The Classroom Library: Graphic Novels

Our classroom library is set up (mostly) by genre. There are other sections mixed throughout like classroom favorites, favorite authors, books in a series and format. Graphic Novels are considered a format. Quite simply, the definition of graphic novel is as follows: a novel in comic strip format. We want readers to understand that graphic novels have many different genres like other novels.

I thought it would be helpful to include some ways that graphic novels are collected and shared in our fourth grade classroom. It is my hope, that you also include a thoughtful collection of graphic novels in your elementary, middle and high school libraries.

Here is my testimonial. I have many graphic novels in my classroom library for readers to choose from. We are constantly adding new titles, this is important: the constant curation. I still wish I could afford to buy a lot more, it's all a work in progress. A lot of my students are highly engaged with this format, and some students are only mildly interested. I do not like the term reluctant when describing readers, so I won't say that GNs are "top notch for reluctant readers." I will say that I have handed Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet series to a lot of kids and it almost always turns kids into active readers. Handing a child a Raina Telgemeier book usually has the same effect. It's like magic, they awaken from this possible reading slumber.

What happens once that magic wears off and they're looking for the next great series or title? If you read graphic novels and seek them out, you will be waiting with another recommendation. This is great, but take the time to teach your kids how to find the next best thing on their own. We must be able to pull the scaffolds away and know that kids can do these things without us. Independence is the ultimate goal, and I tell my kids Mrs. Riedmiller will not always be waiting in the wings with a "try this next" suggestion. I know that you have to work hard to get to know kids to understand what is right to place into their hands. I know that just because a child doesn't want to follow along with a novel study complete with low level comprehension questions doesn't mean that they don't like to read, or that they are a "struggling or reluctant reader." Instead of labeling children, let's listen to them instead. Find out what they like and see if there is a graphic novel that would fall into that category. It took me quite sometime to discover all the sports graphic novels that Sports Illustrated Kids offers, and boy am I glad I did!

This post will not include activites to do with students that have to do with graphic novels. My goal is to create life-long readers and I have to think about what adult readers do when they finish books. We do not often seek out to create a diorama or a book report. Therefore, I do not expect my students to take part in these types of activities either. Instead, we finish books, share what we have read and then make plans for what we will read next. Often times we are inspired to create something, and when that is the case, we make room to create and share.

MAKING THE CASE FOR GRAPHIC NOVELS

• If you are wondering what a graphic novel is, and why they should even be in your classroom this is a great place to start: Scholastic's Guide to Using Graphic Novels with Children and Teens. This guide is simple to follow and can help jump start your classroom collection. It also includes resources for how to evaluate graphic novels and find more places to look for them.
• Comics in the Classroom: Why Comics? by Michelle Manno
• Learning to Read from Comics: Comics as Gateways to Literacy by Paul Gravett

BUILDING & CARING FOR A CORE COLLECTION

• READ! Read children's graphic novels, middle grades, YA and adult. I read the Complete Persepolis last summer based on a recommendation from our school's art teacher. I never would have picked it up on my own and I learned so much.
• Talk to other people and children that read. You will pick up recommendations like crazy if you build reading relationships and seek out book talks and trailers. Mr. Schu often shares great book trailers on his website. Follow illustrators and creators and see what new work they are up to. Share this with your kids and anticipate new releases.
• Consult lists when trying to decide which graphic novels to add to the classroom library. Nerdy Book Club issues awards each year called Nerdies, these current and past posts can help set a good basis for books to buy first, especially if you are new to graphic novels. This year's post is filled with a lot of class favorites. ALA has an epic list of graphic novels for grades 3-5 seperated by grade level and then color/grayscale. I have also included an extensive list at the bottom of this post.
• Graphic Novels wear out very quickly, especially when they are constantly being passed from one set of hands to another (this is the ultimate goal). Covering these books with clear contact paper would be a great way to improve the longevity of these (mostly) paperback books. Be sure to replace titles when they are ripped, have missing pages or a broken spine. 
• Be ready to purchase extra copies due to popularity. I use a combination of my own money, borrowing from the public or school library or setting up Donors Choose projects. Asking your PTO or Administration doesn't hurt either. Ex. The newest Dog Man book was released last week. I knew that almost all of my kids in both classes had read book one. I purchased two copies, one to float around in each classroom. You will get really good at knowing which books need multiple copies! Scholastic Reading Club is a fantastic way to get points for free when the students in your class make monthly orders. This is how I collected two Amulet sets and a full set of Bone books. Yard sales and thrift stores are also great places to hit up.

GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES THAT 3-5 READERS LOVE 

• Babymouse by Jennifer & Matthew Holm
• Squish by Jennifer & Matthew Holm
• Lunch Lady by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
• Mr. Pants by Scott McCormick & R.H. Lazzell
• Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey &  Dan Santat
• Fangbone by Michael Rex
• Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce
• Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
• The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin & Raina Telgemeier 
• Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels by multiple authors
• Plants Vs. Zombies by Paul Tobin & Ron Chan
• Bone by Jeff Smith
• Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack
• Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
• Hilo by Judd Winick
• Nnewts by Doug TenNapel
• Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi 
• Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti, Attila Futaki & Jose Villarrubia 
• Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke
• Explorer by Kazu Kibuishi 
• Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale
• Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang & Mike Holmes
• Oddly Normal by Otis Frampton
• Dreamjumper by Greg Grunberg & Lucas Turnbloom
• Goosebumps Graphix by R.L. Stine & various illustrators 

GRAPHIC NOVEL STAND ALONES THAT 3-5 READERS LOVE

• Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson
• Dragons Beware by Jorge Aguirre & Rafael Rosado
• Giants Beware by Jorge Aguirre & Rafael Rosado
• Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
• Sunny Side Up by Jennifer & Matthew Holm
• Smile, Sisters, Drama & Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
• El Deafo by Cece Bell
• Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova (older kids, minimal language)
• Comics Squad by multiple authors
• The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks, color by Jordie Bellaire
• Slappy's Tales of Horror (Goosebumps Graphix) by R.L. Stine, Dave Roman & various illustrators

These are MOST of the graphic novel titles that are included in my classroom library. I am constantly on the lookout for more to add to our selection and I know I have probably left some excellent titles off of my lists. If you have any suggestions that were not listed, please list them below.