Most parents would agree that reading for pleasure is a habit we want our children to cultivate. But what if your child only wants to read graphic novels? You might be tempted to think this kind of reading “doesn’t count” or “isn’t real reading,” but this assumption is false. Teachers and librarians have long known that graphic novels are a great way for kids to read and in fact are a valuable tool to engage the reluctant reader. Firstly, they provide an opportunity to read words while also picking up on context clues from pictures. Secondly, some graphic novels are short (these are often called comics), allowing the reader to get through one fairly quickly and feel a sense of accomplishment. Lastly, they often jump-start interest in a new series, which leads to kids wanting to read the next books to find out what happens in the story. And guess what? The experts agree! The prestigious Newbery Medal for 2020 recipient is none other than the graphic novel New Kid by Jerry Craft! We have digital copies of this award-winning book as well as many other graphic novels available through our online resources. So the next time your child wants to read a graphic novel, take a look at this wonderful collection and feel confident in saying, “YES!”
