Graphic Novels - Better than you Think!

While I consider myself a lover of children's literature-especially well-written, character rich fiction-I am beginning to see the many benefits available in the graphic novel.  I recently participated in a group discussion on Twitter with many librarians and teachers on the subject of graphic novels.  We discussed the many benefits inherent in this type of reading and exchanged the many popular titles that we share with students.  The appeal of these books is huge to our kids--the visual appeal and characters instantly draw them in.  While at first glance these books may seem simple, they are actually introducing complex themes, plots, and structures while introducing vocabulary through contextual clues.  I have seen first hand how my most "reluctant readers" and my struggling readers flock to these choices.  The illustrations can actually help to guide a struggling reader through the text.  The appeal isn't only to struggling students though!  My talented and gifted students love them just as much.  The following is a listing of some great titles to try out.  All book descriptions are taken from Amazon.com's website. 

                                         

Meet Babymouse by Jennifer Holm

"The word is out. Kids love Babymouse—star of the popular, award-winning, hilarious, PINK graphic-novel series showcasing the trials and tribulations of elementary school. The sassy mouse with attitude to spare has charmed her way into the hearts of kids, parents, and teachers everywhere! The series has won multiple Children’s Choice awards, and one title was the first graphic novel EVER to be named an ALA Notable Children’s Book."

 Magic Pickle by Scott Morse                                           

"The full-color graphic novel version of the Magic Pickle legend! Magic Pickle, or "Weapon Kosher," as his creator, Dr. Jekkel Formaldehyde likes to call him, is the product of a top-secret U.S. Army lab. Unfortunately, the 1950s experiments to turn vegetables into soldiers went wrong. Sure, they created Magic Pickle, the flying dill soldier, but they also let loose a bunch of rotten vegetables, like the Romaine Gladiator, Chili Chili Bang Bang, the Phantom Carrot, and Peashooter. This Brotherhood of Evil Produce is out to take over the world and they've started!"

Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon

"It's not easy for Danny Dragonbreath to be the sole mythical creature in a school for reptiles and amphibians, especially because he can't breathe fire like other dragons (as the school bully loves to remind him). But having a unique family comes in handy sometimes, like when his sea-serpent cousin takes Danny and his best iguana friend on a mindboggling underwater tour, complete with vomiting sea cucumbers and giant squid. It sure beats reading the encyclopedia to research his ocean report . ."

Missle Mouse by Jake Parker

"Brimming with sci-fi action and futuristic gadgetry, Missile Mouse comes across as a James Bond meets Han Solo for the middle-grade crowd. The cocky, big-eared rodent is a secret agent for the Galactic Security Agency (GSA) who prefers to do things the quick and messy way. This penchant for disruption has the GSA keeping close tabs on him. When brilliant scientist Ulrich Vondorf is kidnapped by the evil Rogue Imperium of Planets (RIP), Missile Mouse is tasked with retrieving him. Adding importance to the mission is the fact that Vondorf has knowledge of the black hole-creating Star Crusher, which RIP could use to bring the universe to its knees."

(School Library Journal, 2010)                                                 

Other series to look for are "The Hardy Boys" by Scott Lobdell, "Chicagoland Detective Agency" by Trina Robbins, "Bone" by Jeff Smith, "Nancy Drew" by Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney, and "The Baby-Sitters Club" by Raina Telgemeier.

I follow The Styling Librarian Blog and she participated in the #titletalk on Twitter about graphic novels.  Following are some articles she found on graphic novels:

Using Graphic Novels with Chidren and Teens- fabulous article!!  http://www.scholastic.com/graphix/Scholastic_BoneDiscussion.pdf

Great Graphic Novels for  Kids:  http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/goodcomicsforkids/2012/04/24/great-graphic-novels-for-kids/

Justification – beautiful for reading Graphic Novels: http://www.sequart.org/magazine/1084/a-letter-to-the-prospective-comic-fan/

Graphic Novels for Teens: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/ggnt

