Graphic novels are massively growing in popularity and are now being seen by teachers and parents as a great option to engage readers of all levels.
- Our Top 10 Graphic Novel List:
- Other Great Graphic Novels:
- Graphic Novels- Good or Bad?
- Graphic Novels- Why they can be good for reluctant readers
- What age group are graphic novels for?
- How do I know which would be a good graphic novel for my child or pupils?
- Other Great Graphic Novels:
Our Top 10 Graphic Novel List:
- El Deafo
- Dog Man
- Captain Underpants
- Narwhal’s Otter Friend
- When Stars Are Scattered
- Roller Girl
- Agents of S.U.I.T.
- Artemis Fowl- Graphic Novel
- Arthur and the Golden Rope
- Agent Moose
Other Great Graphic Novels:
- The Breadwinner
- Ancient Warriors
- Illegal
- Asterix the Gaul
- The Black Island (The Adventure of Tintin)
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Graphic Novels- Good or Bad?
It wasn’t that long ago that you wouldn’t have found any graphic novels on classroom shelves, however times have changed and they are now being seen by teachers as another string to their literary bow! After all, what we want to do as teachers and parents is instil a love of reading and reading definitely isn’t a one size fits all type of thing.
Just like with other book formats there are good graphic novels, that are exciting to read and engage the reader, and there are those that don’t quite land with their intended audience. It’s not as simple as are they good or bad.
Graphic Novels- Why they can be good for reluctant readers
Graphic novels can be a great option when trying to engage a reluctant reader. The increased number of illustrations per page can instantly make a graphic novel more attractive to a young reader and the shorter sentences can make the whole reading process seem less arduous and give a greater sense of success. All of this can lead to an increased level of confidence and ultimately provide a great pathway into other reading formats and genres.
What age group are graphic novels for?
Over recent years there has been a huge growth in the number of high-quality graphic novels that are being published and they are definitely not aimed at just one age group. There are now graphic novels for every age group from 4+ all the way up to graphic novels for adults.
How do I know which would be a good graphic novel for my child or pupils?
Knowing where to start with selecting graphic novels can seem a little overwhelming at first, but that’s where Spy Readers can help! Simply search the Spy Readers database for graphic novels within a certain age range and you will find loads of great choices. If you want to make sure that your choice is the perfect one, then just try using our ‘Book Suggester’ tool and really refine your search down to an individual child’s interests.
- El Deafo
Book Themes: deafness (losing hearing as a child), disability, hearing aids, starting a new school, childhood illness (meningitis), hospital, humour, friendship, sign language (not wanting to learn sign language as feeling it makes you stand out), loneliness (struggling with making friends)
Suggested Age: 8+
What’s it about?: This is the true story of Cece Bell who lost her hearing as a young child due to Meningitis. Join Cece as she takes us through this experience and then having to navigate the early stages of childhood and starting school, all with the rather large ‘phonic ear’ strapped to her chest. Although very awkward, it gives her something that she could never have expected! The phonic ear gives her not just the ability to hear but also the ability to hear things that she sometimes really shouldn’t! Who knew that being deaf could be a superpower?
Author: Cece Bell
Publisher: Abrams
2. Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea
Book Themes: dog, superhero, villains, sabotage, fantasy, imagination, humour
Suggested Age: 7+
What’s it about?: Another Dog Man adventure following the canine crusader as he confronts the dastardly Piggy, who is plotting to sabotage the city!
Author: Dav Pilkey
Publisher: Scholastic US
3. Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers
Book Themes: prison, science fiction, time travel, bullying, friendship, adventure, tricks and pranks, retaliation, apologising, curses, revenge, humour
Suggested Age: 7+
What’s it about?: George and Harold are taken from jail back in time to before they met Captain Underpants. They have to defeat Kipper Krup using only their brains.
Author: Dav Pilkey
Publisher: Scholastic
4. Narwhal’s Otter Friend
Book Themes: otters, narwhals, sea creatures, humour, feeling lonely, wanting a friend
Suggested Age: 5+
What’s it about?: When Narwhal and his friend, Jelly, meet Otter a brilliant new friendship is formed! The problem is that Jelly doesn’t feel included in this friendship, or the planned adventures, and so sets off in search of a new friend.
Author: Ben Clanton
Publisher: HarperCollins
5. When Stars are Scattered
Book Themes: immigration, refugee camps, struggling for food, clothes, medical care, education, freedom, perseverance opportunities, equality
Suggested Age: 9+
What’s it about?: Two young brothers from Somalia are separated from their mother. They wait in the refugee camp desperately hoping to be picked for resettlement in North America.
Author: Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Publisher: Faber & Faber
6. Roller Girl
Book Themes: roller skating, friendship (friendship issues and losing/making new friends), empathy, self-belief, growing up, perseverance, dying hair (without permission), getting in trouble (not telling her mum the truth about walking home on her own), sharing worries (talks to her mum about what is upsetting her and finds that this helps), mild language (the main character, Astrid, is briefly called Ass Turd by some other children)
Suggested Age: 9+
What’s it about?: Twelve-year-oldAstrid has always been best friends with Nicole but is shocked when she realises that they are starting to grow apart and like different things. Instead of wanting to come to roller derby camp with her, Nicole heads off for ballet camp with Astrid’s arch enemy! This signals the start of a tough summer for Astrid where she has to navigate a difficult new landscape without her best friend by her side and try and stay on her skates at the same time!
Author: Victoria Jamieson
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children’s UK
7. Agents of S.U.I.T.
Book Themes: burglary, investigations, wordplay, humour, spies, aliens, crop circles, mystery, homophones, sheep, chameleon, work conditions (the sheep are disgruntled by their treatment from the farmer and so aim to hoodwink him into selling the farm)
Suggested Age: 7+
What’s it about?: When Cilantro is given a field agent investigation, she sets out to prove herself as an excellent investigator. What she’s not expecting is an ‘out of this world’ experience.
Author: John Patrick Green
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
8. Artemis Fowl- Graphic Novel
Book Themes: magic, villains, adventure, criminals, fantasy, danger, physical violence
Suggested Age: 9+
What’s it about?: Artemis Fowl is certainly no ordinary twelve-year-old boy. He spends his days in the world of crime and is so intelligent that it wouldn’t be a stretch to call him a genius. However, when Artemis has the idea to steal gold from some fairies, it proves to be trickier than even he could have ever imagined!
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children’s UK
9. Arthur and the Golden Rope
Book Themes: Norse myths, Norse legends, wolves, Iceland, quest, friendship, adventure, bravery, family, community
Suggested Age: 7+
What’s it about?: Arthur, a young Icelander, goes on a quest to tame a monstrous wolf that has ravaged his village!
Author: Joe Todd Stanton
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
10. Agent Moose
Book Themes: mysteries, humour, crime
Suggested Age: 7+
What’s it about?: When a turtle that is a key witness in an important case disappears, Agent Moose is called into action. Will he manage to find the turtle or will this be a case too far?
Author: Mo O’Hara
Publisher: Scholastic
Other Great Graphic Novels:
- The Breadwinner
Author: Deborah Ellis
Publisher: Oxford University Press
2. Ancient Warriors
Author: Iris Volant
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
3. Illegal
Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Group
4. Asterix the Gaul
Author: Rene Goscinny
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
5. The Black Island (The Adventure of Tintin)
Author: Herge
Publisher: HarperCollins
6. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Author: Carl Bowen
Publisher: Capstone Global Library Ltd