Resource created for educators and librarians

1. Created by Collette Knight 4/12/11 Page 1
How and Why Graphic Novels Can Be Used
In School Libraries and in the Classroom
*Annotated Bibliography of Websites*
Intended Audience: School Librarians and Educators
Cooperative Children’s Book Center. Graphic Novels. Retrieved on 4/12/2011 from:
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/graphicnovels.asp
This helpful website provides review journals, awards and recommendation lists, understanding
and using graphic novels, and a list of graphic novel websites.
Cornog, Martha & Raiteri, Steve (2011). Graphic Novel Reviews. Retrieved on 4/12/2011, from
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviewsgraphicnovels/888433-
281/graphic_novel_reviews_january_2011.html.csp
This blog is devoted to reviewing graphic novels, particularly for use within school, public, and
private libraries. The blog uses RSS technology and be subscribed to.
Goodloe, Katherine (2005). Graphic Novels Catch Eyes and Minds of Students. Retrieved on
4/12/201, from http://www3.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=375353
The author interviews students, librarians and educators to learn why graphic novels are
important to students and highlights their educational use within the classroom. This article also
discusses what critics say about the use of graphic novels and describes graphic novels as a,
“battle between getting kids to read and providing them with high quality books.”
Hogan, John (2009). Graphic Novels in Todays Libraries. Retrieved on 4/12/2011, from
http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/content/graphic-novels-todays-libraries-roundtable
This is an interesting article as various librarians offer their attitudes toward and experiences
regarding graphic novels in the library. Future and practicing librarians can learn where graphic
novels are displayed and/or organized in the library collection. This article also addresses
funding for graphic novels and how graphic novels compare with other types of books in regards
to students check out statistics.
Lyga, Allison, A.W. (2006). Graphic Novels for (Really) Young Readers. Retrieved on
4/12/2011, from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6312463.html

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The author, who is an elementary school librarian, discusses the value of graphic novels and their
popularity among young readers. This article is valuable because it offers insight into the
experience of a practicing librarian and provides successful reading situations involving below
average readers and graphic novels within her school. She further discusses how graphic novels
assist different types of learners to become better readers. There is also a substantial graphic
novel list titled,” What Little Kids Love”.
Read Write Think Podcast (2009). An Introduction to Graphic Novels. Retrieved on 4/12/2011,
from http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/podcast-episodes/introduction-
graphic-novels-30326.html?main-tab=1#tabs
This 20 minute podcast provides a description of what graphic novels are and the benefits for
school age readers. The podcast provides recommendations for graphic novels in a variety of
genres, including: biographies, adventures, and fantasy. The link to the podcast includes an
additional link that provides a printable list of recommended titles. This would be a great
resource for librarians to provide a link to on their websites so that parents can also listen to the
podcast. Teachers can click on the related resources tab and locate activities and lessons for
classroom use.
Schwartz, Gretchen E (2002). Graphic Novels for Multiple Literacies. Retreived on 4/12/2011,
from http://www.readingonline.org/newliteracies/jaal/11-02_column/
This article would be great to use as a resource for classroom teachers wondering how to use
graphic novels within the classroom, particularly in social studies, math, history, and other
subject areas. Also provides a list of resources for classroom teachers to further investigate how
graphic novels can be used across the curriculum.
St. Lifer, Evan (2002). Graphic Novels, Seriously. Retrieved on 4/12/2011 from:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA236062.html?display=searchResults&stt=001&text=gra
phic%2Bnovels%2Bseriously
This article explains the importance of having graphic novels within public and school libraries.
The article discusses the high popularity of graphic novels among boy and teen readers. It also
discusses how graphic novels have been stereotyped as only fantasy and lacking in literary
purpose. The author reiterates the sophistication and variety of this genre and provides a number
of examples.

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Starr, Linda (2004). Eek! Comics in the Classroom! Retrieved on 4/12/2011, from
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev105.shtml
This article provides insight for teaching content specific lessons in the classroom using graphic
novels and comic books. It also discusses how graphic novels can be used to motivate reluctant
readers, provide comprehensible input for English Language Learners, and teach challenging
reading comprehension skills such as inferencing and drawing conclusions.
Zimmerman, Bill. Make Beliefs Comix! Retrieved on 4/12/2011 from:
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
This is an interactive comic strip maker, where students can create their own comics in a variety
of languages. This can be used for students to practice literacy skills, such as, sequencing, main
idea/supporting details, plot, and understanding story elements. Teachers and librarians can have
students access the website within the library, classroom or from home. The website allows
students to print and/or email their final comics.