Graphic Novels
Text Book Reflections
Graphic Novels are becoming an extremely popular format in
school libraries. These novels are for everyone, not just for struggling
students. Graphic novels can be fiction, nonfiction, history, and fantasy. Graphic
novels tell a story using sequential illustrations, panels and speech balloons
like a traditional comic book but longer with a more detailed, stand-alone
story line. There are important elements to a graphic novel, especially in the
use of color, line, composition (size and placement), frames, speech balloons
and the use of white space in the illustrations which all work together to
convey mood, tone, and emotions. There are several major types of Graphic
novels including Manga (Japanese style comics), Superhero (Batman, Superman,
Spiderman), Autobiographical stories written about the author’s personal
experiences, and Non-fiction which tackle greater social issues and history. Mango
is read top to bottom right to left whereas graphic novels are read left to
right. This might need to be a skill taught to students. There are also many “retelling”
types of graphic novels that would help students understand and possibly relate
to works by Shakespeare, The Odyssey,
along with other “classic” books turned into Graphic Novels. Having a variety
of graphic novels available for students to enjoy is important to building
leisure reading along with creating teachable moments. This format could also
be used to teach so many different literary elements, especially tone and mood.
For older students who may struggle with reading, reading the Graphic Novel
format of a Shakespearian play would ensure that student was successful and
understood the play. Also, there are historical nonfiction graphic novels
available to help bring history to life. Graphic novels are definitely needed
in any level school library.
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