9 Great Graphic Novels for Ages 7 and Up

Graphic novels got my son reading independently. I can vouch that they are a great tool for literacy, especially for getting reluctant readers reading. According to Healthy Teen Network, graphic novels:

• helps students encode information more readily, improving their reading comprehension because they combine text with graphics
• help develop vocabulary, especially for those with learning disabilities
• get kids reading and are especially helpful with those learning English as a second language and reluctant readers

To get kids reading as the school year winds down and through the summer, I’ve reviewed some great new graphic novels and I’m giving 5 of them away! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.

Graphic Novels for Ages 7 and Up

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy: Disco Fever by Doug Savage

This is wildly creative and hilarious. Moose has laser eyes and has a sidekick Rabbit Boy. An evil but cute chickadee unleashes a truckload of disco balls which evil Cyborgupine uses to make an impenetrable laser suit. The endnote about how dancing is good for the brain is a fun way to slip in some science along with 70’s dance moves. [graphic novel, ages 7 and up]

Wallace the Brave by Will Henry

Fans of Big Nate will enjoy Wallace the Brave. The humor and antics are very similar and the change of setting to a seemingly Maine coastal village is a nice change of pace. Wallace’s dad is a fisherman/lobsterman with a plant-loving mother. His little brother is an especially strong and funny character. Wallace’s best friend Spud is into food and the new girl in town, Amelia fascinates and scares them equally. My son, age 13, is a huge Big Nate fan so I’ll try this out on him. [graphic novel, ages 7 and up]

Phoebe and Her Unicorn in The Magic Storm by Dana Simpson

This is one of my favorite graphic novel series. Phoebe and Her Unicorn is the answer to a girl version of Calvin and Hobbes. Instead of an imaginary tiger, Phoebe has a magical unicorn. [graphic novel, ages 7 and up]

Comic Squad: Detention edited by the creators of Babymouse and Lunch Lady

Getting detention has never been so funny as portrayed by nine talented authors and illustrators of graphic novels for kids including Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Victoria Jamieson, Ben Hatke, George O’Connor, Ael Rasado & Jorge Aguirre, Lark Pien, and Matt Phelan. [graphic novel, ages 7 and up]

Tyrannosaurus Ralph by Nate and Vince Evans

This is the kind of storyline that gamers will like: a boy trying to not get picked on by a bully ends up in the body of a T-Rex who is sent to an alien arena to battle in hand-to-hand combat (and unfortunately, T-Rex’s have very tiny hands) in order to save Earth. [graphic novel, ages 7 and up]

If this sounds appealing, another chapter book to try is Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans by Gary Northfield. It has similar humor and antics.

Zen Pencils: Inspirational Quotes for Kids by Gavin Aung Than

Based on the adult New York Times bestseller Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks, Than takes twenty 23 famous quotes, most by inspirational folks, and turns them into cartoon panels. It’s a clever way to communicate the meaning of the quote to kids. He turns some of the quotes into longer stories, doing justice with appealing drawings that bring out the deeper meaning of each quote. [graphic novel quote book, ages 7 and up]

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler

This graphic novel treatment of Anne of Green Gables works surprisingly well. It’s a perfect way to hook readers who are not ready for the book version. It distills the essence of the original book with perfect pacing accompanied by illustrations that are right on the mark to capture this time period and feel of the original book. [graphic novel quote book, ages 7 and up]

I’m Not Your Sweet Babboo! by Charles Schultz

I’m not sure how well Peanuts is aging given that this book was first published in 1992. It’s not so much the humor, but outdated stereotypes like Peppermint Patty, a jock who struggles with reading and assaults her classmates. Perhaps back in the day, making this trope female was edgy, but I’m not sure this is funny anymore and it’s certainly not politically correct. For a second when Lucy asked about studying women in history, I was hopeful, but then she talked about her grandmother, who was typical of the era in which she worked. Still, there are storylines that I liked including the title one, I’m Not Your Sweet Babboo. [graphic novel, ages 8 and up]

6 Graphic Novel GIVEAWAY!

I’m giving away these 6 graphic novels to 6 winners. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. I can only ship to U.S. addresses. Please leave a comment with your first, second and third choice.

• Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy: Disco Fever by Doug Savage
• Comic Squad: Detention edited by the creators of Babymouse and Lunch Lady
• Phoebe and Her Unicorn in The Magic Storm by Dana Simpson
• Tyrannosaurus Ralph by Nate and Vince Evans
• Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler
• I’m Not Your Sweet Babboo! by Charles Schultz

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

• • • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
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