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Clean Middle Grade Graphic Novels (Adventure, Humor & Fantasy Picks for Kids)

Updated: Aug 4

A girl with red hair reaches toward a swirling blue and yellow abstract sky on a beige background, evoking a sense of wonder and aspiration.
Image found on Pixabay

A fun and imaginative collection of graphic novels and illustrated adventures featuring humor, friendship, mystery, and light fantasy. These stories are designed for middle grade readers who enjoy visual storytelling, fast pacing, and engaging characters across whimsical and action-driven worlds.


Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, and purchases made through these links help support Shelf Safe Books at no extra cost to you.


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Rating Summary


🟢 Green – Fully clean, kid-friendly, no graphic content; light and safe for all readers


🔵 Blue – Mild emotional intensity or deeper themes; best for older children or confident middle-grade readers


🟣 Purple – Moderate emotional depth or realistic situations; still fully clean and non-explicit, good for readers who can handle heavier themes


All books are checked for strong language, graphic violence, and on-page sexual content, with additional content notes included when relevant.


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Girl in striped shirt and dog explore a mystical forest with purple flowers and deer silhouette. Text: "WILDFUL" and "Kengo Kurimoto".

🔵1. Wildful – Kengo Kurimoto

Standalone

An almost wordless story about a young girl navigating loss and finding connection through the natural world. Through expressive artwork and quiet moments of reflection, the story explores grief, change, and the relationship between people and nature. Originally written for Middle Grade / Teen readers.

Heads Up: Depression, grief.



A knight swings from a dragon's tail; a squire with a book and lantern stands next to a dog. Autumn leaves and muted colors surround them.

🔵2. Squire & Knight – Scott Chantler

Series: Squire & Knight 1 of 3 Complete

A humorous medieval adventure following a young squire who hopes to prove himself while traveling with a well-meaning but inexperienced knight. Together, they face unexpected challenges as they navigate quests, danger, and the responsibilities of knighthood. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: 1 damn, 1 stupid, 1 sheesh, 1 demon spawn, 2 blowhards.



Girl sitting at messy desk, surrounded by crumpled paper, books, and drawings. Background includes friends, clock, bear, and text "Absolutely Everything".

🔵3. Absolutely Everything – Damian Alexander

Standalone

A slice-of-life graphic memoir about growing up, school, family life, and navigating neurodivergence. Through memories of childhood and adolescence, the story explores personal challenges, friendships, and the experiences that shape the author’s life. Originally written for Middle Grade / Teen readers.

Heads Up: Language: 2 OMG, 1 weirdo, 1 stupid, ADHD, autism, character pretends to be a witch Princess, 1 weirdo, 1 stupid, ADHD, autism, character pretends to be a witch Princess, LGBTQ+ representation: two dads | author identifies as married to a man (biographical note in author bio)





Animated cat with a bow and big grin, paws up in front of explosive color burst. Text: "Cat on the Run" by Aaron Blabey.

🟢 4. Cat on the Run in Hidden Layers! – Aaron Blabey

Series: Cat on the Run 1 of 3 Complete

In a world run by animals, Princess Beautiful becomes caught in a dangerous chase after a powerful cat villain uses media manipulation and memory-altering technology to control how others see the truth. As she tries to escape, she must uncover what is really happening behind the chaos. Originally written for Elementary / Upper Elementary readers.

Heads Up: Language: 2 stupid, 1 heck, 1 shut up | political satire elements.



Cartoon dog in blue uniform with crown emblem stands proudly on a rooftop. City skyline and night sky background. Text: Dog Man, Dav Pilkey.

🟢 5. Dog Man – Dav Pilkey

Series: Dog Man 1 of 13 Ongoing

A humorous superhero-style adventure about a half-dog, half-police officer hero who fights crime while learning lessons about friendship, responsibility, and making better choices. Filled with silly humor, comic-style storytelling, and creative extras that teach readers how to draw the characters at the end of each book. Originally written for Elementary readers.

Heads Up: Language: 1 heck, 1 jerks, 2 sucka(s), 8 dumb(er), 1 geez, 1 idiot, 1 darn, 1 stupid there is a villain called Dr Scum | potty humor.



A duck in a hat reads "How to Fool People." A chicken and concerned people react. Text: "BEAKY BARNES AND THE DEVIOUS DUCK," "DAVID EZRA STEIN."

🔵 6. Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck: A Graphic Novel – David Ezra Stein

Series: Beaky Barnes, Book 2 of 2 (based on current listing)

In the town of Simpleton, Beaky Barnes faces a new mystery when a duck arrives with a plan to trick the townspeople out of their money. As the scheme unfolds, Beaky and the other residents get caught up in another round of unusual events and humor. Originally written for Elementary readers.

Heads Up: Language: 2 gosh, scams, food séance.



Four kids in colorful outfits, one jumping with joy holding pencils. Background shows "The Cartoonists Club" text on a purple gradient.

🟢 7. The Cartoonists Club – Raina Telgemeier & Scott McCloud

Series: Standalone

A story about a group of kids who create their own comics while learning about storytelling, drawing, and the creative process. Blending fiction with real-world cartooning concepts, the book explores collaboration, imagination, and the challenges of making art. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: 2 gosh, 1 jerk, 11 OMG in 1 panel, cancer.



Two characters pose on purple crystals. One holds a floating gem. Text: Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld. Art by Asiah Fulmore. DC logo.

🔵 8. Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld – Shannon Hale & Dean Hale

Series: Amethyst Graphic Novel, Book 1 (series ongoing)

A modern reimagining of the DC character follows Amy Winston as she is transported to the magical world of Gemworld, where she discovers her connection to the kingdom and faces challenges involving magic, family, and leadership. Originally written for Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: 2 stupid, 1 weirdo, 2 shut up, jerk(s), divorce.



Comic cover: Man rescues boy from ocean as Titanic sinks. Night sky, heavy waves. Title: "I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912." Scholastic.

🔵9. I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: A Graphic Novel – Lauren Tarshis

Series: I Survived Graphic Novel, Book 1 (series ongoing)

A historical survival story following a young boy caught aboard the Titanic during its tragic sinking in 1912. As he faces the disaster unfolding around him, he must find a way to survive while experiencing one of the most well-known events in history. Based on the I Survived series. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.



Two animated characters, one with a magnifying glass and the other holding a device, stand in front of a spooky house. Text: "Oddity Woods."

🟣10. Oddity Woods – Kay Davault

Standalone

Marietta is a young detective searching for her missing father in the strange town of Perdita. When her investigation leads her into an enchanted forest filled with ghosts, monsters, and supernatural secrets, she must navigate mysterious bargains and uncover the truth behind the hidden world of the Oddity Woods. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Ghosts, witches, demons, 3+ ding-dongs, 1 airheaded, 1 dimwit, 1 jerk, 1 heck. LGBTQ+ representation.

Happy reading. May your adventures be safe, your stories wholesome, and your imagination take flight.

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