Increasing Visual Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills through Graphic Novels

Edited by Rebecca Maldonado and Jason DeHart

In order for students to reap the benefits of graphic novels, teachers need to first incorporate them into their classrooms. Graphic novels are not only a viable option to improve student retention of literature, but also the cornerstone of several potential lesson plans. The multimodal nature of graphic novels allows teachers to shape their lessons in new directions. When the validity of graphic novels is no longer a question, students and teachers alike will discover the countless benefits of multimodal learning.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 166 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4758-6809-8 • Hardback • May 2023 • $80.00 • (£62.00)

978-1-4758-6810-4 • Paperback • May 2023 • $35.00 • (£30.00)

978-1-4758-6811-1 • eBook • May 2023 • $33.50 • (£25.00)

Subjects: Education / Teaching / Methods & Strategies, Language Arts & Disciplines / Literacy, Education / Arts in Education

Increasing Visual Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills through Graphic Novels

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

In order for students to reap the benefits of graphic novels, teachers need to first incorporate them into their classrooms. Graphic novels are not only a viable option to improve student retention of literature, but also the cornerstone of several potential lesson plans. The multimodal nature of graphic novels allows teachers to shape their lessons in new directions. When the validity of graphic novels is no longer a question, students and teachers alike will discover the countless benefits of multimodal learning.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 166 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4758-6809-8 • Hardback • May 2023 • $80.00 • (£62.00)

978-1-4758-6810-4 • Paperback • May 2023 • $35.00 • (£30.00)

978-1-4758-6811-1 • eBook • May 2023 • $33.50 • (£25.00)

Subjects: Education / Teaching / Methods & Strategies, Language Arts & Disciplines / Literacy, Education / Arts in Education

Author

Rebecca Maldonado is a recent graduate of University of Oklahoma with her doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. This year she will be teaching ninth grade English at Parkside High School in Salisbury, MD. Her scholarship and research focuses on arts integration, graphic novels, text selection, and developing and exercising teacher’s critical consciousness, along with the use of critical dialogue to develop social awareness in education and the community. She is also the editor of Arts Integration and Young Adult Literature: Enhancing Academic Skills and Student Voice.
Jason DeHart is an Assistant Professor of Reading Education at Appalachian State University and a long-time comics reader. DeHart's research interests include multimodal literacy, including film and graphic novels, and literacy instruction with adolescents. His work has recently appeared in SIGNAL Journal, English Journal,and The Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Zachary Zajkowski
Acknowledgements
Introduction: A Conversation about Graphic Novels
Rebecca Maldonado and Jason D. DeHart
Section 1 - Research & Rationale for Graphic Novels
Chapter 1 - Toons, Capes, Comix, and the Graphic Novel:A History of the Sequential Arts and the Case for Inclusion
Christian George Gregory
1700-2020: A Timeline and Influential Books in the Rise of the Graphic Novel
Christian George Gregory
Chapter 2 - The Multiplicities of Multimodal Texts: Exploring YA Graphic Novels for Secondary Readers
Mandy Luszeck
Section 2 - Elements of Critical Literacy and Visual Literacy
Chapter 3 - Teaching Critical Visual Literacy Through Gene Luen Yang’s Boxers and Saints
Young Adult Literature Text: Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang
Kristen R. Strom, PhD
Chapter 4 - Arising LGBTQ+ Gender Awareness in High School English Curriculum
Promoting Visual Literacy with the LGBTQ+ Graphic Novel: Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home
Young Adult Literature Text: Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Bo Liu刘博 and Kexuan Wu吴柯璇
Chapter 5 - History Must Be a Manual: Grappling With Our Past through George Takei’s They Called Us Enemy
Young Adult Literature Text: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
Ashley D. Black and Joseph P. Haughey
Section 3 - Inspiring the Hearts and Minds Through Hands-on Activities and Digital Activities
Chapter 6 - Interrogating What It Means to be American through Decoupage: Recycled Shadow Box Art Show and Almost American Girl to Explore Personal Identity in America
Young Adult Literature Text: Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Stephen Goss and Jennifer S. Dail
Chapter 7 - Image, Print, and Movement: Reaching Readers through Illustrations and Flipbooks about The Last Kids on Earth: Thrilling Tales from the Treehouse
Young Adult Literature Text: The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier
Damiana Gibbons Pyles, Eric Groce, and Adam Pyles
Chapter 8 - Fostering Independence: Analyzing Author's Purpose in Graphic Novels
Young Adult Literature Text: Nimona by ND Stevenson
Angela Hase
Chapter 9 - “The Overcoming of Otherness”: Teaching Visual Literacy through Ekphrastic Poetry and The Arrival
Young Adult Literature Text: The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Russell Mayo
Chapter 10- Illustrating Triple Consciousness in Melanie Gillman’s As the Crow Flies
Young Adult Literature Text: As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman
Nicole Ann Amato and Jenna Spiering
About the Editors
About the Contributors

Reviews

This short edited collection by Maldonado and DeHart focuses on the legitimacy of graphic novels as an established and effective form of literature particularly useful in the development of literacy and fluency. Contributions include a brief but thorough history of graphic novels; the integration of critical literacy and visual literacy; and the essential place of graphic novels for K–12 literacy education in the classroom and multiple cultures. In addition to providing information and arguments to support the integration of graphic novels, the five chapters in part 3 include practical applications and instructional ideas for educators. These selections focus on specific and well-known YA graphic novels, including Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, George Takei's They Called Us Enemy, and Robin Ha's Almost American Girl, among popular titles. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

— Choice Reviews