I love non-fiction. One of the greatest reading experiences is reading
a non-fiction book about a subject that you’re already familiar with,
and finding a fact that makes you say “I didn’t know that!!”
I also love graphic novels. My tastes don’t tend to run to the things that are popular with teens (basically manga), although I did become a fan of Death Note. And this year’s Skim may be my favorite teen book of the year. But my personal tastes run more toward the literary and adult, such as Daniel Clowes, Adrian Tomine, Joe Sacco.
But my feeling about non-fiction graphic works has tended towards the lukewarm, other than a few literary exceptions, such as the above-mentioned Sacco. I have felt as if they were cynical grabs towards meeting kids where they are, thinking that the format was the sole thing that interested them, as opposed to looking at the big picture, that graphic novels, particularly manga, appealed to kids because of their fast-paced storylines, the familiarity of a series, tie-ins to cartoons seen on tv, and more. All “comics” are not created equal, if they were, literary graphic novels would fly off the shelves just as fast as throwaway manga.
A recent article in School Library Journal may have oversoid somewhat the appeal of the non-fiction graphic work, but it does have a good list of some that are better than others. Even though I doubt teens will self-select it, I highly recommend Thoreau at Walden, as told by John Porcellino. Using only quotes from Thoreau’s works, and an earth-toned pallette, Porcellino captures the “simple living” philosophy of Thoreau. if Walden or other of Thoreau’s works is assigned in the classroom, this would be a fine companion to understanding the philosophy of Thoreau.
I’d love to hear more concrete examples of non-fiction graphic novels that have resonated with teen readers.
I also love graphic novels. My tastes don’t tend to run to the things that are popular with teens (basically manga), although I did become a fan of Death Note. And this year’s Skim may be my favorite teen book of the year. But my personal tastes run more toward the literary and adult, such as Daniel Clowes, Adrian Tomine, Joe Sacco.
But my feeling about non-fiction graphic works has tended towards the lukewarm, other than a few literary exceptions, such as the above-mentioned Sacco. I have felt as if they were cynical grabs towards meeting kids where they are, thinking that the format was the sole thing that interested them, as opposed to looking at the big picture, that graphic novels, particularly manga, appealed to kids because of their fast-paced storylines, the familiarity of a series, tie-ins to cartoons seen on tv, and more. All “comics” are not created equal, if they were, literary graphic novels would fly off the shelves just as fast as throwaway manga.
A recent article in School Library Journal may have oversoid somewhat the appeal of the non-fiction graphic work, but it does have a good list of some that are better than others. Even though I doubt teens will self-select it, I highly recommend Thoreau at Walden, as told by John Porcellino. Using only quotes from Thoreau’s works, and an earth-toned pallette, Porcellino captures the “simple living” philosophy of Thoreau. if Walden or other of Thoreau’s works is assigned in the classroom, this would be a fine companion to understanding the philosophy of Thoreau.
I’d love to hear more concrete examples of non-fiction graphic novels that have resonated with teen readers.