Lisa Brown
LSC 5505
Module 9
Wolfson, Gene. "Using Audiobooks to Meet the Needs of Adolescent Readers."
American Secondary Education 36.2 (2008): 105-114. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 30 Mar. 2011.
Title: Using Audiobooks to Meet the Needs of Adolescent Readers
Author:
Journal Name:
Gene Wolfson
American Secondary Education
Source:
Publication Year:
American Secondary Education v. 36 no. 2 (Spring, 2008) p. 105-114
2008
Physical Description: Journal article
ISSN: 00031003
Language of Document: English
Abstract: Audiobooks may be used with adolescent readers to improve fluency, expand vocabulary, activate prior knowledge, develop comprehension, and increase motivation to interact with books.
Removing the restraints of word recognition and decoding allows a very positive focus on the meaning behind an author's words. This provides an opportunity for many students, including those with special needs, to experience the same books as the other students.
Best practices may be adapted to develop literacy skills before, during, or after listening. Specific skills that can be demonstrated include recalling details, understanding sequence, making predictions, drawing conclusions, making inferences, and retelling.
For proficient readers, audiobooks present opportunities to develop comprehension skills and strategies in critical and creative thinking.
[ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Subject(s):
Document Type:
Audiobooks, readers, teenagers, literacy, creative ability, word recognition, general education
Contains reasons for using audiobooks, research on the use of audiobooks, guidelines and suggestions using audiobooks, conclusion, references, and appendix (resources for audiobooks)
Mansfield University, North Hall Library, Academic Search Complete Database:

Source: Booklistonline website
Title: Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
Link: http://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=4648775
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults: 2011.
Amazing Audiobooks for
Young Adults
FEATURE. First published February 15, 2011 (Booklist).
Alchemy and Meggy Swann .
4.5hr. Listening Library, CD,
$38.
Katherine Kellgren is well-matched to this historical novel about feisty heroine Meggy Swann. Through her ability to sing in character, honk like a goose, and capture the voices of a variety of Londoners, Kellgren transports audiences to Meggy’s
Elizabethan world. A 2011 Odyssey Honor title.
Beat the Band .
8hr. Brilliance, CD, $69.97.
When Cooper is paired with “Hot Dog” Helen for his healthclass project, he decides he must do something to counteract the effect on his popularity—namely, starting a band to compete in his school’s Battle of the Bands. Nick Podehl rocks as smartaleck, wisecracking Cooper.
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had .
7hr. Listening Library, CD,
$50.
Dit and Emma create a powerful friendship that transcends racial lines in the American South during a time of strife and upheaval. Kirby Heyborne’s lilting southern accent brings to life this tender coming-of-age story.
The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, plus
Techniques for Taming Them .
5hr. Listening Library, CD,
$30.
Ruby Oliver reflects on the disastrous events of her sophomore year by looking back through the Boy Book, which she created

with the help of her former friends. Kirsten Potter’s narration captures the humor and drama of Ruby’s high-school misadventures.
The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan: An Enola Holmes
Mystery .
4hr. Recorded Books, CS, $33.75; CD, $46.75.
Fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes, younger sister of Sherlock
Holmes, uses her detective skills and various disguises to save
Lady Cecily Alistair from an arranged marriage. Katherine
Kellgren perfectly captures Enola’s spunky personality as well as the demeanors of the supporting characters.
Dreamdark: Silksinger.
13hr. Brilliance, CD, $79.97.
While fleeing the devils that killed the last of her faerie clan,
Whisper Silksinger meets Hirik, a young mercenary with an ancient scimitar and secrets of his own. Cassandra Campbell’s rendition of this mesmerizing story is sure to keep readers engaged to the very end.
Finnikin of the Rock.
12hr. Brilliance, CD, $74.97.
Finnikin was only a child when the royal family of Lumatere was brutally murdered and an imposter seized the throne. Now on the cusp of manhood, he is compelled to join forces with the mysterious Evanjalin, who claims that her dark dreams will break the curse that exiled half their kingdom. This engaging epic fantasy is enhanced by Jeffrey Cummings’ pacing and captivating voice.
Heist Society .
6hr. Brilliance, CD, $71.97.
Katarina Bishop’s escape from the family business of stealing valuable art pieces is cut short when a powerful mobster pins the theft of his secret works on her father. Angela Dawe does an amazing job of creating a range of characters in this high-stakes adventure in which Katarina races against time to find and steal back the missing paintings in order to save her father’s life.
Impulse .
7hr. HighBridge, CD, $29.95.
After their failed suicide attempts land them in a psychiatric hospital, teenagers Vanessa, Tony, and Conner forge a friendship while they attempt to resolve their various emotional issues. Steve Coombs, Laura Flanagan, and Jeremy Guskin

provide the characters with distinct, emotionally charged voices.
Incarceron .
11.5hr. Listening Library, CD, $65.
Finn is an inmate in Incarceron, a prison sealed off from the rest of the world, while the warden’s daughter, Claudia, is imprisoned by an oppressive society. After Finn and Claudia each find a mysterious key that allows them to communicate, they work together to escape their individual prisons. Kim Mai
Guest portrays myriad characters and nails the pacing of the story.
It’s Not Summer without You.
7hr. Recorded Books, CS,
$51.75; CD, $66.75.
After a heartbreaking loss, Belly reevaluates her relationships with family, friends, and love interests Conrad and Jeremiah.
Jessica Almasy’s clever, skilled narration convincingly alternates between Belly’s and Jeremiah’s points of view.
Jerk, California.
10hr. Recorded Books, CS, $56.75; CD,
$87.75.
Plagued by Tourette’s syndrome and a stepfather who despises him, Sam meets an old man who sends him on a road trip designed to help Sam discover the truth about his life. Andy
Paris is convincing as a young man struggling with the effects of
Tourette’s, capturing the inner turmoil in this coming-of-age story.
The Knife of Never Letting Go . 12hr. Brilliance, CD, $69.97.
In a futuristic settlement on New World, the thoughts of men and animals can be heard by all. On the brink of manhood, Todd discovers a secret so dark he must flee for his life. Nick Podehl’s gripping narration of this disquieting work of dystopian fiction is masterful. A 2011 Odyssey Honor title.
Leviathan. 8hr. Simon and Schuster, CD, $29.99.
In this steampunk adventure, Austrian prince Alek is on the run from assassins. To save his life and his empire, he forms an alliance with Deryn, a member of the British War Service who just happens to be a girl disguised as a boy. Alan Cummings’ narration takes listeners into the heart of the action as heavy

