In the previous post in this series I outlined a number of graphic novels recommended for beginner and emergent readers. In this post, I will focus on those readers who have adopted a level of fluency in their reading and are up to more of a challenge in vocabulary or plot.

These books are recommended for upper level junior, or “Middle” Readers. They have more complex plots and deal with concepts that younger readers may not understand (or be interested in) but do not contain the overt maturity of Young Adult titles.

1. The Dreamland Chronicles Vol 1-3
Vol 1 ISBN: 1600103073 Softcover Color 300p
Vol 2 ISBN: 1600103081 Softcover Color 276p
Vol 3 ISBN: 160010309X Softcover Color 268p

Alexander Carter has found a key that takes him back to the land of his childhood dreams. Now, every night he enters Dreamland, a magical world filled with Dragons, Fairies, and Giants. Re-united with his childhood friends Paddington, Kiwi, and Nastajia, Alexander embarks on a quest to save Dreamland from war with the nightmare realm. A wonderful fantasy series with an engaging story and eye-popping images generated on computer. Grades 3+

2.Bone: The Colour Editions

Bone Vol 1 Out From Boneville ISBN:0439706408 Softcover Color 144p
Bone Vol 2 The Great Cow Race ISBN:0439706394 Softcover  Color 144p
Bone Vol 3 Eyes Of The Storm ISBN:0439706386 Softcover Color 192p
Bone Vol 4 The Dragonslayer ISBN:0439706378 Softcover Color 176p
Bone Vol 5 Rockjaw ISBN:043970636X Softcover Color 128p
Bone Vol 6 Old Man’s Cave ISBN:0439706351 Softcover  Color 128p
Bone Vol 7 Ghost Circles ISBN0439706343 Softcover  Color 160p
Bone Vol 8 Treasure Hunters ISBN:0439706335 Softcover  Color 144p
Bone Vol 9 Crown Of Horns ISBN:0439706327 Softcover  Color 224p
Rose [Prequel To Bone] ISBN: 0545135435 Softcover Color 144p

A complete story in 9 volumes, Bone is the story of young bone boy, Fone Bone, and his two cousins, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, who are banned from their homeland of Boneville. When the cousins find themselves mysteriously trapped in a wonderful but often terrifying land filled with secrets and danger – and special new friendships – they are soon caught up in adventures beyond their wildest dreams. An adventure that starts off simply but builds with conviction and pathos.  Grades 3+

3.Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid ISBN:0810993139 Hardcover B&W 224p
Diary Of  A Wimpy Kid Rodrick Rules ISBN:0810994739 Hardcover B&W 224p
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid The Last Straw ISBN: 0810970686 Hardcover 224p
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days ISBN: 0810983915 Hardcover 224p

Boys don’t keep diaries—or do they?
It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.
Technically not a “graphic novel” but featuring comic/graphic novel components, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid is a genuine hit in both comic and mainstream book circles. The newest volume has an initial print-run of 3 million copies. Grades 4+

4. Tellos Colossal
ISBN:1582409404 Softcover Color 288p

Journey with young Jarek and his tiger-warrior companion, Koj, as they team up with pirate princess, Serra, to confront the dread Malesur, a villain set on devouring the denizens of this magical, patchwork world! TELLOS is an all-ages roller coaster ride of action and adventure, mystery and magic, and good versus evil! Metaphor and myth, the complete Tellos story in one volume. Grades 4+

5.Mouse Guard
Autumn 1152 ISBN:1932386572 Hardcover Color 192p
Winter 1152 ISBN: 1932386742 Hardcover Color 192p

In the world of Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper amongst harsh conditions and a host of predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed: more than just soldiers that fight off intruders, they are guides for common mice looking to journey without confrontation from one hidden village to another. Beautifully illustrated and imagined series in the tradition of Redwall.
Grades 4+.

 6.Amulet
Volume 1 ISBN: 0439846811 Softcover Color 192p
Volume 2 ISBN: 0439846838 Softcover Color 224p

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals. Amulet is a beautiful, exciting and emotionally moving series. Grades 4+

7.The Arrival
ISBN: 0439895294 Hardcover Sepia 128p

In a heartbreaking parting, a man gives his wife and daughter a last kiss and boards a steamship to cross the ocean. He’s leaving home to build a better future for his family. Australia’s Shaun Tan evokes universal aspects of an immigrant’s experience through a singular work of the imagination. He does so using brilliantly clear and mesmerizing images. Because the main character can’t communicate in words, the book forgoes them too. But while the reader experiences the main character’s isolation, he also shares his ultimate joy. Multi-award winning wordless title with a thoughtful message. Grades 6+

Purchase these books from our favourite booksellers for comics and graphic novels.
We use & recommend Things From Another World or Amazon for fast & reliable service.

