What is your
favorite graphic novel? Batman? Class Act? Nimona? July is Graphic Novels in
the Library Month (actually, every month is but they are featured in July). Did
you know your local library has graphic novels? Graphic novels are finally
being recognized as an actual educational reading and have received their own
month to be celebrated
What is a
graphic novel? Britannica defines graphic novels as a type of
text combining words and images—essentially a comic, although the term most
commonly refers to a complete story presented as a book rather than a
periodical. The term graphic novel was coined in the 1970s and it is still
debated as to what was the first official graphic novel. In the beginning, the graphic
novel was a combination of comics that formed an actual book. Graphic novels
were also thought to be the adult answer to the more juvenile comic book. Today,
there are graphic novels for all ages and genres.
Are
graphic novels real books? Yes, graphic novels contain words that form
sentences so they can be read in book form. According to
research by Northwestern
University as well as the Cleveland Public Library, reading graphic novels
helps kids master sequencing and linear thought, build visual literacy,
strengthen attention to detail, and increase reading comprehension (turns out
when you both see a picture and read words that describe it, you remember it
better). Michael Schumacher describes graphic novels as
“book-length works of sequential art expanded in scope [beyond science fiction
and fantasy] to include biography, memoir, history, and other types of
non-fiction.” Esther Keller, a Brooklyn, N.Y. librarian and contributor to the School
Library Journal, says, “A school or library that doesn’t include graphic novels
isn’t addressing the needs or wants of their community… Images are a part of
today’s culture: selfies, pictures on the net, ads, video, infographics. If we
aren’t educating young students about reading images, they aren’t getting a
rounded education.”
But what about manga? Is it a graphic novel? Manga is a style of
Japanese comic books and graphic novels, typically aimed at adults as well as
children. With diverse genres and themes, the majority
of the population of Japan read manga. In the United States, if you enjoy
reading from back to front, then manga is the graphic novel for you.
What’s all this mean for you? Young adults have known all
along, but adults, including educators and parents, are finally acknowledging the
awesomeness that is graphic novels. Libraries are celebrating with an entire
month focused on great graphic novels. So, you can go to the library, check out
a graphic novel for free, and read something that you enjoy!
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