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July 29, 202618 Great Graphic Novels for 3-7th Graders + Writing Activities
Investigate Books, Expand Book Experiences & Write About It!
There's nothing better than investigating and talking about books with students who are reading them! This post not only shares some great books, it turns the sharing into a WRITE ABOUT IT activity. Plus, each books links to great Lesson Plan Ideas.
Take a look at each title on our short list of Best Graphic Novels in 2025-26. Order, process, and then turn them into a writing event! Students pick a number 1 through 18, and then write their own story based on the book's summary. If you have more students, double the numbers and have them select a text blind—or have each student select one to investigate by reading and reviewing the summaries.
Each summary is intentionally written in second person, followed by a writing prompt to be completed prior to reading, so students can think about what the story is about and connect to the plot of the book before they read. Once they read it, they may look back at their own writing and compare their ideas with what actually happened in the book. Fun stuff for all.
One word of advice, feel free to have kids share their writing, and follow them as they read. Take fifteen minutes at the start of class to share what they are reading about and discuss. Their insights may surprise you—despite being different books. As a fifth grade reading teacher/reading specialist, I was often amazed by the connections kids made book to book.
Provide a Best of Best Reading List, Follow, & Read Along
Want More? Click the Lesson Plan: Discussion, Activities & More ink and select what works best for your group!
Creature Clinic
by Gavin Aung Than
1
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU ARE A DOCTOR-IN-TRAINING at the Creature Clinic that cares for magical creatures, where humans are not allowed. When an injured human secretly arrives needing help, you must decide whether to follow the rules or do what you believe is right. As you face difficult choices, you learn about courage, compassion, and standing up for your values.
Writing Prompt:
Imagine you have to choose between following an important rule and helping someone in need. Write about the decision you make, why you choose it, and what happens as a result. Explain what your experience teaches you about kindness, responsibility, and doing the right thing, even when it is difficult.
Then read and compare.
Serendipity
by Gabbie Benda
2
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU SEEM TO HAVE EVERYTHING GOING your way—you do well in school, lead activities, and always seem to be lucky. But after a strange accident at the carnival, your good luck disappears, and everything starts going wrong. As you try to break what you believe is a curse, you discover that success isn't just about luck—it's also about perseverance, balance, and believing in yourself.
Writing Prompt:
Have you ever blamed bad luck for something that went wrong? Write about a time when things didn't go as planned, or imagine you are cursed with terrible luck like Serendipity. Describe the challenges you face, how you try to solve the problem, and what you learn about taking responsibility, staying positive, and overcoming obstacles.
Then read and compare.
Money Talks
by Kwame Alexander with Cassidy Dyce
3
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU ARE EXCITED TO TURN TEN because you think you're finally getting the phone you've always wanted. When you find out your family can't afford it, you and your best friends come up with creative ways to earn the money yourselves. Along the way, you learn about teamwork, responsibility, and that friendship is more valuable than having the newest gadget.
Writing Prompt:
Have you ever wanted something that you couldn't have right away? Write about a goal you worked hard to achieve or imagine you are Lex. How will you earn money for your dream phone? Describe the plan you create, the obstacles you face, and what you learn about determination, teamwork, and what really matters.
Then read and compare.
Creaky Acres
by Calista Brill
4
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU MOVE TO A NEW TOWN, leave your friends behind, and have to adjust to a new school and a new horse barn. At first, you feel out of place, but as you make new friends and spend time with your horse, you learn that true success isn't just about winning competitions. You discover the importance of friendship, confidence, and being yourself.
Writing Prompt:
Starting over in a new place can be exciting and challenging. Write about a time you had to adjust to a new situation, or imagine you are Nora moving to a new town. Describe the challenges you face, the friendships you build, and what you learn about yourself by trying something new.
Howliday Inn
(Bunnicula) by Stephen Gilpin
5
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU AND YOUR ANIMAL FRIENDS STAY at a pet boarding house while your family is on vacation. At first, everything seems normal, but strange howls, disappearing animals, and spooky rumors turn your stay into a mystery. As you search for answers, you must stay brave, work together, and uncover what is really happening before it's too late.
Writing Prompt:
Imagine you are staying at a mysterious pet hotel where strange things begin happening every night. What suspenseful clues do you discover, what friends help you investigate, and how do you solve the mystery? Be sure to include a surprising ending that explains what was really causing the strange events.