machinery and unique creations collide.
Muchacho . 5hr. Listening Library, CD, $45.
Eddie Corazon is smart, angry, and bent on finding trouble.
Then along comes Lupe, who makes his blood race and sees something in Eddie he doesn’t see in himself. Ozzie Rodriguez perfectly captures the voice of a Hispanic teenager and others who populate this story.
One Crazy Summer . 5hr. Recorded Books, CS, $33.75; CD,
$46.75.
Delphine and her sisters fly to Oakland to meet the mother who abandoned them, only to be foisted off on the staff of a Black
Panther community program. Sisi Aisha Johnson is convincing as the young Delphine, conveying the emotional impact of this historical novel.
Ostrich Boys .
6hr. Listening Library, CD, $50.
In their misguided grief, three friends decide the funeral for
Ross, one of their best mates, wasn’t what he would have wanted. To remedy the situation, they steal his ashes and hit the road for a Ross-inspired adventure. Bruce Mann’s voice and dialect give a strong sense of place while depicting the vulnerability of the teen characters.
Precious.
5hr. Books on Tape, CD, $60.
Claireece Precious Jones endures unimaginable hardships in her young life. Abused by her mother and raped by her father, she grows up poor, angry, illiterate, fat, unloved, and generally unnoticed. Bahni Turpin’s emotionally raw and gut-wrenching reading renders Precious and the supporting characters as living, breathing human beings.
Rapture of the Deep: Being an Account of the Further
Adventures of Jacky Faber, Soldier, Sailor, Mermaid, Spy .
12hr. Listen and Live, CD, $29.95.
Jacky Faber once again finds herself in the makings of history as she is forced to pioneer the first deep-sea diving bell in pursuit of Spanish treasure. Katherine Kellgren brings feisty Jacky to life along with the other colorful characters.

Revolution .
15hr. Listening Library, $54.
In a story told across continents and centuries, Emily Janice
Card and Emma Bering portray both an edgy Brooklyn teen mourning the death of her younger brother and an eighteenthcentury Parisian girl, caregiver to the doomed dauphin. The narrators’ dramatic, forceful performances meld two emotional and wrenching plotlines. A 2011 Odyssey Honor title.
The Rock and the River .
7hr. Brilliance, CD, $69.97.
Sam, the son of a civil rights leader and brother to a member of the Black Panthers, observes the injustice around him and tries to decide if he should follow the path of his brother and father or forge his own. Dion Graham’s deep, gentle voice fits Sam perfectly as he contemplates the world and his place in it.
A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to
Freedom .
3hr. Recorded Books, CS, $30.75; CD, $30.75.
The Battle of Antietam turned the tide in favor of the Union, allowing Lincoln to put forth the Emancipation Proclamation.
Kevin Orton’s narration renders the frustration of this deadly battle through the stories of the people involved.
Seth Baumgartner’s Love Manifesto.
7hr. Brilliance, CD,
$69.97.
After Seth Baumgartner has the worst afternoon of his life (his girlfriend dumps him, and he sees his father on a date with another woman), he launches a Podcast to delve deeper into the mysteries of love. Nick Podehl is pitch-perfect as a teenage boy who has been burned.
Split.
8hr. Listening Library, CD, $50.
Jace shows up at his estranged brother Christian’s apartment with nothing but his car and some new bruises. As Jace negotiates his rocky relationship with his brother, he must come to terms with his father’s abuse and his mother’s codependence.
Joshua Swanson’s performance embodies the somewhat cocky voice of a smart, popular, funny teen.
Stop in the Name of Pants!
6.5hr. Recorded Books, CS,
$51.75; CD, $66.75.

British teenager Georgia Nicolson fills her diary with tales of her successes and failures with boys and her adventures with her friends. Stina Nielsen captures the fabulosity and over-the-top humor of this British teenager.
Swim the Fly.
8hr. Brilliance, CD, $54.97.
Fifteen-year-old Matt and his best friends Coop and Sean’s summertime goal is to see a real live naked girl. Nick Podehl renders a range of characters, from a senior citizen with one thing on his mind to a teenage girl with a French accent in this hilarious, slightly raunchy summer romp.
This Full House .
8hr. Listening Library, CD, $54.97.
LaVaughn’s hard work pays off when she is accepted into a women-in-science program that just might be her ticket to college. However, in an attempt to do a good deed for a friend, she ends up jeopardizing her dreams. Heather Alicia Simms’ narration conveys the uncertainties and triumphs that LaVaughn experiences as she navigates her senior year of high school.
This World We Live In .
7hr. Listening Library, CD, $55.
Miranda’s diary chronicles the continuing struggle to survive the aftereffects of a meteor hitting the moon. Emily Bauer portrays
Miranda’s moods and emotions, which are as turbulent as the chaotic world in which she lives.
The True Meaning of Smekday .
10.5hr. Listening Library,
CD, $65.
Bahni Turpin gives an unforgettable performance, seamlessly slipping into the voices of wiseacre eighth-grader, Gratuity
“Tip” Tucci and her alien Boov companion as they embark on a rollicking road trip to track down Tip’s missing mother and save the planet. A laugh-out-loud presentation of Adam Rex’s popular satire. The 2011 Odyssey Award winner.
What I Saw and How I Lied . 6hr. Scholastic, CD, $29.95.
Full of romance and complex emotions, this scandalous story is set immediately following the end of WWII. Caitlin Greer personifies the longing and desire of a 15-year-old girl coming of age during a turbulent time in history.

