Graphic Novels We Love (And Your Kids Will, Too!)
For fans of graphic novels, there’s nothing more exhilarating than flipping through colorful pages and diving into a compelling story. If you’ve never picked one up, now’s the time to start! Read a bit about our recommendations to find a title that piques your interest.
Why We Love Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are a fun, accessible, and creative option for reading at any age level. For young readers, graphic novels are known to enhance vocabulary and overall reading comprehension, all of which are crucial parts of learning to read. The ones aimed at YA and adult readers are praised for bringing complex narratives to life with beautiful visual storytelling, similar to the elevated auditory experience audiobooks can have. With graphic novels spanning all book genres, there’s truly something for everyone.
Graphic Novels We Can’t Put Down
If there’s one thing you should know about us, it’s that we love reading just about everything we can with our kiddos! Our family has plenty of favorite kid’s graphic novels, but these are what currently take the cake in our home:
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Dog Man, by Dav Pilkey, has been a long-time favorite in our home, and with 13 in the series, the fun never stops. When a police officer and his faithful dog get injured on duty, George and Harold are fused together in a unique and lifesaving surgery. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, Dog Man is the best cop on the squad. From digging into deception around the block to fighting crimes committed by his nemesis, Petey the Cat, Dog Man’s skills are tested over and over, all while exploring empathy, kindness, and the importance of being true to yourself.
Start the series with your kiddos and reward their reading habits by taking them to see the new Dog Man movie in theaters or stream it at home! It doesn’t matter how old you are—this adventurous pup will have the whole family laughing.
A Few of Our Favorite Graphic Novels in the Dog Man Series:
- Dog Man Unleashed (#2)
- Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls (#7)
- Dog Man: Fetch-22 (#8)
Warriors: The Prophecies Begin written by Erin Hunter and illustrated by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess
Fans of the original Warriors series will love reliving the thrilling tale in the new full-color graphic novel rendition! For generations, the four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to laws laid down by their ancestors. But as the ShadowClan grows stronger, the cats of ThunderClan find themselves in grave danger. As tensions rise, a house cat named Rusty appears—and he may turn out to be the bravest of them all. Warriors: The Prophecies Begin depicts the first two books in one, with the next in the series releasing on April 8th, 2025.
DnDoggos: Get the Party Started by Scout Underhill
Have you noticed that Dungeons & Dragons is cool now? Start ‘em young by introducing them to one of our favorite fantastical graphic novels, DnDoggos: Get the Party Started! Pickles, a rough fighter; Tonka, a playful bard; and Zoey, a caring cleric, are given a quest by their game master, Magnus, to fetch a magical collar from the nearby swamp. Upon their valiant return, they discover the collar wasn’t the only item to go missing from Tail’s Bend—all the squeaky toys have vanished, and the mayor’s young son along with them! Together, this adorable dog gang must rescue the son, track down the toys, and save the day.
Spider-Man: A Mighty Marvel Team-Up Series by Mike Maihack
Whether you’re looking for a fun way to keep up with your favorite superhero or you’re helping your Spidey-obsessed kiddo to hit their reading goals with stories they love, the Spider-Man: A Mighty Marvel Team-Up Series is the perfect graphic novel series to grab. Follow Spider-Man as he teams up with the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the Guardians of the Galaxy to save the day and discover what it takes to be the best friendly neighborhood superheroes they can be. Filled with iconic villains, action-packed scenes, and hilarious dialogue, this trilogy is a must-have for any Marvel fan.
The Mighty Marvel Team-Up Series Includes:
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
For good, old-fashioned, goofy fun, InvestiGators is the graphic novel to pick. With their Very Exciting Spy Technology and toilet-based travel methods, Mango and Brash live for going undercover on a good case. And on their first mission together, they have not one but two mysteries to solve! Will they be able to crack their cases, or will the criminals escape their grasp? With eight books in the series (and more on the way), it’s easy to get lost in these colorful and fun books.
I Survived Series written by Lauren Tarshis, adapted by Georgia Ball, and illustrated by various artists from Haus Studio
The I Survived series brings history to life with vibrant illustrations, accessible language, and action-packed storytelling. From natural disasters to the worst periods of history, each book depicts a terrifying and thrilling moment in time through the eyes of a child who lives to tell the tale. To add an extra punch, each one includes a non-fiction section at the back with keys and photos of the real-life event. Who knew learning could be so fun?
A Few Favorite Graphic Novels from I Survived
The I Survived graphic novels are adapted from Lauren Tarshis’ original books. With over 12 in the series and more on the way, it’s hard to choose our top faves—but we can try:
- I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944
- I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919
- I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944
- I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871
- I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011
Once you get the hang of reading graphic novels, it’s easy to get hooked! The next time you’re in our Rochester, MI, bookstore, Novel, make sure to pick one of our current favorites off the shelf and lose yourself in the colorful story. Stop by for one of our events or during normal business hours—we can’t wait to see what you choose!