Camp Monster
by Kate Messner
6
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU SPEND THE SUMMER AT YOUR FAMILY'S CAMP, which has changed from Camp Yeti to Camp Monster so all kinds of monsters can attend. At first, the campers have trouble getting along, and strange accidents keep causing problems. As you work with the other campers to solve the mystery, you discover that teamwork, acceptance, and friendship are the keys to saving the camp.
Writing Prompt:
Imagine you are spending the summer at Camp Monster. What kind of monster would you be, and what special talents would you have? Write about a mystery that happens at camp and how you and your new friends work to solve it while learning to appreciate each other's differences.
Dream Big
by Shannon Hale
7
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU GET THE EXCITING CHANCE TO BE AN EXTRA in a movie being filmed in your neighborhood, and you're happy to help your family by earning money. But when your best friend leaves the project and you discover you're acting in a scary horror movie, you must face your fears on your own. Along the way, you learn that courage doesn't mean never being afraid—it means trying your best even when you are.
Writing Prompt:
Everyone has something that makes them nervous or afraid. Write about a time you faced one of your fears, or imagine you are Cassie working on a scary movie set. Describe what scares you, how you find the courage to keep going, and what you learn about bravery by the end of your adventure.
Then read and compare.
A Kid Like Me
by Norm Feuti
8
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU WANT TO STAND OUT IN A GOOD WAY, but it's hard when you feel different from the other kids because of what you have and the people you spend time with. As you make new friends and face difficult choices, you begin to realize that being accepted starts with being true to yourself. Along the way, you learn that real friends appreciate you for who you are, not for what you own.
Writing Prompt:
Have you ever felt like you didn't quite fit in? Write about a time when you tried to find your place in a group, or imagine you are Ethan deciding between fitting in and being yourself. Describe the choices you make, the friendships you build, and what you learn about confidence, kindness, and staying true to who you are.
Then read and compare.
Mixed-Up
by Kami Garcia
9
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU START FIFTH GRADE EXCITED because your best friends are in your class, you have the teacher you wanted, and your favorite TV show releases a new game and guidebook. But when reading becomes harder, you discover you have dyslexia. With support from your family and teachers, you learn new strategies, build confidence, and realize that your learning difference is part of what makes you unique.
Writing Prompt:
When was something was difficult for you to learn or do and what helped you overcome the challenge? How does receiving the right support change your confidence and help you reach your goals?
Then read and compare.
Sol Goes for Goal!
by Julio Anta
10
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU ALWAYS TRY TO DO YOUR BEST at school, on the soccer field, and at home because everyone expects you to succeed. But when you begin having unexpected feelings for your team captain, you start to question who you are and worry about letting others down. As you learn more about yourself, you discover that being true to who you are is more important than being perfect.
Writing Prompt:
Growing up often means learning more about who you are. Write about a time when you discovered something new about yourself or had to balance other people's expectations with your own feelings. If you prefer, imagine you are Sol and describe how you find the confidence to be yourself both on and off the soccer field.
Then read and compare.
Good Boy
by Andy Hirsch
11
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU AND YOUR WILD RESCUE DOG, Ralph are best friends, but you struggle with anxiety, and it sometimes makes everyday situations feel overwhelming. When your energetic rescue dog gets you into an unexpected adventure, you begin dog agility training together. As you and your dog learn new skills, you build confidence, face your fears, and discover that courage grows one step at a time.
Writing Prompt:
Think about a time when you had to face a fear or try something new. Write about how you felt before, during, and after the experience. If you haven't had a similar experience, imagine you are training with Ralph for a dog agility competition and describe how working with your dog helps you become more confident and overcome your challenges.
Then read and compare.
Villain Con
(Katie the Catsitter) by Colleen AF Venable
12
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO YOUR true friends are as middle school brings unexpected changes. When the people around you begin growing in different directions, you wonder if you're changing too. As you learn that people aren't always simply heroes or villains, you discover that growing up means accepting change, understanding others, and finding the courage to move forward.
Writing Prompt:
Friendships often change as people grow. Write about a time when a friendship changed or imagine you are Katie facing big changes in middle school. Describe the challenges you face, the choices you make, and what you learn about friendship, change, and seeing people with kindness instead of judging them too quickly.
Then read and compare.
