For our January 15, 2014 meeting we'll be talking about graphic novels & sharing our experiences trying this format for those who are new to it!  While we read Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick, it may be different reading a book told in pictures and speech bubbles.  What I do remember from our Wonderstruck discussion was how talented you all were at "reading" the pictures.  I'll have to pay close attention this time.

At our November meeting everyone chose a different graphic novel -- or agreed to seek out a graphic novel that intrigued them!  If you haven't decided, here's a list of children's graphic novels and a list of the teen graphic novels at London Public Library.

The Oxford dictionary online defines the graphic novel simply as "a novel in comic-strip format".  Comic books are different from the graphic novel because they tell a continuous or ongoing story that is often serialized in newspapers or other periodicals. 

Non-fiction books can also told in pictures -- in my first year of university back in 1983 I read Marx for Beginners by Rius, and learned all about Marx's theories through speech bubbles and pictures!  First published in 1976, this book is still in print!

Upon the recommendation of a Masonville regular who is in Grade 4 and cannot believe I've never read MANGA, I'm starting in on a manga book called Kingdom Hearts II, volume 1.  I am also reading Art Spiegelman's Maus books.

Can't wait to hear about the graphic novels you're reading.  We can try our hand at sketching and using speech bubbles to tell a story.  Look forward to seeing you all in January!


Linda B.