Best Graphic Novels for Tweens (2026): 5 Compared

Shopping for the best graphic novels for tweens gets easier once you know the reader: a fourth grader racing through fantasy quests, or a seventh grader who wants school stories that feel real. We compared five graphic novels by listed reading age, grade level, page count and series, so you can match the book to the tween.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Hooky by Bonastre Tur	9.7/10	Buy
2	Making Friends by Gudsnuk	9.7/10	Buy
3	Meg Jo Beth Amy by Terciero	9.7/10	Buy
4	Squished by Wagner Lloyd	9.7/10	Buy
5	Smile by Telgemeier	9.6/10	Buy

1

Hooky by Bonastre Tur

Míriam Bonastre Tur·9.7/10 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 ›

Twin witches who miss magic school scramble for a mentor in this fantasy opener, suiting a tween who loves magic-school adventures.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 384 pages give the longest read here
• The listing gives a reading age of 9+ years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 to 7
• Book 1 of 3, so a fan can continue the series

Cons

• As Book 1 of 3, the story does not finish in one volume
• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• Fantasy quest plot may not suit a reader who wants realistic school stories

2

Making Friends by Gudsnuk

Kristen Gudsnuk·9.7/10 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 ›

A seventh grader sketches a perfect best friend to life with a magic sketchbook, suiting a tween navigating new-school friendships.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• The listing gives a reading age of 8 to 12 years and grade level 3 to 7
• Book 1 of 4, so the series continues
• 272 pages sit in the middle of this list

Cons

• The listing gives no source note for the reading age
• Reprint edition from 2018, older than most picks here
• Magic-sketchbook premise may not suit a reader who wants realistic fiction

3

Meg Jo Beth Amy by Terciero

Rey Terciero·9.7/10 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 ›

A modern graphic retelling of Little Women with four sisters in New York City suits a tween who loves family stories.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• The listing gives a reading age of 9 to 12 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 to 7
• Illustrated edition, Book 1 of 4 in the Classic Graphic Novel Remix series
• A familiar classic retold in graphic form

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• Retelling format may not suit a reader who wants an original story
• 256 pages are fewer than the longer fantasies here

4

Squished by Wagner Lloyd

Megan Wagner Lloyd·9.7/10 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 11-year-old in a family of nine schemes for her own room, suiting a tween from a big, noisy family.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• The listing gives a reading age of 8 to 11 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 to 7
• 2023 first edition, the newest book here
• Family-of-nine comedy suits readers who like funny realistic fiction

Cons

• Reading age tops at 11, young for older tweens
• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• The listing names no series, so there is no stated next book

5

Smile by Telgemeier

Raina Telgemeier·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 ›

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

Check price on Amazon

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

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Sorceline by DouyéFor fantasy fans, listed for ages 10 to 12, Book 1 of 3.Check on Amazon
• Curlfriends by MillerFor friendship-story fans, listed for ages 8 to 11, Book 1 of 3.Check on Amazon
• Hoops by TavaresFor sports fans, listed for ages 9 to 11, about girls' basketball in 1975.Check on Amazon
• Haunted Mask by StineFor spooky-story fans, listed for ages 8 and up, Book 1 of 3.Check on Amazon
• Princess Diaries by CabotFor princess-story fans, listed for ages 8 and up, complete in one book.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 listings give a reading age, four of them marked as from customers, and all five give a grade level. 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 tweens

Match the age band to the tween

The bands run from 8 to 11 on Smile and Squished to 8 to 12 on Making Friends and 9 to 12 on Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, with Hooky at 9+ and ages 8 to 12 in its title. An older tween may outgrow the 8 to 11 picks faster. For more middle-grade options, browse our middle grade books.

Series or standalone

Hooky is Book 1 of 3, Making Friends is Book 1 of 4, and Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy is Book 1 of 4 in its remix series, so a series fan has somewhere to go. Smile and Squished are complete in one volume. See graphic novels for tween boys and graphic novels for tween girls for narrower lists.

Before you buy

• Check the listed reading age and grade level: all five listings give both, and four mark the reading age as from customers.
• For a series, confirm the book number: three picks here are Book 1 of a longer series.
• Compare page counts: the picks run from 224 to 384 pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good graphic novel for a 10 year old?

All five picks list reading ages covering age 10, from 8 to 11 up to 9 to 12. Hooky’s title also names ages 8 to 12.

Is Smile appropriate for tweens?

The Smile listing gives a reading age of 8 to 11 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 to 7. It suits younger tweens; older tweens may prefer the 9 to 12 picks.

Which of these graphic novels start a series?

Hooky is Book 1 of 3, Making Friends is Book 1 of 4, and Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy is Book 1 of 4 in the Classic Graphic Novel Remix series.

Still deciding? Our top pickHooky by Bonastre Tur

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

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

More lists: browse graphic novels for tween boys, graphic novels for tween girls, graphic memoirs and graphic novel classics.