Diamond Comic Distrubutors’ Previews Catalogue is the place to find the best upcoming graphic novels, comics and manga. Titles are listed in the catalogue approximately 2 months before they are released onto the market which makes this tome a great resource for pre-ordering and staying ahead of upcoming releases.

The titles listed below are highly recommended for both libraries and schools due to their literary content and/or popularity. I have placed emphasis on graphic novels for kids but may add the occasional teen/adult title if they are particularly noteworthy.

Best Upcoming Graphic Novels/Manga For Kids:
Previews Catalogue September 2009

SUPERGIRL: COSMIC ADVENTURES IN THE EIGHTH GRADE
Written by Landry Q. Walker Art and cover by Eric Jones
SC, 144pgs, Colour
Junior Fiction ISBN: 1401225063      

It’s an all-ages extravaganza as young Supergirl meets Belinda Zee, a new junior high adversary, in this title collecting the 6-issue miniseries. And that’s just the start of the fun that includes super-powered pets and cosmic adventure! This title has had a lot of buzz behind it as a single issue comic release so it should be popular in graphic novel format. A highly recommended all ages read.

THE SECRET SCIENCE ALLIANCE AND THE COPYCAT CROOK GN
(W/A) Eleanor Davis
HC, 6×9, 160pgs, FC Junior Fiction
ISBN: 1599903962  

Supersmart Julian Calendar thinks moving to a new school will mean he can shed his nerdy  image — but then he meets Ben and Greta, two secret scientists like himself. The three form a covert club, complete with a high-tech lair. There, they work on projects like the Stink-O-Meter, the Kablovsky Copter, and the Nightsneak Goggles. All that tinkering comes in handy when the trio discovers an evil scientist’s plan to rob a museum. Can three inventors, armed with their wacky creations, hope to defeat this criminal mastermind? Eleanor Davis won great praise (and awards) for her previous graphic novel, Stinky (see our list of Best Graphic Novels for Beginner Readers) so this is a release to keep your eyes on!

THE MUPPET SHOW: THE TREASURE OF PEG-LEG WILSON TP
(W/A) Roger Langridge
SC, 6×9, 112pgs, FC Junior Fiction
ISBN: 1608865045

Scooter discovers old documents which reveal that a cache of treasure is hidden somewhere within the theatre, and when Rizzo the Rat overhears this, the news spreads like wildfire! Can Kermit keep everyone from tearing the theatre apart? And just who is Peg-Leg Wilson, and what’s his connection to the Muppet Show stage? Find out in this hilarious collection from celebrated creator Roger Langridge! I must confess to being a huge Muppet fan so I have pre-ordered this already!

GERONIMO STILTON VOLUME 3: THE COLISEUM CON GN
(W/A) Geronimo Stilton
SC, 6×9, 56pgs, FC Junior Fiction  
ISBN: 1597071722   

The Pirate Cats are up to no good again! This time, Bonzo and company travel to Rome in the year 80 CE to the opening of the Coliseum, Rome’s largest amphitheatre. The evil felines want to world to think that they designed the Coliseum, and they infiltrate the Roman Senate posing as nobility. Geronimo and his friends must expose the cats’ plot, all the while taking in historical landmarks and breathtaking moments of history. Again I am a huge Geronimo Stilton fan (Check out my Geronimo Stilton Books site!) so have already pre-ordered. Its for my son…really!

During the 8 years I have been reading and promoting Graphic Novels I have also been raising my young kids and teaching them to read. While I have a number of comics and graphic novels in my house not all are suitable for their age group, even the so called All Ages Graphic Novels. I’ve often cringed when reading poorly researched lists of recommended comics for young readers, some listed titles are simply too wordy but others depict scenes that may cause very young children sleepless nights.

With that in mind I put together my own list, for true beginner readers.
The books below range in age recommendation from about 4-9. So, from the moment when a child first shows an interest in reading, or simply perusing books, up to about grade 4. The “upper” age is a rough guideline as some of the titles listed below sit on my bookshelf and are read by me, with glee. It seems books with engaging pictures attract kids of many age groups! Regardless, with this list I’m aiming for early readers or simply young children with impressionable minds and the following graphic novels and comics are not only guaranteed to be stress-free but are sure to engage.

