Comics reporting

There's really no limit to what authors are doing with comics and graphic novels: They're sharing history, they're creating history, they're making the inaccessible accessible, they're informing, they're encouraging struggling readers to read, and they're giving voices to the voiceless. Not a bad list of accomplishments. Well, you can add "reporting with a social conscience" to the list. Josh Neufeld has created A.D. New Orleans: After the Deluge, a serialized webcomic published by SMITH magazine that shares some of the experiences of Katrina in a real yet refreshing way. It's now available in book format. Check out these links for more info:

• THE BOOK: Pre-order A.D.
• TOUR: Readings & Events
• WEBCOMIC: Read the original version of A.D.
• VIDEO: How A.D. Got Made
• WHO: About Josh Neufeld and the A.D. Team

The books that keep on growing

Despite the current economic slump, which publishers and booksellers are certainly feeling, a couple book genres are showing growth: graphic novels and young-adult books. Naturally, bookstores like Borders want to take advantage of this growth and have opened Borders Ink shops within their superstores nationwide. Sure, they're capitalizing on teens' interests and growing trends, but if it means greater availability of graphic novels and an increase in teen reading, how bad can it be?

Comics and Graphic Novels can add SNAP to Your Classroom!

Hi everybody!  

If you are looking for some reasons to "jazz-up" your classroom, and perhaps add a little SNAP!, check out this link from NEA, by Mary Ellen Flannery and Peter Richardson.

Brian Fies' "Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow"

Hello everyone!  

I hope  you are all enjoying your summer!  In light of the article on nonfiction graphic novels posted this week, I would like to add a personal recommendation. 

I just finished reading Brian Fies' new graphic novel, Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow.  In short, it is perhaps one of the best graphic novels I have ever come across, especially for anyone interested or intrigued by 20th century American history.

Great job, Brian!  

"How can I get my students to read more nonfiction?"

Nonfiction graphic novels, which have been on the rise with young adults for over eight years, can be used in both the English language arts (ELA) classroom and the social studies (SS) classroom. Perhaps even more importantly, nonfiction graphic novels will align to the standards (or themes) in both content areas.

Read more from Katie Monnin's new Diamond Bookshelf article by clicking here.

iPhone apps for comics

According to Foreword This Week,

UClick, a content distribution company owned by Andrews McMeel Universal, the parent company of Andrews McMeel Publishing and the Universal Press Syndicate, has developed iPhone apps that display comic books one panel at a time, the way they were first created. Each app costs $.99 and titles including Bone, Ghostbusters, We the Robots, and Basic Instructions are available.

But of course there's more than UClick out there. Check out these other iPhone apps for comics:

• Comic Reader Mobi
• ComicZeal
• Pull Lists
  

And for the latest on comics and iPhone apps, be sure to visit iPhoneComicBookReader.com run by Sherm Cohen.

Timmy's Tutor

"Timmy's Tutor" is an online comic by Michael Hawkins that honors the special tutors and mentors in children's lives. Download the comics to put on your website, subscribe to the site's feed, or follow Timmy on Twitter! Here's more from Hawkins on his inspiration for creating the comic strip:

Growing up, I took my education for granted. In my wife's and my families, it was just expected that we would study hard and go to college or take some additional career training. After graduating from college and getting out into the work world, I discovered that wasn't the case for everyone. When I read the statistics about how many kids never even finish high school, it saddens me. It saddens me that everyone does not have parents who value education and expect and inspire their children to pursue knowledge not simply for grades, but for the betterment of themselves. Parents who, when they don't have the answers, care enough to find the resources to help their children grow and succeed. EVERYONE needs special tutors and mentors to help them be successful in life, no matter what their age. Ms. Rita is the fictional one I'm making for the kids.