Challenges for

Media Specialists

Graphic novels include advanced vocabulary and sentence structure that can help prepare students for academic work and standardized tests (Mooney, 2002).

Challenge #1

Administrators, teachers, and parents sometimes consider graphic novels to be less worthy of attention than other forms of text.

Challenge #2

The visual content of graphic novels may be unacceptable to

some parents, teachers, and

administrators.

• Graphic novels are highly visual, but this does not mean that they necessarily contain mature or violent content.

• Media specialists need to consider the individual merits of each text before deciding whether to include it in the collection (Rudiger & Schliesman, 2007).

• Images need to be evaluated carefully, as they are potentially more inflammatory than words (Carter, 2009).

• As literature, comics are "a layering of text, visual and pictorial.” (Carter, 2009).

• It can be difficult to skim a comic book. The words and illustrations are meant to be read together.

• Graphic novels require students to use more complex cognitive skills than reading text alone (Schwartz, 2002).

Challenge # 3

Students are just looking at the

pictures – they’re not really reading!

Many publications such as School Library

Journal and Booklist offer

pertinent reviews of graphic

novels, grouped by grade or age-appropriateness.

It can be hard tolocate age- appropriate materials.

Challenge #4

Challenge #5It can be difficult to find time to teach graphic

novels.

• Integrate graphic novels into thematic units by making connections to subject areas.

• Study author’s craft by comparing graphic novels such as Art Spiegelman’s Maus to the writing of Anne Frank, Lois Lowry, or Elie Wiesel.Source: Carter (2009)

Sources Used: Butcher, K. T., & Manning, M. L. (2004). Bringing Graphic

Novels into a School’s Curriculum. The Clearing House, 78(2), 67-71. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from Wilson Web database.

Carter, J. B. (2009). Going Graphic. Educational Leadership, 66(6), 68-72. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from Wilson Web database.

Dickinson, G. (2007). The question: Where should I shelve graphic novels?. Knowledge Quest, 35(5), 56-57. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from Wilson Web database.

Sources Used:

Lyga, A. A. W., & Lyga, B. (2004) Graphic Novels in Your Media Center. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Mooney, M. (2002). Graphic novels: How they can work in libraries. Book Report, 21(3), 18-19. Retrieved on October 17, 2009 from Wilson Web database.

Sources Used:

Rudiger, H. M., & Schliesman, M. (2007). Graphic Novels and School Libraries. Knowledge Quest, 36(2), 57-59. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from Wilson Web database.

Schwartz, G. E. (2002). Graphic Novels for Multiple Literacies. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 46(3), 262-265. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from Wilson Web database.

Weiner, S. (2002). Beyond Superheroes: Comics Get Serious. Library Journal, 127(2), 55-58. Retrieved October 17, 2009 from Wilson Web database.