Why Graphic Novels Over Traditional Novels for Lit Circles?
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they don't take as long to read
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they appeal to boys and girls equally
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they are great for reluctant readers, who love the shorter form and the novelty
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they are great for ESL and SERR readers, who need the graphics to help them decode the text
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they are great for gifted readers, who like to learn in dual modalities
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they can help students make the transition to more complex texts
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you're exposing students to a different text form/genre
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you get to teach students new terms and conventions of that text form (e.g. "gutters!")
And let's face it...who doesn't love a good comic?
Need More Reasons? Here's some research and additional background for you:
Graphic Novel Reading Research
The YA Graphic Novel
Graphic Novels in Today's Libraries posted on The Graphic Novel Reporter Blog
Sub-Genres of Graphic Novels
For our purposes, we classify graphic novels into four sub-genres:
Classic Stories in Graphic Form
Graphic Novel Adaptations of Contemporary Titles
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Today's publishing houses know the popularity of the Graphic Novel genre, and they all want in on the game. These are a great way to get students interested in the longer, traditional form of the novels -- by hooking them with the graphic version first! Many of the ones listed here are better for junior and intermediate students, but that's not to say there aren't graphic versions of early or middle grade novels. There are. We just haven't used many of them.
Original Graphic Masterpieces
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These are books which have been made specifically as graphic novels, not adapted from some other genre. Some are fabulous parodies, or twists on classic stories, but are original as far as the plots go. Many of these have humourous elements, which make them great for many grade levels, though they tend to be solid junior reads. A number of them are the starts of series as well.
Manga
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Personally, we have tried to stay away from manga, simply because kids who can read the true Japanese manga form (right to left) quickly and easily are already hooked. Still, some kids are eager to try manga, and now that some are being reissued Western style, you can have your cake and eat it too!
Suggested Graphic Titles for Lit Circles -- And Don't Forget to Check the "Just Read Graphics!"
Classic Stories in Graphic Form
- Sherlock Holmes and a Scandal in Bohemia (On the Case with Holmes and Watson #1) adapted by Murray Shaw and M.J. Cosson
- Outlaw: the legend of Robin Hood by Tony Lee *
- Treasure Island adapted by Andrew Harrar
- Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth retold by David Worth miller and Katherine McLean Brevard
Graphic Novel Adaptations of Contemporary Titles
- Artemis Fowl: the Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
- Artemis Fowl #2: The Arctic Incident Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer
- Alex Rider Stormbreaker Graphic Novel by Anthony Horowitz and Antony Johnson
- Alex Rider Point Blank Graphic Novel by Anthony Horowitz
- Skeleton Key: The Graphic Novel (Alex Rider #3) by Anthony Horowitz
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan and Robert Venditti
- The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud and Andrew Dorkin
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Original Graphic Masterpieces
- The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kabu Kibuishi
- Joey Fly Private Eye and Creepy Crawly Crime (Joey Fly #1) by Aaron Reynolds and Neil Numberman
- Sound Off (The Adventures of Daniel Boom and Loud Boy #1) by D. J. Steinberg
- Calamity Jack by Shannon and Nathan Hale
- The Dodgeball Chronicles (Knights of the Lunch Table #1) by Frank Cammuso
- Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
Manga
- Max Ride the Manga Volume 1 by James Patterson and NaRae Lee *
- Tigerstar and Sasha: Into the Woods (Tiger Star and Sasha #1) by Erin Hunter
- Cirque du Freak: The Manga Volume 1 by Darren Shan *
(* best suited for Young Adult audiences -- grades 7-12)
Where to Buy Your Graphics:
Tinlids
Beguiling
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