Discover how to use these graphic novels in your classroom!
Kids love graphic novels because they’re visually stimulating and accessible. But why do educators love graphic novels? Here are some reasons we’ve been given by teachers and librarians:
- Graphic novels take you on a visual and mental journey.
- They add a dimension to the story no other medium can.
- They’re motivating, complex, imaginative, and a bridge to more.
- They help make topics easier to digest with engaging storylines!
We think those are pretty good reasons to get your hands on a graphic novel or two! To give you a few options, we’ve rounded up some favorites that you won’t be able to put down. If you use graphic novels in your classroom or library, let us know! Email us at slmarket@penguinrandomhouse.com. Enjoy, and keep reading!
Lucy & Andy Neanderthal By Jeffrey Brown
Ages 8–12
Graphic Novels Educators’ Guide
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Jedi Academy series comes the first installment in a new, humorous graphic-novel series about two Neanderthal siblings living 40,000 years ago. In the hilarious tale of Lucy and her goofball brother Andy, the duo handles a wandering baby brother, bossy teens, cave paintings, and a mammoth hunt. A special paleontologist section at the end of the book helps to dispel common Neanderthal myths.
5 Worlds Book 1: The Sand Warrior By Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel; illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun
Ages 8–12
Oona is the clumsiest student at the Sand Dancer Academy. It’s her older sister—the one who ran away—who’s supposed to light the beacons and save the worlds. So why can Oona create a Sand Warrior? An Tzu is an orphaned boy from the slums. He has lots of street smarts but no idea how to stop the illness that’s turning him invisible! And why do plants react to his music? Jax Amboy is THE star athlete of the 5 Worlds. If only he were human! Jax is a robot in disguise, and he may hold the secret to why the Toki are invading. Time is running out in the 5 Worlds. Can this unlikely trio rise to the challenge and face down the forces of evil in time to light the five beacons and save the worlds?
Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo Book 1: The Road to Epoli By James Parks and Ben Costa
Ages 12 & Up
Rickety Stitch is a walking, talking, singing skeleton minstrel, the only animated skeleton in the dungeon who seems to have retained his soul. He has no idea who he used to be when he was a living, breathing sack of meat and skin. His only clue to his former identity is a song he hears snippets of in his dreams, an epic bard’s tale that could also explain the fog covering the comical fantasy land of Eem. . . . Oh, and his sidekick and only friend is a cube of sentient goo. In this rollicking first volume, Rickety encounters imps, gnomes, giants, unicorns, a mysterious lady knight, and other fantasy dwellers on his quest to uncover his identity and spread his (painfully bad) music far and wide.
Steve Jobs: Insanely Great By Jessie Hartland
Ages 12 & Up
A quick yet comprehensive read, this graphic biography illuminates an entrepreneurial life in both words and images—from Steve’s adoption and childhood spent tinkering, to dropping out of college and traveling around India, to founding Apple and inventing the iPod and other devices, to transforming the music industry, to cofounding Pixar Animation, to his untimely death.
Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom By Judd Winick
Ages 8–12
Graphic Novels Educators’ Guide
D.J. and Gina are TOTALLY ordinary kids. But Hilo isn’t! When we last saw our INTREPID TRIO, Gina had been sucked into a mysterious portal to who knows where?! But friends don’t let friends disappear into NOWHERE! It’s up to D.J. and Hilo to follow her! Will there be danger? YES! Will there be amazing surprises? OF COURSE! Will Gina end up being the one to save them? DEFINITELY! With the help of Polly, the magical warrior cat, the friends will have to battle bad guys and face disgusting food, an angry mom, terrible knock-knock jokes, powerful magic, and more! Will they survive . . . and make it back to earth before the portal closes again?!