White Cat.
7hr. Listening Library, CD, $40.
Cassel is the only member of his family who does not possess powers attributed to curse workers. Life becomes confusing when he finds himself on the roof of his boarding school after a bout of sleepwalking. Jesse Eisenberg’s dark tenor gives listeners a glimpse into this intriguing alternate world of curse workers and organized crime.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson .
8hr. Brilliance, CD, $71.97.
A Facebook misdirect and a poorly forged ID bring two teens with the same name together. What connects them is Tiny
Cooper, a gay football player who explores his heartache by writing a fabulous musical. Nick Podehl and MacLeod Andrews take us from riotous moments to tearful revelations in this groundbreaking production. A 2011 Odyssey Honor title.
Teachingbooks.net: I listened to a 3 minute segment of the book Out of the Dust by Karen
Hesse, narrated by Marika Mashburn. Fullcastaudio.com: I listened to several sample readings of Paula Danziger's The Cat Ate My Gymsuit.
I read Out of the Dust for the Long Term Assignment so I wanted to see what it would sound like when read out loud. For me, when I am reading a book I can almost imagine what the character would sound like if she were actually talking. In this case what I imagined Billie
Jo, a 13 year old Oklahoma girl, would sound like was only slightly like what I heard in the audiobook. The narrator did have a southern accent, but the voice sounded older to me. I also think that the tone of the book wasn't reflected in the audiobook. This book has such somber content that the perky voice didn't seem to match up with the girl who suffered through the dust. So, I think that some negatives of audiobooks is that if you've already read the book it may not exactly match up with what you have envisioned. Another disadvantage of audiobooks is that they require a different type of attention span than actually reading a book. When reading, the reader's mind becomes occupied with the book because of the necessity of the eyes being on the page. However, when listening to a book the readers eyes, and therefore mind, are free to wander. This is a problem that I have always had with audiobooks. My mind wanders and before long I realize I have missed a whole chapter. Children with attention disorders may have difficulty with audiobooks for this reason. Alternately, for readers who struggle with the written word may find audiobooks to be very helpful in understanding meaning, tone, dialect, and semantics of books. If the student struggles with reading

comprehension I think that pairing an audiobook with a print version would allow the reader to comprehend more of the book's meaning as well as help to improve skills such as decoding and vocabulary. I have had experience of working with special needs students with an audiobook/print book sharing and these students were able to read and enjoy full-length novels that they wouldn't have otherwise. Most struggling readers wouldn't pick up a thick book like one of the Twilight or Harry Potter series books. But with the accompanying audio to help these books become much less intimidating to the student.
I felt that there was a big difference between a single narrator and a full-cast narration.
Again, for me, a single narrator causes me to lose attention over time. However, I was surprised at how engaging the full-cast audio was. I found myself closing my eyes and listening intently to the drama playing out. This was closer to actually reading the book because in my mind I also make up voices for all the characters so it makes sense to have the audio be performed by a full cast. The full-cast audio helps portray the characters and bring depth to them. It also helps to make the book more realistic since then a male voice would always be matched up to a male character, etc. Advantages to either type of audiobook would also be the ability to replay segments, attention deficit students may pay more attention when using headphones, the volume can be adjusted for hearing disabled students, and the visually impaired can be accommodated. The Pennsylvania State Library offers ILL audiobooks to visually impaired children at no cost for the book or for shipping.
King, Jan, Rena Nisbet, and Washington, DC. Library of Congress. Visions in the Dust: A Child's
Perspective of the Dust Bowl. Learning Page Lesson Plan. 2002. Web.
<http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/dust/index.html>
Out of the Dust: Visions of Dust bowl History
Lesson Overview
Much of history is interpreted from an adult point of view. This unit helps students gain an understanding of Dust Bowl history through the eyes of a child. Using Karen Hesse’s Newbery
Award-winning Out of the Dust as an introduction to this aspect of the Great Depression, students have the opportunity to identify with the personal experiences of youth in the 1930s.
In addition, students examine primary source materials of the period to correlate the fictional text with actual visual, auditory, and manuscript accounts as found in the American Memory collections.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
 examine primary source materials to gain knowledge of the Dust Bowl;
 use historical fiction to understand the human aspect of the Dust Bowl experience;
 relate primary source materials from American Memory collections to passages,
 characters, and events from the novel; develop research skills and strategies, such as keyword searches, for finding information.

Standards
Find out which standards this resource meets
Time Required
 One to two weeks
Recommended Grade Level
 6-8
 3-5
Topic


City & Regional History
Culture & Folklife
Era

Credits
Great Depression and WWII, 1929-1945
Jan King & Rena Nisbet


Images of the Great Depression
Guided Reading Journal
 Primary Source Analysis Tool


America From the Great Depression to World War II: Black-and-White Photographs From the
FSA and OWI.
o Dust piled up around farmhouse. Oklahoma.
o o
Dust is too much for this farmer's son in Cimarron County, Oklahoma.
Stock watering hole almost completely covered by shifting topsoil. Cimarron County, o
Oklahoma.
Lucille Burroughs, daughter of a cotton sharecropper,
Voices From the Dust Bowl: The Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin Migrant Worker Collection.
 Teachers Guide to Analyzing Photographs and Prints

1.
As an introductory activity, use Images of the Great Depression and present students with these three images from America from the Great Depression to World War II: Black-and-White
Photographs from the FSA and OWI, ca. 1935-1945 : o Farm house: Dust piled up around farmhouse. Oklahoma.
o o
Farmer's Son: Dust is too much for this farmer's son in Cimarron County, Oklahoma.
Topsoil: Stock watering hole almost completely covered by shifting topsoil. Cimarron
County, Oklahoma.
2.
Using Images of the Great Depression , ask students to analyze the photograph, recording their thoughts on the Primary Source Analysis Tool . Before the students begin, select questions from the teacher's guide Analyzing Photographs and Prints to focus and prompt analysis and discussion.
1.
Students read Out of the Dust, noting Billy Jo's experiences in the Dust Bowl.
2.
Using the Guided Reading Journal , students keep a guided journal noting specific passages relating to: o school life o o o o community life family life government assistance agriculture
3.
After reading the novel, as a group examine the cover of Out of the Dust, noting the photograph of Lucille Burroughs. She was used to visually depict Hesse's character, Billy Jo. Using the same photoanalysis technique in Step One, discuss with students the possible origins of the photograph. Why was this photograph used? After a brainstorming session, students can review the original image of Lucille Burroughs, daughter of a cotton sharecropper with its bibliographic record found in America from the Great Depression to World War II: Black-and-White
Photographs from the FSA and OWI, ca. 1935-1945.
1.
Using their Guided Reading Journal , students generate keywords and concepts for searching
America from the Great Depression to World War II: Photographs from the FSA and OWI, ca.
1935-1945 collection for images that portray sections of free verse found in Hesse's Out of the
Dust. Students locate photographs that represent meaningful passages from the novel.
2.
After image selection, students compile a presentation (poster, collage, scrapbook, multimedia presentation, etc.) to be shared with others. The presentation should include the picture with the accompanying passage from the text.



