The best YA graphic novels pair engaging stories with exquisite artwork. I’m a huge fan of graphic novels and graphic memoirs (for the purposes of this article, “graphic novels” will also refer to graphic memoirs). I fell in love with these special books early and couldn’t let go. In this list of the 25 best ya graphic novels, I’ve compiled a roundup of the best graphic novels for teens, all personal favorites.
And now for a list of the best YA graphic novels for teens!
Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin
Kicking off this list of the best YA graphic novels is Ain’t Burned All the Bright. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds, this powerful graphic narrative combines stunning artwork from Jason Griffin with Reynolds’ trademark bold language. In this case, Ain’t Burned All the Bright tackles the topic of being young and Black in contemporary America.
How to read it: Purchase Ain’t Burned All the Bright on Amazon
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
This appealing graphic memoir tells the story of Robin Ha’s immigration to America from Seoul, South Korea. Forced to fend for herself in her mainstream American high school, Ha struggles to assimilate. But when she takes classes on creating comics, Ha finds her voice. It’s not hard to see why this is one of the best YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Almost American Girl on Amazon
Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol
This visually striking graphic novel is a warm-hearted story about friendship, fitting in, and finding yourself. When Anya discovers a ghost child living in the bottom of a well, she is eager to leave the spirit behind. But Anya’s ghost has other ideas. This not-so-spooky horror story is playful and fun and one of the best graphic novels for teens.
How to read it: Purchase Anya’s Ghost on Amazon
Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola and Emily Carroll
Masha is fierce and fearless. That’s how she’s able to cope with being the assistant to demanding boss Baba Yaga, the evil trickster witch of Russian folklore. (For more on Russian folklore, check out my roundup of the best folklore and fairy tale books for adults.) This offbeat story is one of the best graphic novel for teens and a quick read that immerses you in the wild birch woods of Russia.
How to read it: Purchase Baba Yaga’s Assistant on Amazon
Battling Boy by Paul Pope
This book pits a Battling Boy against an evil streak of murderers who steal the lives of the kids living in Acropolis. Can the Battling Boy defeat the dark monsters that stalk the streets? You’ll flip through this engaging graphic novel to find out. With splashy illustrations and bold colors, Battling Boy is one of the best YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Battling Boy on Amazon
Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
I loved Gene Luen Yang’s graphic memoir Dragon Hoops. In this bold and engaging graphic novel, Lang profiles the basketball team at the high school where he teaches. Lang, who doesn’t have an athletic bone in his body, gets swept up in the Dragons’ quest to win the California State Championship. Even if you’re not a “sports person,” you’ll appreciate the unforgettable characters you can’t help but root for in Dragon Hoops. (And if you do happen to be a sports person, you’ll want to take a look at this blo’s list of the best sports books of all time.)
How to read it: Purchase Dragon Hoops on Amazon
Fangirl: The Manga by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, and Gabi Nam
I’m a huge fan of Rainbow Rowell’s YA novel Fangirl, so I was super excited to read the manga adaptation. Currently there are two parts of the full novel released, and I already can’t wait for more. This is a fun way to refresh what is arguably one of the best YA novels of all time. Pick it up and expereince why this is one of the best YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Fangirl: The Manga, Vol. 1 on Amazon
Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
Most of my friends are guys, so I could totally relate to Maggie, the heroine of Faith Erin Hicks’ Friends with Boys. When the story begins, Maggie is about to go to a public high school after years of being homeschooled with her older brothers. A fresh start means Maggie might have to break out of her anxiety about being around kids of all genders. And there’s a bonus problem for Maggie: she’s trying to finally solve the mystery of the ghost that has followed her around her whole life. One of the best graphic novels for teens, Friends with Boys is also a top pick for graphic novels for teen girls.
How to read it: Purchase Friends with Boys on Amazon
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
One of the best graphic novels of all time, Ghost World is the perfect read for young adults. In Ghost World, which was adapted as a classic indie film, stars two misfit teens, Enid and Rebecca, who are emerging into adulthood after the monotonous routine of high school is over. Clowes’ friendship story will touch the lives of anyone who’s ever grown apart from a friend while trying to figure yourself out. This enduring classic is for sure one of the best YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Ghost World on Amazon
The Fire Never Goes Out by ND Stevenson
I’ve previously recommended The Fire Never Goes Out in my list of the best books about bipolar disorder and my other list of the best mental health books for teens. But The Fire Never Goes Out definitely belongs here in this roundup of the best YA graphic novels, too. In The Fire Never Goes Out, author-illustrator ND Stevenson describes living with bipolar disorder as well as his own queer awakening.
How to read it: Purchase The Fire Never Goes Out on Amazon
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
This charming, feel-good queer graphic novel series for teens is about Charlie and Nick, who go to the same school, play together on the rugby team, and fall madly in love. Currently the series stretches to four installments. I binge read all of them last year in a fever dream of a few days. They’re that good. If you like the graphic novels, you might want to check out the Netflix series based off them. One of the best YA romance graphic novels, Heartstopper is a book you’ll close with a smile.
How to read it: Purchase Heartstopper, Volume 1 on Amazon
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
A National Book Award finalist, Hey, Kiddo is a gut punch that will undoubtedly move you. This graphic memoir depicts Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s childhood and teen years being raised by his grandparents after his mother, who struggled with addiction, left him in their care. For most of early life, Krosoczka never knew his father. Hey, Kiddo is his emotionally visceral story about how these dark days impacted him as well as how finding art helped offer him refuge amidst the drama. This is without question one of the best YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Hey, Kiddo on Amazon
Home After Dark by David Small
This visually stunning graphic novel for teens takes place inthe 1950s when thirteen-year-old Russell moves with his father to California, where he struggles to get his feet and fit in. This searing story is one that will resonate with anyone who has ever had to start over, especially as a young adult. It’s not hard to see why this is one of the best YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Home After Dark on Amazon
Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash
This queer coming-of-age graphic memoir takes place at a girls-only summer camp in Appalachia. It’s there that author-illustrator Maggie Thrash found first love with an older camp counselor, Erin. But when real world interrupts, Maggie has to sort through her complicated feelings and grow up fast. One of the best LGBTQ YA graphic novels, Honor Girl is a top pick for the greatest graphic novels for teen girls.
