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Quick answer: If you loved Amulet, try Bone: Out from Boneville, Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth, Zita the Spacegirl, Mighty Jack, The Last Kids on Earth and Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy (Graphic Novel). Each one is a fast, beautifully drawn fantasy adventure that keeps kids turning pages.
Kazu Kibuishi's graphic novel series begins when Emily and her brother Navin move into their great-grandfather's house and follow their kidnapped mother into a strange world of robots, talking animals and elf kings. Emily finds a magic amulet that gives her great power and a dangerous voice. Kids love the cinematic art and the epic quest. These picks offer the same mix of fantasy, adventure and heart, in graphic novels and illustrated chapter books.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone: Out from Boneville | Jeff Smith | 8-13 | kids who want an epic graphic fantasy |
| Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth | Judd Winick | 7-11 | kids who like humor with action |
| Zita the Spacegirl | Ben Hatke | 8-12 | kids who love space adventures |
| Mighty Jack | Ben Hatke | 8-12 | kids who like fairy-tale twists |
| The Last Kids on Earth | Max Brallier | 8-12 | kids who like monsters and humor |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy (Graphic Novel) | Tui T. Sutherland | 8-13 | kids who love dragons |
| Cleopatra in Space | Mike Maihack | 8-12 | kids who like time travel |
| Dragon Hoops | Gene Luen Yang | 12+ | older kids who like sports |
| The Witch Boy | Molly Knox Ostertag | 9-12 | kids who like magic |
| Nimona | ND Stevenson | 11+ | older kids |
| The Girl Who Drank the Moon | Kelly Barnhill | 10-13 | kids ready for a novel |
| Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | 9-13 | kids ready for a novel |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J. K. Rowling | 8-12 | kids ready for a novel |
| Snapdragon | Kat Leyh | 9-13 | kids who like quirky magic |
| The Dragon Prince: Through the Moon | Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond | 8-12 | fans of the animated series |
1. Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith
Three cousins get lost in a valley full of dragons, rat creatures and a mysterious girl. Funny and grand.
Best for: kids who want an epic graphic fantasy.
2. Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick
A boy robot falls from the sky and befriends two kids. Fast and funny.
Best for: kids who like humor with action.
3. Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
Zita follows her kidnapped friend to another planet and becomes a reluctant hero.
Best for: kids who love space adventures.
4. Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke
A boy plants magic seeds that grow into a dangerous garden.
Best for: kids who like fairy-tale twists.
5. The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier
Kids survive a monster apocalypse from their treehouse.
Best for: kids who like monsters and humor.
6. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy (Graphic Novel) by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons are destined to end a war in this graphic novel adaptation.
Best for: kids who love dragons.
7. Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack
A young Cleopatra is transported to a future galaxy where she must become a hero.
Best for: kids who like time travel.
8. Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
Yang's graphic memoir about a high school basketball team. A change of pace for older fans.
Best for: older kids who like sports.
9. The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
In a family where girls become witches and boys become shapeshifters, Aster wants to learn witchcraft.
Best for: kids who like magic.
10. Nimona by ND Stevenson
A shapeshifting girl teams up with a villain to expose the kingdom's heroes.
Best for: older kids.
11. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
A witch accidentally fills a baby with moon magic.
Best for: kids ready for a novel.
12. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
A boy learns he is the son of a Greek god.
Best for: kids ready for a novel.
13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
A boy learns he is a wizard and starts at Hogwarts.
Best for: kids ready for a novel.
14. Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
A girl befriends the town's rumored witch, who secretly cares for roadkill animals.
Best for: kids who like quirky magic.
15. The Dragon Prince: Through the Moon by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond
The first graphic novel in The Dragon Prince series continues the story from the show.
Best for: fans of the animated series.
How to Choose
For an epic graphic fantasy like Amulet, start with Bone or Wings of Fire. For humor and action, choose Hilo, Zita the Spacegirl or The Last Kids on Earth. Kids who like magic schools and witches will enjoy The Witch Boy and Snapdragon. When they are ready for novels, try Percy Jackson or Harry Potter. Older kids who want something darker can try Nimona.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Amulet for?
It is usually recommended for ages 8 to 12, though older kids enjoy it too.
How many Amulet books are there?
There are nine books, ending with Waverider in 2018.
Is Amulet scary?
It has some intense moments and dark villains, but it is suitable for most middle-grade readers.
Are graphic novels good for reluctant readers?
Yes. The pictures carry part of the story, which keeps reluctant readers turning pages and builds stamina.
Should my child read Amulet in order?
Yes. Each book continues the same story, so reading in order makes sense.