Everyone likes to be entertained, kids and adults alike.
Books are one of the richest forms of entertainment there is. But that might not be obvious to a kid staring at a page full of small black-and-white text. For a reluctant reader, a traditional chapter book can look like all work and no fun.
This is where graphic novels can be a powerful doorway in.
A graphic novel is a book-length story told through a combination of text and illustrated art. The pages are often full of color, movement, jokes, expressive characters, and fast-moving plots, which can make reading feel less intimidating and more fun from the start. For reluctant readers, that visual support can be the difference between avoiding a book and getting pulled into one. Educators from the National Association for the Education of Young Children have found that graphic novels can bring a new zeal for reading in students.
Graphic novels are not “lesser” books. They still ask kids to follow characters, understand plot, make inferences, notice details, and build reading stamina. But they do it in a format that feels fun from the first page, giving hesitant readers the confidence to see books as something they can actually enjoy.
Here are some graphic novels that are known to be riveting to kids, especially to those who might not be tempted by regular books.
1
Narwhal and Jelly
This cheerful series stars Narwhal, who is endlessly optimistic, and Jelly, who is a bit more cautious and skeptical. The stories are short, funny, and easy to read, with a playful mix of comics, facts, jokes, and friendship. For young or hesitant readers, Narwhal and Jelly is especially welcoming because the pages never feel crowded or overwhelming. Reading it can feel almost like playing a game.
- Author
- Ben Clanton
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 5+
2
Dog Man
When a dog and a man get fused together, an unconventional superhero is born. Dog Man follows the chronicles of this loyal and brave half-dog, half-human police officer as he chases bad guys and squirrels. It’s silly, fast, joke-heavy, and feels almost like contraband to kids who think books are boring.
- Author
- Dav Pilkey
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 6+
3
Pablo and Splash
Pablo and Splash are two penguins who accidentally end up traveling through time, landing everywhere from the age of dinosaurs to ancient Rome and the world of Vikings. Their personalities make the series especially fun: Splash is always ready for adventure, while Pablo would often rather stay somewhere safe and quiet. That contrast gives the books humor and heart, while the time-travel setup keeps the story moving.
- Author
- Sheena Dempsey
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 6+
4
The Bad Guys
As the titular Bad Guys try to become model citizens, their failures and roadbumps get them into all kinds of funny situations. Recently, The Bad Guys has been animated into a movie, and there’s nothing like a good movie waiting for you at the end of the tunnel to push you through finishing a book!
- Author
- Aaron Blabey
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 6+
5
Garfield
Garfield is a great confidence-builder for reluctant readers. The comic-strip format offers short, funny reading moments with a very low barrier to entry, giving kids the satisfaction of finishing page after page without the sense of completing a chore. The quick comic strips allow a child to finish several “stories” in just a few minutes. Garfield’s lazy, sarcastic personality (a love of lasagna, hatred of Mondays, teasing of Jon, and rivalry with Odie) creates a familiar rhythm that kids can quickly understand.
- Author
- Jim Davis
- Genre
- Comic Strip
- Good for
- Ages 6+
6
InvestiGators
Mango and Brash are alligator detectives who work for S.U.I.T., use V.E.S.T. technology, travel through toilets and sewers, chase villains, solve cases, and make constant puns along the way. The pages are busy in the best way, filled with signs, sound effects, visual jokes, gadgets, and silly side comments. For kids who like action and absurd humor, InvestiGators has the energy of a cartoon with the satisfaction of a real mystery.
- Author
- John Patrick Green
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 6+
7
Smile
This autobiographical graphic novel follows Raina through braces, dental drama, school, crushes, and friendships. It feels like following a friend around; the story is easy to connect with, funny, and flies by. Kids often dive straight into the rest of the series (Drama, Sisters, Ghosts, and Guts) after finishing Smile.
- Author
- Raina Telgemeier
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 8+
8
Hilda
Hilda is a great choice for kids who like mystery and folklore. Hilda is a lovable, adventurous girl who moves between the wild countryside and the city of Trolberg encountering trolls, giants, tiny invisible people, strange spirits, and other magical creatures along the way. The stories are imaginative and the artwork gives readers a lot to discover on each page. For reluctant readers, Hilda works especially well because there is enough danger and weirdness to keep the story exciting, but the tone stays warm and emotionally safe. Additionally, Netflix has a TV series adaptation of this wonderful story!
- Author
- Luke Pearson
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 8+
9
Zita the Spacegirl
When Zita’s best friend is taken through a mysterious portal, she follows him into a strange alien world, committed to saving her friend. In this intergalactic story, Zita becomes a small yet mighty hero, facing tough challenges with kindness, modesty, and bravery. The book’s charming graphics keep readers wanting to stay immersed in Zita’s world.
- Author
- Ben Hatke
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 8+
10
Aster
The Aster books are a great fit for kids who like magic, nature, and slightly weird adventures. Aster is not a polished “chosen one” hero. She is curious, stubborn, and often in over her head, which makes her easy to root for. The stories mix countryside exploration with playful fantasy in a way that feels lighter and less intimidating than a dense fantasy novel.
- Author
- Thom Pico
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 8+
11
Minecraft
For kids who already love Minecraft, these graphic novels offer an easy bridge from screen-based play to reading. The familiar settings, blocky visual style, survival challenges, and adventure-driven stories make the books feel connected to a world children already know and enjoy. From portals, to mobs, to the Nether, to the End, to the ender dragon, the Minecraft graphic novels are a loyal adaptation of the familiar game and a great way to get kids excited about reading.
- Author
- Various (Mojang)
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 8+
12
Bone
Three oddball cousins (Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone) are kicked out of Boneville and stumble into a mysterious valley filled with strange creatures, rat monsters, hidden dangers, and bigger secrets. The early books are funny and cartoonish, with lots of slapstick and expressive faces, but the story gradually grows into a real fantasy epic. That makes it ideal for reluctant readers: it begins like a comedy, then quietly turns into the kind of big adventure that keeps kids invested.
- Author
- Jeff Smith
- Genre
- Graphic Novel
- Good for
- Ages 8+
4 min read
