Graphic Fanatic?: 18 Books for Your Reluctant (Young) Reader
I love graphic novels! They create a visually unique experience for readers, something you can’t always get from chapter books. I also adore graphic novels because they often help get “non-readers” reading. When a parent tells me something along the lines of, “I want my child to read but if I buy a book it’ll probably sit on the bookshelf” I say “handy-dandy graphic novels are this way!” So if you’re a parent (or know a parent) who has been able to get your young one reading using the power of illustration, and who wants to to help them transition to reading picture-free books, then firstly: congratulations & kudos for your parenting win! You’re doing amazing! And secondly, this list is for you! Below you’ll find recommendations for the reluctant reader & middle-grader in your life, or for your most precocious pre-pre-teen.
written by Jacque Izzo
Reading Side-By-Side
Here’s my first tactic: read a traditional book that is also a graphic novel. A lot of times, the graphic novels your kids love are also chapter books! What better way to transition to traditional chapter books than to read a story you’re already familiar with. The combination of text and pictures in a graphic novel helps build reading comprehension - so when it’s time to read a traditional chapter book, readers have the confidence they may have not had before.
If You Like This, Try…
My next suggested step is to remove the familiarity of the story - we are removing the need of illustrations. So these picks have less illustrations, or none at all! The books on the right are popular books I recommend when I ask our young customers what graphic novels they like to read (on the left!):
Graphic-Ish Books for Graphic Readers
These picks might have a few graphic novel-esque elements, whether it be similar style of narration, kindred ambiance, or even a few illustrations here and there!
Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables #1) by Jonathan Auxier
Auggie has the best job ever! He takes care of mystical animals! One day a magical Wisp appears! “What is a Wisp?” you may ask? Read and find out!
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
Eleven year old Jingwen starts baking as a coping mechanism when he moves to a new country. I consider this book a hybrid of graphic and traditional! There are a few illustrations here and there, graphic novel readers will enjoy.
Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
A witty 10 year-old & super-hero squirrel make a dynamic duo in this laugh-out-loud adventure! My go-to recommendation for readers who love graphic novels & comics but can't seem to find the right chapter book.
Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron
Fun and Fast paced! Two “F” words graphic novel readers love! When Maya starts to notice strange occurrences at school, she realizes they are right out of her favorite comic books! Will she save the world in time to attend Comic-Con?
Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell
Dork Diaries is a highly illustrated chapter book, much to the likes of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I think fans of graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier will love this series too.
Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor
Superhero fans come hither! When Nnamdi’s father is murdered he takes it into his own hands to avenge his father. This book has no illustrations whatsoever but the words are so compelling I’m sure you can imagine illustrations in your imagination!
Eleanor & Park and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell is also a graphic novelist/comic book author. So naturally all her books have an element graphic novel readers will adore. I totally suggest reading her graphic novel Pumpkinheads but these young adult novels are awesome too.
So there you have it! Whether you're trying to build your child’s reading comprehension skills or not, I hope this list is helpful! Use the power of graphic novels to your advantage!
