Books like New Kid

A warm, funny, and sharply observant graphic novel about the awkward, everyday tightrope walk of middle school and code-switching. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with New Kid.

warm
hopeful
relatable
anxious

01
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie
A hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human exploration of what it costs to leave home and what it takes to survive it.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- wry
02
Cat Kid Comic Club
Dav Pilkey
A wildly inventive, laugh-out-loud celebration of making messy art and finding your own creative voice.
Shares:
- earnest
- finding your voice
03
Courage
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, deeply validating hug of a graphic memoir that makes the terrifying, isolating feelings of childhood anxiety feel manageable and shared.
Shares:
- warm
- relatable
- earnest
- finding your voice
04
American Born Chinese
Gene Luen Yang
A clever, intertwining graphic journey through the awkwardness of adolescence, the weight of heritage, and the struggle to accept who you are.
Shares:
- anxious
- earnest
- wry
- empathetic
05
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney
A hilarious, highly visual survival guide to the everyday humiliations of middle school.
Shares:
- humorous
- wry
06
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
- relatable
- humorous
- earnest
07
Lunch money
Andrew Clements
A clever, energetic exploration of schoolyard economics and the unexpected joy of turning your biggest rival into your best collaborator.
Shares:
- humorous
- observant
- earnest
08
Look Both Ways
Jason Reynolds
A vibrant, interconnected snapshot of the unsupervised magic and quiet struggles that happen on the walk home from school.
Shares:
- warm
- humorous
- observant
- empathetic
09
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:
- hopeful
- relatable
- anxious
- earnest
10
Hello Universe
Erin Entrada Kelly
A tender, fateful collision of lonely orbits that proves even the quietest voices can echo loudly when they finally find their people.
Shares:
- warm
- hopeful
- earnest
- empathetic
11
Miles Morales
Jason Reynolds
A rhythmic, grounded coming-of-age story that explores the heavy burden of heroism against the backdrop of everyday teenage struggles and systemic injustice.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- wry
12
Jedi Academy
Jeffrey Brown
A hilarious, doodle-filled journey through the awkwardness of middle school, set in a galaxy far, far away.
Shares:
- warm
- humorous
- earnest
- wry

Back to New Kid