Fabulous Graphic Novels for 9 Year Olds

This is a hilarious graphic novel for fans of Squished and The Vanderbeekers about a girl who is sick of her little siblings but gets stuck at home with them when they all get chickenpox. Set in Indonesia and roughly based on Lai’s own experiences but written from her older sister’s perspective, this book will sing to firstborns but also to any sibling in a large family who’s trying to find their voice and see the gift their siblings are to them. I loved the funny depictions of life with chickenpox, the tween angst and gossip as Abby navigates her friend group and friendships that may or may not be crushes. While there is some sibling angst, this one has a lovely, heartwarming resolution and will appeal to kids between the ages of 8 and 12.

Tyler got into solving Rubik’s cubes after his father’s death and now has made it to the National competition. We follow him and four other contestants (an elderly record holder, a 17-year-old arrogant champion, twin contestants, and a prodigy that isn’t what he seems) as they prepare for and compete in the finals. This is a unique SHORT illustrated prose-graphic novel that takes readers behind the scenes of a cubing contest while delving into important themes like grief, integrity, modesty, popularity, and individual identity. There’s an element of mystery and I read this in one sitting eager to see how the contest turned out and also learn more about each contestant. It’s truly different from anything I’ve read and I think kids who love cubing, contests, and graphic novels will enjoy this one. Ages 8+

After she and her dad move from Brooklyn to Florida, Bree is excited for her first day in middle school. But also, she’s super anxious about whether she’ll make friends and fit in. Thankfully, she makes a new friend in the housing complex where they live. Unfortunately, when Bree goes to choose her math club elective, it’s fully booked. As a math lover who can’t swim, she’s crushed to hear that the only elective left is swim 101. Swim Team is a highly engaging graphic novel about swimming, Black history (and why many Blacks don’t swim), and friendship. Ages 8+

Charlie is the new kid for the umpteenth time, but this time things will be different. Her dad is no longer in the military, and this is a more permanent home, so she feels more pressure to find and impress some new friends. When she meets a cool group of Black girls with varying interests, she decides to hide her “babyish” style and hobbies to befriend them. But she soon learns that with true friends, you can be your whole self.Curlfriends: New In Town is the cute first book in a new graphic novel series about Black hair, girlfriends, fashion, and adjusting to change. Ages 8+

When Monkey is sent into space by a team of scientists, he thinks everything will be smooth sailing. But not everything goes according to plan, and soon Monkey’s spaceship crash-lands in a forest, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere. Convinced that he has discovered a new world, power-mad (but mostly incompetent) Monkey claims the forest as his own and determines that all other animals must be banished, including his soon-to-be nemesis, Bunny. As Bunny gathers reinforcements and goes head-to-head with the gadget-obsessed Monkey, hilarious hijinks ensue. Ages 8+

Maggie loves animals and has been waiting patiently to get a dog, only to discover that she’s allergic. She’s also dealing with a changing family in which she feels less and less like she belongs. Maggie starts getting shots to get her allergies under control while on the hunt for a hypoallergenic pet. Things appear to be looking up when Maggie meets Claire, an only child living with her single dad, who indulges her every whim. Claire is one grade above Maggie, but the two become fast friends — until Claire gets a dog. Allergic is a sweet, realistic depiction of what it’s like to suffer from allergies. Ages 8+

Something terrible is happening in the skies! Rats are eating the MOON! Only one hero can stop them: a cat with a microchip-enhanced brain. Along with the Moon Queen and a toe-clipping robot, the first cat in space has his work cut out for him. This book is bizarre (in the best way) but so entertaining, creative, and cinematic. Tween boys won’t be able to stop flipping the pages. Good for ages 8+

This is a sweet graphic novel about a Colombian-American boy who goes to visit his Abuela in Upstate NY and struggles with feeling at home because his Spanish isn’t as fluent as he’d like. Santiago doesn’t feel confident speaking Spanish so he’s nervous about spending the summer at Hillside even though all the kids there are welcoming. They even invite him to join their secret soccer club. When an incident reminds Santiago that his Spanish is still not up to par, all his new friendships begin to fall apart as he starts acting rashly. I liked that this book had a plot, is fairly lighthearted and I loved the friendship and soccer scenes and the fact that this is the first in a graphic novel series that will follow each of the Hillside kids. Perfect for fans of the Click series! Ages 8+

Orphaned at an early age, siblings Amy and Dan Cahill formed a close bond with their now-deceased grandmother, Grace. In her will, she gives her relatives a choice to accept a million dollars or race against rival families to uncover 39 clues that will lead to a powerful family secret. After accepting the challenge, Amy and Dan travel to new locations, solve historical mysteries, and face dangerous enemies. The new graphic novel format brings this bestselling series to life with bold illustrations and fast-paced, condensed storytelling, making it less intimidating and more accessible to reluctant middle grade readers. Ages 9+

Pawcasso is what 11-year-old Jo names the basket-toting dog in town when a group of kids at the library mistake her for the dog’s owner. Jo is a lonely kid bored at home during the summer holidays and missing her father, who works in a different city and visits the family periodically. She’s seen the dog walking through her neighborhood several times. As the kids fall more in love with “Pawcasso,” and by extension, Jo, she begins to enjoy having friends in her life. But what happens when the lie is exposed? Jo also begins to worry whether her new plan is endangering Pawcasso’s freedom. Pawcasso is an adorable middle grade graphic novel with a relatable protagonist and a sweet dog friend. Ages 9+

This quirky middle grade graphic for fans of Victoria Jamieson is all about Elena, the only female baseball player on her team. Elena likes baseball, but her mother is obsessed with it and obsessed with Elena playing because she didn’t have the chance to play the sport as a teen. Elena’s brother on the other hand, shuns competitive sports, preferring Live Action Role Playing (LARP-ing) with his friends, which Elena can’t grasp (who plays pretend?!). But when she gets injured, she’s forced to take a break from baseball and learn what it means to play for fun, not for sport. Hand to 4th graders who love role-playing, Dungeons and Dragons, or could stand to learn a thing or two about having FUN and being open to new paths. Ages 9+

Olive “clicks” with everyone in the fifth grade—until one day she doesn’t. When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she begins to panic, wondering why all her friends have already formed their own groups . . . without her. With the performance drawing closer by the minute, will Olive be able to find her own place in the show before the curtain comes up? I’ve read and loved nearly all the books in this graphic novel series! Ages 8+