Best Graphic Novels for Elementary School (2026): 5 Compared

Elementary school is when reading clicks, and graphic novels make it fun. The best graphic novels for elementary school match the reading level with humor and heart. We compared five by age fit, story, value, reading level and series, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Guts	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Evil Spy School	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	My Weird School	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Grumpy Monkey	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Smile by Telgemeier	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Guts

Raina Telgemeier·9.8/10 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 Raina Telgemeier graphic novel, 224 pages, Graphix, from 2019: a true story.

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Pros

• True story from a favorite author
• 224 pages
• Reading age 9 and up

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher
• 2019 publication date
• Anxiety themes may not suit every reader

2

Evil Spy School

Stuart Gibbs·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 spy-adventure graphic novel, ages 8-12, 368 pages, book 3 of 4.

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Pros

• Ages 8-12 with grade 3-7
• 368 pages, full-color panels
• Book 3 of the Spy School series

Cons

• Book 3; read 1-2 first
• 368 pages, the longest here
• Spy theme may not suit all

3

My Weird School

Dan Gutman·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 funny school graphic novel, ages 6-10, 112 pages, book 2 of 3.

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Pros

• Ages 6-10 with grade 1-5
• Visual gags and illustrations
• Book 2 of the series

Cons

• Book 2; read book 1 first
• 112 pages
• Silly humor not for everyone

4

Grumpy Monkey

Suzanne Lang·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 funny school graphic novel, ages 5-8, 80 pages, book 3 of 3.

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Pros

• Ages 5-8, kindergarten to grade 3
• Silly back-to-school story
• Book 3 of the series

Cons

• 80 pages, the fewest here
• Book 3; earlier books separate
• Youngest age band only

5

Smile by Telgemeier

Raina Telgemeier·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 ›

Raina Telgemeier's graphic memoir of dental drama in sixth grade suits a tween who likes true stories with humor.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the Eisner Award
• The listing gives a reading age of 8 to 11 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 to 7
• Sixth-grade setting matches the tween years

Cons

• Reading age tops at 11, young for older tweens
• 224 pages make it the briefest book here
• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher

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Compare the picks

Ages and page counts are as listed, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs age fit, story, value, reading level and series.

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 elementary school

Match the reading level

Evil Spy School: grade 3-7, ages 8-12. My Weird School: grade 1-5, ages 6-10. Grumpy Monkey: kindergarten to grade 3, ages 5-8. Pick the band that matches your reader.

Humor and heart

My Weird School has visual gags; Grumpy Monkey promises laughs; Evil Spy School delivers spy adventure. Humor hooks reluctant readers.

Series depth

Evil Spy School is book 3 of 4; My Weird School is book 2 of 3; Grumpy Monkey is book 3 of 3. A series gives the next book to grab.

Setup Notes

• 80 pages (Grumpy Monkey) to 368 pages (Evil Spy School).
• Grade levels span kindergarten to grade 7.
• Full-color panels suit visual learners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is best for elementary school?

Evil Spy School, grade 3-7 with 368 pages of spy adventure.

Which suits younger readers?

Grumpy Monkey, ages 5-8 and kindergarten to grade 3.

Which are funniest?

My Weird School and Grumpy Monkey, both promising humor.

Still deciding? Our top pickGuts

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Related lists

See every middle-grade book list.

More lists: graphic novels and picture books.