Mai Nguyen is a talented fiction writer known for storytelling rich with emotion and humor. Her notable debut novel, Sunshine Nails, warmly explores family bonds and immigrant experiences.
If you enjoy reading books by Mai Nguyen then you might also like the following authors:
Tillie Walden creates emotionally rich graphic novels that explore personal growth, identity, and relationships. Her graphic novel On a Sunbeam is beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully crafted, blending elements of science fiction and romance.
Readers who appreciate Mai Nguyen's tender and authentic portrait of characters navigating life's challenges will enjoy Walden's work.
Jen Wang is known for warm-hearted stories that touch on identity, friendship, and accepting yourself as you are. In her graphic novel The Prince and the Dressmaker, Wang tells a charming, beautifully illustrated tale about friendship, self-expression, and embracing difference.
Fans of Mai Nguyen's sensitive storytelling and honest characters will connect deeply with Wang's narratives.
Raina Telgemeier writes relatable, heartfelt graphic novels centering on growing up, family dynamics, friendship, and self-discovery. Smile, one of her most beloved works, authentically depicts the awkwardness and humor of adolescence.
Readers who love the genuine emotions and gentle humor in Mai Nguyen's stories will find Telgemeier equally enjoyable.
Molly Knox Ostertag emphasizes themes around identity, family bonds, friendship, and discovering one's own strengths. Her graphic novel The Witch Boy explores gender roles and self-acceptance through an imaginative, magical narrative.
If you enjoy the warmth, emotional depth, and thoughtful storytelling in Mai Nguyen's work, Ostertag is a great pick.
Ngozi Ukazu creates vibrant graphic novels about friendship, self-discovery, and emotional growth, wrapped in stories of collegiate sports and camaraderie.
Her graphic novel Check, Please! tells the story of a young figure skater who joins his university hockey team, discovering friendship, confidence, and romance along the way.
Fans of Mai Nguyen who appreciate heartfelt, character-driven stories filled with warmth and humor will feel right at home with Ngozi Ukazu.
Vera Brosgol creates imaginative graphic novels filled with warmth and humor. Her stories explore themes like identity, belonging, and the challenges of growing up, told through characters you can't help but root for.
In Be Prepared, she illustrates the funny yet relatable frustrations of childhood as a young girl struggles to fit in during a summer camp.
Brenna Thummler's books are gentle, thoughtful, and beautifully illustrated. She often writes about loss, family, friendship, and connections across generations, blending a tender sense of emotional depth with vivid storytelling.
Her graphic novel, Sheets, is about a young girl running her family's laundromat who unexpectedly befriends a charming ghost.
Hope Larson crafts engaging graphic novels that often feature coming-of-age stories and journeys of self-discovery. Her books offer relatable characters who tackle life's complexities in heartfelt, clear-eyed ways.
All Summer Long is a perfect example, capturing friendship’s changing dynamics through a summer filled with music and discovery.
K. O'Neill writes charming and whimsical graphic novels set in warm, cozy fantasy worlds. Themes of friendship, diversity, acceptance, and empathy are central in their gently paced and positive storytelling style.
In The Tea Dragon Society, magical creatures help highlight the beauty of slowing down, nurturing relationships, and appreciating life's quiet moments.
Lucy Knisley creates funny, sincere comics exploring everyday life, family, experiences, and parenting in a relatable, personable style. Often autobiographical, her stories reflect small human moments where humor meets humanity.
Her graphic memoir, Relish: My Life in the Kitchen, beautifully mixes warm nostalgia, personal storytelling, and her genuine love for food.
Mariko Tamaki writes thoughtful stories that explore coming-of-age experiences, identity, and relationships with sensitivity. Her work often combines emotional storytelling with relatable characters that readers easily connect with.
Her graphic novel This One Summer, created with illustrator Jillian Tamaki, captures the quiet moments and complex feelings of youthful summers and the subtle changes that accompany growing up.
Faith Erin Hicks creates inviting graphic novels that blend humor, warmth, and authentic emotion. Her stories often follow young protagonists dealing with friendship, identity, and personal growth.
In her book Friends With Boys, Hicks explores the anxieties and excitement of making new friends, navigating sibling dynamics, and tackling unexpected mysteries with honesty and charm.
Isabelle Arsenault is an illustrator and storyteller who crafts beautifully drawn stories filled with tenderness and imagination. She gently portrays childhood experiences and emotions through her expressive visual storytelling.
In Jane, the Fox & Me, written by Fanny Britt and richly illustrated by Arsenault, readers find a delicate exploration of bullying, isolation, and discovering self-worth through the power of literature.
Noelle Stevenson tells imaginative and inclusive stories filled with humor and emotional insight. Her narratives often focus on friendship, identity, courage, and embracing differences.
One great example is Nimona, a witty and heartfelt tale starring an impulsive shape-shifting teenager and a conflicted villain, which playfully challenges traditional fantasy conventions while exploring friendship, morality, and growth.
Svetlana Chmakova creates graphic novels that genuinely capture school life, friendships, and personal struggles. Her stories include real, heartfelt dialogues and relatable situations, making them enjoyable and approachable for readers.
In Awkward, Chmakova shows middle-school students dealing with the difficulties and joys of making friends, fitting in, and learning to embrace their individuality.