Blog 7: Graphic Novel

Reading this graphic novel was definitely a new concept for me. I do not think I have ever really read one before, and I actually enjoyed it. Compared to the other novels we have read in this class, it was an extremely fast read that I did not have to stop and think about or worrying about what was going on. Smile in particular was very east to follow along with and being a visual learner, I really enjoyed the pictures to look at while I was reading so I did not have to imagine things myself. I feel like graphic novels are like “big kid” picture books, and I really like the concept. As a child I was not a fast reader which made me not enjoy reading because it was such a task for me, but if I were to be given something like this novel, I think I would have had an enjoyable time. Also, the message and the fact that it was super relatable made me enjoy it a lot as well, and I could see myself if I was younger to continue with reading this series. As for teaching something like this novel, and graphic novels/drama/comics in general to my future students, I think it would be fun and still be educational. You could definitely combine this literature subject with an art lesson and have the students add on to the story for what happens next, or have them make up what they think happens between the gaps in the story. This would also combine creative writing into the mix and you would hit not just two, but a couple birds with one stone. All in all, having read this graphic novel definitely changed my perspective on comics and such and I would read more. I have learned that it IS reading, no matter how simple the text is or how many pictures are in the novel.