WELCOME TO CAMP CREATIVE 

I'm so excited you're here! We're going to learn everything you need to know to start incorporating graphic novels into your curriculum with success, whether as a whole class text, a book clubs selection, a vital part of your choice reading library, or all of the above! 

Today, we're starting with top contemporary titles. You'll find ideas for a range of themes and levels, and hopefully by the end of today you'll have at least five on request from your local library or in your Libby queue! 

*A quick note as we begin. It always makes sense to preread books you're going to use in class, to make sure they fit your unique community's needs. 

Why Read Graphic Novels?

Graphic novels are a powerful genre fusing two mediums together to create one story. Though that can be misinterpreted as somehow simplifying literature, it actually allows for the possibility of complex additional visual storylines to complement the written word.

It can also provide a real accessibility bridge for students who love visuals or who are having difficulty understanding and/or enjoying text-only books.

Graphic novels are NOT just for kids. Or superhero fans. They are a wide-ranging, artistic, nuanced genre with so much to offer in the classroom.  

As you discover more of what's out there, I believe you'll see many ways to integrate them into your classroom to create more engagement, understanding, and real-world connection for your students. 

Wondering about the standards? Check out some options here. 

Top Middle School Titles

Muhammed Najem, War Reporter

Quick Summary: Muhammad grows up in Eastern Ghouta, Syria with his family during the war years. He loses his father to a bombing and bravely steps out to cover the painful events surrounding him in his community. While the events of the book are very sad, Muhammad finds empowerment helping others with his journalism.

Note: This novel contains references to war and violence, as it covers Syria's recent past.

Uses: book clubs relating to war, immigration, or identity, choice reading

Link: The Official Book Trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday)

When Stars are Scattered

Quick Summary:  Omar and Hassan live together in a huge refugee camp in Kenya. Omar watches over his nonverbal brother as they face the challenges of refugee life and build a home and community there. Omar eventually goes to school and finds a new opportunity

after many years of waiting.

Uses: book clubs relating to war, immigration or identity, full class text, choice reading

Link: The Official Book Trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday)

Swim Team

Quick Summary: When Brie moves to Florida, she meets swimmers from the present and past, and ends up in the pool herself. Though she never wanted to learn to swim, her new middle school team needs her and she steps up to the deck, supported by someone surprising. A lovely story with unique artistic choices and an embedded look at the history of pool integration.

Uses: book clubs relating to social justice, identity, sports

Link: In Review at The New York Times

New Kid

Quick Summary: When Jordan's mom sends him to a private middle school instead of art school, he is one of only a few students of color. He has to navigate changing norms as he travels from his neighborhood to his school and back each day. Along the way he finds new friends, confronts ignorance, and figures out how to be himself in two very different environments.

Uses: Whole class text, book clubs on school, identity, choice reading (the follow-up, Class Act, is also very good!) 

Link: Jerry Kraft on his process, Trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday)

Illegal

Quick Summary: When Ebo discovers his brother Kwame has set out from Ghana toward Europe one morning, he decides to follow. Thus begins his dangerous journey across the Sahara and into Tripoli, where he finds his brother and continues onto the ocean in a rickety boat, hoping to be reunited with their sister on the other side of the water

Uses:

Link: Trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday)

Top High School Titles

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr

Quick Summary: Mona is a curious and creative teen dealing with depression. She calls it her "matter" and studies it in her own creative way. This book examines the challenge of Mona's mental health in a way that is ultimately uplifting and positive. And the art is particularly wonderful!

Note: Mental Health Themes

Uses:  book clubs relating to identity or health, choice reading

Link: Trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday), amazing presentation about the making of the book 

Ain't Burned all the Bright

Quick Summary: In this collaboration between Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffith, the story of one boy's experience going through the pandemic and the George Floyd protests is woven together with one loooong four-line poem and a whole lot of powerful illustrations. 

Uses: Choice Reading

Link: Trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday), quick author interview on the interplay of language and art in the book

Persepolis

Quick Summary: Marjane Satrapi tells the story of growing up in Tehran, Iran during the Islamic Revolution. She shows the political change and repression from an intelligent and rebellious child's perspective.

Note: Mature Content (violence during the revolution), Political Content

Uses: whole class text

Link: trailer for the movie version

Heartstopper

Quick Summary:  When Charlie and Nick make friends at school, it's a closer friendship than any they've had before. Charlie knows it's because he likes Nick, and Nick begins to wonder if he likes Charlie too. A sweet story of love. Note: Some mature language

Uses: choice reading 

Link: trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday)

Dragon Hoops

Quick Summary:  When graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang realizes the school where he teaches has a legendary basketball program, he looks into the legend. Along the way his own story intertwines with those of the players and coaches, and the history of basketball.

Note: This graphic novel contains mature language

Uses: book clubs on sports, identity

Link: trailer (perfect for Book Trailer Tuesday)

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER TEACHERS

Looking for more titles to expand the graphic novel options in your choice reading library? These are titles recommended to me by other teachers on Instagram. I have not read every single one, but they have all been popular in other people's libraries if you want to add them to your TBR! 

Tomorrow, we'll be diving into the language of graphic novels.

Get ready to understand the difference between a splash and a bleed, a panel and a frame. The artistic language of the genre can help your students understand and talk about what they're seeing, and experiment with their own choices when creating their own graphic adaptations or memoirs. 

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