Graphic Novels

Hot Topics in Media

by Ashley Rae Harris

Graphic Novels provides a balanced look at a hot-button topic. Explore the history of graphic novels through such works as Art Spiegelman's Maus, Alan Moore's Watchmen, and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Learn about the importance of comic books politically and socially throughout the 20th century, as well as the introduction of manga and the changing role of these artistic works in the classroom. Full-color photos, a glossary, an index, sidebars, primary source documents, and other creative content enhance the book. It also includes prompts and activities that directly engage students in developing the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills required by the Common Core standards. This well-researched title has a credentialed content consultant and aligns with Common Core and state standards. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Ashley Rae Harris lives and works in Chicago, Illinois. She completed an M.A. from the University of Chicago, where her research focused on adolescents and Web culture. Ashley's work has appeared in VenusZine and Time Out Chicago. Though she has written several books for teen audiences, THE PRANK is her first horror novel.

Reviews

[Jeroen Berndsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as readable books for early teenagers go, this introduction to graphic novels seems quite all right. Age 10-12 perhaps? Can be borrowed from archive.org. Anyone looking for more than a quick overview best look elsewhere.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is part of the “Hot Topics in Media” series. It explains the history of comic books and their evolution into the graphic novels of today. There is information about the creation of DC and Marvel comics and the superheroes they introduced. Famous graphic artists are discussed as well as the changes in styles and content of graphics over the years. Conversational text is complemented by photos and graphics, of course. The controversy of using graphics in education is also addressed. Some chapters also end with enrichment activities for the reader to write about, research or debate with friends. Back matter includes a timeline, bibliography, glossary and index. The book will be a hard sell for readers; they are more interested in reading graphic novels than reading about graphic novels. It could be a resource for ELAR teachers when talking about genres.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

So many errors...