Students use Voices from the Dust Bowl: the Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin Migrant Worker
Collection, 1940-1941 to look for songs that Billy Jo may have played on her piano or that Mad
Dog Craddock and the Black Mesa Boys may have sung. (2-3 days)
Students use American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers Project, 1936-1940 to compare the experiences of Billy Jo and her family to those in other parts of the nation during the Great Depression. (2-3 days)
 This lesson lends itself for use with other works of historical fiction teamed with other collections within American Memory.
 Classes could also read Christopher Paul Curtis’ Bud, Not Buddy to learn a Michigan child’s perspective of the Great Depression and compare it to Out of the Dust.
Student assessment is determined by teacher and peer evaluations based on how closely studentselected images depict text selected in the student's Guided Reading Journal.
I viewed and listened to the following books:

Rip Squeak and His Friends by Susan Yost-Filgate and illustrated by Leonard Filgate -- grades K-2

Camping Spree with Mr. Magee written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen -- grades 1-4

Sea Dog by Gayle Campbell Gaetz -- grades 2-5

Seahorses by Judy Wearing and illustrated by Terry Paulhus (non-fiction)-- grades 1-4

Zibby Pane and the Party Problem by Alison Bell -- grades 4-8
Although I had heard about Tumble Books, this is actually the first time that I had taken the tour and listened to some of the books. The Tumble Books Library service is also provided by my local library which could be a consideration for librarians unable to make the subscription purchase. I think that this is a wonderful thing for young children who have an almost insatiable appetite to be read to. Hopefully parents and teachers are also reading to children, but when they are not able to (or run out of voice!) then Tumble Books can take over. There is a nice selection of books for preschool through fourth or fifth grade. I found that there was a limited selection for middle and high school that may not appeal to the interests of this age reader though. Some of the features that I feel are the most applicable to school and library use are the highlighted text as the narrator reads, ability to change text size, and the ability for some books to be read in
Spanish or French. All of these features makes Tumble Books an excellent resource for the special education and ESL classrooms in addition to the regular classroom and library. A few other features that benefit the library are the inclusion of Lexile reading levels, Accelerated
Reader levels, the Book Report feature, and the author search.

I viewed the pairing of the following books:

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein

New York City by David F. Marx
I think that the idea behind this subscription service is wonderful. How often have you read a fictional book and wondered about the factual information behind it? Although children may not think to go in search of that additional information, this subscription service makes the pairing easy. Each storybook is paired with a fictional book that Scholastic says "builds a love of reading and learning". I think that building on children's natural curiosity is a way to get them to read and to keep them reading and this service works on both of those goals. Some of the advantages of this service start on the home page in which students can choose a category that most interests them. A student really into nature and observation might choose the 'Earth and
Sky' category while another student who is an avid animal lover might choose 'Animals and
Nature'. Within each category there are ample choices of popular, award-winning books that kids will love. Being able to select a book pairing based on interest is motivating to students and will make them want to read along. Similar to Tumblebooks, Bookflix gives the user the option of whether to turn the narration on or off and has the option of highlighted words. Developing readers will most likely want to turn the narration on. In fact, I think that older readers will also want the narration on since it adds to the digital value of the book. However, the librarian or classroom teacher could use the 'off'' feature in order to assess reading level and comprehension skills. Another nice feature for the librarian is the 'Resources' (tab located top right) that gives information on the lexile and grade level of each book. Some of the books also have the option of having the book read in Spanish. I really loved this subscription service and wish my trial didn't have to end!
This website would be of value to the librarian who has a diverse population of students, but doesn't necessarily have the budget to purchase books in their native language. I like the way that the user can use the advanced search option and locate books by area of the world, language, and other factors. This allows the librarian to one of the ICDL's fundamental principles which
"is that children and their families deserve to have access to the books of their culture, as well as the majority culture, regardless of where they live". Another nice and even cute feature is the
"Simple Search" which allows children to do their own search based on their age, favorite subject matter, short, medium or long books, and even the color of the book cover. After I downloaded the ICDL book reader I was able to open and view the books. It takes a little while to learn the in's and out's but kids pick up on things so easily it seems. One other idea I thought that this website would be good for is for classes that are researching various parts of the world.
The students could find stories that were in that language as well as in English in order to compare the stories of two different cultures.

Teachingbooks.net:
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Resources on www.teachingbooks.net
1.
Audio -- Author background on why the book was written followed by a two minute reading of a portion of the book. Length: 3:46
2.
ALA Book Links discussion guide that includes an annotated bibliography of fiction, non-fiction, web, video, and periodical content about The Great Depression. Available at
"Inspiration in the Dust," American Library Association, July 24, 2006. http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklinks/resources/outdust.cfm
(Accessed April 04, 2011)
Document ID: 122941
3.
A 10-day layered curriculum that allows students to customize their learning experience while reading this book by selecting assignments that are of interest to them. http://www.teachingbooks.net/agr.cgi?url_id=8172&r=1&ri=7706
Author Search on www.teachingbooks.net
Jack Prelutsky is the author of over 50 books of poetry and was selected as U.S. Children's Poet
Laureate in 2006.
1.
Website -- Teachingbooks.net leads the user to Jack Prelutsky's website in which children can read selected poems. There is also a resource guide for parents and educators at this site. www.jackpretlutsky.com
2.
Audio -- Jack Prelutsky Holiday Collection : It's Halloween selections read by the author. Length: 3:00
3.
Link to .pdf document from Random House Children's Books that helps the educator prepare for poetry month, gives four weeks of learning activities, and gives a list of recommended poetry books. http://www.teachingbooks.net/agr.cgi?url_id=28409&r=1&ri=11769
Jr. Authors & Illustrators:
The information provided about Jack Prelutsky is more detailed than what I found on his website. Basic information is birth date, occupation, images, biographical information, and a list of selected books. This information gives an in-depth look into who Prelutsky is and where he came from. For instance, his first love was opera followed by folk singing! There is also more information about the awards and recognition he has achieved. His book Nightmares was selected by School Library Journal in 1976 as a 'Notable Book'. Interestingly, Prelutsky has worked as an "archeological versifier" on a project that produced the Dr. Seuss book Hooray
For Diffendoofer Day. Prelutsky says that the most poems he's written in one day is six with a start on two more.

