Gene Luen Yang creates innovative graphic novels such as American Born Chinese and Boxers & Saints. His works blend thoughtful storytelling with engaging illustrations, often exploring themes of cultural identity.
If you enjoy reading books by Gene Luen Yang then you might also like the following authors:
Mariko Tamaki is a skilled graphic novelist and writer known for thoughtful storytelling and relatable characters. Fans of Gene Luen Yang’s work will appreciate Tamaki’s graphic novel This One Summer, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki.
The story follows Rose, a preteen on her yearly seaside vacation. This summer feels different, however, filled with tensions between adults, shifting friendships, and Rose’s personal observations about growing up.
Tamaki vividly captures the emotional complexity of transitioning from childhood to adolescence, complemented beautifully by Jillian Tamaki’s expressive artwork.
It’s a thoughtful exploration of family dynamics, friendship, and self-awareness, perfect for readers drawn to honest, engaging graphic novels.
Readers who enjoy Gene Luen Yang’s thoughtful graphic novels will appreciate Raina Telgemeier’s engaging and heartfelt stories. Telgemeier has a knack for capturing relatable middle school experiences through expressive artwork and warm storytelling.
In her graphic memoir Smile, Raina shares her true story about the challenges of adolescence. After a dental accident leads to years of braces and treatments, she navigates awkward crushes, friendships, and self-confidence dilemmas during middle school.
Her honest storytelling and charming art style make Smile a book that invites readers to connect deeply with her journey.
Noelle Stevenson is an author and artist known for energetic graphic novels full of adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments. If you enjoyed Gene Luen Yang’s storytelling style, you might want to check out Stevenson’s Nimona.
This imaginative fantasy revolves around Nimona, a spirited shapeshifter who teams up with the misunderstood villain Lord Ballister Blackheart.
Their unusual friendship propels them on a journey packed with humorous banter, intriguing moral questions, and fast-paced action sequences.
Stevenson’s characters are vibrant and memorable, and Nimona blends adventure, comedy, and genuine emotion in a way readers of Yang’s books would truly appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novels may also connect with Jarrett J. Krosoczka, an author and illustrator whose stories blend warmth, humor, and heartfelt truths.
In his memoir Hey, Kiddo, Krosoczka shares his early life growing up with grandparents due to his mother’s struggles with addiction.
Through honest writing and engaging artwork, the book captures his experiences and explores complex family dynamics, resilience, and the search for identity. Fans of Yang’s authenticity and emotional depth may find a similar sincerity in Krosoczka’s storytelling.
Books by Faith Erin Hicks often explore themes of identity, friendships and cultural connections through relatable characters and vivid storytelling. A great example is The Nameless City, the first book in her graphic novel trilogy.
It’s set in an ancient city that has changed rulers many times, creating a fascinating mix of cultures and tensions. The story follows Kaidu, a young outsider from the ruling class who meets Rat, a local girl wary of outsiders.
Their journey across rooftops and through narrow streets reveals hidden dangers and exciting mysteries. If you enjoyed Gene Luen Yang’s thoughtful style in American Born Chinese, you might find Hicks’ storytelling style and engaging characters appealing too.
Books by George Takei offer heartfelt storytelling combined with vivid visuals, perfect for fans of Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novels. In They Called Us Enemy, Takei shares his childhood experiences as a Japanese American in World War II internment camps.
Through a child’s perspective, readers see moments of hardship, family bonds, and resilience during a challenging period in American history. With an honest and deeply personal narrative, Takei brings empathy and understanding to a complex historical event.
Readers who enjoyed exploring identity and history in Yang’s work will appreciate Takei’s vivid memoir.
Hope Larson is a graphic novelist known for her memorable characters and thoughtful storytelling. Readers who enjoyed Gene Luen Yang’s relatable stories like American Born Chinese might find a lot to love in Larson’s graphic novel All Summer Long.
This book follows thirteen-year-old Bina during a challenging summer when her best friend Austin heads off to soccer camp. Facing loneliness and change, Bina channels her feelings into music and self-discovery.
Larson captures everyday experiences and friendships with warmth and authenticity. Fans of Yang will appreciate Larson’s approachable style and realistic young characters.
Readers who enjoy Gene Luen Yang’s style of combining relatable stories with playful visuals may also appreciate Bryan Lee O’Malley.
O’Malley blends humor, youthful energy, and heartfelt relationships in his graphic novels, notably evident in Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life.
The story follows Scott Pilgrim, a 23-year-old slacker and bassist in a garage band, who meets Ramona Flowers, a mysterious girl who captures his attention.
