Graphic novels aren't new. They'be been around for over 25 years. But they've been primarily in the sci-fi adult world. Now graphic novels have reached down to the young adult and middle grade crowds, giving them age appropriate books with a stunning visual compliment.
Graphic novels aren't exactly comics or novels, though they do tell an entire novel in a comic form. Pictures and text are so related, that people used to just reading have to slow down with graphic novels, in order to get all the infomation in the pictures as well as the words.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen is a story in three parts. The first part relates a Chinese traditional story about the king of the monkeys wanting to be other than who he really is. The second section is about a Chinese-American boy trying to fit into an all white suburbian school. And the third section ties the first two story threads together with the theme of fitting into your own skin and accepting and liking who you are.
Through the illustrations we see the emotions of the characters, the changes in how they are thinking and their reactions to situations, all without words. Through the words, we understand the plot, the themes and details of the story.
Graphic novels aren't for everyone. But they are a quick read with all the joys of reading a traditional novel, in less time.
Graphic novels aren't for everyone. But they are a quick read with all the joys of reading a traditional novel, in less time.
