Comic adaptations of well-known children’s books were all the rage in 2025. Here’s a roundup of our favorites, from Junie B. Jones to A Wizard of Earthsea.

Chapter Book

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel by Barbara Park. illus. by Honie Beam. Random. (Junie B. Jones Graphic Novels: Bk. 1). adapted by Colleen AF Venable. ISBN 9780593706701.
K-Gr 2–The beloved and imperfect Junie B. Jones returns in a dynamic new graphic novel series that stays true to the curious, energetic Junie of years past. It starts readers at the first tale from the original series, in which six-year-old Junie is excited about beginning kindergarten but worries about having to ride the school bus. The graphic novel elements are geared towards younger ages to show how pictures and words need to be “read” for full understanding in the comic format. There is a reason this character has stood the test of time and Venable does a wonderful job reminding readers why. VERDICT A must-buy for any collection, whether Junie is new to readers or an old friend. Park could not ask for a better representation of her classic.

Middle Grade

Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel by Natalie Babbitt. illus. by K. Woodman-Maynard. Farrar. adapted by K. Woodman-Maynard. ISBN 9780374391850.
Gr 4 Up–Much like with her graphic novel adaptation of The Great Gatsby, Woodman-Maynard achieves the seemingly impossible task of enhancing a much-beloved classic novel. Adapted from Babbitt’s original text, with the encouragement and support of Babbitt’s family, this graphic novel features the story of Winnie Foster, a 10-year-old girl trapped in a rigid life of societal and familial expectations. Also included in this edition is a conversation between the artist and Babbitt’s daughter, Lucy; a “making of” vignette on the process of creating the graphic novel; and primary sources of Babbitt’s handwritten drafts, paintings, and life. VERDICT Enhancing a classic and empowering readers to better understand complex imagery, this faithful and beautiful adaptation is a must purchase for all graphic novel collections.

Stitch Head by Guy Bass. illus. by Pete Williamson. Random House Graphic. ISBN 9798217026166.
Gr 4 Up–In a story set in “yesteryear,” a boy named Stitch Head faces big challenges to his life of secrets and solitude. Stitch Head was the first creation of Professor Erasmus, a man who has created so many other monsters since that Stitch Head has been forgotten. When the ringleader of a traveling circus offers to make Stitch Head the star of his show, the boy hopes that this opportunity will turn his life around. This tense but charming story will appeal to readers who enjoy themes of identity and found family. This book features a darkly colorful visual style like The Nightmare Before Christmas, and it is populated with plenty of amazing monsters. VERDICT This is a quirky, sweet, and spooky graphic novel with appeal to readers who enjoy stories that challenge their expectations of good and evil.

Space Case: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs. illus. by Ward Jenkins. (Moon Base Alpha). S. & S. ISBN 9781665934800.
Gr 3-5–With Gibbs’s ultra-popular "Spy School" books already getting the graphic novel adaptation treatment, it was only a matter of time for another of his beloved series to follow suit. This title could be used as a bridge for interested readers not yet ready for the novel version. VERDICT Guaranteed appeal to Gibbs’s established fanbase and sci-fi readers alike.

Refugee: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz. illus. by Syd Fini. Scholastic/Graphix. ISBN 9781338733976. 
Gr 4-8–In 1939, Josef’s Jewish family flees Berlin to escape the Nazi regime. In 1994, Isabel’s family sails toward ¬Miami, leaving Castro and Cuba behind. In 2015, Mahmoud and his family run from Syria as civil war rages. Decades and thousands of miles separate them, but Josef, Isabel, and ¬Mahmoud share one thing in common: they are refugees, and their stories converge in surprising ways. This graphic novel adaptation is faithful to the original book, omitting only minor details from the main plotlines. VERDICT The original Refugee remains an important and timely book; this graphic novel adaptation brings the moving stories of Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud to life for a new generation of readers. A good choice for where the original is popular.

Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes. illus. by Setor Fiadzigbey. Little, Brown Ink. ISBN 9780316279796.
Gr 4-8–In this graphic novel adaptation of Rhodes’s acclaimed novel, readers meet the ghost of 12-year-old Jerome, a Black kid, as he navigates his untimely death at the hands of a white police officer. Like the original novel, the adaptation tackles themes of police brutality, prejudice, justice, and other issues that remain relevant for readers across a range of ages. VERDICT Although the adaptation doesn’t replace the original, it will introduce a whole new audience to this powerful and pivotal story.

Song of the Lioness, Book 1: Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Tamora Pierce. illus. by Sam Beck. Abrams/Fanfare. (Song of the Lioness: Bk. 1). adapted by Vita Ayala. ISBN 9781419765582.
Gr 6 Up–This vivid adaptation of Pierce’s fantasy series introduces readers to Alanna, the fiercely independent girl determined to become a knight. Beck’s illustrations are excellent, with expressive faces, impressive fight scenes, and stunning backgrounds that anchor and expand the world. VERDICT New readers and existing fans of the original novels will fall in love with this world and Alanna.

