Indian Oasis News
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Some parents might be shocked to open their kid’s backpack to find a copy of Jane Eyre or Othello. They might expect, instead, to find CD’s and video games, old gum wrappers, and crumpled homework assignments. The challenge of motivating students to read is not new, but with a generation of increasingly hyper-stimulated kids, the problem has taken on new dimensions. Now there’s no need to lose heart. A growing consensus among educators suggests that the answer lies in helping students choose books in a form that stimulates them on multiple levels much the same as today’s media does.
Graphic novels are a great choice for students who would rather watch a movie or play a video game than read a book. “Graphic novel” refers to a style of book that contains a combination of pictures, concise narration, and dialogue similar to the way comic books do to tell their stories. Teachers are finding great success in making graphic novels available to reluctant readers. Students are able to visualize stories as they read, since most of the newer graphic novels follow the same character art that kids are familiar with through their preferred modes of entertainment. A thoughtful selection from among the many graphic novels available can offer the added benefit of challenging vocabulary and complex plot lines.
Not all graphic novels are about superheroes or samurai warriors. Many authors are emerging who offer stories traditionally found in young adult novels in the graphic novel style. Publishing companies have also converted many of the classics that we grew up with to graphic novel formats to appeal to today’s kids. If you would like a peek at some examples, go to Saddleback Educational Publishing.
With hundreds of graphic novels published each year for every reading level and interest, it is important that parents and teachers work with reluctant readers to find books that are age-appropriate, appeal to the student, and are written at a suitable level to satisfy the school’s reading comprehension requirements. The Graphic Novel Reporter is a great website that can help with the selection process. So give it a try. You might soon find your own reluctant reader wandering around with his or her nose stuck in a book.