Teen activists worldwide are making headlines for their social justice advocacy on everything from and to and . As young people get more vocal about these issues, this trend is being reflected in the they are reading.
It鈥檚 a relatively new genre. The term graphic novel first came about when cartoonist used the phrase to get publishers to recognize his 1978 work, , as a novel rather than a comic book. Later, to help others understand the term he coined the definition: 鈥渁 long comic book that would need a bookmark.鈥�
Later, the cartoonist Art Spiegelman created Maus, which relayed his father鈥檚 experiences during the Holocaust through pictures in which Jews were mice, Germans were cats and Poles were pigs. The book became the in 1992. It was a game-changer, giving credibility to a format that many people, and , had previously criticized.
since then.
Because the combination of in graphic novels can communicate issues and emotions that words alone often cannot, more educators and parents are finding them to be with kids. The acclaimed author has put it this way: “A comic book is no longer something to laugh with but something to learn from.”
We are in the U.S. and who are curating a collection of these books to share with educators, parents, and students. Here are some highlights, grouped by category.
Racism and other forms of bigotry
In the graphic novel memoir , actor, activist, and Star Trek legend partnered with co-authors and and the illustrator to share his family鈥檚 experience during World War II. During this time, U.S. citizens like Takei鈥檚 Japanese American family were and treated like criminals. Takei encourages readers to give their voices to those who are silenced so that history does not repeat itself.
Another good example in this vein is by African American author and illustrator . Its main character, Jordan, attends a private school where he is one of the few students of color. Jordan feels like a fish out of water, struggling to fit in at school and his neighborhood. New Kid recently won the — the first time that a has won the prestigious U.S. children鈥檚 literary award.
Excerpt from They Called Us Enemy. Penguin Random House, CC BY-SA
Addiction and mental illness
, the author and illustrator of , makes his dysfunctional childhood as normal as possible by expressing himself through drawing. His powerful graphic memoir can help spark discussions about challenging issues with teens.
Another author and illustrator who drew her own path is . With stark black-and-white illustrations, she presents the story of her struggle and recovery from eating disorders in . A scribbly black cloud in the book represents Green鈥檚 disorders and the anguish that came with them.
Climate change
The graphic anthology explores the plight and beauty of endangered animals. Overfishing, global warming, and other man-made dangers threaten the lives of these sea creatures. This eco-themed book, edited by comic artist and author , helps students connect with climate change issues. Reading the book may motivate them to develop ideas to help save our seas.
Excerpt from Wild Ocean: Sharks, Whales, Rays, and Other Endangered Sea Creatures. Fulcrum Publishing, CC BY-SA
Immigration and refugees
As the number of worldwide refugees increases, so has the number of graphic novels about them.
, by the visual journalist , , by foreign correspondent together with illustrator , and by author and illustrator are powerful stories about Syrians forced to leave their homes and families. Their stories of the refugees鈥� struggles paint a stark picture of a problem that today鈥檚 young people may well have to fix in the decades ahead.
LGBTQ teens
and teens often feel isolated, confused, and afraid while coming to terms with their sexual orientation and gender identity. Reading graphic novels with characters like themselves can help them understand it is OK to be who they are. Likewise, putting a book with these characters in the hands of non-LGBTQ teens can help them empathize with LGBTQ friends.
Bloom, by writer and illustrator , is a graphic novel about Ari, a recent high school graduate. He feels pressured to work in the family bakery rather than following a musical career. When Ari hires a young man as his replacement, love is in the air and ready to bloom.