Heidi: A Graphic Novel by Johanna Spyri. illus. by Ofride. Andrews McMeel. adapted by Mariah Marsden. ISBN 9781524886400.
Gr 3-8–Marsden’s third adaptation of a children’s classic is perfectly paced and beautifully illustrated. Eternal optimist Heidi’s genuineness is revealed as she gains the love of her grandfather, a complex and taciturn loner with whom she is sent to live. But just as their bond begins to grow, Heidi is sent to Frankfurt to keep the company of Clara, who uses a wheelchair. Marsden is paired with Italian illustrator Ofride, whose style brings color and detail to every moment. The young and cheery Heidi is brought to life with a combination of panel sizes that move the action vertically and horizontally as needed. Heidi’s keen sense of observation is echoed in many dialogue-free passages, guiding readers to pay close attention to details. VERDICT A well-developed adventure with wide appeal for those looking for longer realistic stories. Strongly recommended for graphic novel collections.

Darkstalker by Tui T.  Sutherland. illus. by Jake Parker. (Wings of Fire: Legends: Bk. 1). Scholastic/Graphix. ISBN 9781339001296.
Gr 4-6–Filled with dragon lore, the search for truth and dominance, and the fallout of betrayal, this is the graphic novel adaptation of the first book in “Legends” a spin-off of the beloved “Wings of Fire” fantasy series. This may be best for readers already deeply invested in the series. VERDICT Purchase where other iterations of the series are popular.

One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel by Rita Williams-Garcia. illus. by Sharee Miller. HarperCollins/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780062935595.
Gr 3-7–A summer trip from New York to California offers three sisters profound, funny, and sometimes difficult lessons in the nature of family and the complexities of racial identity. This graphic adaptation of Williams-Garcia’s novel of the same name captures the intricacies of an essential cultural moment in Black history, while remaining intimate, humorous, and heartrending. Miller’s bright, energetic illustrations work perfectly to help readers experience the story through a child’s watchful eyes. VERDICT The personal is profoundly political, and a specific experience feels universally meaningful in this fantastic graphic novel, highly recommended for all middle grade readers.

YA

Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 1 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. illus. by Julien Choy. Manga Classics. adapted by Crystal Chan. ISBN 9781947808324.
Gr 6 Up–When Dr. John Watson is sent home to England after suffering both illness and injury during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, he finds himself in severe financial hardship. A colleague tells him of an acquaintance who is looking for a roommate, leading Watson to the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes. Getting teens to read 19th-century literature may not be the easiest task, but this manga is an excellent introduction for newcomers to Sherlock lore, making it well-deserving of a spot in manga sections—or even classics sections, on a bold day. VERDICT Ushering in a color era for the “Manga Classics” series, this volume looks great while weaving a puzzling mystery to both entertain and introduce teens to the amazing deduction magic of Sherlock Holmes.

A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel by Ursula K Le Guin. illus. by Fred Fordham. HarperCollins/Clarion. adapted by Fred Fordham. ISBN 9780063285767.
Gr 8 Up–The world of Earthsea has been widely known since Le Guin’s original publication in 1968 and paved the way for non-Tolkienian fantasy novels for decades. Fordham’s artistic vision will bring in a new generation of fans with vivid colors, dialogue-driven pages, and fast pacing. This is an otherwise faithful adaptation, and the interpretation of the characters, towns, and magic make this definitely worth adding to any graphic novel collection. VERDICT Fantasy lovers and art lovers alike will make this graphic version of the classic novel a highly sought-after addition to library shelves, though it should be in addition to the original, not in place of it.

The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater. illus. by Sas Milledge. Viking. (The Raven Cycle: The Graphic Novels: Bk. 1). adapted by Stephanie Williams. ISBN 9780593621172.
Gr 7 Up–Blue Sargent can amplify the psychic powers of those around her but cannot see into the future herself, which, in a family of clairvoyants, leaves her feeling overlooked. But when Blue unexpectedly sees the spirit of a boy named Gansey, who is fated to die within the next year, her aunt tells her this means Gansey is either her true love or that she is destined to kill him. Full-color illustrations beautifully capture the magic and mystery of the storyline, which is an adaptation of Stiefvater’s 2012 novel of the same name. VERDICT An engaging and well-executed adaptation that will revive interest in the original series.

Dan in Green Gables: A Modern Reimagining of Anne of Green Gables by Rey Terciero. illus. by Claudia Aguirre. Penguin Workshop. ISBN 9780593385586. 
Gr 8 Up–This retelling of Anne of Green Gables set in 1995 follows Dan, a gay teen whose mother has a problem with alcohol and can’t seem to settle down. Dan’s mother leaves him in Tennessee with his paternal grandparents where he struggles to fit in with southern culture and is targeted for his blithe personality and refusal to be anyone but himself. The back matter includes a letter from Terciero about their connection to Anne and how their own experiences of being queer and biracial in Tennessee inspired this title. The graphic format is used to further express intense feelings experienced by the characters. The art style is detailed, especially in capturing the 1990s Tennessee setting, while still maintaining an appealing bright, bold look. VERDICT A must purchase, especially for fans of Mike Curato’s Flamer or those who enjoy the works of Ivy Noelle Weir and Kathleen Gros.