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Quick answer: The best chapter Books for Kids Who Like Graphic Novels include The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier, The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey, Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Kids who love graphic novels often enjoy chapter books that keep lots of pictures, comics and doodles on the page. These illustrated novels and hybrids are the perfect bridge from comics to longer reading.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last Kids on Earth | Max Brallier | 8-12 | monster lovers |
| The Bad Guys | Aaron Blabey | 7-10 | fans of comic-style art |
| Big Nate: In a Class by Himself | Lincoln Peirce | 8-12 | comic strip fans |
| Dork Diaries | Rachel Renée Russell | 9-12 | diary format fans |
| The Brilliant World of Tom Gates | Liz Pichon | 8-12 | doodlers |
| Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made | Stephan Pastis | 8-12 | funny detective fans |
| The Terrible Two | Mac Barnett and Jory John | 8-12 | prank fans |
| The 13-Storey Treehouse | Andy Griffiths | 7-10 | wild idea lovers |
| Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson | 9-12 | fans of Smile |
| The Strange Case of Origami Yoda | Tom Angleberger | 9-12 | Star Wars fans |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | 8-12 | readers of the graphic novels |
| The Wild Robot | Peter Brown | 8-12 | readers who like illustrated novels |
| Stick Dog | Tom Watson | 7-10 | dog lovers |
| The Notebook of Doom: Rise of the Balloon Goons | Troy Cummings | 6-9 | younger readers |
| Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon | Tracey West | 6-9 | dragon fans |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier
Jack builds a treehouse fortress during a monster apocalypse. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: monster lovers.
2. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
A wolf and his friends try to become heroes. Recommended ages: about 7-10.
Best for: fans of comic-style art.
3. Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce
Nate's day goes wrong in comic panels and text. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: comic strip fans.
4. Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell
Nikki draws her way through a new school. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: diary format fans.
5. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
Tom's notebook is packed with drawings and jokes. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: doodlers.
6. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis
A clueless detective and his polar bear solve cases. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: funny detective fans.
7. The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John
Two pranksters team up at a new school. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: prank fans.
8. The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
Andy and Terry's treehouse has everything you can imagine. Recommended ages: about 7-10.
Best for: wild idea lovers.
9. Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson
A shy girl's note ends up in the wrong hands. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: fans of Smile.
10. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
A paper puppet gives surprisingly good advice. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: star Wars fans.
11. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
The original novel about five dragonets and a prophecy. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: readers of the graphic novels.
12. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
A robot survives on an island in a book full of art. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: readers who like illustrated novels.
13. Stick Dog by Tom Watson
Stick Dog and his friends plot to grab hamburgers. Recommended ages: about 7-10.
Best for: dog lovers.
14. The Notebook of Doom: Rise of the Balloon Goons by Troy Cummings
Alexander discovers monsters in his town. Recommended ages: about 6-9.
Best for: younger readers.
15. Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West
Drake learns to train a dragon. Recommended ages: about 6-9.
Best for: dragon fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For younger readers, start with The Notebook of Doom, Dragon Masters and Stick Dog. Kids who love funny comics should try The Bad Guys, Big Nate and The Terrible Two. Fans of Raina Telgemeier will like Invisible Emmie, and Wings of Fire graphic novel readers can move on to the original novels.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 6 to 12, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
Related: 15 Best Graphic Novels for Kids Who Like Dog Man · 15 Best Graphic Novels for Kids Who Like Wings of Fire