Graphic Novels Like Raina Telgemeier’s ‘Smile,’ ‘Sisters,’ and ‘Guts’: Your Reading List

September 13, 2026by Chrestos Plácida

If you loved Raina Telgemeier’s ‘Smile,’ ‘Sisters,’ and ‘Guts,’ you’ll enjoy graphic novels that mix everyday drama with heartfelt, visual storytelling. I always reach for her books because they make real life feel bright and brave.

I’ve read countless graphic novels and found gems that share Telgemeier’s warm, approachable style. This article will point you to stories with similar themes of friendship, family, and growing up. Here are a few top picks to spark your interest:

‘El Deafo’ by Cece Bell
‘Real Friends’ by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
‘Roller Girl’ by Victoria Jamieson

Table of Contents

Why Are Raina Telgemeier’s Books So Easy to Love?

Raina Telgemeier’s art bursts with bright, expressive lines that feel like a friend’s doodle journal come to life. I love how her characters’ faces show every emotion, from awkward grins to eye-rolling frustration.

Her stories are slice-of-life, zooming in on the real stuff of middle school and family life. You get hallways, homework, and car rides that feel instantly familiar.

Her books shine because they tackle big themes-friendship, anxiety, family changes, growing up-without ever making you feel overwhelmed. They handle tough moments with a gentle, understanding hand.

Reading them is like watching a comforting TV show you can’t stop watching. The pacing is smooth and engaging, pulling you from one chapter to the next just like a favorite series. These moments remind me why I love reading, a sentiment echoed in essays about the joy of books. They echo the best reasons people give for turning to stories again and again.

While they are perfect for readers aged 8 to 13, their honest heart makes them enjoyable for all ages. I still find myself smiling at the relatable moments.

Heartfelt Graphic Novels with the Same Comforting Vibe

If you’re looking for more books like Raina Telgemeier, start with these warm, funny, and honest graphic novels. They carry the same atmospheric emotional vibe I’ve felt in other books I’ve read. If that mood matters to you, these picks fit right in. Authors like Shannon Hale, Kayla Miller, and Terri Libenson have a similar gift for blending real life with hope.

These stories handle real issues-like friendship drama or family stress-without ever feeling too heavy, mirroring Telgemeier’s perfect balance.

“Real Friends” by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham: This feels like a long talk with your best friend, uncovering the messy truth about childhood friendships.
“Click” by Kayla Miller: This feels like finding your people, a cheerful story about fitting in and the search for your place.
“Invisible Emmie” by Terri Libenson: This feels like a secret shared, gently exploring shyness and the courage to be seen.
“New Kid” by Jerry Craft: This feels like walking in someone else’s shoes, offering a funny and insightful look at navigating a new school.
“El Deafo” by Cece Bell: This feels like turning a challenge into a superpower, a heartfelt memoir about hearing loss and connection.
“Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson: This feels like the thrill of trying something new, packed with energy, friendship, and perseverance.

For the Relatable School and Friendship Stories

If you love the school hallways and friend group dynamics in ‘Smile’ or ‘Drama’, these books capture that same spirit.

“Real Friends” digs into the push-and-pull of cliques and loyalty, much like the social navigation in Telgemeier’s work.
“Click” focuses on the anxiety of school projects and finding your tribe, with a light touch similar to Telgemeier’s.
“New Kid” uses humor to explore feeling like an outsider, echoing those universal school experiences.

For the Focus on Family and Sibling Dynamics

For tales where family is central, with all its love, frustration, and funny moments, these reads draw a direct line to the sisterly bond in ‘Sisters’.

“Twins” by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright: This graphic novel captures sibling rivalry and identity with the same mix of humor and heart as a Telgemeier road trip.
“Pashmina” by Nidhi Chanani: While incorporating cultural discovery, its core mother-daughter relationship has the warm, complicated feel of Telgemeier’s family stories.
“The Baby-Sitters Club” graphic novel adaptations (by Telgemeier and others): These offer more of that comforting, ensemble-cast vibe centered on friendship and gentle adventures.

Your Next Read, Based on Your Favorite Telgemeier Book

Think of this as your personal matching guide. If you asked for books like ‘Guts’, start here. I’ve grouped suggestions based on what resonated with you most. Many of these selections dive into relationships and personal identity in today’s world. They also explore how we connect, offering paths to self-discovery.

If ‘Smile’ Resonated With You: Stories of Bouncing Back

For readers who loved Raina’s journey of overcoming dental drama and social hurdles, these books like ‘Smile’ focus on resilience and finding your confidence again.

“El Deafo” by Cece Bell: Like ‘Smile’, this is a true story about adapting to a physical difference and discovering your own strength with an upbeat tone.
“Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson: It shares that theme of picking yourself up after falls, both on and off the roller derby track.
“New Kid” by Jerry Craft: It tackles the challenge of being the new kid with humor and heart, leading to a positive resolution.

