Graphic Novels (Ch. 13)

Graphic novels have gained popularity in the last few decades and there are a wide range of choices for readers to pick from.  It is important for librarians to know the importance of graphic novels and their appeal to readers. Research from the School Library Journal indicates that graphic novels increases library use. 

What is a graphic novel?

• a form of writing ( not a genre) written sequentially
• written for a variety of ages and reading level
• written in a variety of  genres in both fiction and nonfiction
• written with a combination of speech bubbles, thinking bubbles, other text, and illustrations in panels like a comic book to tell a story or share information
• read a certain order
• includes many of the literary elements in traditional novels such as characters, plot, setting, problem, solution, and theme 
• the illustrations are an important part of the story

Importance:

• highly motivating 
• can be used with all ages and reading levels
• great for pleasure reading and for classroom teachers to use for teaching purposes
• a way for educators to "bridge" transitional readers from picture books to chapter books because of the visual  

See Gene Luen Yang's TED Talk on graphic novels:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz4JqAJbxj0

Important Elements in Graphic Novels:

1. Color

• Which colors are predominant?
• Is color used for symbolism?

2. Use of Line

• Are the lines thick, thin, bold?
• How are lines used to frame the panels?

3. Composition: size and placement of the illustrations

4. Frames

• What types of frames are used?
• What are the sizes and shapes of the frames?

5. Speech Balloons

• What are the shapes, sizes, color, or font of the text?

6. Use of White Space

7. Media and Technique-style of the illustrations

Popular Series:

• Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holms and Matthew Holms ( grades 2-5)
• Squish by Jennifer L. Holms and Matthew Holms ( grades 3-7)
• Comic Squad-several authors have contributed to the collection ( grades 2-5)
• Hi Lo by Judd Winick ( grades 3-7)
• Lunch Lady by Jarrett Krosocznka ( grades 3-7) 
• Bone by Jeff Smith ( grades 4-8)
• Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi ( grades 3-8)

*There are also many retellings of novels and traditional literature have be written in a graphic novel format.

 Book Lists for graphic novels:

Great Graphic Novels for Teens

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/great-graphic-novels

Graphic Novel Reading List from ALA
http://www.ala.org/alsc/search/site/graphic%20novel%20list?f%5B0%5D=hash%3A4o9eens)1gy

Maverick Reading List from the Texas Library Association ( for Teen readers)
http://www.txla.org/groups/Maverick

Resource:
Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd