Graphic Novels

There have been significant requests for graphic novel lists.  If you find other sites, please forward the information so we can add to this list.

According to David Alexander Robertson and Scott B. Henderson, author and illustrator of the graphic novel series Stone  intended for high school students (First Nation content, Portage and Main Press), here are five reasons to have students read graphic novels:

Reason 1
Graphic novels engage students and motivate them to read.

Reason 2
Graphic novels are popular with boys and struggling readers – students who are often difficult to reach.

Reason 3
The format helps to improve reading comprehension for many students who struggle, because the illustrations provide contextual clues that enrich meaning and support understanding.

Reason 4
Graphic novels generally have rich, complex plots and narrative structures that can satisfy all readers.

Reason 5
Reading graphic novels help students develop the critical skills necessary to read more challenging texts.

Articles on Using Graphic Novels

• Graphic Novels
• Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels (video)
• Using Graphic Novels with Children and Teens: A Guide for Teachers and Librarians (Scholastic)
• In Graphic Detail: Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom, Professional Book Review from Canadian Teacher (2011)
• Learning to Read with graphic Novels (David Booth)

Graphic Novels Series and Publishers

• Wild Ride (series)  from Orca Books (complete list)
• Bone (series) by Jeff Smith, can be ordered through Scholastic.  This site contains the complete list of Bone graphic novels
• Scholastic Graphic Novel List
• Graphic Universe (series) by Lerner Books
• Max Finder Mystery (series) by OWL
• Stone from Portage and Main Press ( high school, First Nation content)
• Boldprint Graphic Novels by Oxford University Press
• Timeline Graphic Novels (Scholastic – Grade 5-9)
• Graphic Poetry (Scholastic – Grade 7+)
• Graphic Shakespear (for high school by Oxford University Press, includes Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Night’s Dream)
• Baby Mouse by brother and sister team Matthew Holm and Jennifer L. Holm.  This fun series is great for your transitional readers and can be ordered through Scholastic.
• Guinea Pig (by Graphic Universe/Lerner Books)
• The Adventures of Daniel Boom AKA Loud Boy
• The ElseWhere Chronicles
• Out Of This World (Scholastic – Grade 3-8)
• Raven Tales from (Scholastic Grades 4-6) 26 levelled graphic novels of Aboriginal stories that are perfect for classrooms and school libraries!  Can be used independently or in small groups.
• Avengers
• 7 Generations  (Grade 9-12) 4 Book Series. Generations* is an epic, four-part graphic novel series that  follows and Aboriginal family that spans three centuries and seven generations. The central character in the series is Edwin. Edwin, an Aboriginal teenager, must learn of his family’s past if he is to have any future. The impact of his journey of discovery, and the revelation that follows, will change his life. Generations series includes:  Stone (book 1) Introduces Edwin who learns of his ancestor Stone, a young Plains Cree man.  Scars (book 2) The story of the orphan White Cloud, set against the smallpox epidemic of 1870-1871.  Ends/Begins (book 3) The story of Edwin’s father, and the residential school saga.  The Pact (book 4) A story of redemption, as Edwin and his father reconcile their past and begin a new journey. (Sk ELA Grade 10 Curriculum Resource)
• Frankie Pickle Series by Eric Wight, Recommended for ages 7-10.

Websites, Blogs and Lists:

• Graphic Classroom is a blog with numerous lists of graphic novels, reviews and age recommendations provided.
• Comic Book and Graphic Novels:  The Transformation of Reading in the Classroom (UBC Blog by Louise Thomson)
• American Library Association website: Great Graphic Novels for Teens includes current and previous years lists.
• Kidsbooks – You can search for graphic novels by age, they also have First Nation graphic novels