You may not realize it, but you are actually sitting on a treasure trove when it comes to Reader’s Advisory and getting kids to explore other genres. Yes, I am talking to you- the person reading this blog. Why do graphic novels and the non-fiction collection go together so well? Together they allow readers of all ages to explore a topic from a new viewpoint and introduce them to different subject areas that they may not normally explore.
Additionally, the combination of the two helps students reach the Common Core standards that are becoming integrated into school systems across the country. Students will become accustomed to reading information text (Standard 10), be interested to diverse formats (Standard 7), begin to recognize themes in works (Standard 2), and explain how two different books address the same themes (Standard 9).
I know that many of you rolled your eyes at the mention of Common Core, I get it, trust me. but it can help you build-and justify- your collection in a unique way. As a librarian, you have a variety of resources at hand: you just have to get creative with your thinking!
To get your creative juices flowing, I’ve provided a few GN and NF pairs of my own:
For the kid who has read every dinosaur book in your collection:
Graphic Novel: Pranas Naujokaitis’ Dinosaurs in Space (Blue Apple)
Nonfiction: Since they’ve read ALL the dinosaur books, maybe something about Space, try the J 520’s!
For the Super Spy Hero in Everyone:
Graphic Novel: Lunch Lady Series by Jarrett J. Krosockza (Knopf )
Non-fiction: All sorts of books about spies and the tools they use can be found in J 327.12. You may find some books about Spy Science may be in J 507.2.
For the Fractured Fairytale Fiend:
Graphic Novel:Rapunzel’s Revenge words by Shannon & Dean Hale; art by Nathan Hale (Bloomsbury)
Non-Fiction:Start with Paul O. Zelinsky’s classic Rapunzel and then let them explore the rest of the J 398.2 Rapunzel area!
For the History Nut:
Graphic Novel: Gene Yuen Lang’s Boxers & Saints (:01 Comics)
Non-Fiction:There are so many places you can take this. Books on China can be found under a variety of places, but books on Buddhism can be found under J 294.3. If your children’s department has anything on the Boxer Rebellion it will be under J 951.03. If not, you may need to help your reader find a book upstairs, or break out your online resources!
I hope these recommendations have gotten you thinking of fun ways to team up these dynamic parts of your collection. I’d like to thank Gene Luen Yang, Nathan Hale, Pranas Naujokaitis, and Jarret J. Krosockza for allowing me to use their beautiful artwork.
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Our guest blogger today is Alyson Feldman-Piltch. Alyson is a die-hard Red Sox fan and an MLS/MIS Student at Indiana University, planning to graduate in December 2014. She is a member of the Little E-Lit Thinktank, the ALSC Intellectual Freedom Committee, and the 2015 Stonewall Book Awards Committee. You can find her on Twitter at @aly_fp or email her at Alyson.fp@gmail.com
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you’d like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.
Kelly Doolittle
Thank you so much, Alyson! What a great post. I, for one, don’t roll my eyes at the mention of Common Core. I can definitely see it’s usefulness, as long as we humans don’t misuse it! And the way you have presented one helpful aspect is very helpful and inspiring. Can’t wait to get out there and start paring topics in this fun & enlightening way!
Alyson
Kelly, I’m so glad you were inspired!