Favourite Graphic Novels for Secondary School Children

Curse of the Chosen Vol 2

These comics and graphic novels offer a different route into discovering the pleasure of reading.

The graphic novel format is a great way to engage reluctant readers, present difficult subject matter in an accesible way, as well as to just enjoy a great read. There is something on this list for every teen.

Favourite graphic novels for primary school children

  • Crush

    Author: Svetlana Chmakova

    Interest level: 9-14

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Crush

    Author: Svetlana Chmakova

    Interest level: 9-14

    Reading age: 9+

    Welcome to Berrybrook School. Jorge has a pretty comfortable life here: a spot on the athletics team and two brilliant friends. Wh…

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  • Conspiracy of Ravens

    Author: Leah Moore / John Reppion / Sally Jane Thompson

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Conspiracy of Ravens

    Author: Leah Moore / John Reppion / Sally Jane Thompson

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 9+

    Anne Ravenhall is just trying to get through her exams at boarding school - until a mysterious aunt leaves her a mysterious locket…

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  • Invisible Emmie

    Author: Terri Libenson

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Invisible Emmie

    Author: Terri Libenson

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 10+

    Thirteen-year-old Emmie is the quiet girl at school, the one nobody notices. She loves to draw – and is good at it too – and has a…

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  • Sheets

    Author: Brenna Thummler

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Sheets

    Author: Brenna Thummler

    Interest level: 10-14

    Reading age: 10+

    At just 13, Marjorie has to run the family launderette. When a plan emerges to turn it into a posh yoga retreat, unexpected h…

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  • KidGlovz

    Author: Julie Hunt and Dale Newman

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • KidGlovz

    Author: Julie Hunt and Dale Newman

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    This stunning pencil-drawn graphic novel of talent, music and friendship will readers young and old. You'll be rooting for KidGlov…

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  • The Legend of Sally Jones

    Author: Jakob Wegelius Translator: Peter Graves

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • The Legend of Sally Jones

    Author: Jakob Wegelius Translator: Peter Graves

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Jakob Wegelius’ graphic novel prequel to the novel The Murderer’s Ape tells the gorilla Sally Jones’ sad origin story wi…

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  • Pumpkin Heads

    Author: Rainbow Rowell Illustrator: Faith Erin Hicks

    Interest level: 12-16

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Pumpkin Heads

    Author: Rainbow Rowell Illustrator: Faith Erin Hicks

    Interest level: 12-16

    Reading age: 10+

    A story of friendship and romance told in a funny and inclusive graphic novel that celebrates the joy and diversity of Halloween t…

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  • The Senses

    Author: Matteo Farinella

    Interest level: 11-16

    Reading age: 11+

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  • The Senses

    Author: Matteo Farinella

    Interest level: 11-16

    Reading age: 11+

    Diane starts to explore her five senses with the help of a virtual reality headset. It’s extremely unusual to see scientific …

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  • Pie in the Sky

    Author: Remy Lai

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Pie in the Sky

    Author: Remy Lai

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Illustrated throughout, this heartfelt story contains so much: a family coping with bereavement, the alienation of moving somewher…

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  • Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord

    Author: Bessora & Barroux Translator: Sarah Ardizzone

    Interest level: 14-16

    Reading age: 14+

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  • Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord

    Author: Bessora & Barroux Translator: Sarah Ardizzone

    Interest level: 14-16

    Reading age: 14+

    A powerful, terrible and essential story, Alpha should be required reading for everyone. The graphic novel highlights the terror a…

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  • Ethel & Ernest

    Author: Raymond Briggs

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 12+

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  • Ethel & Ernest

    Author: Raymond Briggs

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 12+

    Ethel & Ernest tells the story of Raymond Briggs' parents, from 1928 to their deaths in the 70s - spanning a period of great s…

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  • Dark Satanic Mills

    Author: Marcus & Julian Sedgwick Illustrator: John Higgins and Marc Olivent

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 13+

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  • Dark Satanic Mills

    Author: Marcus & Julian Sedgwick Illustrator: John Higgins and Marc Olivent

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 13+

    In a Britain laid to waste by catastrophic global warming, a motorcycle courier, Christy, and an atheist campaigner are on the run…

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  • Maus

    Author: Art Spiegelman

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

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  • Maus

    Author: Art Spiegelman

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

    This is the complete story of Vladek Spiegelman and his wife, living and surviving in Hitler's Europe.

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  • Persepolis

    Author: Marjane Satrapi Translator: Blake Ferris

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 12+

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  • Persepolis

    Author: Marjane Satrapi Translator: Blake Ferris

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 12+

    Persepolis is Satrapi's history of Iran and her life in Iran and France as she tries to retain her Iranian culture but also grow u…

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  • Awkward

    Author: Svetlana Chmakova

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

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  • Awkward

    Author: Svetlana Chmakova

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

    Awkward perfectly captures the secondary school experience – friendships, rivalries, secrets, eccentric teachers, and also wh…

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  • Jane, the Fox & Me

    Author: Fanny Britt Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault & Translator: Christelle Morelli and Susan Ouriou

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Jane, the Fox & Me

    Author: Fanny Britt Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault & Translator: Christelle Morelli and Susan Ouriou

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

    This thought-provoking graphic novel by Fanny Britt, exquisitely illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, is a real visual delight

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  • Illegal

    Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano

    Interest level: 10-16

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Illegal

    Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano

    Interest level: 10-16

    Reading age: 10+

    Illegal tells the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy who flees grinding poverty, zero opportunities and a drunken uncle in his s…

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  • The Marvels

    Author: Brian Selznick

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • The Marvels

    Author: Brian Selznick

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10+

    More than just a mystery, The Marvels is a heart-warming story about growing up, identity and family, full of cinematic and captiv…

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  • The Isobel Journal

    Author: Isobel Harrop

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 12+

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  • The Isobel Journal

    Author: Isobel Harrop

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 12+

    Subtitled ‘Just a Northern Girl from Where Nothing Really Happens’, this beautifully-presented book from 18-year-old d…

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  • The Arrival

    Author: Shaun Tan

    Interest level: 8-9

    Reading age: 8+

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  • The Arrival

    Author: Shaun Tan

    Interest level: 8-9

    Reading age: 8+

    In this unusual book, we follow a young man as he packs his bags and leaves his family to go and start a new life in another count…

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