1.Stinky
ISBN: 0979923840 Hardcover $12.95 Colour 36p
STINKY IS A MONSTER who loves pickles and possums but is terrified of people. When a new kid enters his swamp, this adorable little monster comes up with all sorts of crazy plans to scare him away. But Stinky quickly learns to conquer his fear, as he realizes that bats, rats, and toads aren’t the only friends you can find in the swamp. Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book 2009. Lesson plans available online.
Ages 4+

2. Owly
Owly is a kind, yet lonely, little owl who knows what it means to be human. Relying on a mixture of symbols, icons and expressions, these animated and heartwarming tales are a perfect read for all ages. Lesson Plans Available Online
Ages4+

Vol 1 The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer
ISBN:1891830627 Softcover 160 pages B&W $10
Owly discovers the meaning of friendship, and that saying goodbye doesn’t always mean forever.
Vol 2 Just A Little Blue
ISBN:1891830643 Softcover 120 pages B&W $10
Owly learns that sometimes you have to make sacrifices & work at things that are important, like friendship.
Vol 3 Flying Lessons
ISBN:1891830767 Softcover 128 pages B&W $10
Owly and Wormy learn that everyone has their own special strengths and it’s okay to be different.
Vol 4 A Time To Be Brave
ISBN:1891830899 Softcover 128 pages B&W $10
A new visitor may be misunderstood but things aren’t always what they seem, and everyone soon
finds out that the power of friendship can fix just about anything
Vol 5 Tiny Tales
ISBN:1603090193 Softcover 144 pages B&W $10
Short Owly stories, a sketchbook and a How To Draw Owly section.

3. The Wind In The Willows
ISBN: 1597070955 Hardcover $17.95 Colour 144p
In Michel Plessix’s lush adaptation of “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame he breathes life into Mole, Rat, and Toad (of Toad Hall) as they picnic on the riverbank, indulge in Toad’s latest fad, and get lost in Wild Wood. The pacing is masterful: each panel lingers just long enough to make you appreciate the simple pleasures of life. A wonderfully dynamic adaptation that all ages can enjoy.
Ages 5+

4.Benny And Penny
Volume 1 Just Pretend
ISBN: 0979923808 Hardcover 32 pages $12.95
How can Benny pretend to be a brave pirate when his pesky little sister, Penny, wants to tag along and is always asking for a hug? He tries to lose her, but when he does, he starts to feel a little lost himself. Then, Penny proves her bravery and saves Benny from a bug. They hug as Benny explains he was only pretending she bugged him. Easy reading with a wonderful message by renowned children’s author Geoffrey Hayes.
Volume 2 The Big No-No!
ISBN: 0979923891 Hardcover 32 pages $12.95
What will Benny and Penny find when they cross the line in The Big No-No? Benny’s favorite pail is missing, and there are mysterious muddy footprints. In this charming whodunit, Benny and his little sister Penny team-up to investigate, braving the dangers of the new neighbor’s yard, and finding something unexpected on the other side of the fence.
Both Books Ages 4+.

5. Baby Mouse
It’s the same thing every day for Babymouse. Where is the glamour? The excitement? The adventure? Babymouse seeks all these things and usually finds them, or if not makes them happen in her over-active imagination.
Snappy graphic novel series for emerging girl readers with illustrations in black, white and pink. There are 11 volumes so far, I have listed the first 5.
Ages 7+
Volume 1 Queen Of The World
ISBN:0375832297 Softcover $5.95 each Pink/B&W 96p
Volume 2 Our Hero
ISBN:0375832300 Softcover $5.95 each Pink/B&W 96p
Volume 3 Beach Babe
ISBN:0375832319 Softcover $5.95 each Pink/B&W 96p 
Volume 4 Rock Star
ISBN: 0375832327 Softcover $5.95 each Pink/B&W 96p
Volume 5 Heartbreaker
ISBN: 0375837981 Softcover $5.95 each Pink/B&W 96p

6. Adventures In Cartooning
ISBN: 1596433698 Softcover B&W 112p
This is a bit of a cool book because its both a comic story and a How-To book. Once upon a time . . . a princess tried to make a comic.  And with the help of a magical cartooning elf, she learned how – well enough to draw her way out of an encounter with a dangerous dragon, near-death by drowning, and into her very own adventure!  Like the princess, young readers will discover that they already have the drawing and writing skills it takes to make a comic – they just need a little know-how.  Booklist Starred Review.
Ages 5+

