Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi is a graphic novel series best for ages 8 to 12. It opens with a father’s death in a car accident and includes monsters, battles and some scary scenes, but no swearing, romance or gore, so it’s an exciting fantasy for most middle-grade readers.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 8 to 12
Reading level: Grades 3 to 7
Format: Graphic novel series
Published: 2008–2018, nine books
Main concerns: A parent’s death, scary creatures, battles
First book: The Stonekeeper
Amulet is one of the most beloved graphic novel series for kids, with stunning art and an epic fantasy story. It’s a favorite in school libraries and a great choice for reluctant readers. It starts with a sad and scary scene, and the battles grow bigger as the series goes. This guide explains what to expect so you can decide when your child is ready.
Table of Contents
What Is Amulet About?
In the first book, The Stonekeeper, Emily and Navin’s father dies in a car accident. Two years later, they move with their mother to an old family house, where Emily finds a mysterious amulet.
When a tentacled creature drags their mother into an underground world, Emily and Navin follow. With the amulet’s power and the help of robots and talking animals, they fight to save her, but the amulet’s voice may not be trustworthy.
Start with The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi.
Check price of The Stonekeeper on Amazon
Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Death | Moderate | The father’s death in a car accident opens the story. |
| Scary content | Moderate | Monsters, tentacled creatures and dark settings. |
| Violence | Mild to moderate | Battles with creatures and the Elf King’s forces, without gore. |
| Language and romance | None | No swearing; very mild hints of romance later. |
| Moral complexity | Moderate | The amulet’s power tempts Emily. |
| Positive messages | Strong | Courage, family, loyalty and resisting the temptation of power. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is Amulet a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| 6 to 7 | Possible with a parent; the opening is sad and the monsters are scary. |
| 8 to 9 | A great fit for many readers. |
| 10 to 12 | The sweet spot for the whole series. |
| 13 and up | Still beautiful and exciting. |
Why Kids Love Amulet
Kazu Kibuishi’s art is cinematic and gorgeous, and the story mixes adventure, magic, robots and talking animals. Kids love Emily’s bravery and Navin’s skill with machines.
It’s also a great series for kids who are building confidence as readers, since the pictures help tell the story.
Is Amulet Okay for a 6- or 7-Year-Old?
Some 6- and 7-year-olds enjoy Amulet with a parent, but the opening car accident and the creature that takes the mother can be upsetting. Younger children may also find later battles intense.
For younger kids, Hilda or Zita the Spacegirl are gentler graphic novel adventures.
What Parents Should Know
- The opening is sad. Be ready to talk about it.
- There are nine books. The story grows bigger and darker.
- It’s a graphic novel. Great for reluctant and visual readers.
- The art is stunning. Kids often reread it.
- It leads to other comics. Bone and Hilo are popular next reads.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for Amulet
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of Amulet.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
A Simple Plan for Reading Amulet Together
- Before reading: look at the cover and blurb together and ask what your child expects from Amulet.
- While reading: check in every few chapters with one open question, such as “What surprised you?”
- After a hard scene: ask how it made them feel rather than what it means.
- After finishing: talk about the ending, then let your child choose what to read next from the suggestions below.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- Why is the amulet both helpful and dangerous?
- How do Emily and Navin work together?
- Which robot or creature is your favorite?
- How do the characters deal with losing their father?
- What would you do with the amulet’s power?
If Your Child Isn’t Ready Yet: Similar Graphic Novels to Try
These graphic novels suit different ages.
Hilda and the Troll by Luke Pearson: ages 6 to 9. A fearless girl explores a magical land of trolls and giants. It’s gentle and charming.
Check price of Hilda and the Troll on Amazon
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke: ages 8 and up. A girl travels through space to rescue her friend. It’s funny and adventurous.
Check price of Zita the Spacegirl on Amazon
Nimona by ND Stevenson: ages 12 and up. A shapeshifter teams up with a villain in a funny, surprising fantasy.
Check price of Nimona on Amazon
Related: what age Wings of Fire is appropriate for and best books to read to your kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Amulet for?
Amulet is best for ages 8 to 12.
Is Amulet scary?
It has some scary creatures and a sad opening, but no gore.
How many Amulet books are there?
There are nine books, starting with The Stonekeeper and ending with Waverider.
Is Amulet good for reluctant readers?
Yes. Its beautiful art and fast story make it a favorite with reluctant readers.
What should kids read after Amulet?
Bone by Jeff Smith, Hilo by Judd Winick and Zita the Spacegirl are popular next reads.