Fall is the perfect time to fill your shelves with the best new graphic novels and comics. Stocking up your classroom library with the latest releases will keep your students’ learning momentum high, long after the back-to-school energy has faded.
Graphic novels and comics offer kids a variety in format, style, and genre — from fantasy and horror to mystery and suspense — which allows both avid and reluctant readers with different interests to dive into a good book.
Packed with captivating visuals, descriptive narration, and compelling characters, graphic novels draw kids into the stories and keep them engaged from start to finish. That’s because when children read graphic novels and comics, they often slow down to observe the art alongside the text to fully understand what is happening in the plot. Illustrations provide built-in context clues for stories, which helps boost students’ reading comprehension, introduces new words, and teaches inference and critical thinking skills.
The best graphic novels of the season feature vibrant art, interesting characters, and exciting plot lines. Whether you’re looking for a superhero story, a funny comic filled with humor and heart, a gripping sci-fi tale, or an adaptation of classic comics, there’s a graphic novel for every student on this list.
Best Graphic Novels and Comics This Fall
Four Eyes is a heartfelt graphic novel memoir about self-esteem, standing up to bullies, and finding the right pair of glasses. Starting middle school is hard enough, but when Rex discovers that he needs glasses, his hope of fitting in goes out of focus. This humorous and relatable coming-of-age story is the perfect read for middle-grade students.
Fans of The Bad Guys series will delight in Cat on the Run in Cat of Death!. When the world's biggest cat video star gets accused of a crime she didn't commit, she must fight to clear her name. This hilarious comic book is full of twists and turns, exciting adventures, and vibrant images that bring the story to life.
Meanwhile, Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel shares the story of two first-generation Filipino siblings who learn to embrace who they are in order to save their family. This heartwarming graphic novel will teach students important life lessons about confidence, bravery, and resilience, while celebrating family and culture.
History is brought to life in the new I Survived - Graphix: I Survived the American Revolution, 1776. Adapted from the best-selling I Survived series by acclaimed writer Lauren Tarshis, this graphic novel tells the story of a young boy named Nathaniel fighting for his life when he is propelled into the heart of the Revolutionary War. Readers will be at the edge of their seats as they follow the journey of Nathaniel, while learning about the one of the biggest battles in history.
Plus, coming soon is a gripping graphic novel: Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust. This historical fiction read explores the Holocaust through the lens of five interlocking narratives that come together to tell a powerful story about herosim, courage, and resistance. Use this resource guide to spark important discussions about hope and history with your students.
Shop this fall’s most anticipated graphic novels for kids of all ages below! Browse all comic books and graphic novels and explore more books and activities at The Teacher Store.
From October 16-20, Scholastic will be offering free lesson plans, classroom live events, Flipgrid activities, videos from our Graphix creators and artists, and more for Teach Graphix Week. You won’t want to miss it!