Nov 23 min read

“No more graphic novels” and a former teacher responds to “are graphic novels good for kids?” - homeschooling reading tips

I'm going to hop on real quick to do a little PSA.

I'm at the library, and here's the story:

I'm at the library getting books for my kids. It's like a weekly thing— I go and get books for my kids.

We're in the graphic novel section because, you know, that's what they're reading.

I don't care what they're reading, guys. As a former teacher, I believe that books for pleasure are a rare find indeed. Kids who read books for pleasure are something special.

So, I'm letting my kids get whatever graphic novel or comic book they want. Yeah, I’ll throw in some fun fact books or History Channel books or National Geographic books—whatever it takes to have a variety in their library book collection. You know, if they're done early with something or they're bored, they can just grab some books from the library book box. Okay, great!

I keep those books in the car; they're fantastic for road trips.

Now, back to the story.

So, a mom tells her daughter while I'm in the comic book section, "No more comic books. Sorry, you don’t get to have any more comic books or graphic novels. You have to pick something else."

And I’m just like, it breaks my heart because you can literally get a graphic novel on any subject you want to learn about. Want to learn science? There are entire graphic novels for that. Want to learn history? There are entire biography graphic novels for that. Want to explore sci-fi? There are entire genres for that. You want anime or manga? There are entire genres for that, too!

Here is one of many graphic novel / comic book science series that we have done:

My husband is 40 years old and learned about American history through a graphic novel.

Again, the love of learning is for life!

He goes on his Kindle and reads graphic novels about interesting cultures or whatever. Why are we telling kids that graphic novels are not helpful?

I saw some research that claims graphic novels have less vocabulary, and that kids aren’t learning full text or proper grammar when reading them. There’s this entire camp that argues kids don’t learn well in grammar or language through graphic novels.

However, I would argue, as a former teacher with a master's degree, I would rather have a kid reading for pleasure. Books are fun, and learning is fun, regardless of the medium they choose. Guess what? That message of reading is fun, and I love the library, books, and knowledge is now cemented in their brains. Then they go to college or high school or whatever, and guess what? Reading is fun! Learning is fun!

I would rather have the message that reading is fun, learning is fun, and that books for pleasure are enjoyable. They want to go, they're excited about getting their library book bags, and they're thrilled about holding books. I have a 10-year-old who is on the computer asking, "When's the next Naruto book coming out? When's the next manga book coming out?" I have 11, and I need to get 12. I have an 8-year-old who's like, "Mom, can we do this series?"

I’m reading entire graphic novel series at my house that have stories, character arcs, and character development. I have an 8-year-old asking me to buy entire series. What 8-year-old is doing that right now? Literally, nobody I know has an 8-year-old who's asking for an entire series in general.

My 13-year-old daughter wanted books for her birthday and Christmas. She already has an inner Whistler. She's doing some kind of manga series about some sci-fi vampire thing. I don't care; she wants books. Let the kids read books!

If you don’t like what I’m saying, just unfollow me.

I'm sorry, but like, guys, let the kids read the freaking graphic novels!

Hi guys, peace out.