Graphic novels are a great option for both reluctant readers, “typical” readers, and advanced readers. Here are some favorite graphic novels that your students will love.
Why should you let your students read graphic novels?
Reading is reading. I’ve written before about how all students are readers, and all books, including audiobooks, are valid. The same goes for graphic novels. Graphic novels are such a great option for students for the following reasons.
- Graphic novels don’t overwhelm students with text.
- They have have lots of pictures to support reading comprehension.
- Graphic novels are a great “bridge” from picture books to chapter books.
- They can give students a boost of confidence.
- Graphic novels are FUN!
Graphic novels are great books for our readers. So, here are some really fantastic graphic novels to share with your first and second graders.
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10 Graphic Novel Series Your Students Will Love
Baloney and Friends (Series)
If you’re looking for a great place to start with graphic novels, this is it! This new, and fun graphic novel is perfect for beginning readers who are just beginning to read independently.
This comic book style series with bright, colorful pictures, simple text, and lots of humor is a great option for your students. Students will also love the step by step guide to drawing each character at the end of the book. There are currently 2 books in this new series, with hopefully many more to come.
Pea, Bee, and Jay (Series)
This graphic novel series is another great option for beginners who are ready for something with a trickier vocabulary than Baloney and Friends. While most of the vocabulary is fairly simple, there are a few more advanced words in this series.
This series features full color spreads in a total comic book layout. Children and adults alike will love the silly puns. The simple but fun story plot will keep students reading and laughing.
Narwhal and Jelly Books (Series)
The brainchild of the ever hilarious Ben Clanton, this series of books is silly, simple, and a perfect way to grab readers’ attention.
The fun and colorful images of this series provide a lot of support for beginning readers, and the silly and simple plots are sure to be a hit. Narwhal and Jelly are such fun characters, and their relationship is enjoyable to see.
Each book is broken up into 3 separate stories, which helps to keep readers’ attention. One of my favorite features is the “fun facts” page in the middle of the book. Students are sure to pick up this series again and again.
Agent Moose (Series)
Agent Moose is a secret agent, but he’s kind of terrible at it. Luckily he has a trusty sidekick, Olwfred, who helps him out. As of now there are two books in the series, but hopefully more to come.
This full color, 125 page book is written in a comic book style. The style is similar to DogMan, but without all of the potty humor. However, there’s lots of silliness and fun wordplay, and even some humor that adults will enjoy. The first book in the series is broken into 7 chapters, and is sure to be a hit.
InvestiGators(Series)
Your spy loving students will love to solve mysteries with the InvestiGators in this colorful, fun, comic style graphic novel series.
This series features some fun, puny word play, crisp illustrations, and an interesting storyline. The books are about 200 pages and include a fun “how to draw” section at the back that students can follow to draw the main characters, Mango and Brash. This is a fun one to add to your classroom library as well.
Real Pigeons (Series)
The Real Pigeons graphic novel series has a similar humor and “feel” as Dog Man, but without the comic book style. These books are broken into a few parts and are relatively long as far as graphic novels go (close to 200 pages).
The fun and frequent illustrations are black and white, but still do the trick. The labels and variety of text are appealing as well. Finally, the silly story line featuring the well known city dwelling birds, pigeons, are such to keep students coming back for more.
Geeger the Robot (Series)
This fun “transitional chapter book” series from Jarrett Lerner is so fun and well done. Geeger is a robot who eats old food and turns it into electricity. He also goes to school, and is friends with the students, and even the class pet, Fudge the Hamster.
Geeger gets into all sorts of hijinks and adventures that students will enjoy like when Fudge the Hamster goes missing and every thinks Geeger might have accidentally eaten him! These short books are fantastic because the include large print, fun blank and white illustrations, kid friendly writing, a glossary at the end, and a whole lot of humor and fun! Jarrett has also written a bunch of other really great graphic novels and fun books for kids that I highly recommend.
Gina the Girl Who Broke the World (Hilo Series)
While this whole series looks like a lot of fun, I’ve personally only read Gina the Girl Who Broke the World. This book is written in a comic book format, but the themes, vocabulary and plot are a bit more advanced. This one is great for advanced students who still love to read graphic novels.
This one features a strong female protagonist, adventure, excitement, and of course some humor kids will love. The action packed story is one your students will pick up again and again.
The Secret Explorers (Series)
The Secret Explorers are a group of really smart kids from around the world who all have expertise in different areas. Kids will enjoy these science packed books that cover interesting topics in a fun and kid friendly way. It’s also a fantastic choice as it features a diverse cast of children from all over the world.
This is a great choice for students who are close to reading picture-less chapter books. The Secret Explorers includes detailed blank and white graphics with paragraphs of text, similar to a traditional chapter book. As of now, there are 7 science and fun packed books in the series.
You might also enjoy:
- Free At Home Reading Support Guide for Parents
- How to Help Older Students Who Struggle with Decoding
- The First 3 Minutes of Guided Reading
