The Best Middle Grade Graphic Novels of 2024

A free, full life becomes full of fear and challenges when the Nazis invade Enia’s (Estelle’s) home in Borek, Poland. Eventually, Enia and one of her brothers flee Poland to Hungary and, from there, get the chance to move to New York, where Estelle is adopted by an American family, relocating to California. I really liked the cute graphics in this one and the candid, warm storytelling that I think will appeal to kids. This moving, fast-paced graphic memoir also sheds some light on the history of some Jews and their choice to relocate to then-British Occupied Palestine, which makes for interesting, relevant history. Ages 10+

This is an entertaining graphic novel about cousins Maya and Riley (Black and Muscogee), who end up living with their grandmother when Maya’s parents are deployed, and Riley’s parents move back in with her grandmother. At school, the girls quickly realize that their vice principal is suspicious, slashing arts, robotics, and any budgets possible in favor of increasing the number of detention classrooms. The girls hatch a plan to expose VP Balderdash’s schemes. I loved many things about this series starter, including the natural, subtle way both girls share their heritage and the way they find home and community with their grandmother. This is also super short (under 200 pages), and the superhero and planning scenes feel like something out of a Spy Kids movie. Ages 8+

This is a poignant graphic memoir about Kathy McCleod, who is half-Thai and half-American. Caught between cultures, Kathy constantly feels out of place as she lives in Thailand but loves American food and spends summers in Maine. During one summer trip, her parents send her to summer camp, where she faces ignorant questions about life in Thailand and struggles to make friends. Slowly, Kathy begins to realize that families look different, and she can find belonging even if hers doesn’t look like other peoples’. I loved this slice-of-life graphic memoir, and I think it will be especially meaningful for third-culture kids, biracial kids, or readers who struggle with belonging because of a mixed heritage and upbringing. Ages 9+

Eliot is a middle schooler with a brilliant superhero comic idea but insufficient drawing skills to bring his ideas to life. Enter Pam, a fellow classmate who is a talented artist. The two begin collaborating on the comic but run into common partnership woes that threaten to destroy their collaboration. I loved this story. Mark Crilley is TALENTED. At first, I didn’t know what to expect, but the whole story is told to readers from Eliot’s perspective as he draws on notepads and then we see his and Pam’s conversations via note scraps passed in class, and we also see their comic series and read the fan mail they receive. It feels immersive, funny, and interactive, and I think middle schoolers will love this. Such a fantastic win! Ages 8+

Lia moves from Romania to Canada just as she’s getting her first (very painful) period. In Montreal, she struggles at first in her French immersion school. I love the progression as she begins to understand French more and more. This is a great one if you’re looking for a slice-of-life graphic novel tackling periods and puberty, featuring crushes, and exploring the struggles and wins of immigrating. Readers should know that a girl crushes on another girl in this story but doesn’t reveal it. Ages 10+

A stunning SHORT graphic novel about a Japanese American girl torn between both nationalities after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Sent to Japan on holiday, she’s stuck there when Pearl Habor (her home, Hawaii) is bombed, and the US refuses to let people return from Japan. During the conflict, Japan begins using her as a spy, listening to messages from the US. She’s hesitant until she hears that the US is keeping Japanese Americans in confinement camps. Then, she begins to betray her country for Japan. This opened my eyes to another perspective of the Pearl Harbor attack and the ensuing Hiroshima blast, imagining how it would be experienced by Japanese Americans. The images in this graphic novel are so powerful, and the sparse text makes the story punchier. It is a great one for learning about related historical events. Ages 10+

I had very low expectations of this book but ended up being charmed by it! In the vein of Telgemeier’s SMILE and SISTERS, Frakes introduces readers to anxious overthinker Norah, who’s desperate for a means of self-expression and blonde hair as she enters middle school. Her prison warden parents bicker constantly, and her contrarian little sister is a bit sick of being the black sheep to Norah’s good kid. But a bad dye job is only the beginning of Norah’s challenges. This is a slice-of-life graphic novel all about how Norah finds her voice, gains a deeper appreciation for her family, and discovers her hair as a vehicle for experimentation and expression. It is funny, touching, and oh-so relatable, especially for kids struggling to find their voice in a home with a loud (but not abusive) parent. Really good for ages 9+

This is a sweet, graphic memoir about Ruth Chan’s move as a teen from Canada to Hong Kong and the link between the grit needed to move and her paternal grandparents’ perseverance during the Sino-Japanese war when her father was born. I enjoyed the slice-of-life storytelling, and the strong theme of adapting and finding a home will resonate with third-culture kids and immigrants. Ruth learns that she can do hard things, especially socially, and she also comes to see her parents as real people, which can be life-changing as a kid. Ages 8+

When Ash’s mom ships him off to the island to spend the summer with his dad, he’s forced to do community service at a dog shelter where he gets to know different dog breeds and personalities — as do readers. Varner includes a note about a different dog breed at the start of each chapter. As Ash makes new friends, becomes an asset to the shelter, and gets closer to his dad, stepmom, and sibling, he experiences a life-changing summer. Heads up for the death of one dog (not on the page!). I can see animal lovers ADORING this one! Ages 9+

In this gorgeous graphic novel, tweens Myunghee and Yunho’s paths intersect the day before they both escape the communist regime and converge again in China, where Yunho’s mother takes Myunghee in and along on their arduous, perilous escape plan. The Other Side of Tomorrow is a breathtaking, suspenseful, and gorgeously illustrated graphic novel about two kids escaping North Korea. Ages 9+