Best Graphic Novels for Kids (2026): 4 Picks Compared

A child who has just finished one graphic novel and wants the next needs a clear way to weigh the best graphic novels for kids. This list compares four books by the grade level, reading age, page count and series position that each listing publishes, for a reader in the middle grades.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Wings of Fire by Sutherland	9.7/10	Buy
2	Warriors by Hunter	9.7/10	Buy
3	The Night Librarian by Lincoln	9.7/10	Buy
4	Baby-sitters on Board! by Telgemeier	9.6/10	Buy

1

Wings of Fire by Sutherland

Tui T. Sutherland·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 ›

The first four Wings of Fire graphic novels in one boxed set, a fit for a reader who wants the whole start of the series on hand.

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Pros

• Four books in one box, 896 pages in total, so one purchase covers a long stretch of reading
• Both listed levels, grade 3 to 7 and reading age 8 to 11 years, include the middle grades
• The listing states it adapts the Wings of Fire series in graphic novel form

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• Grade 3 to 7 is a wide band, so the listing does not pin down difficulty
• A four-book box of 896 pages is a big commitment for a reader trying a new series

2

Warriors by Hunter

Erin Hunter·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 ›

The first arc of the Warriors series in three full-color graphic novels, suited to a reader new to the cat-clan world.

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Pros

• The listing states it is three full-color graphic novels covering the first arc
• Reading age of 9+ years and grade 3 to 7 both sit at or below a child in the middle grades
• The description calls it an introduction for new readers to the series

Cons

• Reading age of 9+ years is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• Covers only the first three graphic novels, so a fan will need more volumes to continue
• The description mentions a traitor and grave danger, a tense story some younger readers may find intense

3

The Night Librarian by Lincoln

Christopher Lincoln·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 ›

Book 1 of 2 in a library adventure with book characters, suited to a reader who likes magic and classic stories.

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Pros

• The listing states Book 1 of 2, so the series is short and the next title is named
• Reading age of 8 to 11 years and grade 3 to 7 both include the middle grades
• At 256 pages, it is shorter than the box sets on this list

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, so check the description before buying
• The description mentions an epic battle to save the library, so check it for a sensitive reader
• Book 1 of 2, so a reader who wants the full series needs the second book too

4

Baby-sitters on Board! by Telgemeier

Baby-sitters·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 single-volume Super Special in The Baby-sitters Club graphic novel line, suited to a reader who already knows the club.

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Pros

• The description says Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan both adapt and illustrate it
• Reading age of 8 to 12 years and grade 3 to 7 both include the middle grades
• A single 320-page volume, so there is no box or series to manage

Cons

• Written to return to The Baby-sitters Club, so a new reader may lack the background
• The listing shows Book 1 of 1 in the Super Special line, so it does not lead into a longer series
• Reading age of 8 to 12 years and grade 3 to 7 are both broad bands, so the listing does not pin down one level

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More picks to compare

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese PizzaYoung readers who want a full-color graphic novel about friendship and teamwork, ages 7+.Check on Amazon
• Finn Fallin by Any Ways StudioReaders ages 8–12 who want a graphic novel that also includes a diary section.Check on Amazon
• The Mannamong Vol. 1 by LengyelMiddle-grade readers ages 9-13 who enjoy full-color fantasy graphic novels.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All four picks list both a grade level and a reading age, and every grade level is 3 to 7. 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 kids

Start with the reading level

All four listings give a grade level of 3 to 7, and their reading ages run from 8 to 12 years. Three of those reading ages are marked as from customers, so treat them as a guide, while Baby-sitters on Board! gives 8 to 12 years without that mark. For a reader ready for longer prose after the pictures, see our best chapter books for kids.

Box set or single volume

Two picks, Wings of Fire #1-#4 and the three-book Warriors set, are box sets, which means more pages and a longer run in one purchase. A single volume such as The Night Librarian, listed as Book 1 of 2, is an easier first step, with the series position stated on the listing. For more box sets, see our best box set books for kids.

Before you buy

• Check the format: the Wings of Fire and Warriors listings are box sets, not single volumes.
• Confirm the series position on the listing, such as Book 1 of 2 for The Night Librarian.
• Compare the listed reading age with your child’s current reading, and read the description for themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a child start a graphic novel series?

Start with the book the listing marks as Book 1. The Wings of Fire box set collects the first four books, and The Night Librarian is listed as Book 1 of 2.

What age are these graphic novels suited to?

The picks list reading ages from 8 to 12 years, and Warriors gives 9+ years, marked as from customers. All four list grade 3 to 7, which is a useful starting point for a child in the middle grades.

Are any of these picks too intense for a sensitive reader?

The Night Librarian description mentions an epic battle to save the library, and the Warriors description mentions a traitor and grave danger. Preview either one before buying for a sensitive reader.

Still deciding? Our top pickWings of Fire by Sutherland

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Related lists

See every Middle Grade list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: graphic novels for boys, graphic novels for girls and fantasy books for kids.