Video on Graphic Novel Creation: http://www.hulu.com/watch/260325/grant-morrison-talking-with-gods
Blog Pages wonderful for promoting Graphic Novels:
Owly Webpage: Some graphic novels and printables available here: http://www.andyrunton.com/owly/

Kids Creating Their Own Comics: http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/kids-creating-their-own-comics.html

Social Media has made it very easy to have access to many resources including book recommendations.  If you are interested in getting more recommendation from me, you can friend me on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/) and have instant access to the numerous bookshelves of titles I have read and rated:)  You can also follow me on Twitter at #MichelleMalpas1.  Also, this summer I will be participating in the "Book-a-day challenge" on Twitter which is organized by book guru, Donalyn Miller.  Be sure to tune in to this blog over the summer to see a listing of the books I am reading:)  

Stay Tuned for my next blog post about Miller Elementary's Read S'more Books summer reading club! 

Girl Power!

I recently started following a blog called www.nerdybookclub.com.  It's a wonderful blog for book nerds and book lovers!  They recently had a post about the top ten "Girl Power" books which I have included below.  Much is expected of our girls these days and I thought that sharing this book list with you could give some suggestions for books you may want to share with your daughters.  Don't worry, a boy's list is coming soon:) 

28 Apr (Posted on this date at http://www.nerdybookclub.com/)

Princess Elizabeth

from The Paper Bag Princess written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Elizabeth is no ordinary princess. Munsch takes a simple quest tale and turns it on its head. The dragon destroys the castle and carries off Prince Ronald! It is up to Princess Elizabeth to rescue him, which she does with humor and wit.

Daisy

from Here Come the Girl Scouts! written by Shana Corey, illustrated by Hadley Hooper

Juliette Gordon Low, Daisy, saw that boys were getting more opportunities than young girls, so she decided she wanted to give young girls the chance to have the same adventures that young men had and nothing was going to get in her way. This was the birth of Girl Scouts which has lasted over 100 years and still allows young ladies to have adventures and make a difference.

Jane Goodall

from Me…Jane written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell

Jane Goodall is a pioneer in primatology, anthropology and ethology and all of it started when she was a young girl and dreamed of a life of helping animals like her stuffed chimp Jubilee.

Babymouse

from Babymouse: Cupcake Tycoon (and many others) written by Jennifer L. Holm, illustrated by Matthew Holm

Babymouse won’t let anything get in her way for getting what she wants.  Although there are times that Babymouse can be self-centered and sometimes makes bad choices, she always ends up doing what is right including saving the library.

Marty McGuire

from Marty McGuire and Marty McGuire Digs Worms! written by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Floca

Marty would rather play Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey with her friend Annie or try to catch frogs than pretend to be a princess. Marty is a strong, independent, funny, smart young woman who I wish I’d been friends with when I was younger.

Jennet MacKenzie

from Tam Lin written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak

Feisty Jennet MacKenzie knows no fear. She sets out to save her ancestral home from the Queen of the Faeries, and finds and rescues her true love along the way.

Velma Gratch

from Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly written by Alan Madison, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Velma is the youngest of the Gratch sisters but she wants to be known for who she is apart from her older sisters. Finally, on a trip to the butterfly garden, she discovers that by being herself, she’ll discover a way to stand out.

Molly Lou Melon

from Stand Tall  Molly Lou Melon written by Patty Lovell, illustrated David Catrow

Molly Lou Melon is proud of her quirky self until she moves to a new town and a new school and has to contend with Ronald Durkin. With the memory of her grandmother’s words in mind, Molly Lou Melon doesn’t let Ronald Durkin shake her.

Nancy

From Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth (and many others) written by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Nancy is determined to take everything in her world and make it fancy – she adds tiaras and glitter and anything sparkly to her wardrobe. She knows who she is and with the help of her family, can do anything she sets her mind to – even solve mysteries!

Annie

from the Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon (and many others) written by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca

Jack and Annie are a  brother and sister duo who are sent on adventures into the past and future. Annie is the impetuous, adventurous soul; dragging her bookish brother into and out of countless scraps.