| Young Adult Literature and Multimedia—Resources |
Comics
by Cynthia Franken
Comics in the classroom has often been a long debate, but I have discovered in my own classroom and through research, that comics can be a useful tool to help students read a variety of material, including information on political and social issues.
Graphic novels and comics have an appeal to young and mid level readers while still addressing timeless topics associated with Young Adult Literature; growing up, isolation, adaptation, bullying, and family challenges are just some of the topics that are both addressed in comics and young adult literature. Comics such as Spiderman, for instance, deals with an ³angst-ridden, teenaged character who wasn¹t superhuman but in many ways one of us.² The use of teenaged characters going through puberty and the changes associated with that time, even without the mix of superpowers, is a powerful draw for young boys and girls struggling with changes to their identity. Current comics and titles can compare further to Young Adult Literature in terms of the cutting edge issues discussed and explored. According to Rocco Versaci, ³Š many writers and artists have addressed topics relevant to all levels of English classrooms, making comic books an ideal and largely untapped source of enrichment. Though industry professionals and fans have already grown tired of hearing that comics "aren't just for kids anymore," many teachers and students might still be unaware of the maturity and relevance of various comic books. Many middle schools -- particularly those that have adopted a team approach -- have discovered the value of planning interdisciplinary units that approach topics in a more interesting and productive way Š² Students are able to explore contemporary topics with a largely contemporary medium that remains enjoyable to read and is internally scaffolded by the artwork, a useful tool for struggling readers. ³The visual cues‹facial expressions, dialogue balloons, sequential panels‹enable kids to follow narratives while inferring the meanings of words they¹ve never seen before.² The students can look for visual cues to express new vocabulary and emotions, enabling them to delve deeper into the subject material and create meaning and inferences. Versaci states, ³Š comic books also help to develop much needed analytical and critical thinking skills.² I wholeheartedly agree. Teachers need to give students mediums that peak their interest but also deepen their ability to think while engaged in the text. Comics give students those opportunities and, again, are scaffolded by pictures in order to help struggling readers make the important connections between text, self, and world.
Critics of comics often ³argue that the content found in such works is either too inappropriate or dumbed-down to use in classrooms.² Many critics believe that comics ³contribute to juvenile delinquency² and that comics are "disposable" and not "real" literature.² These claims are unfounded and not backed by any solid research to show a correlation between comics and the conclusion. As with all literature, it is important to preview the topics and be judicious about selection given the content nature, classroom demographic, and state and school board standards. What is ignored by critics is the fact that ³both teachers and librarians realize that the comics attract readers and contribute to literacy in general.² This is an important point! While trying to promote literacy, we as educators need to bolster the idea that reading is still fun, engaging, and interesting. Comics allow educators to do that, but, again, it is important to be selective when obtaining titles. Certain topics and issues may be too mature for some readers or will not incorporate into the current curriculum.
Versaci, R (2001). How comic books can change the way our students see literature:. The National Association of Comics Art Educators , Retrieved February 3, 2007, from http://www.teachingcomics.org/curriculum/perspective.php
Harlan, M A, et al. (2006). Young adult literature and multimedia: A quick guide. Salt Lake City, UT: Hi Willow Research and Publishing.