If you’re looking for a way to keep your kids entertained and engaged, graphic novels are a great option. They are fun to read and can help teach kids about storytelling and character development. This blog post will share 5 graphic novels that every kid should read. We hope you and your family enjoy them!
Are graphic novels comic books?
Graphic novels are often confused with comic books, but they are quite different. Comic books are typically shorter stories focusing on action and adventure, while graphic novels are usually longer and more complex tales that can be educational and entertaining. Graphic novels often deal with more serious topics than comic books and usually have more detailed artwork.
Are graphic novels considered Manga?
Manga is a Japanese word that refers to any graphic novel, regardless of the country of origin. In the West, Manga typically refers to graphic novels written and illustrated in the Japanese style.
Are graphic novels good for kids?
Yes! graphic novels are a great way to keep kids entertained and engaged. They are perfect for the reluctant reader and can help teach kids about storytelling, character development, and much more.
They are also great for kids who are serious bookworms. It gives them a break with something different from what they normally devour but still allows them to read something fun.
I know they may seem like “junk food” for the brain, but I use them as a reward for myself. I make it through whatever school projects I have to finish, and then I get to jump into a graphic novel and take a break.
What kinds of graphic novels are there?
There are all sorts of graphic novels for kids, from action-packed adventures to heartwarming stories. There really is something for everyone!
City of Ember
This book by Jeanne DuPrau is a great choice for kids who love dystopian adventure stories. The graphic novel follows the story of two teens who live in the City of Ember, a city that’s been underground for centuries. When the city’s power starts to fail, they must find a way to escape before it’s too late.
Dystopian societies are a great theme for young teens to sample. They are usually complex enough to keep even the most voracious reader captivated but not too graphic or dark for younger readers. They will learn more about the dystopian theme in high school assignments like 1984 by George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and The Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
They all teach us that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times. And that’s a valuable lesson for kids (and adults!) to learn.
City of Ember is a great gateway graphic novel for kids interested in dystopian stories but haven’t yet been ready for something like The Hunger Games.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a graphic novel by Jeff Kinney that follows the life of middle schooler Greg Heffley. It’s funny and relatable; kids just can’t get enough of it!
Let’s face it, middle school sucks for most kids. They are learning who they are and how they may fit into the social hierarchy of their immediate world. These books share common themes from their daily life and poke some fun at them.
The best part is that Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a graphic novel series that will have your kids laughing out loud. The series has 12 books, so there’s plenty of material to keep them entertained. And once they’re done with the series, they can move on to Jeff Kinney’s other series, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid today and see what all the fuss is about!
Zita the Space Girl
There are a lot of young teens who are still concerned about traveling after the world was pretty much locked down during Covid. Books that help them go on adventures are their next best thing.
Ben Hatke’s Zita the Space Girl is a great graphic novel for kids who love adventure stories. The story follows Zita, a young girl who gets transported to another planet after she tries to stop some bullies from stealing a boy’s lunch money.
Zita quickly learns that she has special powers on this new planet and must use them to save her new friends from the evil Emperor. This is a great story for kids interested in space exploration and adventure stories.
Ben Hatke’s artwork is also gorgeous and will surely capture your child’s imagination. If your kid loves Zita the Space Girl, check out the sequel, Zita the Space Girl: Legends of Orbus Para.
Coraline
OK, this is one of my absolute favorites. Coraline by Neil Gaiman is a dark fantasy graphic novel that follows the story of a young girl who discovers a secret door in her new home.
Coraline decides to explore the other world beyond the door and quickly realizes it’s not as wonderful as she thought it would be. This is a great story for kids who think the grass is greener on the other side and also shares many lessons about bravery.
Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller, and his graphic novels are some of the best. If your kid loves Coraline, check out some of his other books, like The Graveyard Book and Odd and the Frost Giants.
Smile
Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novelist who writes many great stories for kids. Smile is a graphic novel autobiography that follows the story of Raina’s journey to getting braces.
This may not seem like the most exciting subject matter, but Telgemeier makes it relatable and engaging for kids. They will laugh, cry, and it might just be what helps them get through that teenage right of passage: getting braces.
Smile is a great graphic novel for kids interested in stories about real-life experiences. It’s also a great story for kids who are dealing with getting braces or any other kind of orthodontic treatment.
If your kid loves Smile, check out some of Raina Telgemeier’s other graphic novels, like Drama and Ghosts.
To wrap it up
Graphic novels are a great way to get kids interested in reading. They are fun, engaging, and often have relatable themes. The graphic novels on this list are some of the best for kids aged 13 and up.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of one (or all) of these graphic novels today and see what all the fuss is about!
Do you have any other graphic novels to recommend for kids? Let us know in the comments below!
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