If ‘Sisters’ Hit Home: More Complicated Family Tales

If the road trip and sibling dynamics in ‘Sisters’ spoke to you, try these graphic novels that mix family humor with heartfelt moments and atmospheric prose.

“Twins” by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright: It explores the intense bond and competition between twin sisters, mirroring the love-frustration balance Telgemeier nails.
“The Cardboard Kingdom” by Chad Sell: While focused on neighborhood kids, its subplots about family expectations and creativity offer a similar cozy, ensemble feel.
“Measuring Up” by Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu: This story about a girl connecting with her grandmother through a cooking contest has that central, warm family relationship.

If ‘Guts’ Spoke to You: Navigating Worry and Change

For those seeking books like ‘Guts’ by Raina Telgemeier, this list gently tackles anxiety, stress, and learning to cope. Each book has a supportive tone and practical takeaways, making them perfect for the right moment.

“Invisible Emmie” by Terri Libenson: It approaches social anxiety and self-doubt with a kind, understanding perspective that fans of ‘Guts’ will appreciate.
“Real Friends” by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham: It delves into the specific worries about friendship and belonging, offering reassurance.
“Brave” by Svetlana Chmakova: Set in a school journalism club, it thoughtfully addresses peer pressure and finding your voice in a supportive environment.

Branching Out: Where to Go After You’ve Read Them All

You love the relatable, funny, and heartfelt stories from Raina Telgemeier. I get it-I’ve read them all more than once. The great news is there’s a whole shelf of amazing graphic novels that feel like they’re from the same family. Let’s find your next favorite.

For the Drama Kids and Theater Lovers

If the backstage chaos and creative passion in Drama were your favorite part, this section is for you. The spotlight is waiting.

Cube Kid by John Patrick Green: This series is pure, joyful chaos. It follows a theatrical middle school club that’s more about passionate, hilarious disasters than perfect performances. The art is wildly expressive, and the vibe is less about romance and more about the ridiculous, glorious mess of putting on a show with your friends.
The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag: This one mixes a magical secret (what if you were a selkie?) with the very real pressure of keeping parts of yourself hidden, much like a actor plays a role. It beautifully captures the tension between who you are for your family and friends, and who you truly want to be. The coastal setting adds a whole new, beautiful layer.

Purely Fun & Fantastic Fiction

Sometimes you just want a great story with the visual flow of a graphic novel. These picks are immersive escapes, perfect when you want a break from real-world settings.

Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag: In a world where girls are witches and boys are shapeshifters, one boy secretly longs to practice witchcraft. This story uses a magical rulebook to explore themes of breaking gender norms and following your passion-themes Telgemeier fans will recognize instantly, just with more spells.
Click by Kayla Miller: This series is like a comfort read. Each book follows a different kid in the same class as they navigate a specific social challenge (like finding a partner for the school talent show). The clean lines, gentle colors, and focus on empathy make these books incredibly easy to love and breeze through.
Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke: Imagine a modern, graphic novel retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, full of gardening, mysterious seeds, and loyal friends. The action is thrilling, the family dynamics are heartfelt, and it proves that graphic novels can build a fantasy world as completely as any prose novel.

If You’re Drawn to True Stories

Maybe it’s the “this really happened to someone” element that you love most. The world of autobiographical comics is deep and wonderful.

Start with the authors who inspired Raina herself. Look for books by Lynda Barry (like One! Hundred! Demons!) and Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis). These are for slightly older readers-they deal with heavier themes of family history and political conflict-but they are foundational. They highlight how parenting and family dynamics shape who we become. These stories invite readers to reflect on upbringing and identity. For something closer to home, Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka is a powerful, award-winning memoir about his childhood with his grandparents. Its honest look at family complexity is unforgettable.

My biggest piece of advice? Don’t stop here. Walk into your library or bookstore and head straight to the graphic novel shelf. Pick up a book because the cover art speaks to you. Read the first ten pages. The best next book is often the one you find for yourself, and there’s a whole world of them drawn just for you. Fans of sequential art storytelling will want to explore standout graphic novel series worth chasing next. In the following steps, look for subtle links to top series curated for fans of sequential storytelling.

Next Reads for Raina Telgemeier Fans

If you connected with the honest, everyday stories in Raina Telgemeier’s books, you have many wonderful graphic novels to explore that feel just as real and engaging. If you’re seeking emotionally resonant fiction with strong thematic depth, these kinds of stories can deliver. Look for stories that mix personal challenges with warmth and humor, and you will likely find your next favorite book.

Written by Chrestos Plácida. Chrestos is an avid book reader and enthusiast. He reads and reviews countless books every year and has started multiple book clubs around his community where he helps the readers decide on which book to read next based on his personal reading experience. He also has a degree in literature and an interest in the classics and history and has written many books reviews for online blogs and review sites.