Big Nate: In a Class by Himself

Lincoln Peirce's beloved middle-grade newspaper comic strip gets its first original graphic novel with Big Nate: In a Class by Himself, published by HarperCollins in 2010. This kickoff volume introduces readers to the misadventures of sixth-grader Nate Wright, a self-proclaimed genius whose plans for greatness at P.S. 38 usually end in detention. Peirce's energetic, cartoonish art and sharp, kid-centric humor established the template for a long-running series that has since become a staple for young readers. It matters as the foundation of a phenomenally popular franchise that bridges the gap between comic strips and graphic novels for the middle-grade audience.