TL;DR: If your kid has suddenly stopped asking for more Roblox time because they’re face-down in a graphic novel, there’s a 90% chance that book is Amulet. It’s the ultimate "gateway" series—the one that turns kids who "hate reading" into kids who stay up late with a flashlight. It’s visually stunning, emotionally heavy, and recently finished its 10-year-plus run with a massive finale. It’s safe for most middle-grade kids, but it’s definitely darker than your average Dog Man installment.
- Best for: Ages 8–12 (and honestly, plenty of adults)
- The Vibe: Star Wars meets Studio Ghibli with a dash of Lord of the Rings
- Content Warning: Loss of a parent, creepy monsters, and some "wait, is the hero actually the villain?" moral ambiguity.
Amulet is a nine-book graphic novel series by Kazu Kibuishi. It follows Emily and Navin Hayes, two siblings who move into their great-grandfather’s creepy old house after their father dies in a tragic car accident (which we see in the first few pages—it’s a heavy start).
While exploring the house, their mother is kidnapped by a tentacled "Arachnopod" and dragged into an underground world called Alledia. Emily finds a glowing stone—the Amulet—that gives her immense power but also has its own sentient, slightly sinister voice. To save their mom, the kids have to navigate a world of giant robots, talking foxes, elf kings, and a resistance movement.
It’s not just a "comic book." It’s an epic fantasy saga that happens to be told through some of the most beautiful illustrations in modern publishing.
We talk a lot about "brain rot" these days—that mindless consumption of Skibidi Toilet or infinite YouTube Shorts that leaves kids looking like zombies. Amulet is the literal antidote to that.
Kids are obsessed with it because it treats them like they can handle a real story. It doesn't pander. The stakes are "life or death," not "who stole the cookies."
1. The "Cool" Factor The art is cinematic. If your kid is into Minecraft or The Legend of Zelda, the world-building in Alledia will feel immediately familiar and exciting. It feels "older" than it is, which is catnip for an 8-year-old.
2. Relatable Characters Emily isn't a perfect hero. She’s constantly struggling with the power of the stone and whether she’s losing herself to it. Navin, the younger brother, starts as the "annoying sibling" but becomes a tactical genius who pilots giant mechs. It’s a massive empowerment fantasy.
3. The Binge Factor Kibuishi is the master of the cliffhanger. Once a kid finishes The Stonekeeper, they will be hounding you for The Stonekeeper's Curse within the hour.
Check out our full list of graphic novels for kids who love Amulet
I’m a big fan of not pulling punches, so here’s the No-BS take: Amulet is dark.
The series opens with the death of the father in a car crash. It’s handled tastefully, but it’s intense. Throughout the series, characters die, cities are destroyed, and the "Elf King" is a genuinely frightening antagonist.
The "Stone" itself is a bit like the One Ring from Lord of the Rings. It talks to Emily, tries to manipulate her, and encourages her to use her power in ways that aren't always "good."
If you have a particularly sensitive child who struggles with themes of parental loss or creepy-crawly monsters (the Arachnopods are basically giant, multi-eyed spiders), you might want to read the first volume with them. But for most kids, this is the exact level of "scary" they crave—the kind that feels adventurous, not traumatizing.
For years, the Amulet fandom was the "George R.R. Martin" situation of the middle-grade world. We waited years for the final book.
Waverider (Book 9) finally dropped recently, and it closes the loop. It gets a bit "sci-fi heavy" toward the end—we’re talking space travel and ancient alien tech—but it brings the emotional journey of the Hayes family to a satisfying conclusion. If your kid started the series years ago and fell off, now is the time to get them the finale.
Once they finish Book 9, they’re going to have a "book hangover." Here are the best ways to keep that reading momentum going:
This is the "Gold Standard" of graphic novels. It starts off looking like a silly cartoon about three cousins lost in a valley, but it turns into an epic high-fantasy war story. It’s essential reading for any Amulet fan.
If your kid loves the lush, Ghibli-esque art of Amulet, Lightfall is the closest thing to it. It’s about a girl and a "Galdurian" (a giant, friendly creature) searching for her grandfather in a world where the sun has gone out.
While these started as prose novels, the graphic novel adaptations are massive hits. It’s all about dragon prophecy and warring tribes. It has that same "epic stakes" feel that Amulet nails so well.
A bit lighter and more sci-fi, but it features a strong female lead who is thrust into a strange world and has to find her way home. Perfect for the younger end of the Amulet age range.
- Ages 7–8: Proceed with caution. Read Volume 1 together. If they can handle the dad’s death and the spider-monsters, they’re good to go.
- Ages 9–11: This is the "Sweet Spot." They will likely consume the entire series in a week.
- Ages 12+: Still very readable. The art is sophisticated enough that middle schoolers won’t feel like they’re reading a "baby book."
Ask our chatbot for more graphic novel recommendations based on your kid's age
Amulet offers some great "intentional parenting" moments. Instead of just asking "Did you like it?", try these:
- On Power: "The Stone keeps telling Emily to trust it. Do you think the Stone is actually her friend, or is it just using her?"
- On Grief: "The family moved to the house because they were struggling after their dad died. How do you think that changed the way Emily and Navin look out for each other?"
- On Choice: "The Elves in the book aren't all bad, but they’re following a bad leader. Why do you think they do that?"
Amulet is a masterclass in middle-grade storytelling. It’s the kind of series that proves graphic novels are "real" books. It deals with heavy themes of loss, responsibility, and the corrupting nature of power, all while keeping kids glued to the page with giant robots and talking animals.
If you’re trying to navigate the digital world and find something that can actually compete with Fortnite or TikTok for your child's attention, Amulet is one of your best weapons.
Next Steps:
- Pick up The Stonekeeper (Book 1) at your local library or bookstore.
- Read the first 20 pages yourself just to see the art—it’s worth it.
- Prepare to buy the other eight books. You’ve been warned.
Learn more about the best graphic novels for middle grade readers