3 minute read
Guest Contributor
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF GRAPHIC NOVELS:
HOW did wE gEt HERE?
thouGh it may seem as if graphic novels are suddenly everywhere, this moment has already been decades in the makinG. almost all the growth for this format is thanks to librarians who understand that graphic novels, along with manGa (Japanese comics), bring readers into the library and drive circulation.
But before we get too far down the path, here’s some clarification on the use of the word ‘comics.’ you may hear comics incorrectly described as a genre. comics, like music, is a medium. Graphic novels, comic books, and sunday funnies are used to describe bindings or formats. and as you have with prose books, there are just as many genres to read.
a very brief history of graphic novels in libraries …and now, schools.
When the American Library Association’s YALSA librarians launched the Graphic Novel Task Force in 2004, the conversation about comic books and graphic novels in public libraries had already been underway for at least a decade prior. In 2007, the YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens group released their first annual list of recommended titles. This list was immediately considered by the publishing world as an award vs. a simple recommendation.
IIn the mid-2000s, the conversation shifted from defending graphic novels as a new form of literature to ‘These things put our circulation into turbo-mode!’ This showed publishing houses that a new kind of reader was growing with middle grade or younger teens. These developments also encouraged librarians to create special collection displays, which created an additional boost to circulation. With the arrival of books like Bone, Babymouse, American Born Chinese, Smile, Naruto, and even Wimpy Kid*, librarians were seeing new faces coming through the doors. Furthermore, these are books that kids were asking for, begging for, demanding. Not far behind these famous books would be series like Big Nate, Geronimo Stilton, and Captain Underpants . . . and now, Dog Man.
As more graphic novels made their way into the public library space, another invasion began in another place: schools. More specifically, in the middle school world. As students clamored for the likes of Naruto, Avatar, Dog Man, Smile, and Guts, teachers and librarians soon realized these very books were allowing kids to LOVE reading!
allowing yourself to love digital…
For many of us, there’s nothing quite like the smell and feel of a brandnew book, or even an old, dog-eared copy of a title we love. It is a very tactile experience that we relish. Having that emotional bond to the hard copy version can make it difficult to accept a new reading format.
I will freely admit that I am a reluctant reader of any book on a device, but I also realize that digital brings a new kind of freedom to reluctant and challenged readers.
While graphic novels can foster incredible levels of engagement, digital platforms and devices allow that struggling reader—be they a middle school kid or an adult with reading challenges—the opportunity to conceal from others, books that help establish confidence in their own reading abilities.
On a digital device, that struggling reader has a new sense of freedom. Freedom to read any book they wish, any book that brings them joy, and any book that helps them find the kind of confidence that will encourage them to read more books. Once they have that confidence, this newfound joy for reading leads to even greater joys in learning.
So, with that, we welcome you to an incredible world of graphic novels!
*Diary of a Wimpy Kid was initially and mistakenly catalogued as a graphic novel, which actually created an awareness of buyers for the graphic novel category.
John Shableski is a founding member and current president of Reading With Pictures, a global literacy nonprofit organization that promotes the use of comics, animation and gaming to foster a joy of learning.
