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Graphic novels are the trend [UPDATED]
Published 9:15am Friday, October 5, 2012 Updated 11:18am Friday, October 5, 2012It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s graphic novels now for all ages at the Fergus Falls Public Library. Graphic novels aren’t just for kids. We have graphic novels for children, teens, and adults. Each collection is shelved separately by age group. Ask a staff member to point you in the right direction.
Graphic novels are rising in popularity and for a good reason. A graphic novel tells a story using both images and text presented in panel format. They are similar to comic strips in appearance, but like a novel they have a beginning, middle, and end. Many graphic novels are stand alones (a complete story in one edition) while some start off serialized and are later collected into volumes.
Don’t write off graphic novels as fluff reading. They are both a valid and important literary format. Readers have to rely on both pictures and text to fully comprehend the story, making connections from one panel to the next. This helps build and enhance visual literacy skills. Learning how to analyze and decipher images is especially important in today’s multimedia world.
Graphic novels are also being used in education, including adults learning English as a second language, reluctant readers, and young readers making the transition from more image based to text based stories.
Graphic novels can be of great literary quality. Maus by Art Spiegelman won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang won the Michael L. Printz award for the best book written for teens in 2007. Graphic novels cover all genres: nonfiction, historical fiction, biographies, mysteries, horror, etc.
Looking forward to the season 3 TV premiere of The Walking Dead? Get the backstory and read the graphic novel series the show is based on. We have volumes 1-6 of The Walking Dead.
If you’re a fan of the latest Batman movie, try Batman: The Court of Owls, volume 1 and part of the New 52. The New 52 is a relaunch of all DC Comics superhero serials. Each superhero is made more modern and accessible, making this a great place to start reading.
Older children and teens still flock to our collection of superhero standards like X-men, Spiderman, and The Incredible Hulk. A great foray into Greek mythology is the Olympians series by George O’Connor. Gods and Goddesses come to life in these volumes filled with epic quests and battles, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.
Favorite children’s series such as The Boxcar Children, The Baby-Sitter’s Club, and Nancy Drew have all been made into graphic novels. There are also many great newer titles available for younger readers. One favorite is Chi’s Sweet Home by Konami Kanata which focuses on the adventures of an adorable cat as she tries to find the perfect home.
Stop by the library soon and let us find the perfect graphic novel for you.
Arielle Krohn is the Youth Services Librarian and Katelyn Edds is the Adult Services Librarian.
