Top 13 Comic Books For Teens Updated 04 /2024

YA graphic novels are huge right now, and if you haven't tried them out yet, you're missing out on some great stories and beautiful art. Do not know where to start. There are 20 of the best graphic novels for teens that we've put together for you to start reading right away! But be careful, because they're like potato chips. You can't enjoy just one thing!

It's important to remember, though, that there are some great graphic nonfiction books for teenagers. Teens will like this list of the best graphic novels because it's a mix of both stories and facts.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

A little problem: Laura Dean always breaks up with Freddie when it's a big holiday. Unsure of what to do about her relationship with Laura, but not wanting to let her go, Freddie turns to all the places she can find to figure it out. She doesn't notice how her friendships are suffering right in front of her. A great book about what love is and isn't, and how to figure out relationships as a teen. Because it's illustrated in such a dreamy way, it's no surprise that it won a Printz Honor!

Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang

A lot of stores will sell both of these graphic novels as a set, and I'm sure you'll want to buy both of them. Little Bao's village is destroyed by Westerners and he joins the fight against them. Vibiana, a girl who finds a home with the missionaries after being rejected, has to decide if she wants to join their cause. These two books are very good at giving a human look at a very complicated history.

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll

With the help of Emily Carroll, Laurie Halse Anderson's modern classic gets a new look in a graphic novel format. A bad thing happened at the end of the school year to Melinda. Now she's going to a high school where everyone hates or is mad at her. Because what's the point? That is not what happened at first. Melinda took art class and went to a place she didn't expect. She found her voice, but she had to find a way to use it!

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

They have one last night together at the Pumpkin Patch, where they've worked every fall. There are so many great snacks at the place, and Deja wants to make it count. She also wants Josiah to tell his longtime crush how he feels. But the night doesn't go as planned. I love the colors of fall and the detailed drawings that make this pumpkin patch come to life in this picture.

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka

He tells the story of his childhood and teen years in this heartfelt memoir. When he realized that his family was different from other kids', Jarrett was moved to write about his life. He was raised by his grandparents, two people who were both complicated and loving. They didn't think they'd be able to raise their grandchild. His grandparents show him how much they love him, even though they have flaws. This is both a beautiful piece of art and a great story. Jarrett uses ephemera from his childhood to make the art, and it's just beautiful. Don't miss this National Book Award runner-up.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Nova is a teenager who is a witch. She spends her time helping her grandmother and her partner run their bookshop and looking into supernatural things. Nova goes looking for Tam, her childhood friend and a werewolf, when she hears about a wolf in the woods. Tam is also a werewolf. Tam is hurt and they need help fighting off a dark power that lurks in the woods. Nova wants to help, but as the days go by, Nova and Tam start to fall in love with each other. In this story, you fight evil and figure out your own future at the same time. It's very sweet and magical.

Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash

Maggie Thrash tells the story of a summer she spent at camp, where she became very good at the shooting range and fell in love with her camp counselor. People were less accepting of LGBTQ+ relationships in the early 2000s, so Maggie had to deal with this on her own until the end of camp, when everything came to a head. This is a great memoir that tells a great story without being manipulated. The artwork does a good job of making you feel like you're back in the early 2000s.

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol

If Anya doesn't have a friend at school, she's going to be lonely for a long time. The next day, Anya falls down an old well as she walks home from school. She meets a girl who is also alone. They become friends, and Anya's new ghost friend is a good thing to have around. She might not be telling the whole truth about her past. This is a sly and a little creepy book with great art.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Lord Blackheart is a bad guy in a fantasy story who wants to get back at people. He's always in a fight with Sir Goldenloin. One day, a young shapeshifter named Nimona shows up at his door. There is one thing Lord Blackheart doesn't like: having a sidekick. He has to admit that Nimona is very useful. If he doesn't find out what happened to Nimona's past, Nimona's powers may be too strong for them all to handle. This graphic novel is a finalist for the National Book Award. It is very funny and irreverent.

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

In this sci-fi comic book, two different stories happen at the same time. The two classmates at a school on a space station that's in the middle of the galaxy become friends, and maybe even start to like each other, too. But then one night, one of them goes away. Years later, the girl who was left goes to work for a crew that demolishes old space stations. She hasn't forgotten her friend, or given up hope that they will one day meet again. In this book, there are a lot of imaginative details and world-building. It's kind of dreamy.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

If you like sweet and dark stories, this book is for you. In this book, Carroll has drawn five original graphic fairy tales that are full of eerie beauty and danger. From a new sister-in-law who isn't what she appears to a dangerous journey to a neighbor's house, these stories are great for reading at night. The black, white, red, and blue color scheme is dramatic and bold.

March trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

In this National Book Award–winning trilogy, Rep. John Lewis talks about how he worked in the Civil Rights Movement with people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They tell the story of a very important time in American history from the point of view of someone who was there. Yes, you should buy the whole trilogy.

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

A lot of people think This One Summer is one of the best graphic novels for teenagers. It won the Eisner Award, and it also won the Printz and Caldecott Honors. Rose and her family always go to their cabin on the lake every year. Her best friend from the summer, Windy, is there. Even though Windy is younger than Rose, the two are close. However, this one summer, Rose's parents won't stop fighting. Rose, on the other hand, and Windy are at odds over what to do, especially when they get caught up in the drama of some local teens. This summer will be one to remember.

Grand Theft Horse by G. Neri and Corban Wilkin

This is the true story of Gail Ruffu, Neri's cousin. It is very interesting. There are a lot of things that Gail likes about horses, and she is very good at training racehorses. She is also a big animal lover. This is why Gail snatched her own horse on Christmas Eve because the co-owner of the horse she cared for and trained wanted to race him before he was ready, and then push him to the limit. What came next was a lot of private detectives, legal problems, being banned from the CA racing scene, and a case that went to the CA Supreme Court. It tells the backstory of Gail, who is determined to protect the horses she loves and make racing better.

Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venable and Ellen T. Crenshaw

Mads has a pretty good life. He has a lot of friends, family, and baseball every Sunday after church. She might like girls, but when her best friend is obsessed with boys, Mads is sent into a panic because she might like girls, too. Besides that, her parents have a big secret from her, and Mads wants to find out what it is so it doesn't break her family apart. Once she does, it only makes her think more about how she lives. This is a great comic book that takes place in the mid-2000s and talks about family, faith, and identity. The illustrations are very bold and energetic.

Almost-American Girl by Robin Ha

When Robin Ha wrote this book, she told how she grew up in Seoul as the daughter of a single mother. Robin's mom worked hard to build her business as a hairdresser, but one day when she and Robin went on vacation to the U.S., Robin's mom told them that they were never going back. Angry, Robin couldn't understand this huge betrayal and change in her life, and she had a hard time adapting to life in the U.S. She didn't have any friends for a long time until her mom put her in art class. This is a great look at a big change in Robin's life and how she tried to deal with her feelings and understand her mother, then forgive her.

Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau

Ari can't wait to move out of the house and start his real life in the city, where he can play with his bad. That's not the case, though. His family's bakery is having trouble, and they need his help. Ari then comes up with the perfect answer: Hector. Besides baking, Hector likes to work, and he needs money to pay for his food. If Ari can teach Hector to be Ari's replacement, he'll be able to go home. In the end, though, Ari will have to change his mind about what his future will look like and how important it is to him. If you have a sweet tooth, this is a must-read graphic novel. It's drawn in beautiful shades of blue.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

It's important for Prince Sebastian to find a wife, but he wants to find a good dressmaker. As soon as Frances starts sewing, Sebastian becomes close to her and confides in her. She is the only one who knows that Sebastian is also Lady Chrystallia, the mysterious fashion icon taking society by storm. That said, Sebastian's secret is very risky, and Frances has her own dreams that have been put on hold so that she can help him. She can't be Sebastian's secret weapon for a long time. In this sweet story, Lady Chrystallia's beautiful dresses are shown off with a few pops of color that make them stand out. Content warning: This book has a queer character who is outed that some people don't like. If that's a problem for you, we recommend doing more research on this book before you buy it.

Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

Eric Bittle, a former ice skater and baker, has just started at Samwell University. Even though he has a lot of skills, he's not ready to join the hockey team. During this game, players can and do check, as well as having to think about who is in charge of the team. I love him because he's so beautiful and also kind of grumpy at the same time. You can't go wrong with this comic book about college life and hockey, with a sweet romance thrown in. Look for a follow-up!

Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCool and Emily Carroll

It is time for Masha to have a real adventure. She's had enough of her home life. So she goes to Baba Yaga, a legendary witch. She walks into her house on chicken legs, and convinces her that she needs an assistant to help her do all of her work. When Baba Yaga asks Masha to be her assistant, she isn't sure. She puts her through a series of tests, and Masha will need all of her wits to show that she is up to the job. This is a great graphic novel that was drawn by Emily Carroll. It's very scary and sly.

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