Graphic Novels

• Not a genre but a form/format
• Graphic novels are a logical extension of the comic book. They resemble a novel in length and narrative development.
• Educator's Guide to Graphic Novels: http://www.randomhousekids.com/media/activities/GraphicNovels_EducatorGd_15_WEB.pdf
• ALSC'S Lists of Graphic Novels for Young Children:
• http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2016/03/new-graphic-novels-reading-lists/
• GN's Promote Literacy:
• Motivation
• Great for teaching mood and tone
• Benefits for teaching students with special needs (dyslexia, ELL & LEP, other reading difficulties)
• Contain all the elements of literature
• Content area literacy with HF, sci fi, and nonfiction

I have found that many teachers and parents shy away from graphic novels for the young adults because they think they are "just comic books" and don't offer any literary value. I will make it a point to educate them on the value of graphic novels by sharing recommended books and my annotated bibliography of graphic novels. I also think sharing the information like the link to the educator's guide is helpful as well. I have enjoyed so many graphic novels both in this class and my Children's Literature class that I know many of them are excellent works of literature. One example of a graphic novel for YA readers is My Friend Dahmer. I think many teenagers will be drawn (maybe out of morbid curiosity) to the life of Jeffrey Dahmer and will appreciate learning both the factual details leading up to his disturbing end as well as the illustrations by the author Derk Backderf that bring the book to life.