Graphic novels are more than just comic books. As a former teacher, I have a special place in my heart for these beautiful pieces of art. It’s often assumed that graphic novels are purely for entertainment, and otherwise the armpit of literature. This could not be more untrue.
Disclaimer: Many of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you–I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.Â
High Level Vocabulary
I loved encouraging students to read graphic novels because of the visual information readers can access to help them learn technical vocabulary. Don’t be surprised when your teenager begins understanding or using words like decrepit, rendered, or susurrous in their vocabulary. They read it in a graphic novel! (I know, I had to google susurrous too).
Important Topics
So many of these stories help unfold historical topics teens might otherwise avoid (like the MAUS series about WWII) or bring classics to life for all students in a condensed and more accessible format (like Tolkien’s The Hobbit).
Here’s a list of some of my favorites. Pick them up for a teen you know to encourage reading on their next school break or vacation:
MAUS by Art Spiegelman
One of the first graphic novels I ever read, The Maus Series is a sobering true tale. It chronicles Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler’s Europe, and his son, a cartoonist coming to terms with his father’s story.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Dragons. Gold. Adventure. Dwarves & Wizards. Need I say more? Pick up The Hobbit today. Over 19,000 other readers on Amazon are so glad they did:
Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang
This one falls into the category of *important historical topics.* Boxers and Saints is all about The Boxer Rebellion in China during the early 1900s. These books tell two parallel stories by acclaimed author, Gene Luen Yang, who also wrote American Born Chinese.
Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
The best selling young adult fiction comes to life in this graphic novel format. Starting off with The Lighting Thief, your young reader will be immersed in the world of Greek mythology and adventure. Don’t miss the rest of the books in the series either: The Sea of Monsters (book two), and The Titan’s Curse (book three).
I hope I’ve convinced you that graphic novels are quality literature. Their high level vocabulary and ability to make important topics accessible for all readers is truly unparalleled. I hope you read one too!