Clean Middle Grade Graphic Novels (Adventure, Humor & Fantasy Picks for Kids)
- shelfsafebooks
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
Updated: May 9
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.
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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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🔵1. Wildful – Kengo Kurimoto
Standalone
An almost wordless, quiet, reflective story about a young girl navigating loss. This nature-centered graphic novel focuses on growth and connection, Written for Middle Grade / Teen readers.
Heads Up: Depression, grief.
🔵2. Squire & Knight – Scott Chantler
Series: Squire & Knight 1 of 3 Complete
A humorous medieval adventure following a young squire trying to prove himself alongside a well-meaning but flawed knight. written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers
Heads Up: Language: 1 damn, 1 stupid, 1 sheesh, 1 demon spawn, 2 blowhards.
🔵3. Absolutely Everything – Damian Alexander
Standalone
A slice-of-life graphic memoir about identity, school, and growing up while navigating neurodivergence and family life. 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)
🟢 4. Cat on the Run in Hidden Layers! – Aaron Blabey
Series: Cat on the Run 1 of 3 Complete
A fast-paced, satirical adventure set in a world of animals, where a powerful cat villain controls public perception through media manipulation and memory-altering technology. Princess Beautiful must survive a chaotic chase while uncovering the truth. Written for Elementary / Upper Elementary readers.
Heads Up: Language: 2 stupid, 1 heck, 1 shut up | political satire elements.
🟢 5. Dog Man – Dav Pilkey
Series: Dog Man 1 of 13 Ongoing
A goofy superhero-style story about a half-dog, half-police officer hero solving crimes with humor, chaos, and heart. themes of morality told through humor also teaches how to draw the charters at the end of each book 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.
🔵 6. Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck: A Graphic Novel – David Ezra Stein
Series: Beaky Barnes, Book 2 of 2 (based on current listing)
A humorous story set in the town of Simpleton, where a new duck arrives with a plan to trick the townspeople out of their money while everyday chaos unfolds among the residents. Written for Elementary readers.
Heads Up: Language: 2 gosh, scams, food séance.
🟢 7. The Cartoonists Club – Raina Telgemeier & Scott McCloud
Series: Standalone
A graphic novel about kids learning how to create comics, blending storytelling with real-world cartooning concepts and creative collaboration. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.
Heads Up: Language: 2 gosh, 1 jerk, 11 OMG in 1 panel, cancer.
🔵 8. Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld – Shannon Hale & Dean Hale
Series: Amethyst Graphic Novel, Book 1 (series ongoing)
A modern reimagining of the classic DC character, following a girl transported to a magical gemstone world where she discovers her royal identity and must navigate conflict, responsibility, and belonging. Combines fantasy adventure with personal growth themes. Originally written for Middle Grade readers.
Heads Up: Language: 2 stupid, 1 weirdo, 2 shut up, jerk(s), divorce.
🔵9. I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: A Graphic Novel – Lauren Tarshis
Series: I Survived Graphic Novel, Book 1 (series ongoing)
A gripping historical story following a young boy who survives the Titanic disaster, bringing the tragedy to life through fast-paced storytelling and accessible visuals. Based on the bestselling I Survived series, this graphic adaptation introduces readers to real historical events in an engaging way. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.
🟣10. Oddity Woods – Kay Davault
Standalone
A spooky mystery adventure about Marietta, a young detective searching for her missing father in the town of Perdita, where she discovers an enchanted forest filled with ghosts, monsters, and a hidden supernatural world. With a truth-revealing magnifying glass and a mysterious ally, she must navigate dangerous bargains, shifting loyalties, and a haunting magical realm known as the Oddity Woods. written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade
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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