7. Yakari
Yakari is a little Indian, courageous and generous, who is endowed with the wonderful ability to talk with all the animals. Through his encounters and discoveries, Yakari passes on to young readers of his fascinating adventures a sense of respect, tolerance, justice, and solidarity. With humour and kindness, Yakari also teaches how to take advantage of lessons about life revealed by Mother Nature… Wonderful for early readers. Few words with wonderful messages.
Ages 4+
Yakari and The Great Eagle
ISBN:190546004X Softcover 48 pages Full Colour $9.99
Yakari and The White Buffalo
ISBN:1905460058 Softcover 48 pages Full Colour $9.99
Yakari and The Beavers
ISBN:1905460090 Softcover 48 pages Full Colour $9.99
Yakari and The Grizzly
ISBN:1905460163 Softcover 48 pages Full Colour $9.99

8. Otto’s Orange Day
ISBN: 0979923824 40 pages Full Colour $12.95
When Otto the cat meets a magical genie, he knows just what to wish for: he makes the whole world orange! At first, this new, bright world seems like a lot of fun, but when his mom serves orange spinach for lunch, Otto realizes that his favorite color isn’t the best color for everything. Fixing this mixed-up world won’t be easy though because Otto already used up his only wish. To save the day, Otto will need his family’s help, some quick thinking, and…a pizza?
Ages 4+

Purchase these books from our favourite booksellers for comics and graphic novels.
We use & recommend Things From Another World or Amazon for fast & reliable service.

I should confess before I start to get into this article that I have a plush Owly toy at home. Actually I have two. But seriously, they were bought for my kids…they have just somehow both ended up in my room…
Ok, Ok. I love Owly.
How about I go and get him…Ahh. I feel better now.
Where were we?

Owly is a kind, sensitive little owl who has all the emotions and sympathies of humanity.
He and his friend Wormy have adventures in the forest that revolve around the most simple yet essential things in life; friendship, food and fun.

The forest is populated with all manner of cute creatures, birds, squirrels, butterflies, raccoons and bunnies and although the lessons of life can be tough this is not Watership Down here. There is much laughter in the book and the friends have an awful lot of fun together going about the business of their lives. They share a sense of wonder at the interplay of life and it’s hard no to be infected by it.

The striking thing about the owly books is that they have no words but rely on a mixture of symbols, icons ( Think ! )and expressions to tell their surprisingly moving stories. For young pre-readers, older emerging readers and kids of all ages (think ages 4-99) these animated and heartwarming tales are a perfect journey into innocence and the appreciation of simple pleasures.

The level of emotion and pathos the writer and artist, Andy Runton, can convey without words is beautiful to behold. His pacing is graceful and unhurried but at the same time is engaging and never belaboured.  Ultimately kids will admire Owly’s tenacity, kindness and commitment to friends. There is much to find here if you spend time to really appreciate all the gifts that Owly has to offer.

Lesson Plans and Resources
*A wonderful way to integrate Owly into a class is to allow students to create their own comics once you have read through the book with them. Using Owly as a basis for story creation will encourage those who are not confident with their writing to demonstrate their own sense of story-telling without fear of writing “Incorrectly”.

*See my previous post for more resources on How to use comics to help reluctant writers.

*Andy has some wonderful lesson plans on the teaching page of his site: Teaching With Owly

*If you want an extra dose of cuteness check out Owly Animated

Vol 1 The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer
ISBN:1891830627 Softcover 160 pages B&W $10
Owly discovers the meaning of friendship, and that saying goodbye doesn’t always mean forever.

Vol 2 Just A Little Blue
ISBN:1891830643 Softcover 120 pages B&W $10
Owly learns that sometimes you have to make sacrifices & work at things that are important, like friendship.

Vol 3 Flying Lessons
ISBN:1891830767 Softcover 128 pages B&W $10
Owly and Wormy learn that everyone has their own special strengths and it’s okay to be different.

Vol 4 A Time To Be Brave
ISBN:1891830899 Softcover 128 pages B&W $10
A new visitor may be misunderstood but things aren’t always what they seem, and everyone soon finds out that the power of friendship can fix just about anything.

Vol 5 Tiny Tales
ISBN:1603090193 Softcover 144 pages B&W$10
Short Owly stories, a sketchbook and How To Draw Owly section.

Owly is a great comic for all ages and particularly for those new to reading.
Purchase Owly at comics stores or certain bookstores.
We use and recommend Things From Another World or Amazon for fast and reliable service.