Boys and Literacy: Practical Strategies for Librarians, Teachers, and Parents

Graphic novels are full-length original stories written in comic book format but presented in book form. They feature the sequential art that is highlighted in comics. The format is totally visual, showing the story unfolding in panels of graphics and short text across the page. Graphic novels cover all genres. Many teachers and librarians find it difficult to allow graphic novels in the classroom or library because they do not think of them as literature. Graphic novels of today have sophisticated storylines and more advanced artwork than the comic books of days of old. But they also can have explicit language and intense violence, so they must be scrutinized carefully before being placed in the hands of readers.

Lyga, Allyson A. W., with Barry Lyga. Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A Definitive Guide. Li- braries Unlimited, 2004. ISBN 1-59158-142-7.

This is such an important and useful guide that it is being featured in this chapter. It contains all the information you need to successfully integrate graphic novels into the media center and the classroom! The first section, about visual literacy and reluctant readers, discusses students who are incapable of visualization and those who are dependent on visuals. There is also a section on getting teachers interested in graphic novels and making curricular connections. Graphic novels provide high interest because of pop culture. The next part explains the difference between comic books and

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