Graphic Novels - Encouraging Reluctant Readers to Read for Pleasure

Research shows that students who read for up to 30 minutes each day outside of lessons are more likely to achieve beyond the expected levels for their age group than those who never read.

Graphic novels are a great way of encouraging students to read for pleasure, especially amongst reluctant readers.  The artwork reduces the amount of reading a student has to do, allowing them to follow the story at a faster pace and the art can act as a visual prompt for potentially tricky words.

At TRS we have a growing collection of graphic novels in both the Discovery and War Memorial Libraries.  In the Discovery Library, as well as favourites such as The Simpsons titles, we also stock the graphic novel versions of popular titles such as Robert Muchamore’s The Recruit and manga versions of Darren Shan’s Saga of Darren Shan series and James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series.  In the War Memorial Library we have The Hulk andThe Avengers alongside classics such as V for Vendetta, Watchmen and Persepolis.  A love of graphic novels can complement and encourage the discovery of the original novel.

Alex Hayward, former TRS student, and winner of the Jack Petchey Award for outstanding achievement very kindly donated part of his award money to the Libraries for the purchase of graphic novels for the Discovery Library!  These are currently on display and include One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, Salem Brownstone All Along the Watchtowers and Courtney Crumrin. Volume 1, The Night Things. 

Please come and browse and borrow these and the rest of the collection.