GRAPHIC NOVELS A Novel Approach: Using Graphic Novels to Attract Reluctant Readers Adding graphic novels to a school’s schools pretend does not exist and a the areas of comprehension and library collection is an effective way kind of reading that many children, motivation as traditional skills” to foster students’ love of reading. for economic or ideological reasons, do. (p. 6). Schools that have Over the past few years I have are deprived of. I suspect that light implemented SSR report an increase conducted a variety of workshops on reading is the way that nearly all of in academic achievement and graphic novels and worked closely us learned to read (pp. 47–48). students who developed a love for with a handful of school librarians in reading. When programs like SSR are Young people enjoy reading a wide San Francisco, helping them develop combined with a strong school library range of materials, including collections of graphic novels. Student media program, students obtain the periodicals, series fiction, and comic response to these materials has been requisite materials, encouragement, books—materials some librarians overwhelmingly positive as Kay and environment to help them have shunned. The prevailing Hones, a librarian at John O’Connell develop lifelong reading habits. opinion that comic books hinder High School attests, “My students literacy development is questionable. Recommended Titles love graphic novels. I display them Research shows that comic books This list is designed for school near the periodicals and new books, are linguistically appropriate reading librarians adding graphic novels to grouping them with comics and material, bearing no negative impact their collection, as well as teachers drawing books, forming a magnet on school achievement or language seeking high-interest materials for area for reluctant readers.” acquisition (Krashen, 1993). Comic their classroom libraries. Grade Graphic novels can also help books and graphic novels are level suggestions have been provided improve language and literacy typically written at a fourth to sixth to help librarians locate age development, including second grade reading level, comparable to appropriate materials. “All-ages” language learners; the illustrations Time magazine, young adult novels, titles are appropriate for grades 3 provide valuable contextual clues to and many adult best sellers. Graphic through 12 and offer younger the meaning of the written novels strongly appeal to teens and readers stories that are free of narrative. Elaine Moskowitz, a are an invaluable tool for motivating excessive violence, profanity, and librarian and literacy specialist at reluctant readers. Betsy Levine, the adult situations. Materials for high James Denman Middle School says, Teen Services Librarian at San school students that contain mature subject matter are indicated with an “Graphic novels have generated a Francisco Public Library says, “The asterisk and should be previewed whole new energy in my patrons. I most requested book for teens (both prior to circulation. have been especially impressed with male and female patrons) is the their popularity among our students graphic novel, Ranma 1/2.” Humor with limited English proficiency.” Developing Language and Fujishima, Kosuke. Oh My Goddess!: The Fourth Goddess. Motivating Reluctant Readers Literacy Skills Providing students with diverse Translated by Dana Lewis and Toren Addressing literacy has become a Smith. Dark Horse Comics, 2001. No priority in schools; high-interest reading materials promotes their transition into lifelong readers. Jeff pagination. $18.95 trade pbk. reading materials such as graphic 1569715513. novels can play an important factor McQuillan, in “The Literacy Crisis,” Keiichi Morisato befriends three in addressing this issue. In The describes the steps needed for this goddesses as they embark on a Power of Reading (Libraries transition: series of screwball adventures. Unlimited, 1993), Stephen Krashen “…providing a rich supply of Grade 8 & Up discusses the importance of popular reading matter to children of all fiction for young readers: Groening, Matt. Simpsons Comics ages, as well as a place and time Royale. By Matt Groening et al. Perhaps the to read, is the first step to bridging HarperCollins, 2001. 159 pp. $14.95 most powerful the gap between poor and good trade pbk. 006093378X. readers.” (p. 86) way of Based on the popular TV show, this encouraging Programs like “Sustained Silent short story collection focuses on the children to Reading” (SSR) help to create a humorous adventures of Bart, Lisa, read is by schoolwide environment where & Homer. Grade 3 & Up exposing them students can engage in free reading Hartman, Rachel. Amy to light during the school day. In The SSR Unbounded: Belondweg reading, a Handbook (2000), Janice Pilgreen Blossoming. Pug House Press, 2002. kind of finds that SSR provides “the same 208 pp. $16.95 trade pbk. reading that or better benefits for students in By Philip Crawford 0971790000. 