastic memoir about Liz's life growing up as a tomboy. One of my favorite YA graphic novels. Recommended for high school and up.
Please note: I’ve focused on books that I think are appropriate for my target readers, who mostly range between ages 8 and 13. You may be older or younger, but in general my books are considered “middle grade,” and this list focuses on graphic novels within that range. This means I’m leaving out some truly quality suggestions, especially for slightly older readers, but there are plenty of resources out there to help you find good comics for the upper end of young adult, and adult readers.
*****
This essay was originally posted on Inside A Dog. Copyright Raina Telgemeier.