Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom
Graphic Novels are a form of literature which incorporates both images and text to provide an interactive tale which is easier to follow along. Due to the nature of the graphic novel layout, much of the text is often condensed which makes reading through it faster and simpler. While it does leave out some of the text, graphic novels, especially when remixing a previous novel, holds onto the original themes, characters, and events that are presented in its original format. Graphic novels have been a big hit in Japan and have already been implemented into many classrooms. Graphic novels cover a wide audience and can contain valuable information and literary devices.
Graphic Novel Remixes
“Classical Comics brings this Charles Dickens classic to life in full color! It comes with skillfully illustrated scenes and dialogue in original text form” (goodreads.com).
Jen Green adapts the classic tale into a graphic novel with illustrators John Stokes, Jason Cardy, and Jim Campbell. This graphic novel keeps the classic themes, characters, and events that appear within the original.
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ISBN-10 1906332606
“Tailored from the adored Jane Austen classic…the whimsical tale of Lizzy Bennet and her loveable-if-eccentric family, as they navigate through tricky British social circles” (goodreads.com). Nancy Butler and Hugo Petrus recreate the timeless classic through Marvel comics in a 5-volume series. This graphic novel stays faithful to the original text, and keeps all the same characters, events, and themes as the original.
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ISBN-10 078513915X
“Shakespeare's timeless play is retold with easy to follow text. The comic strip format provides an accessible introduction to the works of Shakespeare” (goodreads.com). Russell Punter teams up with illustrator Valentino Forlini to bring Shakespeare to a new generation. This graphic novel contains all the same themes, characters, and events that make the original great.
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ISBN-10 1474948111
“This inspired graphic novel version depicts every scene of the play in full-color illustrations, accompanied by every word of the original text. Authentic yet easy to follow” (goodreads.com). John McDonald adapts another Shakespeare classic alongside illustrators Jim Devlin and Will Volley. This graphic novel gives students every word of the original text in an easy to follow format.
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ISBN-10 1906332614
“This compelling adaptation depicts every blood-curdling scene in easy-to-follow illustrations, accompanied by Shakespeare’s original text” (goodreads.com). John McDonald adapts the timeless classic Macbeth, along with illustrator Nigel Dobbyn. This graphic novel contains the classic elements from the original, along with historical context and background information on Shakespeare.
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ISBN-10 1906332444
“A portrait of race and class, innocence and injustice, hypocrisy and heroism, tradition and transformation in the Deep South of the 1930s” (goodreads.com). Fred Fordham adapts the classic tale alongside illustrator Harper Lee in this 273-page graphic novel. It contains all the classic themes, characters, and events from the original novel, while presenting students with a new format to experience it.
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ISBN-10 0062798189