E-Book Club: www.dearreader.com
I joined this book club on 4/4/11 and started receiving e-mails on 4/5/11. My first book is called
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh. I was missed the first chapter of this book, but I received chapters two and three. I can definitely see how this could be a valuable service for the librarian to offer to teens. So many teens these days are involved with extracurricular activities that leaves little time for attending a book club in person. The fact that this is delivered via e-mail means that many students can actually read these daily book excerpts on their smart phones (and if all else fails on their home computer). Each excerpt has enough content to allow the reader to spend a short time getting to know the book and deciding if they like it enough to purchase or borrow the actual book. There is ample copyright information in each e-mail so that the book can be found or in a library or requested through ILL. Another nice feature of this service is the short letter at the beginning of the e-mail. The first e-mail letter had information about another book that the moderator was reading that sounds very interesting. This e-mail also had author information at the end. The second e-mail I got was about the current book being reviewed using language that teenagers will relate to (LOL, totally, etc.). I think that this type of service is attuned to the demands of typical teenager life and helps students that are busy find a book that they'll love to read (when they have the time!).
High School Book Club: Source: The High School Book Club -- Now with Kindles! by Pam
Harland with students from Plymouth Regional High School
I enjoyed reading this article since my soon to be teen received a Kindle this past Christmas. I am still technically naive as far as how to borrow an e-book. I have purchased e-books on my smartphone and read them through my Nook Reader. I borrowed my daughter's Kindle just to get the feel for what Harland was talking about in the article. Although I think that this article is much less about book clubs and mostly all about a review of the Kindle I can see how the Kindle could be used with book clubs. Harland states the book club initially were to read the book All the Lovely Bones , but then could add any other titles they wanted to read. In a perfect world this would be terrific if students could actually add any book they wanted to read, but with what limitations as to content, length, subject, etc. She only states that she was able to keep track of book purchases through her Amazon account and that she trusts the judgment of her students.
Most school libraries are set up on the premise that students don't have access to books that might be inappropriate for their age. A student could easily gain access to any book they wanted and have sufficient time to read it before the librarian had time to check the account. I think that as with any other technology that when accessed through a public school would need to have much more limitations than what is recommended in this article. I can certainly see students being able to make verbal or written requests for books and then the books be added to the account by the librarian. This way the library Selection Policy could be used when adding digital books. Otherwise there would be too much liability. That being said, I think that students would absolutely LOVE being able to sign out a Kindle and read a popular book. The way of the future is to have written materials in digital form and I'm sure that the current version of the
Kindle is just the tip of the technology iceberg compared to what will be available in five or ten years. I fully expect my 12 year old to carry a much lighter book load than I did trekking back

and forth on campus quite a few years ago! Being able to carry a light device capable of holding numerous books (100+) can encourage reading "on the go".
As a side-note I have used my mother's iPad to read a book on when we were at the beach and the screen glare truly does present itself as a drawback. If a person is solely looking for a book reader I would not recommend the iPad. If Apple could combine the Kindle's non-glare screen with its touch screen color technology I think it would really have a winner!
Griffith, Paula E. "Graphic Novels in the Secondary Classroom and School Libraries."
Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 54.3 (2010): 181-189. Academic Search Complete .
EBSCO. Web. 6 Apr. 2011.
EBSCO Abstract: "The article focuses on the role of graphic novels in elementary education and describes the author's experience of incorporating graphic novels into her school's curricula.
The author suggests that because graphic novels are a popular genre among children they can provide learning opportunities for readers, teachers, and researchers. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the importance of age appropriateness in graphic novels and presents criteria for teachers to use when evaluating graphic novels for use in the classroom. She suggests several books for different age ranges including "Houdini: The Handcuff King" by
Jason Lutes, "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan, and "The Plain Janes" by Cecil Castellucci."
Additional Information: Table One shows a list of graphic novels appropriate for a middle school audience, a short summary, and relevant curriculum connections. Table Two gives the same information only for a high school audience.
In addition to the full list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens , the committee selected the following titles for its annual Top Ten list.
Aristophane.
The Zabime Sisters . Trans. by Matt Madden. First Second, 2010. $16.99.
9781596436381.

Experience the first day of summer vacation with three sisters on their island home of
Guadelupe.
Dayton, Brandon . Green Monk . Self-published, 2009. $4.99. 9780615382838.
A young monk with the most powerful blade of grass EVER wanders into battle with a fierce giant.
Iwaoka, Hisae.
Saturn Apartments V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $12.99. 9781421533643.
Mitsu takes on his late father's dangerous job as a window washer on the space ship Saturn
Apartments.
Kim, Susan, et. al.
Brain Camp . First Second, 2010. $16.99. 9781596433663.
Two teens discover there is something far more sinister than nature hikes going on at their summer camp.
Layman, John and Rob Guillory.
Chew V. 1: Taster’s Choice
. Image Comics, 2009. $9.99.
9781607061595.
When Tony Chu has to investigate murder, just about anything can end up down the hatch.
Neri, G. and Randy Duburke.
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty . Lee & Low
Books, 2010. $16.95. 9781584302674.
The life, death and aftermath of an eleven-year-old gangbanger, based on a true tragedy.
Shiga, Jason.
Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities . Amulet Books, 2010.
$15.95. 9780810984233.
Have you played any comics lately? Choose your own adventure.
Telgemeier, Raina.
Smile . Graphix, 2010. $10.99. 9780545132060.
Brace yourself: Middle School plus orthodontia equals dental drama.
TenNapel, Doug.
Ghostopolis . Graphix, 2010. $14.99. 9780545210287.
Garth Hale has gone to the other side, but he’s not dead yet.
Weing, Drew.
Set to Sea . Fantagraphics, 2010. $16.99. 9781606993682.
A lumbering poet discovers hardship and wisdom on the high seas.

