Graphic Novels: A Librarian’s Point of View

As teachers and parents continue to explore new ways to expand literacy amongst students of all ages, it’s hard to not notice the rising popularity of graphic novels amongst young readers. I had the opportunity to speak with Jackie DeStefano, a Child & Family Services Librarian from Long Island, NY to hear what she’s been discovering on the front lines of child literacy. What follows is a transcript of our chat conducted on July 7th, 2015.

So the buzz around graphic novels as literature continues to grow. Are they all superhero comic books? What have you observed about the kids who read them?

Jackie: Well, let me start by saying I absolutely believe that graphic novels are literature. And I struggle to see people’s hesitation in recognizing them as such just because they contain fine art. As far as the children that choose them, they are a varied group, all ages, both boys and girls, strong readers and struggling readers alike enjoy them. Some stronger readers like it because they can get through them fairly quickly. I think struggling readers like them because it doesn’t feel as daunting as a chapter book.

Have you spoken to any teachers about how they have started teaching them? How about the kids, have they mentioned reading them for school?

Jackie: I know some teachers allow the kids to read, say, a GN and prose version and compare. Memoirs like Maus and Prespolis are used in the high school social studies program here.

What are some hot titles in your library for both strong and struggling readers?

Jackie: For young elementary: Baby Mouse and Lunch Lady are really popular series. For older elementary and middle school students there’s George O’Connor’s, who has Zeus, Hades, Hera and other “origin stories” for Greek gods. Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Sisters, and Drama are very popular. She also has redone the Babysitter’s Club series as graphic novels and that has made them popular again.

What do you think the future holds for the medium?

Jackie: I see it being completely legitimized in the near future. There is a revolution of people who recognize that it takes a special skill set to read graphic novels and that they are great for teaching many different kinds of literacy. And when that happens, I think the genre will explode with even more high quality work!

Our collection in the children’s room constantly needs to be moved because it is expanding so rapidly. And just 5 years ago we didn’t even have an adult graphic novel collection and now we do.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the medium before they use it in the classroom should read Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud.

This is all great to hear. So parents and teachers, head to your local library and start discovering the world of graphic novel literature! Thank you Jackie!

Here are some of the Graphic Novels discussed above!

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