Graphic Novels--Good or Bad?

Well the research says....they are good!! Don't feel bad about letting your reluctant leader load up on these. Of course its not your goal for them to only ever read graphic novels, but it can keep kids (typically teenaged boys) engaged in reading when they otherwise would not. One author I read said that when he was still a struggling reader who hated reading, the thing that actually got him back on the road to becoming a reader was graphic novels. Why aren't they bad..Here are my reasons:

• All beginner readers start with picture books (think about baby and toddler books)--so if you child is struggling its ok to have pictures that provide a lot of visual support
• For kids struggling with background knowledge (not knowing much about the subject) having pictures for every scene gives them context and visual clues to decipher vocabulary or even subject matter
• It connects reading to visualizing--a very critical skill in reading (granted it does the visualizing for them), but it also teaches kids to think "make the movie in my head"
• Research shows that boys typically lose interest in reading from a period of age 10-15 so getting to read anything, keeps their foot in the door as a reader. It keeps the habit of reading part of their routine--sooooo important in the long haul. Habit is 9/10th's of the life-long reader success.
• You can find graphic novel series that are actually retellings of classics such as Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare or Edgar Allen Poe so it gives them an easier version while acquainting them with the subject matter
• Graphic novels that depict historical time frames really give kids a sense from the pictures of life then, as well as build their background knowledge
• It can peak their interest in a subject that will make them seek out real books on the topic: the Civil War, the Middle Ages, etc....
• I have personally observed watching reluctant readers in my classroom reengage reading when I give them graphic novels. They don't feel like they are reading, it feels easier, but it gets them from not reading, to reading. 
• Its still better for them cognitively than TV or video games--SAY YES!!

So I hope this helps you feel better about graphic novels. Happy Reading!