5 Graphic Novels To Check Out This Holiday

Phew! Aren’t we all glad that the examinations are finally over? I hope all the efforts you have put into your revisions have borne fruit. Do not feel blue, however, if your results fail to live up to your expectations. Remember, there is always room for improvement, as long as you keep on trying.

Now that the year-end holiday is right round the corner, I am going to suggest to you 5 graphic novels you can check out. I know that some parents are not too keen about their children reading graphic novels because they do not see them as “real” books but let me try to convince you why you should allow your children to read graphic novels:

1. Graphic novels are great for reluctant readers. There are some children who struggle to finish traditional texts because they find it hard to focus on so many words on a page. As such, graphic novels may appeal to them because the words are usually accompanied with eye-catching illustrations. More often than not, the illustrations serve to reinforce the words, working together to tell the story and thus helping young readers gain a better understanding of what is happening.

2. Graphic novels add variety to a reading diet. As adults, think about the different types of reading we do throughout the week – newspapers for current affairs, blog posts for tips, novels for pleasure etc. Similarly, children who are already avid readers need a variety in their reading diet so as not to experience fatigue. Also, some graphic novels are actually adaptations of classics so such readers may pick up a classic on their own.

3. Graphic novels help with critical reading skills. When reading a graphic novel, a child is actually involved in decoding and comprehending complex literary devices such as metaphor, symbolism and point of view. On top of that, he or she needs to process information differently than how he or she normally would when processing prose. Such visual literacy skills are useful in this current world where students are expected to navigate information presented visually through websites, videos and other types of interactive media.

4. Graphic novels support vocabulary learning. Many studies have shown that graphic novels tend to utilise rarer or more difficult words, compared to traditional books. As such, there is a greater opportunity for a child who reads graphic novels to be exposed to and acquire new and interesting words. There is also the benefit of having visuals to support this learning because a young reader can use the visual clues to help them deduce the meaning of new words. Take a look at the example below:

(excerpt taken from http://www.maxbrallier.com/the-last-kids-on-earth)

I like how the writer, Max Brailler, describe the the villain using vivid verbs and adjectives, such as ‘massive hand’, ‘crushing grip’, ‘his gaping nostrils flair’ and ‘sinister smirk’.  From just a short excerpt, it is clear that reading graphic novels do expose young readers to exciting vocabulary that they can use in their own writing.

When choosing graphic novels, parents should consider what topics might interest their children and whether these are age-appropriate. Below, I have listed 5 novels which I hope you and your children will find worthy enough to add to your shelf. These have been chosen because they have been highly recommended by teachers, students, book critics and parents.

Real Friends (written by Shannon Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham)

Real Friends

By Shannon Hale