Best Graphic Novels for English Language Learners

Pictures carry meaning when the words are still hard, which is why the best graphic novels for english language learners pair visual storytelling with clear, natural dialogue. This list compares four picks on reading age, grade level, page count and publisher, and ranks them by the Shelf Score.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	English Made Easy Vol One	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Speechless Graphic Novel	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Stargazing by Jen Wang	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Speak: The Graphic Novel	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

English Made Easy Vol One

Jonathan Crichton·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 192-page ESL book by Crichton and Koster; learners who want story novels should skip it.

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Pros

• Written as an ESL book: a new ESL approach.
• 192 pages, published by Tuttle Publishing.
• Two authors, Jonathan Crichton and Pieter Koster.

Cons

• No reading age is stated.
• No grade level is stated.
• At 192 pages it is the shortest book here.

2

Speechless Graphic Novel

Aron Nels Steinke·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 256-page story graphic novel for ages 8 - 12; ESL-only learners should skip it.

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Pros

• Reading age 8 - 12 years covers young learners.
• Grade level 3 - 7 is stated.
• 256 pages, published by Graphix.

Cons

• The 8 - 12 age range may sit below older learners.
• No customer-listed age is given, only the stated range.
• At 256 pages it is mid-length here.

3

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Jen Wang·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 224-page story graphic novel for ages 6 - 10; ESL-only learners should skip it.

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Pros

• A customer-listed reading age of 6 - 10 years.
• Grade level 3 - 4 is stated.
• 224 pages, published by First Second.

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers only.
• Grade level 3 - 4 sits below older learners.
• At 224 pages it is shorter than Speechless.

4

Speak: The Graphic Novel

Laurie Halse Anderson·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 384-page story graphic novel for ages 12 - 18; younger or beginner learners should skip it.

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Pros

• Reading age 12 - 18 years covers teen learners.
• Grade level 7 - 9 is stated.
• 384 pages by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Cons

• The 12 - 18 age range suits teens, not young learners.
• At 384 pages it is the longest book here.
• Grade level 7 - 9 sits above beginners.

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 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. English Made Easy is the only listing written as an ESL book, which gives it the top rank. 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 english language learners

Start with the ESL book

English Made Easy Volume One is the only one of the four written as an ESL book: 192 pages by Jonathan Crichton and Pieter Koster, published by Tuttle Publishing, described as a new ESL approach to learning English. The listing states no reading age and no grade level, so it suits learners rather than a school grade. The other three are story graphic novels, which work best once the learner can follow a plot.

Match the reading age

The story picks span three levels: Stargazing gives a customer-listed reading age of 6 – 10 years with grade level 3 – 4, Speechless gives 8 – 12 years with grade level 3 – 7, and Speak gives 12 – 18 years with grade level 7 – 9. Customer-listed ages are a rough guide; the two stated plainly are the publisher’s own. Pick the level that matches the learner’s English, not their age in years. Our best graphic novels for Halloween list offers more story picks for seasonal reading.

Page count and publisher

Page counts run from 192 pages on English Made Easy to 384 pages on Speak, with Stargazing at 224 pages and Speechless at 256 pages. Publishers are Tuttle Publishing, First Second, Graphix and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR). For a new learner, the shorter books are the kinder start. Browse the book club shelf for more lists with discussion-friendly picks.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: three picks state one, from 6 – 10 up to 12 – 18 years.
• Check the type: English Made Easy is the ESL book; the other three are story novels.
• Check the page count: from 192 pages to 384 pages across the four picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the actual ESL book here?

English Made Easy Volume One by Jonathan Crichton and Pieter Koster: 192 pages, published by Tuttle Publishing, described as a new ESL approach. The other three are story graphic novels.

Which suits a younger learner?

Stargazing: a customer-listed reading age of 6 – 10 years and grade level 3 – 4, 224 pages by Jen Wang.

Which suits a teen learner?

Speak: The Graphic Novel: reading age 12 – 18 years and grade level 7 – 9, 384 pages by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Do these have illustrations on every page?

The listings describe them as graphic novels, which means illustrated storytelling throughout. Check the publisher’s preview for the art style before buying.

Still deciding? Our top pickEnglish Made Easy Vol One

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