20 Favorite Graphic Novels for Middle and High School

These diverse, compelling stories will hook readers.

Collage of three diverse middle school graphic novels on a shelf

Know a graphic novel fan? Chances are you do! In recent years, this genre has taken off and now there are so many wonderful and diverse graphic novels for young readers. The following high school and middle school graphic novels are some of our favorites for the classroom.

Middle School Graphic Novels

Allergic: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd

Book cover of Allergic--one of our top middle school graphic novels

Finding a pet proves to be challenging for a kid with severe allergies. And unfortunately, the household is too distracted to notice. 

Class Act by Jerry Craft

Book cover of Class Act--another of our top middle school graphic novels

This is the illustrated sequel to Craft’s “New Kid,” which won the 2020 Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize.

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

Book cover of Pashmina

A teen travels to India thanks to the help of a magical pashmina! There she seizes the opportunity to learn more about her heritage.

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte

Book cover of Measuring Up

A middle schooler is desperate to fit in at a new school. She also wants to win a cooking contest and use the money to help her grandmother visit from Taiwan.

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O’Neill

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Book cover of Princess Princess Ever After

Two princesses realize they are each other’s heroes—and happy endings—in this LGBTQ+ fairy tale.

Pie In the Sky by Remy Lai

Book cover of Pie In the Sky-one of our fave great middle school graphic novels!

A humorous comic listed “Best Kids Book of the Year” by Horn Book and Kirkus. Follow the baking-inspired escapades two brothers stir up after immigrating to the United States.

Twins by Varian Johnson

Book cover of Twins--one of our fave middle school graphic novels

Twin siblings start to embrace their differing personalities in sixth grade, without sacrificing their close bond in the process.

Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

Book cover of Seance Tea Party

This whimsical story explores the challenges of leaving childhood. Follow a girl still yearning for playtime, while she slowly finds herself with only a ghost left as a friend.

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Book cover of Stargazing--one of our fave great middle school graphic novels!

Chinese-American best friends try to support each other during good and bad times after one becomes seriously ill.

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

Book cover of Snapdragon-one of our fave great middle school graphic novels!

A fantasy read that grapples with real issues such as bullying, single-parent households, and transgenderism.

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Book cover of When Stars Are Scattered

Co-author Omar Mohamed recounts the trials and triumphs he experienced growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp in this National Book Award Finalist.

High School Graphic Novels

Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights by Mikki Kendall

Book cover of Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women's Fight for Their Rights

This modern feminist reference book follows influential movements primarily spearheaded by women.

Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

Book cover of Dancing at the Pity Party

This graphic memoir depicts the author’s personal journey of losing a parent to cancer. It also provides a glimpse into the Jewish custom of “sitting shiva” after a family member dies.

Displacement by Kiku Hughes

Book cover of Displacement

A historical graphic novel about the plight of Japanese-Americans forced to live in internment camps during World War II.

Honor Girl: A Graphic Memoir by Maggie Thrash

Book cover of Honor Girl

A 15-year-old suddenly realizes she’s attracted to her female counselor at sleepaway camp. And unraveling the internal and external drama which ensues may take all summer.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

Book Cover of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me

The social consequences of staying stuck in an unhealthy relationship is a major theme explored in this queer YA read that NPR ranked one of the “Best Books of 2019.”

Quincredible Vol. 1: Quest to be the Best by Rodney Barnes

Book cover of Quincredible Vol.1

After a celestial event, a bullied teen discovers he now has a unique superpower.

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures by Noelle Stevenson

Book cover of The Fire Never Goes Out

A New York Times bestselling author-illustrator gets real about the highs and lows of pursuing one’s artistic dreams, coming out, and dealing with depression.

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Book cover of The Magic Fish

Dual narratives, with a folklore thread woven throughout, tell this poignant story about a Vietnamese teenager struggling with how and when to reveal his sexual orientation.

The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp

Book cover of The Oracle Code

A teenager hacker adapts to being differently-abled while also investigating why other rehabilitation center patients have vanished.

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Plus, 10 Diverse Anthologies for Middle and High School Classrooms.

20 Favorite Graphic Novels for Middle and High School