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Wholesome Graphic Novels for Kids (History, Friendship & Adventure)

Updated: Aug 4

Boy in black jacket sits on a hallway floor reading a book, knees up, beside colorful classroom posters; quiet, focused mood.
Image found on Pixabay

This collection of clean middle grade graphic novels includes history, classic retellings, humor, food themes, and imaginative adventures for young readers. From stories inspired by real historical events to fresh takes on familiar classics, these books offer engaging visuals and strong storytelling while remaining family-friendly. Content notes are included to help parents, homeschool families, librarians, and sensitive readers make informed choices.


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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Book cover of a nervous child reading a red notebook; title Timid, by Jonathan Todd, Scholastic, on a blue background.

🟢 1. Timid – Jonathan Todd

Standalone

A coming-of-age graphic memoir about Jonathan, a shy middle school student navigating a new school, friendships, and the challenges of finding his place. Through memories of childhood and adolescence, he reflects on fear, confidence, and learning to speak up for himself. Originally written for Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: 1 darn, 2 jerks, racism, Christian faith.

Comic page with a boy dreaming of a white Oreo-shaped figure beside a Black boy; text says Dont be an Oreo.
Comic of kids on a bus; a Black boy thinks she rubbed my head? I am I like a pet dog? while others laugh and one says I’m a person, Ruthie!
Comic strip in a school hallway: a Black boy apologizes to a blonde girl for rubbing her hair, and both look awkward by blue lockers.


Book cover of The Fairly Tale Fixers: Cinderella, with Cinderella holding a glass slipper under a spotlight and two cartoon helpers.

🟢 2. The Fairy Tale Fixers: Cinderella – Deborah Underwood & Jorge Lacera

Series: Fairy Tale Fixers, Book 1 (series ongoing)

When familiar fairy tale problems start going wrong, the Fairy Tale Fixers step in to help restore the stories. This graphic novel reimagines Cinderella with a team of problem-solvers who use humor, teamwork, and creativity to fix fairy tale mishaps. Originally written for Elementary / Upper Elementary readers.

Heads Up: Language: 2 geez, 3 heck, 1 darn, 2 freaking, 1 twit.

Comic scene of a yelling character amid kitchen clutter, with speech bubbles saying You never brought me my seventh cup of tea! The kitchen is a mess!
Cartoon mice argue on a red page one is dressed in a trench coat with fairy wings; a purple-dressed woman stands center with speech bubbles about family yelling and sleep.
Comic page of prince and girl talking in panels; she dreams of opening a diner, with speech bubbles on a warm yellow background.

🟢 3. Yummy: History of Desserts: A Graphic Novel – Victoria Grace Elliott

Series: Yummy Book 1 of 2 (Ongoing but work as standalones)

A playful nonfiction graphic novel where whimsical sprites dress as historical figures and dessert creators to explore the history of sweets from around the world. Through playful interviews, folklore, and food facts, the book explains how different desserts developed across cultures and time periods. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Brief references to food sacrificed to gods. potty humor.


Illustrated infographic on prehistoric Egypt (5000–3000 BCE) showing early honey bread cakes baked on hot stones and used as offerings.

Illustrated comic page on ancient Rome: Nero Claudius Caesar and ice dessert with berries and wine, labeled Ancient Rome ~40 CE.

Comic page with colorful characters discussing a treat, with speech bubbles explaining it was likely called pais de nonne, not nun’s farts.



Illustrated cover of Anne of Green Gables: red-haired girl in yellow dress in tall green grass under a blue sky, with title text.

🟢4. Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel – Mariah Marsden & Brenna Thummler

Standalone graphic novel adaptation of L.M. Montgomery

This graphic novel adaptation follows imaginative orphan Anne Shirley after she arrives at Green Gables and changes the lives of the people around her. Through friendship, school adventures, misunderstandings, and Anne's vivid imagination, the story brings the classic tale of Avonlea to a new format. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers, though longtime Anne fans of all ages may also enjoy it.

Comic panels show a red-haired girl reading a handwritten letter to Diana, looking sad and wary in a classroom setting.

Comic panels of women tasting cake; one sniffs then bites, asking about flavoring. Speech says vanilla only, vanilla.

Comic page of two women on a porch in purple dresses, talking in speech bubbles against a green house backdrop.


Cartoon book cover of a smiling Lunch Lady leaping with a spatula, robots below, and text by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, 2-for-1 special.

🟢 5. Lunch Lady: 2-for-1 Special – Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Series: Lunch Lady, Book 1 & 2 (Ongoing)

This graphic novel series follows Lunch Lady, a cafeteria worker who secretly fights crime using gadget-filled lunchroom tools. When strange threats appear at school, Lunch Lady and her helpers work together to protect students while uncovering the truth behind the trouble. Originally written for Elementary / Upper Elementary readers.

Heads Up: Language: 1 doofus, 1 holy guacamole, 1 good gravy, 1 golly, 1 drats, 1 bozos, 2 losers, food used to substitute exclamations or cussing, bullying.


Comic of a smug teacher and blue cyborg substitute in a dark school basement; speech bubbles say replacing teachers, NOT SO FAST!

