For more than three decades, Lincoln Peirce has been channeling the chaos, charm, and comic timing of middle school into one unforgettable character: Nate Wright. Long before Big Nate became a beloved series for millions of young readers—and a hit animated show—Peirce was sketching his way through his own childhood in New Hampshire, dreaming up comic strips during class and imagining what it would be like to see his work in print. That day came in 1991, when Big Nate made its newspaper debut, capturing the everyday disasters of adolescence with a blend of mischief, heart, and hilarious honesty.

Big Nate

Middle school isn’t for the faint of heart—but for Nate Wright, it’s the perfect stage for epic misadventures, cringe-worthy mishaps, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. The Big Nate series captures the hilarious highs and humiliating lows of adolescence through the eyes of a kid who’s absolutely certain he’s destined for greatness… even if his teachers, classmates, and locker assignments suggest otherwise.