Big Idea:
Catsitters, Villain Con shows that appearances can be deceiving, teamwork is essential, and our choices—not labels like "hero" or "villain"—define who we are.
Chickenpox
by Remi Lai
13
WRITE ABOUT IT:
ABBY WANTS A BREAK from her younger brothers and sisters, but when everyone in her family gets chickenpox, they are all stuck at home together for two weeks. As she deals with the chaos, Abby learns that even though siblings can be frustrating, family members can also support and care for one another during difficult times.
Writing Prompt:
Think about a time when your family had to get through a challenge together. Imagine being Abby during the chickenpox outbreak and describe how you would handle the situation and what you would discover about being part of a family.
Then read and compare.
Limelight: Curtain Up on Poetry Comics!
by Renée M. LaTulippe
14
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU BECOME PART OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL musical and experience from auditions and rehearsals to the excitement of opening night. Along the way, you see the story through the eyes of actors, stage crew, and theater objects like the script and piano. As the performance comes together, you discover that every person—and every role—helps forge the show's success.
Writing Prompt:
Imagine you are part of a school play or musical. Write the story from the point of view of a theater object, such as a microphone, stage curtain, costume, script, or spotlight. Describe what you see during rehearsals and opening night, and explain how your unique point of view helps tell the story of the performance.
Then read and compare.
The League Littles
by Casey Lyall
15
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU JOING THE LEAGUE OF LITTLES, a secret organization that helps youngest siblings solve problems and complete important missions. Your first assignment is to help find a missing hamster before anyone discovers it is gone. As you search for clues and work with your teammates, you learn that teamwork, responsibility, and quick thinking can solve even the trickiest mysteries.
Writing Prompt:
Imagine you are a member of a secret organization that helps kids in need. Write about your first mission, the clues you uncover, the challenges you face, and how you and your teammates work together to solve the problem. Explain what makes your team successful and what you learn from the adventure.
Then read and compare.
Thick as Thieves
(Sidekicks) by Dan Santat
16
WRITE ABOUT IT:
WHILE CAPTAIN AMAZING IS AWAY on vacation, the Society of Superheroes faces a major problem when a data breach exposes secret information about its heroes. At the same time, a mysterious visitor named Whipley arrives claiming to be Shifty's long-lost brother. As the superhero sidekicks try to figure out whether Whipley is telling the truth, they must work together to protect friends and uncover real motives.
Writing Prompt:
Have you ever had to decide whether to trust someone—that time when you had to determine if someone was being honest—and describe clues to look for, choices you might make, and what you would learn about trust, teamwork, and honesty.
Then read and compare.
Speed Reader
by Matthew Cody
17
WRITE ABOUT IT:
YOU ARE A MIDDLE SCHOOLER WHO is always slow and often feels left behind. After receiving a mysterious book, you gain super speed and suddenly becomes more confident and popular. With the help of you best friend, Tanya May, and dog Spike, you must use your new powers to protect your hometown from a dangerous villain while learning what it truly means to be a hero.
Writing Prompt:
If you suddenly gained a superpower, how would it change your life? What superpower would you choose, how you would use it to help others, and the challenges or responsibilities that might come with having it?
Then read and compare.
Last Day Pool Party
by Emma Steinkellner
18
WRITE ABOUT IT:
ONE THE LAST DAY OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, six different kids each arrive at a pool party with their own hopes, worries, and problems. Rose wants to stop being invisible; Liv and Juhi struggle with changes in their friendship; Maya is forced to attend a party she doesn't want to go to, and Paul just wants to stay out of the chaos. As the day unfolds, funny surprises and unexpected events teach them about friendship, growing up, and being themselves.
Writing Prompt:
Which character, from short descriptions above, do you think you will relate to most, and why? How would you help a younger student learn to be themselves. What advice would you have for them?
Then read and compare.
Want to Spread the Book Love Even More?
Share these Books as a Slideshow, or Add your By-the Book Lesson Plans to your Library Catalog!
Or even create and share all these book details & links on a ALEX Bulletin Board!
Share Your Books in Slideshow with Summaries that take Seconds to Create
Create a visual Library Display for your Graphic Novel Write About It session.
Add By-the-Book Lesson Plans to your Library as an OTHER Link
Use the OTHER link to create By-the-Book Excitement, Activities, author videos, and so much more!
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