2010 Missouri Association of School Librarians presentation on using comics and graphic novels in the classroom and library.

1. Use of Comics and Graphic Novels in the Library and Classroom Chi Anne McGrew Missouri Association of School Librarians Spring Conference 2010 You can email me for the exact powerpoint chiannemcgrew@charter.net Or most of the information and links can be found at http://mrsmcgrew.blogspot.com

3. Used to describe the specific format of a comic book that has greater production values and longer narrative Can also describe the trade paperback format, like a serialized novel.

4. Comic book definition- Used to describe both the medium itself and the periodical form. As a result, all graphic novels are comic books, but not all comic books are graphic novels.

5. Sequential Art Combination of text, panels and images Gutter Panel http://progressiveboink.com/archive/calvinhobbes.htm

6. http://www.flightcomics.com/flight3preview/preview_final/web_khangle/index.html

7. Khang Le http://www.flightcomics.com/flight2preview/pages/06_081_khang_page03.jpg

8. Graphic novels are the fastest growing categories in book publishing and partly because of this growth there is a a lot of uncertainty about what a graphic novel is. Traditionally a series of bound comics in long book form- started in the UK in 1870s.

10. Washington Post article by Steven Hunter (2002) explains how the “graphic novel isn’t really a novel; what it is, really, is a movie in graphics. It tells stories visually, finding images to express emotions that would somehow be beyond a prose artist’s ability to convey”

11. Will Eisner coined the phrase graphic novel in 1978 to describe his collection of illustrated short stories, A contract with God and other tenement stories (Kitchen Sink, 1978)

12. Published 1978, filled with pictures, was meant as literature, not a comic.

13. Three subcategories of graphic novels Superhero comics Popular entertainment Literary fine art

14. http://swclinux.lakeheadschools.ca/news/wp-content/superheroes02.jpg

15. “I see no intrinsic reason why a doubly talented artist might not arise and create a comic strip novel masterpiece.” -author John Updike (1969)

16. 1986

17. Only graphic novel to appear on Time magazines list of the “100 best novels from 1923 to the present”

19. Set during the Cold War, with Bruce Wayne who is nearly 55 and has retired from being Batman, is drawn back into the life of a superhero.

20. Marjane Satrapi explains her inspiration from Maus and the freedom of a graphic novel. “It’s just you telling your story.” Hers is not a story of victimization, but of anger and a direction for the anger. Plus, it reaches a population that otherwise would have no idea about the Revolution in Iran.

21. http://tenthousandvisions.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/persepolis_cover.jpg http://www.rand.org/international_programs/cmepp/imey/images/persepolis-page.gif

22. Pulitzer Prize Special Award winner in 1992 http://www.buckslib.org/images/Programs/onebook/Maus%20Poster.GIF

23. Popular Entertainment Basically a catch-all group for works that don’t fall into the other two categories Fastest growing subcategory A lot is published by the numerous small presses.

25. Manga

26. Comics bridge to graphic novels (Lyga & Lyga,2004) To traditional library materials (Miller, 2005) http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/reading-comic-books-300x225.jpg

27. BIG MOVIES AND TV SHOWS COME FROM COMICS AND GN Spider Man X-Men Hulk Justice League Smallville Teen Titans 300 Road to Perdition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

29. “due to their visual nature, graphic novels provide a more visceral, immediate experience.”

30. High Interest and Pop Culture Graphic novels will gain attention better than a textbook Graphic novels cling to the cutting edge of pop culture which kids also glean to. Often in advance of media. Comics responded to 9/11 in less than 1 month, much faster than any other media

31. Prinz Award http://scholarization.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/animetv-naruto.jpg http://www.retrojunk.com/img/art-images/bone.jpg http://littleduffelbaglibrarian.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/american-born-chinese-jacket-cover.jpg

32. WHY GRAPHIC NOVELS? Give students what they want They read them Graphic novels have a higher level of vocabulary Reluctant reader’s will read them Graphic Novels circulate at least as much as other books Practical matters No rule to how many are needed

33. Multiple Intelligences Howard Gardner

34. Enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles. Good with words and possess incredible vocabularies or make up their own words and meanings. Linguistic Intelligence Graphic Novel Connection- Enjoy recreationally. Creative outlet to create own. Imaginations are fueled. Challenges because text doesn’t do across the page format.

35. Spatial Intelligence Visual learners, think in images and pictures. Fascinated by visual games, doodles, draw for teacher, art classes. Graphic Novel Connection- enjoy reading and stimulate creativity

36. Interpersonal Intelligence Stand out among their peers, good at communicating understanding others feelings and motives, model leaders, well-liked, easily navigate through social situations. Graphic Novel Connection- Much of storytelling in a graphic novel is done through visual facial expressions, settings, sharp lines, and shadings.

