My latest From Left to Write online book club title was Barbara Slate's Getting Married and Other Mistakes. This was my very first graphic novel. Well, I guess I read a lot of the Archie and Betty & Veronica comics growing up. Back then they were called comic books though, now they seem to be called "graphic novels". My 8 year old son really enjoys reading graphic novels and I love that they keep him interested and are quick reads. (Sometimes he needs a break after a really long book.) At the same time I have to make sure he doesn't ONLY read graphic novels.
He just finished second grade and reads at a strong fourth grade level. His school required all second graders to log 100 minutes of reading per week. My feeling was that the minutes needed to be appropriate to his reading level, not easy reading. In other words, he needed to be being challenged. When we check out books from the library on Fridays I always stress to him that he needs to pick chapter books too, so he is hopefully challenged a little. He is usually really good at coming back with 3 chapter books and 3 graphic novels. This last week he actually found a graphic novel version of The Wizard of Oz! I was kind of excited since I don't think he would have chosen to read a chapter book version of the story.
If reading graphic novels interspersed with his chapter books keeps him happy and broadens what he might otherwise choose to read them I am all for it!
This post is inspired by Getting Married and Other Mistakes by Barbara Slate. This graphic novel offers a raw, yet humorous look at what happens to Jo after a surprise divorce. Join From Left to Write on Thursday, June 28 as we discuss Getting Married and Other Mistakes by Barbara Slate. I received a review copy of the book and all opinions are my own.
I am not a big reader of graphic novels but I do think some stories are well-suited to the format. I think it's great that you encourage your son to mix it up. It's so important up validate their own reading choices while also pushing for diversity in material (spoken by an English teacher!).
ReplyDeleteNancy
What a good reading plan for your son. I applaud the guidance, Mom.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a cartoonist and has been reading graphic novels for years. I imagine our kids will quickly follow in his footsteps and I'm ok with it. He has given me a real appreciation for the stories that can be told in this form.
ReplyDeleteMy husband isn't a big reader either, unless you count Entertainment Weekly magazine. However, I do want him to read more and for our kids to see him reading. Graphic novels seem to be a good medium for him.
ReplyDeleteOoo! I'm going to have to see if my local library has graphic novels for kids. I think it would help encourage my youngest son to read. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter read Betty and Veronica all through her elementary years (Maybe because I wrote them and got a big stack every month!) But reading comics were what she loved to read....eventually she read chapter books...but never stopped reading comics. I think any reading is good reading and thank you for reading Getting Married and Other Mistakes!!!
ReplyDeleteI think that's great because reading should be fun too, not just required! I have only read a few comics/graphic novels but they are really fun.
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