Beyond The Funny Pages: Five Reasons to Say YES! to Graphic Novels
There is a good chance a child you know has a book stashed somewhere full of panels, color, and exclamations. This style of book, known as a graphic novel or comic, has a bit of a besmirched reputation. Cries of “That’s not real reading!” or “Where’s the substance?” are often heard when talking about this style of literature. Here is an invitation to take a closer, research based look at some of the best reasons to embrace this wildly popular literary form. Plus some great gift giving suggestions!
1. They Develop Critical Literacy Skills and Expand Vocabulary
Graphic novels have lots of text. Words that require decoding and analyzing. Add to that visual storytelling which is teaching readers to interpret words, images, tone, and symbols. This process of “reading” images alongside text builds advanced comprehension and interpretation skills. Graphic novels are filled with sophisticated language, often sprinkled with advanced vocabulary, idioms, and unique slang. The combination of words and images helps kids understand new words in context, reinforcing language skills.
2. They Encourage Analytical Thinking
Reading graphic novels requires students to analyze both text and images, discerning the details in a character’s expression, body language, and background visuals. This helps them “read between the lines” and make inferences—skills crucial to understanding complex texts.
3. They Boost Reading Comprehension and Promote Close and Critical Reading
Following a graphic novel’s storyline demands focus on both dialogue and visuals, which helps readers understand cause and effect, sequence, and narrative pacing. Reading a graphic novel well means reading it slowly and paying attention to detail. Readers practice “close reading” skills by looking at everything from onomatopoeic sounds to color choices, developing a keen eye for detail. This multi-layered reading experience enhances comprehension skills that transfer to other types of reading.
4. Beyond Fiction: They Cover A Myriad of Subjects
Examples of the comic format can now be seen in books looking at important moments of history such as award winning books chronicallying the Civil Rights Movement like Victory Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice By Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile, the story of Somalian refugees in When Stars Are Scattered By Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed and R.J. Palacio’s White Bird, which centers on a young Jewish girl in hiding during World War II. Non-fiction comics explore everything from space travel, Rocket to the Moon! by Don Brown, little known history, Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith, and a 20 book series of natural science that begins with Dinosaurs: Fossils and Feathers (Science Comics Series) by M.K. Reed, illustrated by Joe Flood. Graphic novels teach everything from geometry to social studies, making them versatile educational tools that break the spandex and superhero troupe.
5. They’re Fun—and When Kids Choose to Read, They Read More!
Graphic novels engage children in ways that few other books can. According to research, (and we have a lot of it) when kids pick their own books, which often include graphic novels, they’re more likely to stick with reading. A good graphic novel can also be a thoughtful introduction to weighty topics, allowing for a more complex understanding of material by relaying simultaneous incidents and abstract concepts more effectively than traditional prose can alone.
So, yes—graphic novels absolutely count as “real reading.” They’re rich, layered, and packed with educational value. And to help spread the joy of reading in this format we offer a list of great holiday reading for you and yours.
“Graphic novels are a great entry point to sophisticated storytelling. They allow kids to engage with complex texts and big ideas at an earlier age than they otherwise might”.
– Paul Newmark grade 3 classroom teacher
“I believe that graphic novels help students strengthen their visual and verbal analysis skills. Our unit explores art, social justice, poetry, and prose through a unique lens that only a graphic novel can provide!”
– Amelia DeFrancis grade 7 Humanities teacher