Books like Awkward
Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova reads as humorous, heartfelt. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.
What Awkward is like to read
A warm, funny middle-school story about a shy new kid whose small act of cowardice haunts her until she can make it right — episodic art-club hijinks braided with a sincere friendship-repair arc. Best for: middle-grade and younger-YA readers who want a kind, funny graphic novel about friendship and finding your people.
Smile
Raina Telgemeier · 2010
An earnest, episodic middle-school memoir in comics form — funny and cringey by turns, with real warmth as Raina grows past her insecurities.
Roller Girl
Victoria Jamieson · 2014
A warm, funny, visually kinetic middle-grade graphic novel about a twelve-year-old finding her people at roller derby camp while her oldest friendship drifts.
Anya's ghost
Vera Brosgol · 2011
A wry, slightly spooky YA graphic novel about an awkward teen whose new ghostly best friend turns out to be more trouble than comfort.
DAWN ON THE COAST
Ann M. Martin · 2025
A warm, low-stakes BSC entry where Dawn's California vacation stirs a real ache about family, home, and belonging.
Princess Academy
Shannon Hale · 2005
A warm coming-of-age set at a mountain-village academy, where friendship and cleverness matter more than royal polish.
How to Speak Dragonese
Cressida Cowell · 2005
A fast, funny middle-grade romp told in Hiccup's earnest, self-deprecating voice, full of Viking mishaps, dragon banter, and narrow escapes.
FIRST CRUSH
Cassandra Calin · 2025
A warm, funny slice-of-life graphic novel about the awkward swirl of first crushes, changing bodies, and shifting friendships.
Twins
Varian Johnson · 2020
A quiet, emotionally attentive middle-grade story about a twin watching her closest bond stretch as her sister claims a separate identity in middle school; the tension is internal and relational rather than plot-driven.
Beetle and the Hollowbones
Aliza Layne · 2020
Shares the foundfamily + comingofage thread
Afterparties
Anthony Veasna So · 2021
Shares the foundfamily + comingofage thread
In Other Lands
Sarah Rees Brennan · 2017
A prickly, wisecracking thirteen-year-old crashes into a magical boarding school and refuses to be impressed — the comedy comes from his running commentary on fantasy tropes he'd r
Anne of Green Gables
Mariah Marsden · 2017
A warm, episodic graphic-novel adaptation following an imaginative orphan girl as she wins over a reluctant adoptive family and community through her wit and heart.
About Awkward — what the genome says
Is Awkward a complete story or a cliffhanger?
It's a complete, standalone-satisfying story.
Who is Awkward for?
It's young adult — teen protagonists with crossover appeal.
Find your next read by its genome
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