GET GRAPHIC: The World In Words and Pictures

Graphic Novel Resources for Librarians

NYLA Get Graphic Powerpoint Presentation

Librarians can utilize the Get Graphic! website to learn more about graphic novels, investigate booklists, explore graphic novel news and information, and learn about graphic novel related events around Western New York. Our Get Graphic! blog offers a place to exchange ideas and see what others are reading, and our Contact list allows direct communication with individuals from the Get Graphic project for assistance in how to best utilize the website and materials.

The average 15-24 year old American spends almost 2 hours each day watching TV, but only 7 minutes of their leisure time reading.
As many as 6.3 million secondary school students are reading below grade level.
As reading scores for 12th graders continue to drop, the most significant declines are among low-level readers.
The WNY drop out rate increased 47.8% from 1998-2003.
Locally, 30% of adults operate at minimal literacy. Countywide, 20% of adults operate at minimal literacy.

Graphic Novels can be an important part of both educational and leisure reading for patrons of all ages. Graphic novels are astoundingly popular and can be as simple or complex as any other literature.

Reading graphic novels:

Engages reluctant readers & ESL patrons.
Increases reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Can provide a bridge between low and high levels of reading.
Presents an approach to reading that embraces the multimedia nature of today’s culture, as 2/3 of a story is conveyed visually.
Provides scaffolding for struggling readers.
Presents complex material in readable text.
Helps patrons understand global affairs.
Offers another avenue through which individuals can experience art.

In addition, Graphic Novels are wildly popular!

In 2001 graphic novels were a 75 million dollar industry, In 2006 sales had grown to 330 million dollars.
Graphic novels have surpassed comics as "the most popular format".
Scholastic Book Fairs have sold over 4 million graphic novels since the introduction of the category in 2004.
Many mainstream writers have crossed over to graphic novels (Eric Jerome Dickey, Cecil Castellucci, Anthony Horowitz, Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, Laurell K. Hamilton). There have also been graphic novels created by musicians, including Avril Lavigne, Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) and Neil Young.

Graphic Novel Workshop Resources

Additional Resources

Graphic Novel Classroom Kits

Teachers/Librarians: To find out how to borrow graphic novels to use with your students, click here.

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The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan
Illustrated in beautiful muted watercolors, The Storm in the Barn tells the story of a young boy named Jack living in Kansas in 1937 towards the end of the Dust Bowl era. Since the family farm is nearly dead, he can do little to contribute until he wanders into a nearby abandoned barn and meets the Rain King. Through his interaction with the Rain King, Jack makes the ultimate contribution and his brave and heroic actions save the town. The Storm in the Barn was recently awarded the Scott O’Dell Award for historical fiction- the first graphic novel to win the award!