Books like Courage

A warm, deeply validating hug of a graphic memoir that makes the terrifying, isolating feelings of childhood anxiety feel manageable and shared. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Courage.

anxious but hopeful
comforting
nostalgic
warm

01
Guts
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, deeply relatable exploration of how our minds and bodies react to the overwhelming pressures of growing up.
Shares:
- anxious but hopeful
- comforting
- nostalgic
- warm
02
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the cramped quarters of a family road trip and the even tighter confines of sisterhood.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- warm
- relatable
03
Real Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply validating, emotionally honest exploration of the roller coaster of childhood friendships and the quest to find where you truly belong.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- vulnerable
- relatable
04
All's faire in middle school
Victoria Jamieson
A warm, visually engaging exploration of the awkward clash between a quirky, theatrical family life and the harsh realities of public middle school.
Shares:
- warm
- earnest
- relatable
05
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
06
New Kid
Jerry Craft
A warm, funny, and sharply observant graphic novel about the awkward, everyday tightrope walk of middle school and code-switching.
Shares:
- warm
- earnest
- relatable
- finding your voice
07
Almost American Girl
Robin Ha
A poignant, visually expressive memoir about the jarring isolation of culture shock and the saving grace of finding your voice through art.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- vulnerable
08
Crush
Svetlana Chmakova
A sweet, funny, and deeply relatable exploration of the butterflies and blunders that come with a first middle-school crush.
Shares:
- warm
- earnest
- finding your voice
09
Awkward
Svetlana Chmakova
A warm, deeply relatable dive into the chaotic, anxiety-inducing, and ultimately rewarding world of middle school friendships.
Shares:
- warm
- earnest
- relatable
10
Scaredy squirrel
Melanie Watt · 2006
A hilarious, chart-filled exploration of what happens when you finally step out of your meticulously planned comfort zone.
Feels:
- lighthearted
- quirky
- energetic
11
Becoming Brianna
Terri Libenson
An earnest, briskly paced graphic novel that captures the anxiety of a looming milestone and the messy, rewarding process of finding your true friends.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
12
Friends with boys
Faith Erin Hicks
A tender, slightly spooky slice-of-life graphic novel about the terrifying leap from the safety of family into the chaotic world of high school.
Shares:
- earnest

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