37. Traits of Readers and the Graphic Novels Connection 1. Students incapable of visualization students are surrounded by visual images, but not all make those pictures while reading which is necessary to being successful. Graphic novels help with visualizations because there may be entire pictures without text so they must decode meaning. “They can focus mental energy on gaining meaning from pictures rather than be frustrated by text that challenges their inability to create mental pictures of the story.” It’s not dumbing down, it requires more complex thought.

38. 2. Reluctant Readers- Capable of visualization but won’t read. Unmotivated students are sometimes also unskilled, probably lacks skills necessary to construct meaning. If all the energy is spent pronouncing the words, comprehension is lost. Generally boys. Graphic novels aid in decoding. Pictures are the key for reading success. Students don’t consider graphic novels to be real books because of the pictures so they don’t mind reading them.

39. 3.Visually dependent students- Media rich environments make it difficult for students to keep the attention span. Graphic Novels- adapt, don’t compete, use to teach visual literacy—looking at the messages, meanings and motivations behind a visual images.

40. Graphic Novels in schools: promoting reading and improving literacy “Including graphic novels in the library’s collection boosted circulation and drew reluctant readers, especially boys.” Kay Hones, O’Connell High School, San Francisco

41. “Graphic novels can be a valuable tool for aiding language and literacy development of students. They are especially valuable to students who are struggling with language acquisition because the illustrations help provide contextual clues for understanding the narrative aspects of the text.” Elaine Moskowitz, San Francisco Unified School District

42. “Research shows comic books as linguistically appropriate reading material, bearing no negative effect on language acquisition or school achievement.”

43. Comic books and graphic novels are perfect for reluctant readers and young readers to utilize visual literacy skills. Owly: A time to be brave Andy Runton http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/previews/owly_vol4/owly_vol4_05.jpg

44. Comics and Graphic Novels Not just for those that need visual cueing: reluctant readers or ELL students Visual literacy beneficial to all students Interpret pictorial cues Allows reader to become a part of the story Students excited by the visual stimulation of the artwork

45. “Graphic novels are beneficial for young people who read English as a second language or for those who read on a lower reading level than their peers because the simple sentences, visual or context clues, and educated guessing allow them to comprehend some, if not all, of the story”

46. “It is possible for a novice comic book reader to understand 60% to 70% of the story in a comic book just by looking at the pictures, thereby providing less proficient readers with a successful “reading” experience.”

47. “Perhaps the most powerful way of encouraging children to read is by exposing them to it. Reading, a kind of reading that schools pretend does not exist and a kind of reading that many children, for economic or ideological reasons, are deprived of. I suspect that light reading is the way that nearly all of us learned to read. -Quoted from Stephen Krashen in The power of fiction (Libraries Unlimited, 1993)

48. In order for students to read better they have to have time for voluntary reading and choosing their own material. Students must be able to choose materials in which they have a strong interest, including magazines, comic books, and graphic novels which are often frowned upon administrators, librarians and teachers.

49. In a study done 20 years ago which found that the presence of comic books in a library increased circulation of non-comic materials by 30%, school libraries have limited comic-style books.

50. Get Teachers on board Go to team department meetings with noted examples Throw a graphic novel/ comic book party Ask principal for a few minutes at a faculty meeting for book talk Email a particular teacher with a book they could use Direct approach- checkout a book in a teachers name and note- thought this would work for you! Get reading club for teachers and students Faculty survey

51. Specific Uses for Graphic Novels in the Classroom Social Studies- The Cartoon History of the World, Volume II Civil War Series- adults love as well Maus- for WWII Persopolis- 1980s English- most books fall into this category Macbeth Instruction on standard literary devices- irony, Foreshadowing, point of view, etc. Elementary- do a ‘picture walk’ Art teacher uses for curricular connections Science Fallout, about the atom bomb Graphic novels are great for ELL- vocabularies develop as they use the graphics to make sense of the text.

52. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VJEoP6POm2M/SLgE5-Z0GsI/AAAAAAAABho/uprjrybp8Fs/s320/Cover-small.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VJEoP6POm2M/SV-ntxTtuMI/AAAAAAAACac/4ZXHzt7x5js/s320/US+Constitution.jpg

53. Use in the K12 School http://www.amberkeyser.com/images/cells_cover_snagged_i116.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W_4MyIMHk-Y/Sr-DvvfBq9I/AAAAAAAAAQs/VFxnnc5VXeU/s400/Investigating-Scientific-Method-small.jpg

54. “Graphic novel readers have learned to understand not only print, but can also decode facial and body expressions, the symbolic metaphors and similes and other social and literary nuances teenagers are mastering as they move from childhood to maturity.” St. Lifer, 2002, p.9

55. Lesson Plans Cartoons and comics in the classroom: A reference for teachers and librarians edited by James L. Thomas For Castle waiting: The lucky road by Linda Medley, Allyson Lyga developed lesson plans on the Diamond Comics web site. New York City Comic Book Museum launched “Hooked on Comics” or the C.O.M.I.C.S. Curriculum based on the Fantastic Four from Marvel Comics Cross Generation Comics developed comprehensive reading programs around two of their popular titles, Meridian by Barbra Kesel for middle schoolers and Ruse by Mark Waid and Butch Guise for high school readers.