Comic page of kids at a table plotting adventure; speech bubbles say they’ll follow someone home and Hector is invited in.
Comic panels of people struck by flying dictionaries, with THUD! and He got hit by a dictionary!


Purple book cover for Guts by Raina Telgemeier with a yellow anxious face, Eisner Winner seal, and Scholastic logo.

🟢 6. Guts – Raina Telgemeier

Raina Telgemeier Graphic Memoir Series

In this autobiographical graphic memoir, Raina Telgemeier revisits a difficult period of childhood marked by anxiety and recurring stomach problems connected to stress. As she struggles with school, friendships, and daily pressures, Raina begins therapy and learns more about how stress can affect both emotions and physical health. Written for Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: stupid 3, OMG 1, heck 1. Bullying, anxiety, stress-related IBS symptoms, therapy.


Comic panels show a family joking about privacy and meals: bathroom singing, bean tacos, and everyone rushing around a crowded house.
Comic panels: woman tells Raina she can only control herself; Raina looks worried as a plate of cabbage is offered.

Comic page of kids on a bed; a red-haired girl says her dad gets drunk, looks scared, then smiles while friends listen.

🔵7. Table Titans Club – Scott Kurtz

Series: Table Titans Club, Book 1 (series ongoing)

This graphic novel follows a group of kids who bond over tabletop role-playing games while navigating school life, friendships, and personal challenges. As they create fantasy adventures together, their gaming experiences become a place for teamwork, creativity, and connection. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: 1 freak, 5 stupid, 1 freakazoid, 2 dang, 2 heck, 2 jeez, 1 jerk, G-d, 2 oh my gosh, a teacher wears a hijab in 4 panels.

Comic panels of two worried girls in a school hallway arguing about secrets; speech bubbles mention parents and see you at three fifteen.

Comic panels of a boy explaining Kate cares what others think; others look worried, with speech bubbles about therapy and misunderstanding.

Comic of a mother and daughter at a kitchen table eating, talking about club commitment, grades, and a secret; tense but caring


Cartoon dogs in superhero costumes pose on a blue book cover for DnDoggos: Get the Party Started, with confetti.

🟢 8. DnDoggos: Get the Party Started – Scout Underhill

Series: DnDoggos, Book 1 (series ongoing)

This graphic novel follows a group of dogs who gather to play a tabletop fantasy role-playing game. As they create adventures at the game table, their imagination brings the story to life through teamwork, humor, and fantasy quests. Originally written for Elementary / Upper Elementary readers.

Heads Up: Language: 13 heck, 6 dang, 1 darnedest, 1 crummy, 2 holy sniff, 1 what the.., spells are part of the game. He/ Her Pronouns are used to identify the dogs.


Comic of cartoon dogs at a table debating lying; speech bubbles include No I’m not!, You are., and I can do better!

Comic of cartoon dogs at a table; one says It wasn’t water and another uses a napkin after drooling, with humorous speech bubbles.

Comic page with a worried wolf pup confronting Fang Leader, who says he needs someone to test the next beast on; friends stand nearby.



Book cover with two kids at a farm stand under a tree, selling berries, flowers and granola; Peapod Farm, Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley

🟢 9. Stepping Stones – Lucy Knisley

Series: Peapod Farm, Book 1 (series ongoing)

When her parents separate, Jen leaves the city and moves to a farm with her mother, her mother's new boyfriend, and his daughters. As she adjusts to unfamiliar chores, a new environment, and changing family relationships, Jen struggles to find her place while learning to adapt to her new life. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: 2 stupid, 1 darn, 1 jeez, 1 jerkface, 1 heck, cigar reference, divorce, blended family

Comic panels of kids churning cream in jars outdoors; man says they’ll taste Mike’s blueberry muffins, then fresh butter.

Comic panel: grandmother tells three siblings at a market, My sisters and I used to work at our dad’s shop; they smile and agree.

Comic panel of three kids at a farmers market; one apologizes for her rude dad, while a boy looks upset and confused.



Book cover of When Stars Are Scattered: two boys walk arm in arm in a blue village under a pink-purple starry sky, with award seal.

🔵10. When Stars Are Scattered – Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed

Standalone

Based on Omar Mohamed’s real-life experiences, this graphic memoir follows Omar and his younger brother Hassan as they grow up in a refugee camp in Kenya after being separated from their family during the Somali civil war. While caring for his brother and pursuing an education, Omar faces uncertainty, hardship, and difficult choices while holding onto hope for the future. Originally written for Upper Elementary / Middle Grade readers.

Heads Up: Language: 10 stupid, 5 jerk(s), 4 idiot, 6 shut up, 1 moron, 1 geez, 1 jeez | seizures, death of parent, family separation, suicide reference, Muslim faith, arranged marriage, references to khat use (a stimulant plant chewed in parts of East Africa).


Comic: man offers juice to two boys; one tastes ice and says it’s his first cold drink ever, while others look puzzled.

Comic page: crying woman confronts boy in refugee camp; speech bubbles discuss Hassan, selfishness, and helping refugees.

Comic panels show interviews and paperwork, then school and graduation crowds. Text mentions another interview, UN, and staying calm.

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