Kids and Graphic Novels
My kids / students read graphic novels too quickly! What can I do?
Happy 2025!
I hope you’re rested and ready for the year ahead. Although let’s face it, who’s ever ready because who knows what the year ahead will have in store? Let’s hope it is lots of fabulous books, I know I have lots of graphic novels to share with you!
Let’s start the new year with a new question;
“My kids / students read graphic novels too quickly! What can I do?”
A graphic novel can be devoured in a much shorter space of time than a novel, this is true and sometimes what makes them so appealing. However, a graphic novel can also be easily read again and you will probably find that the younger audience, will keep diving in, because there is so much to offer!
Encourage your readers to;
Re-read out loud! Give the characters voices and see how they might sound.
Look closer - You will find there are always, ALWAYS things that you missed the first or even second time around!
Re-read visually. Don’t look at what the characters are saying, look at what they are doing. There are often visual story lines that aren’t part of the main story when you look closer too.
My last recommendation would be to either read the book with your young reader, or read it yourself. Discuss what you found interesting / funny / amazing and you will both likely be keen to read again!
Link: There are more and more fabulous studies coming out, showing just how brilliant graphic novels are. The link this week is from the United Through Reading website with an article titled; The benefits of graphic novels; why they count as reading.
“Graphic novels are underappreciated in literary circles, often dismissed as “comic books” for kids or light reading unworthy of literary consideration. However, this perception rapidly changes as educators, scholars, and readers recognize their unique and profound benefits. Far from being mere picture books, graphic novels offer a rich reading experience that engages a wide range of readers.”
- United Through Reading Website
Read: Yes, read graphic novels yourself! See how much enjoyment you can get from a graphic novel, what else you might find. If you’re in a book club, suggest a graphic novel! I would highly recommend When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. It tells the story of Omar’s experiences as a child refugee along with his brother in the Dadaab refugee camp.
It’s wonderful to be back, sharing all things graphic novel with you as I edge closer to the release of Inked, my very own middle grade graphic novel with Jake A Minton, this April. I received my author copies recently and am feeling all the feels about this book coming into the world!
Next time I’ll answer the question; what are the parts of a graphic novel?
Until then, grab a graphic novel!
Karen
Have a question about graphic novels? Have a graphic novel you love and would like to share? Drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.
— Please note, book links are affiliate links —
Pre-order Inked, a middle grade graphic novel by Karen Wasson and Jake A Minton