Readers' Advisory: Fiction: GRAB AND GO!

DON'T MAKE ME READ!

Having worked in public schools and their libraries over the past few years, I've run into my fair share of resistant readers.  They say that reading is BORING, TIME CONSUMING, and sometimes they might even admit that it's just too HARD!!!!!

So what is a parent, teacher, or librarian to do when a child is resistant to new worlds hidden in words?  Since we obviously can't just let them miss out on some of the best experiences of their young minds and all of the benefits that come from reading at such a young age, we need to find books that will get them excited about reading.  They're out there, I promise!

My solution to the most resistant readers is what I like to call the GATEWAY BOOKS, but others commonly refer to them as graphic novels.  They are the perfect books to introduce students to the excitement that books share with all the bells and whistles attached in the form of great illustrations.  It also shows students that being an author also means that they can use their illustration skills if they practice hard enough!  I've met plenty of artists which working in public schools, and I am sure that a few of them are graphic novel illustrators in the making!

All of that being said, the graphic novel sections in libraries grow EVER DAY (WOO-HOO!).  Entering that section can be overwhelming before it becomes exciting.  So I have included my top five graphic (fiction) novels for young adults.  I have tested these books out on real students with incredible and sometimes heart-swelling results!

 

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1.  ANYA'S GHOST by Vera Brosgol

Sometimes making friends, fitting in, and going to school can be overwhelming.  Young adults are plagued by minor worries, and Anya is no exception.  When she makes a friend in a very unlikely location-down a well-she is forced to take a second look at her "plagued" life to see where the exceptional qualities are hidden.

 





 2.  TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA by Shaun Tan

Shaun Tan's books seem to avoid any genre identifier.  Is it a children's book?  Is it a graphic novel?  Is it a flash fiction book?  Yes, Yes, and yes?  No matter what genre it fits into, Shaun Tan books are always a hit with young adults.  His illustrations are, frankly, OUT THERE!  I chose TALES OF OUTER SUBURBIA for this list, but all of his books are worth a gander.

 

 3.  GHOSTOPOLIS by Doug TenNapel (and BAD ISLAND)

I mentioned heart-swelling earlier, and Dough TenNapel's GHOSTOPOLIS is the book that made my heart swell one day while substitute teaching.  One student in my class was a stereotypical hyper, easily distracted, active boy who wanted to be out of his seat, and involved in every conversation.  I was racking my brain to find a way to keep him from turning Study Hall into a Free Period.  I decided to bring in Doug TenNapel's GHOSTOPOLIS.  I walked straight into the room and handed the graphic novel to the student and simply said, "When I saw this book, I thought of you."  He proceeded to sit down and read the book for the entire period!  He would not allow any other students to distract him at all!  He even asked me if there were any other similar books, and I recommended BAD ISLAND, Doug's other graphic novel.  He thanked me and said, "I needed a me-period, and this book really helped." 

 

 4.  A WRINKLE IN TIME written by Madeleine L'Engle illustrated by Hope Larson

One of my struggles when working with young readers is my knowledge of higher level reading material than the young adult is ready to conquer.  One way that I love to share classics with struggling or early readers is through graphic novel versions of classics.  A WRINKLE IN TIME is one of my favorite books, and I can share that amazing classic with Hope Larson's illustrated version.  If readers enjoy the illustrations from this graphic novel, Hope Larson has a great collection of other works that readers can enjoy once they're finished with this one!

5.  DRAMA by Raina Telgemeier

It doesn't matter if you are in a elementary library, middle school library, high school library, or public library; this book flies off of the shelves!  That alone is a great reason to have this book, and Raina Telgemeier's other famous graphic novel, SMILE, in the hands of a reluctant reader.  This is a great example of realistic fiction in a school setting (in the drama department).  Does the drama in your life compare?

 



Keep reading!