The list of 63 titles, drawn from 89 official nominations, is presented annually at the ALA
Midwinter Meeting. The books, recommended for those ages 12-18, meet the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teens.
In addition, the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee created a Top Ten list of titles that exemplify the quality and range of graphic novels appropriate for teen audiences.
“There were many fantastic graphic novel titles this year,” said Candice Mack, committee chair.
“This allowed the committee to create a diverse list featuring a variety of artistic styles, perspectives and settings. We hope librarians will find this to be a very useful list.”
Members of the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee are Candice Mack, chair, Los
Angeles Public Library; Emily Brown, Harry Kizirian Elementary School, Providence, R.I.; Lisa
Goldstein, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Jesse Karp, Little Red School House/Elisabeth Irwin
High School, New York, N.Y.; Joy Kim, Pierce County Library System, Tacoma, Wash.; Jessica
Lorentz Smith, Bend (Ore.) Senior High School; Barbara Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library
System, Bellport, N.Y.; Kimberly Paone, Matawan-Aberdeen (N.J.) Public Library; Michael
Pawuk, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, Ohio; Christian Zabriskie, Queens Public
Library, Jamaica, N.Y., Dorcas Wong, San Francisco Public Library; Matthew Moffett, administrative assistant, Fairfax, Va.; and Ian Chipman, Booklist consultant, Chicago.
*denotes top ten selection
Canada, Geoffrey and Jamar Nicholas.
Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence .
Beacon Press, 2010. $14. 9780807044490.
Geoff has to learn the violent codes of the street, or he won't survive.
Dembicki, Matt (ed.), and Various Artists.
Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic
Collection . Fulcrum Books, 2010. $22.95. 9781555917241.
Trickster tales told by Native American storytellers.
Hinds, Gareth.
The Odyssey . Candlewick Press, 2010. $14.99. 9780763642686.
Twenty years of braving monsters, gods, shipwreck, and traitors in order to make it home is the ultimate journey.
Mucci, Tim and Ben Caldwell.
The Odyssey . Sterling, 2010. $7.95. 9781402731556.
Odysseus is here to chew bubble gum and kick butt...and he’s all out of bubble gum.
*Neri, G. and Randy Duburke.
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty . Lee & Low
Books, 2010. $16.95. 9781584302674.
The life, death and aftermath of an eleven-year-old gangbanger, based on a true tragedy.
O' Connor, George.
Zeus: King of the Gods . First Second, 2010. $9.99. 9781596434318.
What does it take to become the ruler of the Gods?

*Telgemeier, Raina.
Smile . Graphix, 2010. $10.99. 9780545132060.
Brace yourself: Middle School plus orthodontia equals dental drama.
Adachi, Mitsuru.
Cross Game V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $19.99. 9781421537580.
Ko's family runs a sporting goods store, but he learns to love baseball from the four sisters who live down the street.
Ando, Natsumi.
Arisa V. 1 . Del Rey Manga, 2010. $10.99. 9780345522412.
Tsubasa poses as her troubled twin sister and discovers dark secrets that may be more than she bargained for.
Arikawa, Hiro and Kiiro Yumi.
Library Wars V. 1: Love & War .VIZ Media, 2010. $9.99.
9781421534886.
Join the Library Defense Force! Fight for your right to read!
*Aristophane.
The Zabime Sisters . Trans. by Matt Madden. First Second, 2010. $16.99.
9781596436381.
Experience the first day of summer vacation with three sisters on their island home of
Guadelupe.
Arnold, J.D. and Richard Koslowski.
B.B. Wolf and the Three LPs . Top Shelf, 2010. $12.95.
9781603090292.
B.B. Wolf wasn't looking for trouble but the little pigs sure brought it to his door.
Carey, Mike and Peter Gross.
The Unwritten: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity .
DC/Vertigo, 2010. $9.99. 9781401225650.
What if your father wrote a best-selling fantasy series named after you… and all of it was true?
Churchland, Marian.
Beast . Image Comics, 2009. $15.99. 9781607061472.
A young artist is hired to create a sculpture of an ancient creature, but the job is not what it first appears and neither is the beast.
*Dayton, Brandon . Green Monk . Self-published, 2009. $4.99. 9780615382838.
A young monk with the most powerful blade of grass EVER wanders into battle with a fierce giant.
DeFilippis, Nunzio and Christina Weir.
Destiny’s Hand Omnibus . Seven Seas, 2009. $14.99.
9781934876732.
Olivia fights her way into a pirate’s life.
Deutsch, Barry.
Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword . Amulet Books, 2010. $15.95.
9780810984226.
Mirka is an Orthodox Jewish girl who aspires to live an unorthodox life — fighting dragons.

Dorkin, Evan and Jill Thompson.
Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites . Dark Horse, 2010. $19.99.
9781595825131.
A group of dogs and one open-minded cat join forces to protect the community of Burden Hill against a variety of supernatural forces.
Doyle, Arthur Conan, Ian Edginton, et. al.
A Study in Scarlet: A Sherlock Holmes Graphic
Novel . Sterling, 2010. $14.95. 9781402770821.
A tale of desperate revenge and keen deduction.
Dunning, John Harris and Nikhil Singh.
Salem Brownstone . Candlewick Press, 2010. $18.99.
9780763647353.
Salem receives an inheritance that goes beyond a gothic mansion: he must fight his father’s battle against dark forces.
Fawkes, Ray.
Possessions, Book One: Unclean Getaway . Oni Press, 2010. $5.99.
9781934964361.
Gurgazon the Unclean is just about the cutest little pit demon you are likely to meet.
Groenig, Matt and Bill Morrison (ed.).
The Simpsons/Futurama Crossover Crisis . Abrams
ComicArts, 2010. $24.95. 9780810988378.
Can two comedies survive when Fry, Bender, Leela and the rest of the Planet Express Delivery service meet up with the citizens of Springfield?
Hale, Shannon, et. al.
Calamity Jack . Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, 2010. $14.99.
9781599903736.
Rapunzel’s best guy Jack is back to save his mom from the giant at the top of the beanstalk.
Hester, Phil and Brian Churilla.
The Anchor V. 1: Five Furies . Boom! Studios, 2010. $9.99.
9781608860203.
God's own legbreaker wreaks havoc on evil both in this world and in Hell.
Higson, Charlie and Kev Walker.
SilverFin: The Graphic Novel . Hyperion Books for Children,
2010. $19.99. 9781423130222.
James Bond's days at school were as exciting as you might expect.
Isaka, Kotara and Megumi Osuga.
Maoh: Juvenile Remix V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $9.99.
9781421534282.
Vigilantes rule the streets of Nakota. Does Ando have a secret power that will change that?
*Iwaoka, Hisae.
Saturn Apartments V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $12.99. 9781421533643.
Mitsu takes on his late father's dangerous job as a window washer on the space ship Saturn
Apartments.
Jablonski, Carla and Leland Purvis.
Resistance: Book 1 . First Second, 2010. $16.99.
9781596432918.
You’re never too young to fight for freedom.

