Chapter 14: Graphic Novels
Elements that make up a graphic novel include panels, gutters (which is the space between the panels), dialogue balloons, captions, and sound effects. Reading a graphic novel is just like reading prose or poetry, left to right. Dialogue balloons are meant to be read the same way.
Graphic novels have grown and popularity and have been found to promote literacy in multiple ways. Students are more motivated to read, and there are benefits within the books for students with special needs. The colors and images used in the panels are great for teaching mood and tone. These books also contain all elements of literacy and are cross-curricular.
Graphic novels are another form of book that I have little to no experience with. Last semester during the Children’s Literature, I made a point to focus a third of my final project on these types of novels. One of my students reads at a much lower level and asked me for books with pictures in them. He had already read all of the picture books in my personal library. I had a range of graphic novels in my bag for the class to read. I pulled out Amulet and he became engrossed in the book. So much so, he asked me for the second book in the series. Now, instead of playing on his phone, he is often reading a graphic novel.
I want to buy comic books for my classroom. With the explosion of Marvel and DC Comic movies, they are growing in popularity. I worry about preserving them though. I have gone to a couple of trainings where we analyzed the first page of a comic book for tone and mood.
The release of graphic novels helps supplement a classroom library for more reluctant readers. As a teacher, we need to make sure that we are taking the time to read what our students are. Now that I have more knowledge of graphic novels, I am a slightly better resource for my students. I’ve learned that graphic novels are not for me. Too much information is missing for me to fully immerse myself in the story.
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