“Graphic novels aren’t real literature!” Have you heard this said before? I am still trying to unlearn the idea that graphic novels are the “junk food” of books. When a child repeatedly turns to the graphic novel shelf, we might want to nudge them toward the “real books” instead. However, the graphic novel format can teach children essential reading comprehension skills and, most importantly, encourage them to fall in love with books.
Many juvenile graphic novels touch upon relatable issues children encounter in their daily lives as they grow. For example, Raina Telgemeier’s books discuss bullying, mental health, and getting along with pesky siblings. Telgemeier’s “Smile” (J FIC Tel) follows a young girl’s journey toward confidence when an accident forces her to wear braces and headgear to school. Shannon Hale’s “Real Friends” (J FIC Hal) is a memoir about cliques and finding new friends.
Jerry Craft’s “New Kid” (J FIC Cra) was the first graphic novel to receive the esteemed Newbery Medal, a prize awarded to outstanding contributions to children’s literature. Jordan, the novel’s 12-year-old protagonist, finds fitting in difficult when he is one of just a few students of color at his new school. Cece Bell’s “El Deafo” (J FIC Bel) features a girl struggling to make friends with a hearing impairment. The vibrant artwork paired with text in both stories can help children learn to read context clues and discern emotion from visuals.
Of course, that’s not to say graphic novels containing fantasy, adventure, and humorous hijinks are without value. The genre includes epic journeys just as complex and intriguing as those found in other chapter books. The “Amulet” series by Kazu Kibuishi (J FIC Kib) features two siblings venturing into an underground fantasy world to save their mother from a monster. A lighter, more humorous plot can be found in “Max and the Midknights” by Lincoln Pierce (J FIC Pie), which follows a young aspiring knight on a quest to save his uncle alongside a ragtag group of adventurers. The series will appeal to fans of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” (J FIC Pil) and Ursula Vernon’s “Dragonbreath” (J FIC Ver), two more popular series filled with hilarity and adventure.
Teen readers can now find YA graphic novels in their own special section in the Youth Services department. Among them are lighthearted series like Shannon Watters’ “Lumberjanes” (YA FIC Lum), which features a group of girls battling monsters at a summer camp. Sports lovers might enjoy “Fence” by C.S. Pacat (YA FIC Pac), which follows the fierce competition and relationships between fencers at an all-boys school. The YA section is also home to nonfiction graphic novel titles such as “The Mars Challenge” by Alison Wilgus and Wyeth Yates (YA 629.4553). This book illustrates the logistics required for a manned mission to Mars.
If you or your child are beginning to browse the graphic novel shelves, please feel free to ask a librarian for recommendations. Youth Services staff is always happy to answer your questions and direct you toward series appropriate for your child’s preferences and reading level. You are welcome to give us a call at 765-362-2242, ext. 2, to inquire about our children’s collection and to place holds on books for curbside pick-up.
Noel Marquis is a library assistant in the Youth Services Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
