By middle school, many Vietnamese-American kids can chat with their grandparents but would never pick up a Vietnamese book on their own. The problem usually isn't the language. It's that most Vietnamese books on the shelf feel either too babyish or too hard.
Translated graphic novels and chapter books close that gap. Kids already know and love these characters in English, the pictures carry part of the story, and every page feels like a reward instead of homework. Below are the 7 series we recommend most for readers ages 10–14, from comic-strip diaries to illustrated adventures and one true fantasy graphic novel.
At a glance
|
Series |
Original author |
Style |
Edition |
Volumes |
Price |
Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jeff Kinney |
Cartoon diary |
Vietnamese; vol. 1–3 also bilingual |
21 |
$14 each, $279 for all 21 |
Kids who love humor |
|
|
Lincoln Peirce |
Comic strips |
Vietnamese, or bilingual with audio |
3 |
$12 / $19 bilingual |
Short attention spans |
|
|
Thế giới tuyệt vời của Tom Gates (The Brilliant World of Tom Gates) |
Liz Pichon |
Doodle diary |
Vietnamese or bilingual |
4 |
$18 / $20 bilingual |
Artists and doodlers |
|
Eva Amores & Matt Cosgrove |
Illustrated novel |
Vietnamese |
3 |
$13 |
Reluctant readers |
|
|
Neil Patrick Harris |
Illustrated mystery |
Vietnamese |
4 |
$16 |
Mystery and magic fans |
|
|
Luke Pearson |
Full-color graphic novel |
Vietnamese |
6 |
$60 for the set |
Fantasy lovers |
|
|
Torben Kuhlmann |
Illustrated STEAM stories |
Vietnamese |
4 |
$100 for the set |
Science and history fans |
The series
1. Nhật ký chú bé nhút nhát – Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Greg Heffley has just started middle school, and he records every embarrassing moment in a journal (he insists it's not a diary). Kids recognize Greg instantly, and the short text and cartoons on every page make it the easiest series on this list to read in Vietnamese.
- We carry all 21 volumes in Vietnamese, including the two newest: Chúa tể tiệc tùng (Partypooper) and Chiến hay chuồn (Fight or Flight).
- Complete 21-book set: $279 (save $15, free US shipping).
- Just getting started? Volumes 1–3 also come in a bilingual Vietnamese–English edition.
2. Big Nate (set of 3- Vietnamese only)
Nate Wright is a sixth grader who is absolutely sure he's destined for greatness, even if his teachers disagree. Each page is a short comic strip, so it's perfect for kids who lose focus after a few pages. The bilingual edition comes with audio files, so students can listen while they read.
3. Thế giới tuyệt vời của Tom Gates – The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (set of 4- Vietnamese or bilingual Vietnamese-English option)
Tom Gates would rather doodle and plan his band than do his homework. Liz Pichon's books are packed with sketches, lists and hand-lettered jokes, which makes them a favorite with kids who love to draw.
4. Nhọ nhất quả đất – Worst Week Ever!
One very unlucky boy, one disastrous school week, one book per day. The chapters are short and fast, with illustrations on almost every page, so it's a great pick for students who say they "don't like reading."
5. Đội nhóc siêu đẳng – The Magic Misfits (Set of 4 Vietnamese only)
A group of misfit kids team up and use magic tricks to outsmart a con man. Written by actor Neil Patrick Harris, the books also include simple magic tricks and secret codes for readers to try. This is the longest read on the list, so it suits confident readers.
6. Hilda nhà thám hiểm – Hilda (Set of 3 or set of 6, Vietnamese only)
The only full-color, panel-by-panel graphic novel on our list. Fearless, blue-haired Hilda explores a world of trolls, giants and hidden creatures. Many kids already know her from the Netflix animated series.
- Combo 6 cuốn: Hilda và quỷ đá · Hilda và người khổng lồ nửa đêm · Hilda và cuộc diễu hành chim · Hilda và chó săn đen · Hilda và khu rừng đá · Hilda và vua núi
7. Hội chuột thiên tài – Mouse Adventures (Set of 4 hardcover picture books)
Tiny mice who build a flying machine, travel to the moon and more, in stories inspired by real inventors and explorers. Torben Kuhlmann's detailed, large-format illustrations make these books a great fit for STEAM lessons. Younger siblings will enjoy them too.
Which one should your reader start with?
- Still building confidence in Vietnamese? Start with a bilingual edition: Diary of a Wimpy Kid vol. 1–3, Big Nate (with audio) or Tom Gates. Reading the English on one page and the Vietnamese on the other makes new words click.
- Says they "hate reading"? Try Nhọ nhất quả đất or Big Nate. Short chapters and lots of jokes mean quick wins.
- Already reading on their own? Move on to The Magic Misfits, or commit to all 21 volumes of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
- Loves fantasy, art or science? Hilda for the dreamers, Tom Gates for the doodlers, and Mouse Adventures for the future engineers.
For teachers and librarians
- Classroom and library sets: mix and match series to fit your budget, or order the complete 21-book Diary of a Wimpy Kid set.
- Cataloging: we provide ISBNs and English titles for every book.
- School quotes: email xinchao@vietbookstore.com with your school name and the titles you need.
Looking for younger readers? See our Classroom Starter K–2 and Classroom Starter Grades 3–5 sets.
Dành cho phụ huynh
Con đã lên cấp 2 mà vẫn ngại đọc sách tiếng Việt? Ba mẹ thử bắt đầu bằng truyện tranh dịch. Con đã quen những nhân vật này qua bản tiếng Anh, lại có tranh giúp hiểu truyện, nên con sẽ tự cầm sách lên mà không cần nhắc. Tiệm có đủ 21 tập Nhật ký chú bé nhút nhát bản tiếng Việt, cùng Big Nate, Tom Gates, Hilda và nhiều series khác, có cả bản song ngữ cho con mới bắt đầu. Mọi thắc mắc xin gửi về xinchao@vietbookstore.com.
Tiệm sách Việt nhỏ tại Mỹ – Viet BookStore
