My Purpose Was Hiding with the Monsters

I miss blogging.  I still write daily in my notebook, but the audience piece of blogging always motivates my purpose for my writing.  At least once a week, I have some kind of conversation with my husband about the purpose of why I want to blog.  We discussed many ideas such as sharing about teaching instruction, co-parenting or interventions.   As much as those topics fill me with joy, there are some not so joyful moments that I just don't wish to make public.  I could easily skip those parts, but then I feel as if I'm not telling the full story and I don't think I could commit to those ideas.

After talking to Melia at Cover to Cover Books in Upper Arlington, I realized my blogging purpose is right in front of me, and under my bed, above and below my nightstand, hidden under the couch, living with the monster under my daughter's bed and scattered around my classroom.  If you know me, you've probably guessed it by now...graphic novels!  I love anything and everything to do with graphic novels.  I have witnessed many self-proclaimed, non-readers transform into avid readers with a graphic novel in hand. 

While I would love to share teaching strategies and ways to use graphic novels within the classroom, I want this blog to focus more on reviews of graphic novels.  When reading a graphic novel, I read it with my students and own children in mind. 

• Does this book have strong vocabulary?  
• Do the graphics help tell a story along with the words?  
• Do the gutters between the panels help readers to infer?
• How diverse are the characters?  
• Are the graphics appropriate for certain ages?  If not, why?
• What is the conflict in this story?  Is it going to be something my readers can relate to?  Or is it going to be to childish or mature for them?
• What other books could I recommend that are related to this story?
• Are there specific Notice and Note strategies that stick out to me as I'm reading this story? 

These are just a few examples of the information that I plan on providing in my reviews.  I would love to hear your feedback on other types of information that you look for when considering purchasing graphic novels for your classroom.  

If you are new to the world and graphic novels and are looking for resources on how to better understand, incorporate and use graphic novels for instruction in your classroom, these are two of my favorite resources.

1. Adventures in Graphica: Using Comics and Graphic Novels to Teach Comprehension by Terry Thompson  
2. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud