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Quick answer: The best graphic Novels for 17 Year Olds include They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, The Arrival by Shaun Tan 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.
Seventeen-year-olds are ready for graphic novels with adult themes, sophisticated storytelling and striking art. This list mixes classic comics, memoirs, history and modern young adult favourites that older teens often love.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| They Called Us Enemy | George Takei | 14+ | history readers |
| Watchmen | Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons | 17+ | readers who like complex stories |
| The Arrival | Shaun Tan | 12+ | fans of wordless storytelling |
| Nimona | ND Stevenson | 13+ | fans of humour and heart |
| Heartstopper | Alice Oseman | 14+ | romance fans |
| Through the Woods | Emily Carroll | 14+ | horror fans |
| Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me | Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell | 15+ | readers who like relationship stories |
| This One Summer | Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki | 14+ | coming-of-age fans |
| Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life | Bryan Lee O'Malley | 15+ | readers who like video game humour |
| Batman: The Dark Knight Returns | Frank Miller | 16+ | superhero fans |
| Hey, Kiddo | Jarrett J. Krosoczka | 14+ | memoir readers |
| Pumpkinheads | Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks | 13+ | autumn romance fans |
| Displacement | Kiku Hughes | 13+ | history fans |
| The Prince and the Dressmaker | Jen Wang | 13+ | fairy tale fans |
| Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation | Octavia E. Butler, Damian Duffy and John Jennings | 16+ | time travel 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. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
George Takei's memoir of his childhood in Japanese American internment camps. Recommended ages: about 14+.
Best for: history readers.
2. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Retired superheroes investigate a murder in an alternate 1985. Recommended ages: about 17+.
Best for: readers who like complex stories.
3. The Arrival by Shaun Tan
A man leaves his family to build a new life in a strange country. Recommended ages: about 12+.
Best for: fans of wordless storytelling.
4. Nimona by ND Stevenson
A shapeshifter teams up with a villain against the heroes. Recommended ages: about 13+.
Best for: fans of humour and heart.
5. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Charlie and Nick's friendship grows into something more. Recommended ages: about 14+.
Best for: romance fans.
6. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
Five eerie stories inspired by fairy tales. Recommended ages: about 14+.
Best for: horror fans.
7. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell
Freddy keeps getting back together with the wrong girl. Recommended ages: about 15+.
Best for: readers who like relationship stories.
8. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
Rose spends a complicated summer at a lake cottage. Recommended ages: about 14+.
Best for: coming-of-age fans.
9. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Scott must defeat his girlfriend's seven evil exes. Recommended ages: about 15+.
Best for: readers who like video game humour.
10. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
An older Bruce Wayne returns to fight crime. Recommended ages: about 16+.
Best for: superhero fans.
11. Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
The author grows up with his grandparents while his mother struggles with addiction. Recommended ages: about 14+.
Best for: memoir readers.
12. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
Two friends spend their last night working at a pumpkin patch. Recommended ages: about 13+.
Best for: autumn romance fans.
13. Displacement by Kiku Hughes
A teen is pulled back in time to her grandmother's internment camp. Recommended ages: about 13+.
Best for: history fans.
14. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
A dressmaker designs gowns for a prince with a secret. Recommended ages: about 13+.
Best for: fairy tale fans.
15. Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia E. Butler, Damian Duffy and John Jennings
Dana is pulled back to a plantation in the 1800s. Recommended ages: about 16+.
Best for: time travel fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For history and memoir, start with They Called Us Enemy, Hey, Kiddo and Displacement. Readers who love classic comics should try Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, while The Arrival is a stunning wordless story. For romance and coming-of-age stories, Heartstopper, Pumpkinheads and This One Summer are excellent.
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?
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei 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 12 to 17, 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 8-10 · 15 Best Graphic Novels for Kids 12-15