One of the most often heard questions that I receive each day in the Jones Paideia Library is “where are the graphic novels?” Graphic Novels are attracting the attention of students in every grade level, both girls and boys. This is quite exciting as students discover what lies between the pages of each book!
Here is the scoop on Graphic Novels! Graphic Novels are just another format to engage children in the enjoyment of a story, such as audio books. They are not a genre in themselves. As children, we thought of these graphically engaging books as comic books. However, these “comic books” have now been turned into novels. One no longer has to wait for the next issue to arrive before finding out what happens in the story. The story has resolve!
As students have become more interested in these novels, it leads us as educators and parents to question the benefits of this format. After some investigation I was pleased to find this article on the Diamond Comics Website titled, “How Comics Can Reach Reluctant Readers.” It stated, “comics use the combination of visuals and text to tell a complete story, thereby increasing a student’s visual literacy and acting as an assistive device. Far from being easier to read, though, comics are actually just as challenging as traditional text: the student is engaging in higher-level reading skills because he or she must be able understand the sequencing of each panel while following the text and art at the same time.” I found this interesting, that not only are graphic novels just as challenging as traditional text, but the student has to engage in higher-level reading skills to fully understand the story.
There are different graphic novels geared toward children and adults of all ages. The reading levels and the interest level can vary. In our library we have graphic biographies, fiction and historical non-fiction graphic novels, and of course the more traditionally thought of superhero graphic novels. Our graphic novels are appropriate for readers starting in second grade and up. If you are searching for this format in your local public library, take the time to review your child’s choice as they can vary in their content and age appropriateness.
Graphic novels are another great format for students to enjoy. As a library media specialist I am always searching for ways to engage your child in the enjoyment of reading. The addition of Graphic Novels to the Jones Paideia Library seems to be one of the motivating factors in bringing the children through the door!
Article Referenced
How Comics
Can Reach Reluctant Readers http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=20&s=182&ai=37708&ssd
Retrieved February 17, 2008
If you have any more questions, you can e-mail either Mrs. Sharp or me.
1 comment:
Thank you for the research on graphic novels. I am excited that you are responding to the students and making more available! Another question I have while reading your response is will the entertainment side of the graphic novels make it hard for student to be attracted to more of the classics that have little or no pictures at all. My children love to read but I have noticed they seem to pass the classic novels by to reach for the more colorful covers and pages of the graphic novels. How do I get them to understand that the books that they need for class may not have all the bells and whistles they like.
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