Graphic Novels

by Alix Woznick
August 2, 2019


This year we are asking all incoming grade 6, 7, and 8 students to read a graphic novel of their own choosing over the summer, in addition to the book they select from the lists we provide. Students do not complete a response assignment for the graphic novel, but will be asked to report back in September about which graphic novel they read and to provide a brief description of the book and why they selected it.


What is a graphic novel?
A graphic novel is not so much a genre as a format. It is a book that tells a story through both comic-style drawings and (usually) accompanying text. It may be fiction or nonfiction. Memoirs are one particularly popular graphic novel genre. Some people use the terms “comics” and “graphic novels” interchangeably, while others consider comics to be only magazine-style publications. (Comic Books vs. Graphic Novels: What's the Difference? - Mental Floss, 7/26/19)


Graphic Novels for Kids Seeing Huge Growth
Graphic novels for middle-school age children have been surging in popularity, driven partly by the juggernaut success of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which first came out in 2007. While Wimpy Kid is considered an “illustrated book,” rather than a graphic novel, its popularity drove kids to look for similar formats and seek out graphic novels. Publishers responded and have released an increasingly diverse range of stories in the graphic novel format. In 2018, print sales of graphic novels were up 12% over the previous year, but those meant for juvenile readers were up a stunning 33%. A full 40% of graphic novel sales in the U.S. last year were intended for kids! (Market Research Says Children’s Books Up, Overall Market Flat - PW 6/20/19)


Why Read Graphic Novels
Kids are reading graphic novels, we know that, but some may ask if they count as “real” reading. The answer is YES! Rather than thinking of them as an optional dessert course in a diet of reading, it might be better to consider them as an appetizer that will whet the appetite and bring kids to the book table. Or perhaps think of them as an essential ingredient (like dairy), woven through each course. Graphic novels can be a great way to introduce a challenging topic that is complicated or emotionally fraught. They can be funny and provide a break from the world. The best ones are masterpieces in their own right. They are usually faster to read than a text-only book, providing a satisfying experience because you can get through a whole book in just one or a few sittings. They also activate children’s visual literacy skills, which are of increasing importance. Graphic novels are for ALL readers - reluctant and voracious, struggling and strong, boys and girls.

The world of comics has expanded far beyond the stereotypical audience of male superhero fans. Top-selling titles are written by women like Raina Telgemeier (Smile) and Victoria Jamieson (Roller Girl); Jerry Craft (New Kid) and Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese) have books showing real-world experiences of minorities, while the March series tells the story of civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, and Cece Bell depicts a child with a hearing disability in El Deafo. A growing number of titles are adapting the classics. I still remember loving my father’s 1940s Classics Illustrated of Tom Sawyer; it didn’t prevent me from enjoying the original version years later. Some adaptions hew close to the original story and settings (like A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel), while others put a new spin on things, as in Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy, which retells the Little Women story with a modern-day, bi-racial blended family.


Finding & Picking Graphic Novels
The Beverly Public Library has an excellent selection of graphic novels in the children’s room on the first floor and the teen section on the second (main) floor. Paper Asylum on Cabot Street in Beverly sells both regular comics and graphic novels and have beefed up their selection for kids. If you’d rather read on an electronic device, try Hoopla. You’ll need your public library card to access this free online collection of comics and graphic novels (along with e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, TV, and music). Once you’re in Hoopla, you can go to the Browse menu to choose Comics and then under Categories, choose Children’s. You can also go to Settings to choose Kids Mode so Hoopla will display only titles that are appropriate for children.

The library, Hoopla, Paper Asylum and other retail outlets are all good places to browse or ask staff for suggestions. But if you’d like a head start on looking for some specific title ideas, check these lists:

• Grades 3-5 Graphic Novels - Association for Library Service to Children
• Grades 6-8 Graphic Novels - Association for Library Service to Children
• Graphic Novels That Teach History - Common Sense Media
• The Best Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers - Scholastic
• Introducing Young Readers to Classics with Graphic Novels - Book Riot 7/18/19
• 50 Must-Read Middle Grade Graphic Novels - BookRiot, 4/18/1
• Graphic Novels - Common Sense Media

Model Reading Behavior - Pick One for Yourself!
As you’re out there getting titles for your kids, make a point of trying some graphic novels for yourself! Read what your kids pick, or find some great titles written for adults. If you’re at the public library, adult graphic novels may be found in an alcove on the third floor. Need some ideas? Try NPR’s 2017 list Let's Get Graphic: 100 Favorite Comics And Graphic Novels or check this list of award-winners or lists from B&N Reads.