Children's books about identity
Children's books that take identity as a central theme — who am I, where do I fit, what does it mean to be me. The shelf covers picture-book identity (a small character finding their place in a family or group) through middle-grade identity (the much harder work of figuring out who you are when the answer keeps changing).
Graphic novel
Nimona
by ND Stevenson · age 13–17
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Unicorn Boy
by Dave Roman · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Chapter book
The Tombs of Atuan
by Ursula K. Le Guin · age 11–15
Chapter book
Graphic novel
The Deep Dark
by Molly Knox Ostertag · age 13–17
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
The Girl from the Sea
by Molly Knox Ostertag · age 12–16
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
The Witch Boy
by Molly Knox Ostertag · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Chapter book
Northern Lights
by Philip Pullman · age 10–14
Chapter book
Chapter book
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan · age 9–13
Chapter book
Graphic novel
Smile
by Raina Telgemeier · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Amulet: Firelight
by Kazu Kibuishi · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Amulet: Prince of the Elves
by Kazu Kibuishi · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Amulet: Supernova
by Kazu Kibuishi · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
El Deafo
by Cece Bell · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: Escaping Peril
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: The Hidden Kingdom
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: The Hybrid Prince
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: The Lost Heir
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Graphic novel
Anya's Ghost
by Vera Brosgol · age 12–16
Graphic novel
Picture book
Big Bright Feelings: Perfectly Norman
by Tom Percival · age 3–7
Picture book
Graphic novel
City of Dragons: Quest for the True Dragon
by Jaimal Yogis · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm
by Jaimal Yogis · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Chapter book
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat
by Ursula Moray Williams · age 6–9
Chapter book
Picture book
The Velveteen Rabbit
by Margery Williams · age 5–9
Picture book
Graphic novel
Warriors Graphic Novel: The Prophecies Begin, Part One of Three
by Erin Hunter · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Lunar Boy
by Jes Wibowo · age 9–13
Graphic novel
Picture book
The Hueys in The New Jumper
by Oliver Jeffers · age 3–7
Picture book
Picture book
Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire
by Flavia Z. Drago · age 3–6
Picture book
Chapter book
We Are Dragon
by Alastair Chisholm · age 9–12
Chapter book
Picture book
The Lost Robot
by Joe Todd-Stanton · age 3–7
Picture book
Graphic novel
Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder
by Dav Pilkey · age 6–10
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Heartstopper Volume 2
by Alice Oseman · age 12–16
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
A Wizard of Earthsea
by Ursula K. Le Guin · age 10–15
Graphic novel
Chapter book
Dragonborn
by Struan Murray · age 9–13
Chapter book
Chapter book
Orangeboy
by Patrice Lawrence · age 13–18
Chapter book
Graphic novel
Mega Robo Bros 7: Nemesis
by Neill Cameron · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Mega Robo Bros 8: Final Form
by Neill Cameron · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Heartstopper Volume 1
by Alice Oseman · age 12–16
Graphic novel
Illustrated
The Bad Guys
by Aaron Blabey · age 7–10
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Bone 3: Eyes of the Storm
by Jeff Smith · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Dog Man: Big Jim Begins
by Dav Pilkey · age 6–10
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Friends Forever
by Shannon Hale · age 10–14
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Narwhalicorn and Jelly
by Ben Clanton · age 5–8
Illustrated
Graphic novel
The Baby-Sitters Club: Claudia and the New Girl
by Ann M. Martin · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
The Baby-Sitters Club: Mallory and the Trouble with Twins
by Ann M. Martin · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
The Baby-Sitters Club: Stacey's Mistake
by Ann M. Martin · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Illustrated
The Bad Guys in The Big Bad Wolf
by Aaron Blabey · age 7–10
Illustrated
Picture book
The Day the Crayons Quit
by Drew Daywalt · age 3–7
Picture book
Chapter book
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
by Kelly Barnhill · age 9–13
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: Darkness of Dragons
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: Moon Rising
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: Talons of Power
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: The Brightest Night
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: The Dark Secret
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Chapter book
Wings of Fire: Winter Turning
by Tui T. Sutherland · age 9–12
Chapter book
Graphic novel
5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior
by Mark Siegel · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Be Prepared
by Vera Brosgol · age 9–13
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Dave Pigeon (Dave vs Dave!)
by Swapna Haddow · age 6–9
Illustrated
Chapter book
Dragonborn: The Twilight Child
by Struan Murray · age 9–13
Chapter book
Graphic novel
Drama
by Raina Telgemeier · age 9–13
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Garlic and the Witch
by Bree Paulsen · age 8–12
Graphic novel