Graphic Novels
For my special topics paper, I chose to write about graphic novels. Being an elementary librarian, graphic novels are growing in popularity among my students. Beginning my first year as a librarian, my school library did not have many graphic novels. We contained about 5 total. Since it is becoming popular and more students recommend these types of novels, I wanted to learn more about the genre itself and why it is so appealing.
My paper covers many different reasons why graphic novels are so appealing. Children today find them more appealing than a traditional novel simply because of the pictures. The younger generation has been defined by visually stimulating entertainment. It's difficult to keep their interest in general. But graphic novels are unique in the fact that everyone can read them, but they must be taught. Reading a graphic novel is not something that just comes easily to everyone. The reading strategies must be taught. Some schools today are integrating graphic novel units as well as alternatives to traditional novels taught in class.
What I found most interesting was that graphic novels don't belong in one genre, but a multitude. They are similar in form - graphics with dialogue and narratives attached - but vastly different in content. A quote that I found most interesting in my research was from an article, "Graphic Novels are Real Books,"
“Graphic novels are more than just stories with pictures; they have engaging illustrations that help readers infer the emotions and motivations of characters as well as more fully understand the twists and turns within the plot. Comics and graphic novels help introduce the reader to important features of nonfiction, such as narrative structure, tone, and character development. Nonfiction graphic novels and comics provide the reader with robust vocabulary, and the graphics help provide context clues to help readers with the more difficult words” (Richardson, pg. 1).
They are not just an "easy" book to read that children or adults will fly through. They are a different form of entertainment, helping stimulate the visual nature that is applied with reading.
My paper covers many different reasons why graphic novels are so appealing. Children today find them more appealing than a traditional novel simply because of the pictures. The younger generation has been defined by visually stimulating entertainment. It's difficult to keep their interest in general. But graphic novels are unique in the fact that everyone can read them, but they must be taught. Reading a graphic novel is not something that just comes easily to everyone. The reading strategies must be taught. Some schools today are integrating graphic novel units as well as alternatives to traditional novels taught in class.
What I found most interesting was that graphic novels don't belong in one genre, but a multitude. They are similar in form - graphics with dialogue and narratives attached - but vastly different in content. A quote that I found most interesting in my research was from an article, "Graphic Novels are Real Books,"
“Graphic novels are more than just stories with pictures; they have engaging illustrations that help readers infer the emotions and motivations of characters as well as more fully understand the twists and turns within the plot. Comics and graphic novels help introduce the reader to important features of nonfiction, such as narrative structure, tone, and character development. Nonfiction graphic novels and comics provide the reader with robust vocabulary, and the graphics help provide context clues to help readers with the more difficult words” (Richardson, pg. 1).
They are not just an "easy" book to read that children or adults will fly through. They are a different form of entertainment, helping stimulate the visual nature that is applied with reading.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. I currently work in the children's department in my library and we always have kids coming in wanting a graphic novel. If they really like graphic novels but need to read a book that is classified as children's fiction we have been able to recommend novels with a similar format such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid or other similar books and it seems to be a good transition from one type of story to the other. I really like that you made the point that they are not merely an easier book for them to read but that it is a different way to get them into reading.
Holly,
DeleteIt can be difficult to find a graphic novel that a child likes. If they just want Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and are not interested in any others, they might want to stick with that format. I wouldn't neccessarily consider DOAWK books as graphic novels, but I think it's a great transition, like you said!
My special topic choice was manga - I'm excited that you focused on graphic novels! I was first introduced to graphic novels at a media center in a middle school I completed an internship at. The kids were all over the books, and I had to read them myself to figure out why. I was reintroduced to them a few years later in one of my history classes. We read Maus (among other things) and dissected why the graphic novel format had more impact than if the author had just written up a memoir. Since, I've always thought about how a story would be different if it were in written format. A lot can be gained with pictures over text, and I'm glad they're a genre that's taken off.
ReplyDeleteMalissa,
DeleteOoh! I think manga would be an interesting genre to research too! I'm glad that graphic novels is becoming more popular too. I have read Maus I and I really enjoyed it. If he told it any other way, I'm not sure it would have the same impact.
Paige, you are really making me realize I need to pick one (or a few) up and read it. I know virtually nothing about magna and the quote you selected about from "Graphic Novels are Real Books" makes me think I'm really missing something. I'm wondering if there is an animal rights one that has been written. I know I would be more interested in nonfiction. Great post!
ReplyDeleteKatie,
DeleteYou should! That's a great subject to research, too. I will defintely have to keep a lookout for an animal rights book that has been published. I'm sure it's out there!