TL;DR: Raina Telgemeier is the undisputed queen of the middle-grade graphic novel. Her books are a rite of passage for kids aged 8–12 because they validate the exact brand of "cringe" and anxiety that defines puberty. If your kid is obsessed, they’re in good hands—these stories are empathetic, high-quality, and deeply human.
Quick Links to the Essentials:
- Smile – The "orthodontic trauma" memoir that started it all.
- Sisters – A brutally honest look at sibling rivalry.
- Drama – Middle school theater, crushes, and navigating social identity.
- Guts – A must-read for any kid dealing with "stomach aches" (aka anxiety).
- Ghosts – A slightly more magical-realism take on heritage and mortality.
If you’ve walked into a middle school library or a Scholastic Book Fair in the last ten years, you’ve seen the "Raina" look: bright, saturated covers, expressive cartoon faces, and a dog-eared spine.
I was at pickup the other day and saw three different girls in the same grade all reading Smile at the same time. It’s like a secret society, but instead of handshakes, they have shared trauma about headgear and mean girls.
As intentional parents, we often worry about "brain rot" or whether graphic novels "count" as reading. Let me put that to rest right now: Raina Telgemeier’s books are the gold standard. They aren't just "comics"; they are sophisticated emotional blueprints for surviving the messiest years of a kid's life.
Kids love these books because Raina (as her fans call her) doesn't talk down to them. She remembers exactly what it felt like to have your front teeth knocked out, to have a sister who drives you insane, or to feel a literal knot in your stomach because you're scared of throwing up at school.
In a world of polished TikTok influencers and "perfect" curated lives, Raina’s books are messy. They’re about puberty, social exclusion, and the realization that your parents are actually just people. For a 10-year-old, reading Guts is often the first time they realize they aren't the only ones feeling "weird."
This is the gateway drug. It’s a memoir about Raina losing her two front teeth in a freak accident and the years of dental surgery, braces, and social humiliation that followed.
- The Vibe: Relatable physical and social awkwardness.
- What to watch for: There’s a bit of "mean girl" behavior from Raina's friends that can be frustrating to watch, but it leads to a great payoff about finding people who actually like you for you.
This is a companion to Smile, focusing on a family road trip. If your kids fight constantly, this book will feel like a documentary.
- The Vibe: "I love you, but I also want to push you out of a moving vehicle."
- Why it matters: It tackles the "myth" of the perfect sibling bond and shows that it’s okay for relationships to be complicated and a bit prickly.
This one is fiction, centered on a middle school stage crew. It’s about the "drama" on stage and the romantic "drama" off stage.
- The Vibe: Theater kid energy, first crushes, and learning that life doesn't always have a scripted ending.
- The "No-BS" Note: This book features two boys who are gay and share a very mild, age-appropriate kiss on stage during a rehearsal. In 2026, this shouldn't be a headline, but it has led to the book being banned in some conservative districts. In reality, it's a sweet, realistic depiction of middle schoolers figuring out who they are.
This might be her most important work. It deals with Raina’s childhood struggle with emetophobia (fear of vomiting) and general anxiety.
- The Vibe: Vulnerable and validating.
- Why it matters: If your kid has "mystery stomach aches" before school or tests, read this with them. It normalizes therapy and gives kids a vocabulary for their mental health.
A departure into fiction/magical realism. It follows two sisters (one of whom has Cystic Fibrosis) who move to a town where ghosts are said to visit during Day of the Dead.
- The Vibe: Bittersweet, cultural, and slightly spooky.
- What parents should know: It deals with the reality of a chronic illness and the fear of death, but in a way that feels hopeful rather than morbid.
Ask our chatbot for a reading list based on your kid's favorite Raina book
Recommended Ages: 8–12 (3rd to 7th Grade)
While younger kids (6-7) can certainly read them, some of the nuances of "dating" (which in middle school mostly means holding hands or talking in the hallway) and social hierarchy might fly over their heads.
For the older end of the spectrum (13+), these books are often "comfort reads." Don't be surprised if your teenager still has a copy of Sisters tucked under their bed.
Let’s be real: some parents (and teachers) still think graphic novels are "cheating."
They aren't.
Raina’s work requires high-level visual literacy. Kids have to interpret facial expressions, tone through color palettes, and the pacing of panels. For reluctant readers, her books are a bridge to more complex prose. For voracious readers, they are a masterclass in empathy.
If your kid is blowing through these in 20 minutes, don't worry that they aren't "learning." They are absorbing social-emotional lessons that a standard textbook couldn't touch.
There isn't much "bad" here, but if you're a parent who likes to be prepared:
- Social Friction: The girls in these books can be mean. They tease, they exclude, and they obsess over boys. It’s a mirror of real life, not a sanitized version of it.
- Inclusion: As mentioned, Drama includes LGBTQ+ characters. It’s handled with a "this is just a normal part of life" attitude, which is exactly why kids love it and some adults get nervous.
- Body Image/Health: Smile and Guts deal with medical procedures and physical changes. They are great conversation starters for kids who might be feeling self-conscious about their own bodies.
Once your kid has memorized every panel of Raina’s work, they’re going to want more. Here are the "Screenwise-approved" next steps:
- The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels: Raina actually illustrated the first four of these. They are fantastic updates to the classic series.
- Real Friends by Shannon Hale: If they loved the friendship drama in Smile, this is the perfect follow-up.
- El Deafo by Cece Bell: A brilliant graphic memoir about growing up with hearing loss.
- New Kid by Jerry Craft: Tackles race, class, and the "new kid" experience with a similar level of heart and humor.
Check out our full guide on the best graphic novels for middle schoolers
Raina Telgemeier is popular for a reason: she’s good. She doesn't use gimmicks or "brain rot" humor. She tells stories that make kids feel seen.
If your child is currently obsessed with these books, let them be. Better yet, pick one up and read it yourself. It might just remind you what it felt like to be twelve—and give you a little more patience the next time they have a "drama" meltdown in the backseat.
Next Steps:
- Check your local library for the "Raina" shelf—it's usually the most popular spot.
- If your kid has read them all, look into the The Baby-Sitters Club (Netflix) series, which captures the same spirit beautifully.
- Ask our chatbot for more "Raina-adjacent" recommendations