Best Graphic Novels for Second Grade Girls (2026)

Finding the best graphic novels for second grade girls means weighing the story against the reader: a second grader wants funny, visual and just-challenging-enough. We compared four graphic novels on reading age, page count and series to rank them for seven- and eight-year-old readers.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Junie B. Jones Bus by Park	9.7/10	Buy
2	Roller Girl by Jamieson	9.5/10	Buy
3	Click by Miller	9.4/10	Buy
4	Princess Diaries by Cabot	9.4/10	Buy

1

Junie B. Jones Bus by Park

Colleen AF Venable (Adapter), Barbara Park·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A laugh-out-loud kindergarten bus story that fits second-grade readers best.

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Pros

• Kindergarten setting matches new readers
• Book 1 of 4 starts a series
• Listed reading age 6 to 9 fits second grade

Cons

• Scary-bus premise may worry sensitive kids
• Playground humor tone per the description
• 160 pages is the slimmest of the four picks

2

Roller Girl by Jamieson

Victoria Jamieson·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A roller-derby friendship story for strong readers ready for longer books.

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Pros

• The listing states it won a Newbery Honor
• Friendship story with a strong girl lead
• 256 pages is the longest of the four picks

Cons

• Listed reading age 8 to 11 skews older than second grade
• Reading age is marked as from customers only
• Junior-high setting may feel distant to a 7-year-old

3

Click by Miller

Kayla Miller·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A middle-school friendship graphic novel better saved for older readers.

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Pros

• Friendship and belonging theme for tweens
• 192-page complete story in one volume
• Series continues with Act, Camp and Clash

Cons

• Listed reading age 9 to 11 skews older than second grade
• Title gives ages 10 to 12
• Middle-school setting is years ahead of a second grader

4

Princess Diaries by Cabot

Meg Cabot·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A full-color princess adaptation aimed at readers older than second grade.

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Pros

• Full-color graphic adaptation of a classic
• 224 pages from a major children's publisher
• Book 1 of 1 needs no series commitment

Cons

• Grade level 5 and up is the oldest fit here
• Listed reading age 8+ skews older than second grade
• High-school freshman premise is far from second grade

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All four picks list a reading age and a grade level; only one lists an age that truly fits second grade, so scores drop where the listing skews older. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best graphic novels for second grade girls

Match the reading age, not the cover

Three of these four list reading ages starting at 8 or 9, marked as from customers, while second graders are usually 7 or 8. The Junie B. Jones pick lists 6 to 9 years and grade 1 to 4, the only true second-grade fit here. Browse every middle grade list when she outgrows these.

Check the setting against her life

Kindergarten and summer-camp stories land closer to a second grader than middle-school or high-school settings. Roller Girl’s derby camp and Click’s fifth grade will make more sense in a year or two; there is no harm in shelving them for later.

Series or standalone

Junie B. Jones starts a four-book graphic novel series, while Roller Girl and Click continue in their own series too. Only the Princess Diaries adaptation is listed as Book 1 of 1. A series gives her somewhere to go next when she finishes the first book.

Before you buy

• Check the listed reading age and grade level against your reader; three of the four skew older than second grade.
• Confirm the series position: Book 1 of 4 starts a run, while later books assume she knows the characters.
• Note the publication date: the 2015 and 2019 editions are older printings, while two picks are 2025 and 2026 editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which graphic novel fits a second grader best?

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: it lists a reading age of 6 to 9 years and grade level 1 to 4, with a kindergarten protagonist. The other three list ages starting at 8 or 9.

Are these books part of series?

Junie B. Jones is Book 1 of 4 in its graphic novel series; Click and Roller Girl also continue in series per their descriptions. The Princess Diaries adaptation is listed as Book 1 of 1.

What if my reader finds these too hard?

Start with the Junie B. Jones pick at 160 pages and a 6 to 9 reading age. The older-skewing picks keep well on the shelf for next year.

Still deciding? Our top pickJunie B. Jones Bus by Park

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Related lists

See every middle grade books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: picture books, graphic novels for girls and young adult books.