Graphic Novel Resources for Educators

As an educator you 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 you to communicate with someone from the Get Graphic project for assistance in how to best utilize our website and materials.

  • 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 average 15-24 year old American spends almost 2 hours each day watching TV, but only 7 minutes of their leisure time reading.
  • 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 students of all ages. Graphic novels are astoundingly popular with kids and young adults, and can be as simple or complex as any other literature.

Reading graphic novels:

  • Engages reluctant readers & ESL students.
  • Increases reading comprehension and vocabulary.
  • Can serve as a bridge between low and high levels of reading.
  • Provides 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.
  • Can serve as an intermediary step to more difficult disciplines and concepts.
  • Presents complex material in readable text.
  • Helps students understand global affairs.
  • Helps to develop analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Offers another avenue through which students can experience art.

Graphic Novel Workshop Resources

Additional Resources

New NYLA PowerPoint Presentations

Go there now.

Graphic Novel Classroom Kits

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

Upcoming Events Events Feed

  • No upcoming events.

Graphic Novel of the Month Graphic Novel of the Month Feed

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!

Workshops Graphic Novel of the Month Feed

Intersted in learning more about Graphic Novels and how to use them?
Contact Britt White to schedule a workshop!

Get the Picture! Get Graphic Events

Flickr Feed Flickr Gallery

Graphic Novels Core Collection


If you are accessing from within a library, click here
If you are accessing outside of a library, click here

Graphic Novels Core Collection highlights approximately 2,000 recommended graphic novels with descriptive and evaluative annotations, plus cover art. For use at any library or from home with a valid Buffalo & Erie County Public Library card number.

Nioga Library SystemBuffalo and Erie County Public LibraryUB LibrariesThe Bufalo News: NeXtAlbright-Knox Art GalleryErie 1 BocesHEINBuffalo Public SchoolsWBFO 88.7

This project was made possible in part by a Family Literacy Library Services grant from the New York State Library, New York State Education Department.