56. “Be prepared to show how the content of your graphic novels section is equal to the content of your prose books.”Example prose = John shot BillGraphic novel = picture of John shooting Bill, Bill collapsing in pain, face in anguish

57. REACTIONS Surprisingly little resistance despite general negativity to comic books To prevent problems discuss with administration and reading supervisors prior to building collections STUDENT REACTIONS Boys run to the books had to limit to 2 at a time so collection wasn’t wiped out falling apart after 5 months because of use students read to the end follow plot lines, have character, summaries reading teachers like less intimidating for reluctant or struggling readers Students like Teachers like

58. http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/uploadedImages/Image_Library/Reading/teensReading(1).jpg 10:1 Graphic Novels : Young Adult Fiction

59. Selection Tools and Resources Professional and Trade Journals The Comics Journal Founded in 1975 One of the nations most respected single-arts magazines, providing its readers with an eclectic mix of industry news, professional interviews, and reviews of current work on a monthly basis. Published by Fantagraphics

60. Selection Tools and Resources Professional and Trade Journals Knowledge Quest Column on graphic novels by Phillip Crawford, Thought Bubbles, published by American Association of School Libraries

61. Professional Trade Journals Library Journal The Shy Librarian Steven Weiner’s column, The Comics’ Librarian reviews graphic novels and discusses trends in the industry. Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) Kat Kan’s article “Graphically Speaking” WIZARD magazine People magazine of the comic book world covers new products in the world of comics, tv animation, and related issues Booklist School Library Journal Publisher’s Weekly

62. Local Comic Book Store

63. Industry Awards Harvey Awards Harvey Kurtzman Founder of MAD magazine Voted on by those working in the industry

64. Eisner Awards Will Eisner Designed to recognize “the outstanding work of the creative people from within our industry” and to “attract public attention to the art form by publicizing to non-comics readers the best work in the industry has to offer.” Eisner nominations are selected by a panel of 5 judges, with 5,000 voting ballots being distributed to publishers, creators, and retailers.

65. Industry Sites http://www.tcj.com/ Diamond’s Bookshelf http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com/public/ WIZARD Magazine http://www.wizarduniverse.com/index.cfm

66. Graphic Novel Review Sites Comic Books for Young Adults: A Guide for Librarians http://library.buffalo.edu/asl/guides/comics.html Librarian’s Guide to Anime and Manga http://www.koyagi.com/Libguide.html Links to Comics and Graphic Novel Sites http://my.voyager.net/~sraiteri/comicslinks.htm No Flying, No Tights: A Website Reviewing Graphic Novels for Teens http://www.noflyingnotights.com/

67. http://graphicclassroom.blogspot.com/ Author Illustrator Publisher, ISBN, Pages Story Sybopsis Review Age Recommendation Things to be aware Use in the Classroom Preview of Free Comics

68. Developing a comic book and graphic novel collection will allow the school library media specialist to harness the popularity of these works to promote reading for academic and recreational purposes. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3346032718_6814dc4ef2.jpg

69. Collection Development Adding to the Library Library Mission Statement Collection development policy Ask students Review Lists Comic store employees Pilot collection

70. Collection Development 4 factors to consider story art age appropriateness- most popular in middle school appeal

71. CATALOGING 741.5 under Dewey number makes them easy to find though not all fall into this category modified 741.5- allows for central location but singles them out from Dewey classification. Some come as 741.5 but can add Graphic Novel separate section- allows for expansion, separate category allows one to track circulation, also allows for highlighting them. Fiction- not Graphic Novel fit in fiction section, plus harder for students to find.

72. Researched Recommendations All together in a separate section Divide by fiction and non-fiction Use stickers to designate GN Use subject heading in catalog record of Comic/GN

73. Use in the classroom Motivation to read Story board Study of character development Encourage writing Literary elements

74. Resources

80. 30- graphic novels good in some way for promoting reading “Graphic novels are just fiction or non-fiction books with a different format. Fiction graphic novels still have a storyline with story elements. Non-fiction graphic novels still provide accurate information about the subject.”

81. 5- help provide a variety of reading material “It is a format that engages kids and encourages them to read. We know this because the few that we have are always checked out and they are being read, not just looked at.”

82. Many respondents recognized the potential for graphic novels to aid reluctant readers. “If the format of a graphic novel is the hook it takes to bring a student and a book together, so be it. The format should not determine a book’s literary value.”

84. Chi Anne McGrew Shawnee R-3 chiannemcgrew@charter.net http://mrsmcgrew.blogspot.com Contact Information: