"Good" Graphic Novels/Comics

What makes a good graphic novel/comic? When I say graphic novels/comics for beginning readers I am also referring to books like Calvin and Hobbs or Garfield. They often have one page stories with just a few panels which are easy for the reader to understand through both the text and the visuals. First look at the myths of what makes a child a good reader. There is clearly no one answer. Graphic novels/comics do not have the same setup as picture books for emergent readers. They do not have repeated phrases, patterned text, or rhyming. However, good illustrations that either add to or match the storyline are essential in picture books and graphic novel/comics. Both can have humor, be about real life situations, or engage a child in a wild adventure. The child can use prediction in either. Equally both involve visualizing. Comics involve visualizing what happens even between the panels. Picture books may have features on end papers allowing the student to make inferences even before the book is read. Making inferences are very necessary in comics. Since the text is limited in both, the child has to figure out what has happened or is going happen in his or her mind. Comics also have universal themes, such as good vs evil, order vs chaos, and working together. Every good book whether a picture book or graphic novel/comic is engaging and is not condescending.

Reviews in School Library Journal, Booklinks, websites, or books, such as 101 Best Graphic Novels by Stephen Weiner, give a helping hand when picking out appropriate books for students. American comics are rated by the comics code as either for teens or all ages. The original comics code was very restrictive and came about due to congressional hearings. At that time (1954) it was thought that comics caused juvenile delinquency. However, since 1980 publishers have not adhered to the comics code, so when getting American comics for elementary school, you still have to be careful. Manga books do not follow that code, but there is a rating on the book cover which gives you an idea of the appropriate age. However, mangas imported to the US are published almost exactly like the ones in Japan except they are in English. They are not edited for content with the US population or mores in mind. The first few books of a manga series may be rated for all ages and the last few books will be rated for teens. Manga books often are in a series. See Great Manga for Preteens in the sidebar for much more information.