Graphic Novels have become the most popular way for kids to get excited about reading, learning, and seeing themselves through books. We are constantly looking for graphic novels for tweens and this list pulls together over 100 books that should be checked out.
Books are an addiction for me. I love to read myself, but enjoy giving them to my kids, or as gifts, so it’s no surprise that I also have multiple posts on this topic (Chapter Books for K-2nd grade, Graphic Novels for K-3rd grade) but as I enter the Tween phase (8-12 years old) with my children I know it’s even more important to cultivate a diverse, thoughtful list that all genders, nationality, races and disabilities will be able to read, enjoy and feel included.
Graphic Novels for Tweens
This list is filled with tales of upper elementary and middle school troubles. If your tween has plowed through the list of Raina Telgemeier then check out these series.
- Act (Series)
- Awkward (Series)
- Best Friends (Series)
- Brave (Series)
- Camp (Series)
- Crush (Series)
- Drama (Series)
- Ghosts (Series)
- Guts (Series)
Graphic Novels with Diverse Characters
- American Born Chinese
- Class Act
- Measuring Up
- New Kid
- Pashmina
- Stargazing
- The Crossover
- The Lunch Witch
- Twins: A Graphic Novel
Graphic Novels Based on Literary Books
As much as I love a classic it’s so hard to get a tween excited about sitting down and reading that dusty book. This allows a new generation to read that classic in a fresh visual way, and while some are adaptations I love this might be the spark into reading the novel at some point.
- A Wrinkle In Time: The Graphic Novel
- Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel
- Coraline
- Jo – Adaptation Little Women (Sort Of)
- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel: A Modern Retelling of Little Women
- Oz: The Complete Collection
- The City of Ember
- The Giver (Graphic Novel)
- The Golden Compass: The Graphic Novel
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Graphic Novels about History
I love when you’re reading a graphic novel and you can learn about something historical. It can take you to a different time and visually help you understand what happened and who knows what fun facts you may learn.
- Compass South: A Graphic Novel (Series)
- Big Ideas That Changed The World (Series)
- Jukebox
- Nathan Hales Hazardous Tales (Series)
Graphic Novels about Mythology
Who knew mythology would be so popular amongst tweens? This category was one I was surprised to find so many great stories about. I love how they really allow for imagination.
- Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess
- Baba Yaga’s Assistant
- Fish Girl
- Hereville: How Mirka Caught a Fish
- Hilda and the Troll: Hilda Book 1
- Mighty Jack
- Oh My Gods!
- Pilu of the Woods
- Princess Princess Ever After
- Rapunzel’s Revenge
- The Courageous Princess
- The Prince and the Dressmaker
- The Tea Dragon Society
Graphic Novels about Superheroes
- Dear Super Villian
- Diana Princess of the Amazons
- Donut the Destroyer
- Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth (Series)
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Volume 1: BFF (Series)
- The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Power (Series)
Graphic Novels for Girls
I’ve pulled together this section, but let me very clear these are not just for girls. These have strong female characters and protagonists. Both my son and daughter love reading these and I think it’s important to make it clear that these books are for both girls and boys.
- All Summer Long (Series)
- All Together Now (Series)
- Allergic
- Anya’s Ghost
- Be Prepared (Series)
- Cici’s Journal
- Click
- Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom (Series)
- Geeky Fab 5 (Series)
- Go With The Flow
- In Real Life
- Invisible Emmie (Series)
- Jane, the Fox, and Me
- Just Jamie (Series)
- Just Pretend
- Katie the Catsitter
- Lucy in the sky
- Lumberjanes, Volume 1: Beware the Kitten Holy (Series)
- Nat Enough (Series)
- Newsprints
- Noise
- Pawcasso
- Positively Izzy
- Princeless: Save Yourself (Series)
- Real Friends (Series)
- Roll with it
- Roller Girl
- Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer
- Sisters (Series)
- Smile (Series)
- Sunny Rolls the Dice
- Sunny Side Up
- Surfside Girls
- Swing it Sunny
- The Baby-sitters Club: Graphic Novel Box Set
- The Cardboard Kingdom
- The Fifth Quarter
- This One Summer
Graphic Novels about Science Fiction
Mystery Graphic Novels for Tweens
Graphic Novels about Fantasy
Of course there’s also the fantasy side of things where you explore space, spells, time travel and fantastic creature.
- Amulet: The Stonekeeper (Series)
- Bone
- Cleopatra in Space Volume 1: Target Practice (Series)
- Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian
- Maddy Kettle: The Adventure of the Thimblewitch
- Nightlights
- Okay Witch
- Phoebe and Her Unicorn
- Snapdragon
- The Nameless City (Series)
- The Time Museum (Series)
- The Witch Boy
- This Was Our Pact
- Witches of Brooklyn
It’s a lot of books I know; but it’s important to make sure we’re feeding these young minds with different stories in a way they enjoy reading, and I know I’ve also found myself getting caught up in the stories which gives us some great conversations together about the topic or characters. It’s important to me that I make sure my kids ask questions and learn empathy and reading books is a great way to do these things.
This is me Destiny! I'm a content creator that covers DIY, Cricut, Travel, National Parks, Disney, Games and Family. I’m navigating life with my husband Mike, 2 kids and live in the suburbs of Maplewood, New Jersey.
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