26 LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION FEBRUARY 2004 Of special interest to grades... K-5 6-8 9-12 and Promote Literacy Set during the Middle Ages, this Dixon, Charles coming-of-age story focuses on a and Scott Beatty. summer in the life of 14-year-old Robin: Year One. Robbins, Trina and Anne Amy of Eddybrook Lodge. Grade New York: DC Comics, 2002. 200 pp. Timmons. Go Girl. Dark Horse 6 & Up $14.95 trade pbk. 1563898055. Comics, 2002. 136 pp. $15.95 Smith, Jeff. Bone, Volume 1: Out The earliest days of Robin’s crime trade pbk. 1569717982. fighting career are explored as he from Boneville. Cartoon Books, Lindsay’s life changes dramatically 1995. 142 pp. $12.95 trade pbk. seeks to solve a series of bizarre crimes. Grade 5 & Up when she discovers she has the 0963660993. ability to fly & becomes the Humor and adventure are combined Jemas, Bill and Joe Quesada. superhero, Go-Girl. Grade 5 & Up in this epic fantasy about Fone Origin: The True Story of Bone and his cousins as they face Wolverine. Marvel Books, 2002. 160 Smith, Kevin and Phil Hester. strange and fantastic creatures. pp. $14.99 trade pbk. 078510965X. Green Arrow: Quiver. DC Comics, 2002. 232 pp. $17.95 trade pbk. Grade 3 & Up Logan’s childhood and early 1563899655 Takahashi, Rumiko. Ranma 1/2, adulthood are explored in an origin Presumed long dead, Oliver Queen Volume 1. Viz Communications, story that reveals the events that 1993. 300 pp. $16.95 trade pbk. transformed him into Wolverine. reappears after ten years of absence 092927993X. Grade 7 & Up in a story that explores Green Arrow’s history and origin. When teenage Ranma Saotome Loeb, Jeph and Tim Sale. Grade 9 & Up comes into contact with water, he Daredevil Legends, Volume 1: transforms into a girl. Martial arts Daredevil: Yellow. and hijinx blend in this madcap Marvel Books, gender-bending comedy. Note: 2002. 144 pp. Research shows that comic books are Contains brief nudity. $14.99 trade pbk. linguistically appropriate reading material, Grade 8 & Up 0785109692. “ Torres, J. Alison Dare, Little Miss Daredevil’s father bearing no negative impact on school Adventures. Oni Press, 2002. 104 and girlfriend, achievement or language acquisition. pp. $8.95 trade pbk. 1929998201. Karen Page, figure The St. Joan of Arc Academy for prominently in a ” Girls provides the setting for the story about the adventures of Alison and her best earliest days of his career. Young Adult/Contemporary friends, Wendy and Dot. The trio Grade 6 & Up Fiction *Clowes, Daniel. Ghost World. encounter genies, bank robbers, Morrision, Grant and Frank Fantagraphics Books, 1998. 80 pp. and an evil baron. Grade 3 & Up Quitely. X-Men: E is for Extinction. $9.95 trade paperback. Marvel Books, 2001. 144 pp. $12.95 Superheroes 1560974273. Brubaker, Ed and Mike Allred. trade pbk. 0785108114. Set during the last summer of their Catwoman: The Dark End of the The X-Men must stop Cassandra Street. DC Comics, 2002. 136 pp. Nova as she attempts to create a adolescence, this coming-of-age $12.95 trade pbk. 1563899086. new world completely devoid of story focuses on the strained, but homo sapiens. Grade 8 & Up tender relationship between two Selina Kyle returns to her young women, Enid and Rebecca. childhood home and becomes a Morrison, Grant and Jae Lee. Note: Contains adult subject matter. defender for Gotham City’s lost and Fantastic Four 1234. Marvel Books, Mature Readers/Grade 10 & Up discarded citizens. Grade 7 & Up 2002. 96 pp. $9.95 trade pbk. *Moore, Terry. Stranger in Dini, Paul and Alex Ross. Wonder 0785110402. Paradise: High School! Abstract Woman: The Spirit of Truth. DC Romantic tensions between the Studio, Inc., 1998. 80 pp. $8.95 Comics, 2001. 64 pp. $9.95 trade Sub-mariner and the Invisible trade pbk. 1892597071. pbk. 1563898616. Woman and Reed Richard’s Wonder Woman embarks on a compulsive nature are explored This humorous story explores how journey of self-discovery to seek the in a story that focuses on the inner Francine and Katchoo became best true meaning of heroism. This story lives of the Fantastic Four. friends in high school. Mature explores society’s perceptions of Grade 9 & Up Readers/Grade 10 & Up heroism, power and politics. Grade 4 & Up LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION FEBRUARY 2004 27 Soryo, Fuyumi. Mars #1. 2000. 187 pp. $14.95 trade pbk. *Otomo, Katsuhiro. Akira. Tokyopop, 2002. 192 pp. $9.99 0805064036. Translated by Yoko Umezawa, Linda trade pbk. 1591821320. Winick’s story is a loving and M. York, and Jo Duffy. Dark Horse Romance develops between Kira, a poignant homage to the memory of Comics, 2000. 359 pp. $19.95 trade shy art student and Rei, a rebellious his MTV's Real World housemate pbk. 1569714983 motorcycle racer. Grade 7 & Up and friend, Pedro Zamora, who died Set in a violent, post-apocalyptic Neo- Tokyo, two boys, Tetsuo and Kaneda of AIDS. Grade 8 & Up Torres, J.