Books like Roller Girl

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson reads as humorous, heartwarming. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

What Roller Girl is like to read

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. The energy is earnest and encouraging without tipping into saccharine. Best for: middle-graders (and nostalgic adults) who loved Raina Telgemeier and want a scrappy sports-and-friendship story with real emotional stakes.

All's faire in middle school

Victoria Jamieson · 2017

A funny, relatable graphic-novel account of an eleven-year-old navigating the social minefield of public school for the first time after a homeschooled, Renaissance-Fair upbringing

younger readerscomplete storydeep cut

Awkward

Svetlana Chmakova · 2015

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.

YAcomplete storydeep cut

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.

creepy, not goryYAcomplete story

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.

younger readerscomplete story

Flight, Volume Two

Kazu Kibuishi · 2005

A diverse collection of short graphic stories celebrating flight and magic across fantastical settings, emphasizing imaginative world-building and creative visual storytelling from multiple artists.

younger readersdeep cut

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.

younger readersdeep cut