Fast Five Fiction: Graphic Novels

It's FRIDAY! To celebrate the release of the newest Dog Man, Grime and Punishment, I thought for today's Fast Five Fiction I'd share a little bit about some of the benefits of Graphic Novels and tell you about five of my recent favorites. Click the title to be directed to the books in the library's catalog if you'd like more information or to put the books on hold. 

• Graphic Novels can improve your child's reading skills just like any book. They are full of text and the drawings and pictures actually help your child decode, analyze, and comprehend the material. 
• They are perfect for reluctant readers and lend extra support for those kids who need it. Having the combination of text and picture helps kids to understand something they might not have been able to completely comprehend otherwise. 
• Graphic Novels are full of literary merit and many have won many awards.  The 2020 Newbery winner was a graphic novel, New Kid by Jerry Craft. Others have won the Pulitzer Prize and Hugo Award.  

If you'd like to know more about some of the other benefits of graphic novels, check out the display Miss Violet put together in our children's department above.

Dog Man: Grime and Punishment by Dav Pilkey

I, of course, had to mention Dog Man as this book was the inspiration for this post. Dog Man is a favorite for many children, including my son.  He read it three times in one day, this series is one that he will read again and again and still enjoy. 

In Grime and Punishment, the Supa Buddies bamboozled the baddies, but all's not right in the world. Dog Man has a new problem to pound, and he's going to need his entire pack to help him. Will he go barking up the wrong tree? This series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of doing good.

In December Pilkey will introduce us to a whole new adventure with Cat Kid Comic Club. Li'l Petey, Flippy, and Molly will introduce twenty-one rambunctious, funny, and talented baby frogs to the art of comic making. As the story unwinds with mishaps and hilarity, readers get to see the progress, mistakes, and improvements that come with practice and persistence.

Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley

Jen is used to not getting what she wants. So suddenly moving to the country and getting new stepsisters shouldn't be too much of a surprise.

Jen did not want to leave the city. She did not want to move to a farm with her mom and her mom's new boyfriend, Walter. She did not want to leave her friends and her dad.

Most of all, Jen did not want to get new "sisters," Andy and Reese.

If learning new chores on Peapod Farm wasn't hard enough, then having to deal with perfect-at-everything Andy might be the last straw for Jen. Besides cleaning the chicken coop, trying to keep up with the customers at the local farmers' market, and missing her old life, Jen has to deal with her own insecurities about this new family . . . and where she fits in. 

The Loud House by Chris Savino

Ever wonder what it’s like having a big family? 11-year-old Lincoln Loud lives with his 10 sisters. The trick to surviving the chaos is to remain calm, cool, and collected. But most importantly for Lincoln, you’ve got to have a plan. With all the chaos, and craziness, one thing is always for sure: there is never a dull moment in the Loud house! Fans of the show will love these graphic novel adaptations. 

White Bird by R.J. Palacio

Fans of Wonder will definitely remember the character of Julian. In Palacio's collection of stories Auggie & Me, she expanded on some of the characters in Wonder, and we were introduced to Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. This is Grandmère's story as a young Jewish girl hidden away by a family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II told in graphic novel form. 

Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli

From three time Geisel award winning author/illustrator Greg Pizzoli comes the start of a new series for younger graphic novel readers. 

Meet Baloney! He's the star of this book, along with his best buddies: empathetic Peanut the horse, sensible Bizz the bumblebee, and grumpy Krabbit -- he'd rather not be here, but what can you do?
In this graphic novel for newly independent readers, Baloney and friends step into the spotlight and embody all the charm of childhood in three short tales and three mini-comics that invite readers to join the fun! Giggle with Baloney as he performs some questionable magic, give him a boost when a case of the blues gets him down, cheer him on as he braves the swimming pool, and at the end, learn to draw all the characters with clear step-by-step instructions!

Happy Friday, and happy reading!