To win Ramona’s heart, Scott faces the daunting challenge of confronting and defeating each of her seven evil exes—a quirky premise full of laughs, music, and relatable struggles of young adulthood.
Fans of Yang’s engaging narratives and lighthearted art would find plenty to enjoy in O’Malley’s memorable characters and witty storytelling style.
If you enjoy Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novels with their mix of adventure, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling, you might also appreciate Kazu Kibuishi. Kibuishi is a talented graphic novelist known for his vibrant illustrations and captivating characters.
His series Amulet follows siblings Emily and Navin after they move to an old family home and discover a mysterious, magical amulet. Emily and Navin soon find themselves lost in a magical yet dangerous world filled with talking animals, robots, and hidden threats.
As Emily learns to control the amulet’s power, she must face tough choices to protect her family and find a way home.
The combination of exciting adventure and genuine emotional depth in Amulet makes Kibuishi’s work a great pick for anyone looking to explore more graphic novels after finishing Yang’s stories.
Books by Shaun Tan often weave together imaginative storytelling and powerful visuals in a style that readers of Gene Luen Yang might enjoy.
His graphic novel, The Arrival, tells the wordless yet vivid story of an immigrant facing the challenges of adjusting to a strange new world. Through beautiful sepia-toned illustrations, Tan captures emotion, uncertainty, and wonder along the character’s journey.
Readers follow the protagonist navigating unfamiliar customs and encountering fantastic creatures, effectively portraying the immigrant experience through a universal lens.
This thoughtful blend of fantasy and realism offers a fresh, captivating way to explore important themes, in a style fans of Yang may find both familiar and engaging.
Jeff Lemire is a Canadian cartoonist and writer whose graphic novels often explore deep, personal stories with genuine emotion and folk-inspired fantasy.
If you’re a fan of Gene Luen Yang’s thoughtful storytelling and expressive art style, Lemire’s work will likely appeal to you. His graphic novel Essex County follows the intertwined lives of several characters in a small Canadian farming community.
Through subtle and moving illustrations, Lemire brings out themes of family ties, regret, and redemption. The book quietly immerses readers in a world where past decisions echo throughout entire lives.
It’s this emotional depth and quiet beauty that draws many readers to Lemire’s work.
Books by Stan Sakai can be a great find for anyone who enjoys Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novels. Sakai is best known for his comic series Usagi Yojimbo. This series features Miyamoto Usagi, a rabbit samurai in feudal Japan, who travels the land after losing his master in battle.
Throughout his journey, Usagi encounters colorful characters, dangerous situations, and intricate political plots. Sakai beautifully blends authentic historical details with Japanese folklore, humor, and action. The stories feel simple yet have real emotional depth.
Readers who connect with Yang’s unique characters and thoughtful storytelling will likely find Sakai’s work equally enjoyable and rewarding.
Readers who enjoy Gene Luen Yang’s thoughtful stories that blend relatable characters with engaging visuals might appreciate Victoria Jamieson.
Jamieson’s graphic novel Roller Girl follows the story of Astrid, a twelve-year-old girl who becomes fascinated with roller derby after attending a match for the first time.
When Astrid enrolls in roller derby camp over the summer, she discovers it’s tough work and nothing like she’d imagined. As friendships shift and challenges arise, she learns valuable lessons about determination, friendship, and identity.
Told with humor, honesty, and expressive artwork, Roller Girl captures the ups and downs of growing up.
Books by Derf Backderf offer an honest look at teenage life and impactful moments from history, presented through graphic storytelling that resonates on a personal level, similar to Gene Luen Yang. One standout book is My Friend Dahmer.
It chronicles Backderf’s teenage years spent in Ohio attending high school alongside Jeffrey Dahmer, before Dahmer became a notorious serial killer.
The narrative does not sensationalize the crimes, but instead focuses on Dahmer’s troubled adolescence and his increasingly disturbing isolation.
Through the author’s detailed, expressive artwork, readers gain insight into the eerie signs of Dahmer’s descent, making it a chilling yet thoughtful exploration of adolescent loneliness and turmoil.
Vera Brosgol is a cartoonist and writer whose graphic novels explore thoughtful themes around identity and belonging, similar to the style of Gene Luen Yang. In her book Be Prepared, Vera captures the awkwardness of growing up between cultures with humor and warmth.
The story follows young Vera, a Russian immigrant girl who wants desperately to fit in with her American classmates. After hearing them talk about summer camps, Vera begs her mother to let her go.
But the camp isn’t what she imagined—it turns out to be a Russian summer camp filled with uncomfortable situations, tough friendships, and surprising challenges.
Brosgol uses expressive illustrations and relatable storytelling that perfectly capture the anxieties and humor of childhood and cultural identity.