16 Graphic Novels Tween Girls Can’t Get Enough Of
by Melissa Taylor
Graphic novels are like chocolate to my kids — tasty treats they can’t get enough of. My oldest daughter read Rapunzel’s Revenge more times than she read Harry Potter (five), and my youngest daughter has the family record for readings of Sisters (four). Neither girl can let a graphic novel linger in our house without sampling it immediately, sometimes to the point of rudeness. (Weren’t we eating dinner?)
As a parent, you’ll be glad to know that unlike the stereotypical female characters in the comic books of our youth, the selection and depth of today’s graphic novels is sublime and includes strong female characters worthy of admiration.
Here are the graphic novels my tween girls can’t live without.
-
Katie the Catsitter Series
Available from:Super cats, a villain on the loose, and an unforgettable summer combine into a graphic novel purrfect for tween girls! When Katie takes a catsitting job for her upstairs neighbor, she gets in over her head. In addition to the 217 cats she’s caring for, Katie notices that the city’s worst crimes always happen when her neighbor is out. Girls that love Raina Telgemeier’s books will want to read this graphic novel again and again.
Also available from: -
PAWS Series
Available from:Tween girls love this woof-tastic graphic novel series about three girls who start a dog-walking business. Gabby, Priya, and Mindy love dogs and channel their passion into a successful after-school gig. Each book in the series presents a unique problem for the girls to solve, from running their business to dealing with friendship drama.
Also available from: -
Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic: A Graphic Novel
Available from:Juniper has always wanted to attend one of the Seven Schools of Magic and is thrilled when she gains admittance into one of them. However, her dream come true turns into a nightmare when she realizes the school isn’t what she expected. But with hard work and determination, Juniper manages to develop her magic skills just in time to save the school from an ancient enemy.
RELATED: 10 Short Middle Grade Books Under 250 Pages
Also available from: -
Sweet Valley Twins Series
Available from:Thanks to these graphic novel adaptations, a new generation is discovering this classic series. Young readers love reading about Jessica and Elizabeth’s middle school adventures in friendship, romance, and sisterhood. With four books (and counting) in the series, your tween will have plenty of reading material.
Also available from: -
Just Roll with It
Available from:Maggie suffers from anxiety and OCD, making her first year of middle school a nightmare. To cope, she relies on her 20-sided dice to help her make decisions. Kids will love this unique spin on middle school and dealing with friendships, rumors, and decision-making.
Also available from: -
Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess
Available from:Manga fans will adore this funny and fashionable graphic novel about a girl trying to become popular. When Kira makes a wish on a shooting star, a cat-unicorn-space-princess named Catacorn crash-lands in her backyard. Together, Kira and Catacorn embark on a one-of-a-kind year in middle school filled with humor, magic, and friendship.
Also available from: -
Serafina and the Black Cloak: The Graphic Novel
Available from:Tweens who love spooky books won’t want to miss this graphic novel adaptation of the bestselling novel by the same name. Children at the Biltmore Estate start vanishing, and only Serafina knows who is to blame. She teams up with Braeden Vanderbilt to unravel the mysterious identity of the kidnapper and rescue the children.
Also available from: -
Meesh the Bad Demon Series
Available from:When all of demonkind comes under threat, a young demon named Meesh goes looking for help. As she journeys to other realms, she makes new friends, learns about herself, and discovers the cure to her ailing home. The series continues in the second book, Meesh the Bad Demon #2: The Secret of the Fang.
Also available from: -
Blood City Rollers
Available from:Mina dreams of competing in the Olympics for ice skating until she gets injured and subsequently kidnapped by a vampire roller derby team. Now, she finds herself awkwardly trying to adjust to her new paranormal reality, becoming part of a team, getting her first crush, and avoiding the other skaters’ fangs.
Also available from: -
Picture Day
Available from:Desperate to get noticed by her classmates, Viv live-streams herself cutting her hair in preparation for picture day. Now, she’s internet famous, and everyone wants her help planning their own 15 minutes of fame. Soon, Viv wonders if the tradeoff for getting noticed is worth all the hassle.
RELATED: It’s Complicated: 11 Books for Tween Girls
Also available from: -
Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem: A Graphic Novel
Available from:Themes of activism and STEM take center stage in this colorful graphic novel from two award-winning authors. Cousins Riley and Maya move in with their grandma and start at a new school. Although they get off to a rocky start, the girls soon join forces to speak up about a threat against their school.
Also available from: -
From the Universe of Growing Pangs Series
Available from:Tweens who love Raina Telgemeier will enjoy this coming-of-age series about a girl named Katie who struggles with anxiety and OCD. In this story, Katie and her best friend grow apart during a fateful summer, leaving Katie upset and wondering why she is different. The companion graphic novel Turning Twelve explores puberty, crushes, and staying true to yourself.
Also available from: -
Hilo Book 7: Gina — The Girl Who Broke the World
Available from:If your kids read the Hilo series on repeat, they won’t want to miss Gina’s story. When enormous magical creatures appear on Earth, Gina is the only person who can see them. With the help of DJ and Hilo, Gina must use her newfound magical abilities to save the creatures — and the world.
Also available from: -
Witches of Brooklyn Series
Available from:When Effie’s mother dies unexpectedly, she finds herself in the care of her two aunts. Her aunts are weird — very weird — and Effie soon finds out why. They’re witches, and so is she! This graphic novel is full of humor, wit, warmth, family, and friendship.
Also available from: -
Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer
Available from:This graphic novel is a favorite of young mystery lovers. Faced with a long, boring summer, Jamila and Shirley team up to solve crimes in their neighborhood. When a boy’s gecko goes missing, the two girls must work together to find it. Along the way, they’ll discover what it takes to be a great detective and, more importantly, a great friend.
RELATED: 9 Mysteries Fourth and Fifth Graders Recommend to Their Friends
Also available from: -
Stepping Stones
Available from:When Jen and her mother move to the countryside, she finds herself struggling to fit into her new blended family. Life on a farm is difficult, and Jen feels out of place and out of sync with her two new stepsisters. Inspired by the author’s childhood experiences, this graphic novel introduces readers to a girl who must find her place in the world and her family.
Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024.