Using Graphic Novels						

Graphic novels work well with adult learners in several ways.  First, the pictures provide a visual graphic with which words are associated.  Visualizing what one is reading is a skill that good readers do automatically.  Next, they are set-up in a story format, showing that there is a beginning, a middle, and an end—much like watching a movie.  Following the sequence in a book is also a good reading skill to learn.  

These graphic novels are also correlated to a reading grade level (written in the inside of the cover of the book and also listed on the chart below), so that tutors can select a level of difficulty appropriate for the student.

As with any reading selection, a tutor will want to do pre-reading, during reading, and after reading activities to check for and assist with comprehension.  

Many of the graphic novels have a table of contents, a glossary, and other parts of a book.  Tutors should teach the book parts as well as the actual content of the book.  Previewing a book by examining its parts is also a skill that good readers often do.

Graphic novels are available in the Martin Library as well as from the YCLC.


Graphic Novel Book Title        	Reading Level
	                                (Grade Equivalency)
The Titanic	                          3.0-3.5
Moby Dick	                          3.5
Around the World in 80 Days	          2.5
Underground Railroad                      2.0-3.0
Jackie Robinson	                          3.9
The Bombing of Pearl Harbor	         <4.0
George Washington	                  4.2
Benjamin Franklin	                  4.1
Abraham Lincoln	                          4.3
	
Gettysburg Address	                  4
Star-Spangled Banner	                  4
Declaration of independence	          4
Indy Road Car	                          5Indoor Gardens	                          4
Vegetable Gardens	                  4
Patio Gardens	                          4
Michael Jordan	                          5
Future Missions to Mars	                  5
Tiger Woods	                          4
Snakes	                                  3
Toads	                                  3

Jim Carrey	                          5
Safety at Home	                          3
Safety in Public Places	                  3
Custom Bikes	                          5
Street Bikes	                          5
Earth	                                  4
Solar System	                          4
Playing Fair	                          2
Weapons of the 21st Century	          5
Circles	                                  1
Squares	                                  1
Dr. Suess	                          4
Richard Scarry	                          4