Good morning!

Thanks so much for stopping by again. We are 3 weeks in to my new series all about reclaiming reading! So far we’ve talked some tips and the power of recommendations. Yet again, I got loads of messages from people saying how lovely it was so read something that was easy to implement and even had some people sending pictures too – that was so lovely!

Today’s post is all about something that I have a lot of passion for… and so do kids – graphic novels.

Now, a bit of history to this…

When I first started blogging and teaching, graphic novels weren’t something that there were many around of (most of them I had to buy second hand that had come from America) and so when I came across them, it was like a whole other world of reading. Was I sceptical at first? Yes, but that’s because I can be a bit of a sceptic, ha. However, I sit here like 8 years later and will happily tell you that I am a complete and utter graphic novel convert!

If you’re after some recommendations for why they matter and some series to read, you’ve come to the right place!

We are so lucky now that graphic novels are becoming much more readily available. UK publishers are twigging on to the fact that graphic novels get kids reading, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Do I still buy a lot of mine second hand? Yes (AbeBooks is my favourite, especially if I’m looking for US published ones), but can you get them readily available from Waterstones, indie book shops, online retailers? Yes. Game changer.

Why should you get yourself some graphic novels for your school/class library?

Great for building vocabulary!

I’ll be honest here… I was one of these people that thought ‘ooh, but they’re just looking at pictures, there’s no real linguistic benefit to them because of a lack of text…’ However, there’s often a gorgeous display of vocabulary within graphic novels compared to other novels. Every word has to count because there isn’t as much space to use!

Perfect for developing critical thinking

Something that I think kids develop really quickly is the ability to “read an image” which can be a really complex thinking skill. They have to be able to discern a whole personality and a whole load of inferred things from an image, and they do learn that really quickly through graphic novels. Get a children to talk you through what’s happening in an image and they will be able to once they’re well versed in graphic novels. You don’t get everything you need from the text alone.

Perfect for reluctant readers

Graphic novels are the perfect alternative for those children who don’t want to pick up a more traditional novel. The highly-visual storytelling is a perfect way in for some children. I find that sometimes children will seek out similar novels once they find a graphic novel which they have enjoyed. We’re lucky now that lots of publishers are bringing out graphic novel versions of traditional novels and these are brilliant accompaniments! For example Stitch Head (also coming out as a movie this year) has a graphic novel version now!

Pacey pacey pacey

Graphic novels are really quick reads, which means that children can feel a real sense of achievement once they finish them! The visual storytelling really helps in that children can zoom through them and will be on to the next one in no time! I love that I can get engrossed in a graphic novel and before I know it, I’ve been reading in proper tunnel vision for ages because I am taking in every single little detail.

They’re out there about everything!

Something incredible about graphic novels is that you can find them for all genres – sports, mystery, history, animals, fantasy. For every reader there is there is a graphic novel for them!

Here are some of the favourite graphic novels (some standalone, some series) from my life and my classroom:

Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi (Y4+)

Investigators by John Patrick Green (Y2/3+)

I Survived by Lauren Tarshish – these do also come in novel format, so be mindful of that (Y5/6+)

Marvel graphic novels – various titles and authors (Y4/5+)

Wings of Fire series by Tui T Sutherland (Y5/6+)

Mr Wolf’s Class by Aron Nels Steinke (Y2+)

Evil Emperor Penguin by Laura Ellen Anderson – yes of Amelia Fang fame! (Y3/4+)

The Babysitters Club – various illustrators (Y5/6+)

Anything Raina Telgemeier does – give these a read before you put them in your library… (some of them are definitely more Year 5/6+)

I honestly could go on forever… but these are ones that are firm firm favourites in my classroom! Some I’ve bought MANY times!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I’d love some more recommendations! Or I’d love to know what you/your class think of graphic novels. I know they’ve certainly changed some of my little readers’ opinions on reading! I will be back with more love for graphic novels in the coming weeks… so keep your eyes peeled for that!

If there’s anything you think you’d LOVE to know about from my Reading reclaimed series, please drop it in the comments or let me know on Instagram (@thisgeordieteaches). I’d LOVE to guide this series with you guys!

S x