Best Graphic Novels for Dyslexic Kids: 5 Compared

When a child finds dense pages discouraging, the best graphic novels for dyslexic kids are often the ones where pictures carry the story and the text stays short. We compared five books by what each listing publishes: format, stated print features, reading age or grade level, page count and series position, without repeating any listing’s reading claims as fact.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Diary of a Famous Cat by Alber	9.7/10	Buy
2	D.A.R.E Detectives by Gillingham	9.7/10	Buy
3	Very Bad at Math by Larson	9.6/10	Buy
4	My Weird School Graphic Novel by Gutman	9.6/10	Buy
5	Purple Space Chickens by Alber	9.6/10	Buy

1

Diary of a Famous Cat by Alber

Diane Alber·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 ›

An illustrated chapter book the listing calls dyslexia-friendly, with larger font, wide spacing and short chapters, for a listed reading age of 6 to 10 years.

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Pros

• The description lists larger font, wide spacing and short chapters as dyslexia-friendly features.
• The listing gives a reading age of 6 to 10 years.
• Black-and-white illustrations support the text, per the description.

Cons

• An illustrated chapter book, not a graphic novel.
• Book 1 of a 5-book series; the story continues beyond this volume.
• No grade level is stated.

2

D.A.R.E Detectives by Gillingham

Robin Gillingham·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 mystery chapter book printed in a dyslexia font with short sentences and decodable words, listing a customer-marked reading age of 8 to 11 years.

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Pros

• The title states a dyslexia font and dyslexia reading series.
• The description lists short sentences and decodable words.
• 106 pages across 10 chapters, per the listing.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher.
• A chapter book, not a graphic novel.
• The description's reading claims are the publisher's; we report only the format facts.

3

Very Bad at Math by Larson

Hope Larson·9.6/10 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 240-page graphic novel about a girl with dyscalculia, listing grade level 3 to 7 and a reading age of 8 to 12 years.

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Pros

• A full graphic novel with visual storytelling, per the description.
• The listing gives both grade level 3 to 7 and reading age 8 to 12.
• 240 pages, the longest pick here.

Cons

• The story is about dyscalculia, a math learning disability, not dyslexia.
• No dyslexia-specific print features are stated.
• 240 pages is the longest read here.

4

My Weird School Graphic Novel by Gutman

Dan Gutman·9.6/10 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 96-page full-color graphic novel adventure, listing grade level 1 to 5 and a reading age of 6 to 10 years.

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Pros

• A full-color graphic novel with visual gags, per the description.
• The listing gives both grade level 1 to 5 and reading age 6 to 10.
• 96 pages, a shorter read than the 240-page pick.

Cons

• No dyslexia-specific print features are stated.
• Book 3 of 3; earlier series books come first.
• The description's sales figures are not repeated here.

5

Purple Space Chickens by Alber

Diane Alber·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

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 ›

An illustrated chapter book in a dyslexia-friendly series, listing a customer-marked reading age of 7 to 9 years.

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Pros

• The series is titled as dyslexia-friendly chapter books.
• 109 pages, per the listing.
• Illustrated format with a funny adventure premise, per the description.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher.
• An illustrated chapter book, not a graphic novel.
• The description's age range of 7 to 12 differs from the listed 7 to 9.

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More picks to compare

• Sprinkles and Unicorn by AlberDyslexia-friendly illustrated book; reading age 7 to 9 listed, 117 pages.Check on Amazon
• Accidental Minecraft Family by AteDyslexia-adapted chapter book; reading age 7 to 14 listed, 132 pages.Check on Amazon
• The Secret Quest by StirtzDyslexia-friendly decodable book; reading age 7 to 11 listed, 95 pages.Check on Amazon

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 five picks list a reading age or grade level: two give both a grade level and a reading age, two give a customer-marked reading age, and one gives a reading age of 6 to 10 years. 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 dyslexic kids

Graphic novel or illustrated chapter book

Only two of the five are graphic novels: Very Bad at Math and the My Weird School book. The other three are illustrated chapter books, two of which state dyslexia-friendly print features like larger font and wide spacing. If the child specifically wants comics-style panels, the two graphic novels are the match; if print features matter more, the chapter books state them.

Read the reading age source

D.A.R.E Detectives and Purple Space Chickens mark their reading ages as from customers, while the others give publisher-listed ages or grade levels. Very Bad at Math lists grade 3 to 7 with reading age 8 to 12, and My Weird School lists grade 1 to 5 with reading age 6 to 10. Treat customer-marked ages as one data point, not a recommendation.

Check the series position

Very Bad at Math and D.A.R.E Detectives are each Book 1 of 1, so the story ends in one volume. Diary of a Famous Cat is Book 1 of 5 and My Weird School is Book 3 of 3, so check whether the child wants to start at the beginning. Purple Space Chickens opens its series.

Before you buy

• Confirm whether the listing states dyslexia-friendly print features or just an illustrated format; only some do.
• Check the series position so the child starts with Book 1 where it matters.
• Note whether the reading age is publisher-listed or marked as from customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these are actual graphic novels?

Very Bad at Math and My Weird School Graphic Novel: Dorks in New York. The other three are illustrated chapter books.

Which listings state dyslexia-friendly print features?

Diary of a Famous Cat lists larger font, wide spacing and short chapters. D.A.R.E Detectives states a dyslexia font and short sentences. The two graphic novels state no such features.

Is Very Bad at Math about dyslexia?

No. The description says it is about dyscalculia, a math learning disability. It is included as a graphic novel pick, not as a dyslexia-targeted book.

Still deciding? Our top pickDiary of a Famous Cat by Alber

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Related lists

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

More lists: graphic novels for kids, graphic novels for young kids and graphic novel mysteries.