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Getting graphic

Marty DeVarennes
Nov 9, 2016
1 min read

When I entered education about 15 years ago, graphic novels were, well, a novelty. How things have changed! The GN format is seen in biographies, fiction, memoirs, historical fiction and narrative history, spin offs and adaptations of popular series like The Babysitter's Club and the Olympians, and countless others fly off library shelves. This is important because these books are a bridge to more challenging reading for reluctant, struggling readers and ELL's. I see it everyday in my classroom.

Here are some notable examples of the wide variety of graphic formats:

These are just a few examples of how broad the range of of graphic formatted books have become. And they have greatly influenced mainstream fiction as well. Take, for example, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Author Sherman Alexie blends the GN format with the first person narrative of main character Arnold Spirit, which helps set the ironic tone that is such an essential part of his character. The graphic novel, biography, humor, and history books are here to stay.