Kelly, Joe and Max Fiumara.
Four Eyes V. 1 . Image Comics, 2010. $9.99. 9781607062929.
When his father dies, a young boy takes over his job for a depression era gangster . . . hunting dragons.
*Kim, Susan, et. al.
Brain Camp . First Second, 2010. $16.99. 9781596433663.
Two teens discover there is something far more sinister than nature hikes going on at their summer camp.
Kitoh, Mohiro.
Bokurano: Ours, V. 1.
VIZ Media, 2010. $12.99. 9781421533612.
Giant robots have come to Earth, most to attack but one mysterious mech is here to protect.
Larson, Hope.
Mercury . Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010. $27. 9781416935858.
Two girls: separated by 150 years but connected by one locket.
*Layman, John and Rob Guillory.
Chew V. 1: Taster’s Choice
. Image Comics, 2009. $9.99.
9781607061595.
When Tony Chu has to investigate murder, just about anything can end up down the hatch.
Lemire, Jeff.
Sweet Tooth V. 1: Out of the Woods . Vertigo, 2010. $9.99. 9781401226961.
When you’re a half deer, half boy, every day is hunting season.
Leone, Christopher, et. al.
We Kill Monsters . Red 5 Comics, 2010. $14.95. 9780980930276.
Why do monsters keep appearing in Kern County? The Basher Brothers are on a mission to find out.
McCreery, Conor, et. al.
Kill Shakespeare V. 1: A Sea of Troubles . IDW Publishing, 2010.
$19.99. 9781600107818.
Shakespeare's greatest heroes clash with his most menacing villains.
Midorikawa, Yuki.
Natsume's Book of Friends V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $9.99. 9781421532431.
His grandmother’s strange legacy helps Natsume make friend with both humans and spirits.
Mignola, Mike.
The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects . Dark Horse, 2010.
$17.99. 9781595825018.
The absurd adventures of a robotic Victorian super-hero and other assorted weirdness.
Millar, Mark and Steve McNiven.
Wolverine: Old Man Logan . Marvel Comics, 2010. $29.99.
9780785131724.
Fifty years after supervillains take over, a broken Wolverine treks across the country to save those dearest to him.
Nihei, Tsutomu . Biomega V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $12.99. 9781421531847.
A zombie virus has hit the atmosphere and is spreading rapidly.
Ono, Natsume.
House of Five Leaves V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $12.99. 9781421532103.
An out-of-work samurai finds himself drawn into the gang known as the Five Leaves.

Ono, Natsume.
Not Simple . VIZ Media, 2010. $14.99. 9781421532202.
Ian is on a journey across the USA to find his sister.
Raicht, Mike, et. al.
The Stuff of Legend: Book 1: The Dark . Villard, 2010. $13.
9780345521002.
When a boy is kidnapped by the Boogeyman, his toys brave the horrors of the Dark to rescue him.
Renier, Aaron.
The Unsinkable Walker Bean . First Second, 2010. $13.99. 9781596434530.
Evil sea witches, skulls made of pearl, pirates, burning ships: now that’s adventure!
Rucka, Greg and J.H. Williams.
Batwoman: Elegy . DC Comics, 2010. $24.99.
9781401226923.
Don’t ask, don’t tell Batwoman what to do.
*Shiga, Jason.
Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities . Amulet Books, 2010.
$15.95. 9780810984233.
Have you played any comics lately? Choose your own adventure.
Straczynski, J. Michael and Shane Davis.
Superman: Earth One . DC Comics, 2010. $10.99.
9781401224684.
Strange visitor, mild-mannered reporter. You know the story . . . but not quite like this.
Stroud, Jonathan and Lee Sullivan.
Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus Graphic Novel .
Disney-Hyperion, 2010. $19.99. 9781423111467.
A shape-shifting djinni and a magician's apprentice versus the evil mastermind of the British
Empire: It’s on!
Sukane, Kumiko.
Afterschool Charisma V. 1 . VIZ Media, 2010. $12.99. 9781421533971.
Shiro’s classmates are the clones of Hitler, Mozart, and Marie Curie.
Tada, Kaoru.
Itazura Na Kiss V. 1 . Digital Manga, 2009. $14.95. 9781569701317.
Will Kotoko survive the meddling of her family and friends long enough to win the heart of the boy of her dreams?
Tadano, Nobuaki.
7 Billion Needles V. 1 . Vertical, 2010. $10.95. 9781934287873.
Hikaru gets a second chance at life, but there are some major strings attached.
Talbot, Bryan.
Grandville . Dark Horse, 2009. $17.95. 9781595823977.
Detective-Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard will badger anyone who stands in the way of the truth.
Taylor, Sarah Stewart and Ben Towle.
Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean . Disney-Hyperion,
2010. $17.99. 9781423113379.
Amelia's historic take-off inspires one young lady in Nova Scotia.