How to read it: Purchase Honor Girl on Amazon
In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang
In this gamer graphic novel for teens, Anda loses herself in the massively-multiplayer role playing game she spends a ton of time on. It’s a way for Anda, a shy teen, to feel powerful and experience connection with others. But it’s not long before her convictions are tested when she runs up against the dark underside of gaming. This is one of the top graphic novels for high school students.
How to read it: Purchase In Real Life on Amazon
Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao
In Messy Roots, one of the best YA nonfiction graphic novels, author-illustrator Laura Gao gives readers and inside look at the two places where Gao was raised: first, in Wuhan, China, and, second, America. After immigrating to Texas, Gao felt the full effects of culture shock while also trying to sort through her romantic thoughts for girls. Then, in 2020, her hometown of Wuhan becomes famous as the birthplace for COVID. Now Gao has to keep her wits about her as hate crimes and prejudice against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) grows.
How to read it: Purchase Messy Roots on Amazon
Nimona by ND Stevenson
In this fun graphic novel for teens, Nimona is a bit of a misfit. A shapeshifter, Nimona changes form whenever she’s emotionally upset or angry. Trying to learn how to harness her ability for some purpose, Nimona signs on to be the sidekick to an evil antagonist, Lord Ballister Blackheart, a token villain. But Nimona has to face down her internal demons and troubling memories in order to control her powers. It’s impossible not to cheer for impulsive, feisty Nimona. This book has become a classic, one of the best graphic novels of all time and among the best YA fantasy graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Nimona on Amazon
The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp and Manuel Preitano
Hell yeah, disability representation! I love how Marieke Nijkamp’s graphic novel The Oracle Code features a disabled protagonist, Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham police commissioner James Gordon, who is most known for her appearance in the Batman comics. In The Oracle Code, Barbara is newly disabled and learning to live her new normal at the Arkham Center for Independence. But strange things keep happening, and people go missing. Can expert hacker Barbara crack the case? This is one of the best graphic novels for high school students.
How to read it: Purchase The Oracle Code on Amazon
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
I’ve already given Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks’ Pumpkinheads a thorough review on this blog, but I’m recc’ing it here again for good reason: this irresistible friendship story set against a lovely autumnal background is a great read no matter what time of year you pick it up. Pick it up and follow along as fellow pumpkin-patch employees Deja and Josiah go after love in a big way. This is for sure one of the best YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Pumpkinheads on Amazon
Skim by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki
This book was co-written by cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki. I had the good fortune of meeting Jillian Tamaki a few years ago at my first MFA residency. I went to the college’s bookstore to pick up a book by Tamaki for her to sign. And out of all the ones there, I chose Skim. I got Tamaki to sign it with a personalized message:
I just love this book! Our imperfect heroine is Skim, an amateur witch who embarks on an affair with her female schoolteacher. Skim is just trying to get by, so when her lover abandons her, she’s set adrift. This slice-of-life graphic novel is one that any angsty teen will relate to. This book is for sure one of the best LGBTQ YA graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase Skim on Amazon
Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll
This graphic novel of Laurie Halse Anderson’s YA classic Speak (1999) will blow you away. Emily Carroll’s emotive illustrations bring this story about a rape and its aftermath to life. This graphic novel adaptation gives a new generation their Speak, a remarkable book that is a top pick of the most influential graphic novels for high school students.
How to read it: Purchase Speak: The Graphic Novel on Amazon
Spinning by Tillie Waldon
This queer graphic novel memoir by Tillie Waldon depicts the author-illustrators early life when she was a competitive figure skater. Amidst her growing pains with the sport she used to love but now barely tolerates, Waldon grapples with her feeling for the other girls she trains with. Can Waldon break out on her own and leave the sport that has to-date defined her? Will she find first love? You’ll fly through this one to find out. Spinning is definitely among the best LGBTQ YA graphic novels and one of the greatest graphic novels for teen girls.
How to read it: Purchase Spinning on Amazon
SuperMutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki
Let me just add one more Jillian Tamaki book to this graphic novel roundup: SuperMutant Magic Academy. In this hilarious book, the focus is on the students at a magic academy for witches and mutants. Tamaki’s book is irreverent, quirky, angsty, and laugh-out-loud funny. This is for sure one of the best YA fantasy graphic novels.
How to read it: Purchase SuperMutant Magic Academy on Amazon
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
The chilling short stories in author-illustrator Emily Carroll’s Through the Woods will scare the bejeezus out of you. Working with black and white and a selective palate of colors, Carroll has drawn terrifying tales in what is certainly one of the greatest graphic novels for young adults. I’ve previously recc’d this in my list of the best horror books for teens.
How to read it: Purchase Through the Woods on Amazon
Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel
And now for the last entry in this list of the best YA graphic novels…In this graphic novel memoir, readers are invited into the world of elite ballerinas. It’s in that claustrophobic setting that author Siena recounts her experience. Tiny Dancer tells the story of how Siena found herself being pulled away from ballet, a scary thought considering how closely her identity was tied to dance. Any teen who has ever wanted to reinvent themselves will appreciate this story, one of the best YA nonfiction graphic memoirs.
