Head-to-head
Out from Boneville vs Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess
Both blend words and art for ages 8-12, but Bone is epic fantasy adventure while Dork Diaries is funny school diary format with completely different tones.
Out from Boneville
by Jeff Smith
The gateway graphic novel that launched a generation of readers into epic fantasy
Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess
by Rachel Renée Russell
The funniest diary in middle school — now on ice skates
Score comparison
| Score | Out from Boneville | Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Score | 67 | 67 | Tied |
| Parent Score | 58 | 45 | Out from Boneville (+13) |
| Teacher Score | 63 | 47 | Out from Boneville (+16) |
✓ Out from Boneville — perfect for
- •Reluctant readers who resist traditional chapter books
- •Kids who love adventure stories with humor and growing stakes
- •Graphic novel fans ready for an epic fantasy series
- •Readers ages 8-12 looking for a gateway into longer narrative arcs
✓ Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess — perfect for
- •Kids who love Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Tom Gates and want a hilarious
- •illustrated diary with a girl protagonist. Ideal for reluctant readers ages 8-11 who will devour the short entries and laugh-out-loud comedy.
Our take
There's no universal winner here — the right pick depends on who's reading. Both books score the same with kids — pick on vibe.
Still not sure? Take the 2-minute SPARK quiz — we'll pick the one that fits your specific kid's reading personality.
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