For a 9 to 11-year-old who says reading is boring, start with a comic such as Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, or a book that is half words and half cartoons, such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. If they would rather talk about football, Football School: The Greatest Ever Quiz Book has over 300 questions about the game to dip into.
This guide is for parents and carers of 9 to 11-year-olds who avoid reading, would rather be gaming, or only want to read about one thing, such as football. Every pick breaks up the text in some way: comics, graphic novels, a diary with cartoons, or a book of facts and quizzes to dip into.
For children who like jokes and comic-book heroes more than long chapters. The first Dog Man book is a full-colour comic about a hero who is part dog, part man. Scholastic lists it as suitable for 6 to 7-year-olds, so the reading level is low for this age group, and the publisher says the series appeals to readers of all ages.
For children who find a full page of text off-putting. The publisher describes the series as 50% words and 50% cartoons. In this first book, Greg Heffley keeps a journal as he copes with a new school alongside his friend Rowley.
For children who like mysteries and silly jokes. It is a full-colour comic about Mango and Brash, two alligators who investigate crimes; in this first book they go undercover in a bakery to find out who has kidnapped a top chef.
For children who would rather draw than read. Li'l Petey, Flippy and Molly introduce 21 baby frogs to the art of making comics, and the publisher says it encourages readers to try visual storytelling themselves.
For children who like funny comic stories they can read a few pages at a time. This Phoenix Comic Book collects two Bunny vs Monkey books, Destructo and Apocalypse, in one chunky 256-page volume.
For children who like adventure and Greek myths. The first Percy Jackson book told as a graphic novel: Percy finds out he is the son of a Greek god, and Zeus thinks he has stolen his lightning bolt. It is 128 pages.
For children who like spy stories. A full-colour graphic version of the first Alex Rider book, in which 14-year-old Alex is recruited into MI6 after his guardian's death. Walker Books gives it an interest age of 9+.
For children who would rather be playing Minecraft. It is the first graphic novel set in the world of Minecraft: after Tyler's family moves away, he and his friends, who stay linked through the game, set out to reach the End and face the ender dragon. The listed age range is 8 to 12.
For football fans who say they don't like books. Stand-up comic James Campbell mixes funny stories, partly-true facts and pictures about the game, and the publisher says it can be read forwards, backwards or sideways rather than straight through.
For football fans who like testing themselves and their friends. It has over 300 questions on star strikers, coaches and famous matches, with cartoons, and the publisher pitches it at fans aged 7 and up.
Something visual. Dog Man and InvestiGators are full-colour comics, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is half words and half cartoons, and the Football School quiz book can be read a few questions at a time.
Minecraft Volume 1 is a graphic novel set in the world of Minecraft, about a group of friends on a quest to reach the End. The listed age range is 8 to 12.
The Funny Life of Football mixes funny stories and partly-true facts about the game, and Football School: The Greatest Ever Quiz Book has over 300 questions. For a story, Kick by Mitch Johnson is a novel about Budi, a boy in Jakarta who makes football boots and dreams of playing.
Yes. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel tells the first book in the series in comic form. For Alex Rider, start with Stormbreaker Graphic Novel.
Selected by Fox & Fable from books in stock. Last updated 30 September 2026.
