28 Best Graphic Novels for 9 and 10 Year Olds (2026)

Raina Telgemeier's true story of middle school, braces and an accident that knocked out her front teeth. It has more than 21,000 ratings on Amazon, and Sisters and Guts are the natural next books.

Telgemeier's memoir about anxiety and a stomach bug that turns into a fear of getting sick again. Funny and gentle, and a good choice for a worried kid who might recognize a bit of themselves in it.

Jerry Craft's story of Jordan, a seventh grader who loves to draw and starts at a new private school where he's one of the few kids of color. Funny and observant, and the Newbery Medal winner on the cover.

Cece Bell's memoir about growing up deaf with a bulky hearing aid, and imagining herself as a superhero called El Deafo. Funny, honest and a Newbery Honor book.

Shannon Hale's memoir, drawn by LeUyen Pham, about the shifting friend groups of elementary school: who's in, who's out and what it costs. A New York Times bestseller, according to the cover.

Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, only to find the sport harder than she expected. A Newbery Honor book about practice, falling down and friendships that change.

Kayla Miller's story of Olive, a sixth grader who wants to find the group where she clicks, and what happens while she looks. A gentle read for a kid who feels a little on the outside.

A funny, fast-moving graphic novel about a girl whose catsitting job turns out to be much stranger than it sounds. A good pick for a kid who likes humor with a bit of mystery.

Raina Telgemeier's graphic novel version of Ann M. Martin's classic, in which Kristy starts a babysitting club with her friends. It's the full-color first volume of a long series, so there's plenty to read next.

Sunny Lewin is sent to Florida to spend the summer with her grandfather, and it turns out to be nothing like the vacation she expected. Jennifer and Matthew Holm's story is the first of a series.

After their father dies, Emily and Navin move with their mother to an old family house, where an amulet pulls them into a world of robots, elves and monsters. The first book of a long series and a common next step for fantasy readers.

Five young dragons are raised underground to end a war between the dragon tribes, until they decide to escape. The graphic novel version of Tui T. Sutherland's bestselling series, with more than 9,000 ratings.

Three cousins are run out of Boneville and end up lost in a valley full of strange creatures, a dragon and a long quest. Jeff Smith's classic mixes slapstick with a big adventure.

Rick Riordan's story of a boy who finds out he is the son of a Greek god, adapted as a graphic novel. A shorter way into the series for kids who like myths and monsters.

Five friends at a summer camp run into three-eyed foxes and other supernatural surprises. Funny, friendship-first and a good fit for a kid who wants adventure with a cast of girls.

Aster comes from a family where girls become witches and boys become shapeshifters, but he wants to learn magic. A gentle fantasy about being different and finding your own place.

Picks up the story right after the Nickelodeon series ends, with Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko. It's a short 80 pages, and best for kids who already know the show.

J.R.R. Tolkien's classic adapted as a graphic novel, a way into Bilbo's quest for readers who like fantasy but aren't ready for the full book. It's the priciest single book here.

Stuart Gibbs's story of Ben Ripley, a nerdy kid recruited to a secret academy for junior spies. Funny action for kids at the older end of this range.

A young Cleopatra is transported to the future and learns it's up to her to save the galaxy. Funny, fast and the first book of a series, for kids who like sci-fi as much as fantasy.

An original Spider-Man graphic novel starring Miles Morales, written for younger readers. A good pick if they already know the movies.

An original superhero story with a bold, paint-splashed look and a young heroine. One of the cheapest books on this page.

Original Minecraft stories in comic form, set in the pixel world kids already know. At 88 pages it's short, so it's a gentle first graphic novel for a gamer.

Sonic and his friends race around the world to stop Dr. Eggman's robot army in brand-new adventures. At 104 pages it's a quick read, and an easy pick for a kid who already knows the games.

Jon Chad's comic explains how volcanoes work, with humor and plenty of diagrams. A good nonfiction pick for a kid who is always asking how things work.

Four graphic novels from the I Survived series, each following a kid through a real disaster in history. A good gift for a history or true-story fan, in one box.

The first four Wings of Fire graphic novels in one box. Good if they have read the first one and you want to hand over the next three, with more than 2,900 ratings.

Seven Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels in one box, the biggest stack gift on this page. A good value if the series is already a favorite, with more than 7,500 ratings.