Graphic Novels = Active Readers

This is the age of the graphic novel! 

Similar to comic books, graphic novels are simply highly illustrated books. They can be fiction or non fiction. They can be biography, memoir, history, science fiction, fantasy, romance, or any combination.

In fact, recently a PhD student illustrated her thesis in graphic novel style.

But they are so much more than just illustrated books, especially in a high school library.

Graphic Novels Improve Literacy

• Research has shown that graphic novels used in a Tier 2 RTI program increased word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Additionally, they provided a scaffold for developing literacy skills. [1]
• The National Council of Teachers of English has supported the use of graphic novels in the classroom; according to Shelley Hong Xu, associate professor at California State University, Long Beach, such texts can assist students with developing complex reading skills. [2]
• Graphic novels can be an important part of the high school English classroom and an important tool in making complex classic texts accessible to struggling readers.

Graphic Novels are Very Popular with Students

The simple fact is that students read graphic novels.
According to Get Graphic, reading graphic novels:

• Engages reluctant readers & ESL patrons.
• Increases reading comprehension and vocabulary.
• Can provide a bridge between low and high levels of reading.
• Presents an approach to reading that embraces the multimedia nature of today’s culture, as 2/3 of a story is conveyed visually.
• Provides scaffolding for struggling readers.
• Presents complex material in readable text.
• Helps patrons understand global affairs.
• Offers another avenue through which individuals can experience art.
• In 2012, graphic novel print sales rose to $385 million.
• MarketWatch reported that Barnes and Noble recently doubled its graphic novel selection. 

Graphic Novels are Literature

• The phenomenon of graphic novels has been covered in the Wall Street Journal. 
• The New York Times maintains a bestseller list of graphic novels 

Graphic Novels Help Students Deal with Life Issues

• Even more, graphic novels are breaking new ground with Ms. Marvel as a superhero who is also a Muslim teen.
• El Deafo , Newberry award winner, deals with issues of deafness.
• Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant, a memoir about dealing with memory loss in parents, was a finalist for the National Book Award and was a winner of the Kirkus Prize.
• Persepholis, an award winning memoir, dealt with the complexities of growing up during a civil war. 
• American Born Chinese, the first Graphic novel nominated for a National Book Award and winner of the Printz award, deals with issues of immigration, fitting in, language, school, peer pressure, and other teen struggles. 

Graphic novels are an important part of an current high school library collection. My vision for the PLT3 library is to have a robust selection of graphic novels in a variety of genres that appeal to many students.  

[1] Smetana, Linda and Grisham, Dana L. (2012) "Revitalizing Tier 2 Intervention with Graphic Novels," Reading Horizons: Vol. 51: Iss. 3, Article 3.

[2] "Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the Classroom (The Council Chronicle, Sept. 05)." NCTE Comprehensive News. NCTE, Sept. 2005. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.

http://www.bustle.com/articles/58807-women-in-comics-graphic-novels-finally-getting-the-spotlight-they-have-deserved-for-generations