Teaching Graphic Novels: Practical Strategies for the Secondary ELA Classroom (Maupin House) Paperback – January 1, 2013

This book certainly lives up to its title "practical strategies for the secondary ELA classroom." It's chuck full of activities, some of which can easily be photocopied and used "as is". I had one problem, though. For some reason I couldn't take in more than two or three pages per sitting. It was like the words and exercises were screaming at me. There was something about the layout and type setting that gave me a sensory overload. What I wanted was a guideline, a demonstration of how graphic novels can be used so that I could create my own activities. This book provides a detailed step by step format. I suppose that's perfect for some, but it was very distracting for me.

I am a first year English teacher. Throughout my methodology classes we talked endlessly about what a great tool graphic novels are for teaching, and I couldn't agree more! However this book falls flat. Any English teacher could make a flow chart of plot elements in their sleep...This may be helpful for someone who doesnt know anything about graphic novels or comics, but it just is not worth the money for those who have a basic knowledge of the genre. I am writing a unit on American Born Chinese for my 9th graders and will not be using any material from this book. I suggest you go with Scott McCloud's  Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

As a first year teacher suddenly finding herself teaching a Graphic Novels elective course, I was shooting in the dark for anything that could help me. This book was very useful, and I definitely recommend it to give you some great ideas!

I taught using this book over summer school. Very detailed as far as the proponents of a graphic novel design, gutters; panels; text bubbles; etc. You have to bring into it the theme, plot, characters like you would any story. Handouts are very clear and students did well using them. Each handouts incorporates and builds to use the next and next. Great teaching guide for the difficult learner.

This was a complete waste of money. While there are several re-printable sheets for teachers to use with their students, they are rather confusing. I found very little information in here that I could actually use in my class, which is focused SOLELY on graphic novels.Please do not waste your money like I did.

My district is starting to add graphic novels in our curriculum so I thought I'd take a look here. Book was priced right and shipping was awesome. The book, sadly, wasn't what I was expecting, though no fault of the seller.

The information is not organized well. More pictures of completed lessons would be helpful and bullet points for make information stand out more.

It was a hit in my Creative Writing class. The lessons were simple enough to follow, yet enlightening and educational for me and my students.