*TenNapel, Doug.
Ghostopolis . Graphix, 2010. $14.99. 9780545210287.
Garth Hale has gone to the other side, but he’s not dead yet.
Toboso, Yana.
Black Butler V. 1 . Yen Press, 2010. $10.99. 9780316080842.
Earl Phantomhive's butler is devilishly good.
Torres, J. and Elbert Orr.
Lola: A Ghost Story . Oni Press, 2009. $14.95. 9781934964330.
Just like his Filipina grandmother, Jesse can see things no one else can see.
*Weing, Drew.
Set to Sea . Fantagraphics, 2010.$16.99. 9781606993682.
A lumbering poet discovers hardship and wisdom on the high seas.
White, Tracy.
How I Made It to Eighteen: A Mostly True Story . Roaring Brook Press, 2010.
$16.99. 9781596434547.
Seventeen-year-old Stacy has checked into a mental institution.
Yaginuma, Kou.
Twin Spica V. 1 . Vertical, 2010. $10.95. 9781934287842.
Asumi must pass the entrance exam for space school.
Yang, Gene Luen.
Prime Baby . First Second. 2010.. $19.99. 9781596436503.
Is Thaddeus' baby sister a prime-number-loving alien?
Yolen, Jane and Mike Cavallaro.
Foiled . 2010. First Second, 2010. $15.99. 9781596432796.
En garde! A girl should never leave home without her trusty rapier.
Yun, JiUn.
Time and Again V. 1.
Yen Press, 2009. $10.99. 9780759530584.
Time and Again V. 2.
Yen Press, 2009. $10.99. 9780759530591.
An exorcist and his sensible bodyguard travel through Tang Dynasty China, completing jobs for hire.
Yang, Gene. American Born Chinese . New York: First Second - Roaring, 2006.
Print.
The first clue to the content of this book lies in the title. The main character, Jin Wang, is a an
American teenager, but born to Chinese immigrants who still hold onto and practice Chinese traditions. This book is actually an intertwining of several different stories. The first story is about the Monkey King, derived from a folktale that most Chinese people have heard. One evening the god, goddesses, and deities gathered for a grand dinner party. The smells from the food wafted down from heaven to the home of the Monkey King. The Monkey King decided he should be part of this dinner party since he is also considered a god (Chinese culture reveres monkeys). He practices his god-like disciplines such as kung-fu; however, when he tried to get into the dinner party he is denied entrance because he doesn't wear shoes. The Monkey King is humbled and must learn to accept what he is. The second story is about Jin Wang who moves

from Chinatown in San Francisco to a new school where he is the only Chinese-American student. Jin Wang's experiences as a student in this new school is difficult. He picked on and ridiculed to the point that he eats lunch by himself in the school playground. He develops a crush on a white American girl who never really notices him. Eventually, another Asian-
American student, Wei-Chen enrolls at the same school and wants to be Jin Wang's friend. Jin is constantly embarrassed by Wei-Chen because he doesn't try to blend in and be less Asian and more "American". Jin struggles to be a part of the mainstream, but eventually comes to realize that he is who he is and fortunately his friend Wei-Chen is still there to be his friend. The last story (albeit a bit strange) is about an American teen Danny who is a popular student at his school, but has to deal with yearly visits from his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee. Danny is very embarrassed by his cousin because he acts and looks like a stereotypical Chinese person. He dresses in traditional Chinese clothing and speaks in heavily accentuated language that makes
Danny repulsed to be around him and fearful that his reputation is going to be ruined. In the end, the three stories come together to show the complexity of feelings and attitudes surrounding living life and coming of age as a Chinese-American teenager.
The words and the pictures in American Born Chinese are interdependent on each other. For instance, the page in which the text describes the smell of food of the gods drifting "down, down, down" is combined with a visual that shows a cloud of smells spiraling down to the Monkey
King. Or the page that shows Chin-Kee in his traditional Chinese clothing and the accompanying text "Harro Amellica!". I thought that I may initially have a difficult time determining in what order to read the text, but it seems to be set up in an intuitive flowing pattern that leads the reader from one page to the next. Some pages are set up in blocks and others are full pages containing only one scene. The color scheme was fairly simple and didn't have more than eight or ten colors in use throughout the book.
I am the first to admit that I walk right past the graphic novel or manga portion of the bookstore. I have always discounted them as trivial and a waste of time. The "real" books are in the literature section, right? Once we began this class I started to think about how when I was a child I enjoyed reading comic books; the Archie comics were my favorite. Then I thought about my reading level as a young child and the attention span I may have had. In the end , I decided to give graphic novels a chance and started to peruse this book section in the bookstore. The first thing that I noticed is that this section of the bookstore has grown significantly from the last time
I took notice leading me to believe that sales have increased in this area.
When considering the advantages and disadvantages to including graphic novels in the school library collection I relied heavily on the journal article referenced above by Paula E. Griffith.
First, she says that the librarian must determine several factors before including the graphic novel in the school library collection including format, illustrations, and content. The format
"enables readers to effortlessly follow the story or hinders readers in their attempt to comprehend"(183). Illustrations "add the information and detail missing from the text"(183).
The content of the graphic novel emphasize that "good graphic novels contain all the literary elements we expect for quality fiction and nonfiction books"(184). Additional considerations of whether to include graphic novels in the collection would be age-appropriateness, theme, and readability levels. Where graphic novels may cause a problem is that one criteria may be out of context to the others. For instance, Griffith points to a graphic novel by Peter Sis titled The

Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain . The readability level is 5.2 (fifth grade), the Lexile score is 760 (third grade), but the political and moral issues may be more than what a fifth or third grade student may be able to fully comprehend. Griffith directs the "wise teacher or librarian"(184) to consult professional review sources such as School Library Journal or The
Horn Book in order to make purchasing decisions. She also states that students will naturally
"select the graphic novels that appeal to them in content and readability"(184).
Some advantages to including quality graphic novels in the school library collection include:
 graphic novels appeal to more and more children and teens who are influenced by pop culture and digital images. Griffiths reports that researchers Alvermann and Hagood
(2000) connected "graphic novel reading to media literacy, related to Internet and new technology literacies"(185).
 there are increasingly more and more varieties of appealing content in graphic novels such as classic literature (MacBeth, Dracula), science fiction, and historical fiction that appeal to different types of readers
 graphic novels can help "aid in vocabulary development for elementary students with language and learning disabilities" (185).
 graphic novels help high school students with learning disabilities and motivate them to read and aided their reading comprehension (185).
 graphic novels can benefit English language learners

"more male students reported reading graphic novels"(185) giving the librarian yet another recommendation for reluctant male readers
 the graphic novel when included in the school library collection allows the classroom teacher to use this outlet to "merge content with their instructional units"(185).
All in all, I think that graphic novels should be represented in the school library collection. They are appealing to certain readers and populations and for that reason they should be accessible to those readers. Although research is still coming in about the ability of graphic novels to help students transition to more difficult reading materials, they still get students reading and that is the important thing!