How to Unlock the Joy of Reading with Graphic Novels for Kids

Check out these great novel series for early readers to inspire them to keep reading.

Kids who have just learned to read can get easily frustrated making it through a single page of text. They’re too old for picture books, but not quite ready to read independently. That’s where graphic novels come in. Geared towards ages 7-10, these chapter books written in comic book style help kids combine their verbal literary skills with visual ones, allowing them to piece together clues to decipher a story’s meaning. 

These books can help young bookworms gain the confidence boost they need to go from a reluctant reader to an avid one.

The best way to get a child hooked on books is to find a series they love. Here are a few of our favorites: 

Captain Underpants

Written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, the Captain Underpants series is a hilarious set of books that revolve around best friends George Beard and Harold Hutchins, the unofficial class clowns of the fourth grade. See what happens when they hypnotize their principal into thinking he’s a superhero named Captain Underpants. The series is so popular it has been turned into a movie. Also check out Pilkey’s hilarious Dog Man series.

InvestiGATORS 

Follow along with Mango and Brash, an alligator spy duo who travel through the sewers to fight the forces of evil. Throughout the seven-book series by John Patrick Green, they find clues, crack cases and catch criminals in the jaws of justice.

I Survived Graphic Novel Collection 

Each book takes readers into the heart of history’s most thrilling and terrifying events, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Shark Attacks of 1916, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the San Francisco earthquake, 9/11, the Battle of Gettysburg and many more. In addition to aiding children in reading, these books by Lauren Tarshis will also teach them about history, resilience and the human spirit.

Magic Tree House

With 37 books in the chapter series by Mary Pope Osborne featuring adventurer siblings Jack and Annie, early readers will love the graphic novel versions and find they can’t put the books down as they follow along with the duo that uses their magic tree house to travel through time and the world to witness historic events.

Smile 

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces. Second and third grade girls will especially love this coming-of-age true story inspired by author Raina Telgemeier’s childhood. 

Sweet Valley Twins 

The beloved Sweet Valley Twins book series by Francine Pascal recently received a makeover as a graphic novel series. This generation of children will follow along with inseparable twins Jessica and Elizabeth who learn to navigate their friendships, relationships, school crushes and each other when they start middle school. 

Sponsored content brought to you by Wayne County Community College District. For more information, visit wcccd.edu.


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Lori Orlinsky
Lori Orlinsky
Lori Orlinsky is an award-winning journalist and bestselling children's book author. She is the mom of three little ladies who keep her on her toes.

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