I noticed this year at my school, I have a huge contingent of graphic novel fans. I love graphic novels. I’ve posted about my favorites numerous times on this blog… I enjoy reading them personally in addition to recommending favorite authors to students. It is always exciting to see students reread and celebrate their favorite book! Unfortunately, some students have a difficult time moving beyond the graphic novel to novels. I thought about recommending for books for my students who read Smile and Drama by Raina Telgemeier 20 times each but haven’t moved on, I tried to reflect on books that had realistic fiction, suspense, romance, dramatic flair, and other elements that connected with the fantastic novels…
Here is the list of authors that popped up to the top of my mind:
Anything by Wendy Mass http://wendymass.com - Especially 11 Birthdays
Anything by Lisa Yee http://www.lisayee.com - Especially Warp Speed
Anything by Ann M. Martin http://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/ - I adore The Doll People
Almost anything by Jacqueline Wilson http://www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk - Queenie is quite popular at our library.
Anything by Hilary McKay http://www.hilarymckay.co.uk - Casson series, my favorite is Saffy’s Angel
Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick – lovely books!
Emily Windsnap series Liz Kessler – Start at the beginning and enjoy the adventure!
Brian Selznick’s Books- both The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonder Struck.
Any of my favorite books on this list: http://thestylinglibrarian.com/2012/07/07/styling-librarian-top-10-realistic-fiction-favorites-that-touched-my-heart/
A few others could be: Cathy Cassidy: Shine on Daizy Star
Lois Lowry: Anastasia Series
Meg Cabot: Allie Finkle; Princess Diaries
Also, I have students who have read and reread the Lunch Lady Series by Jarrett Krososcka, Squish Series by Jennifer and Matthew Holm, Astronaut Academy by Dave Roman, and Amulet by Kazu Kibushi… These are fantastic and barely scratch the surface of the graphic novels that my students borrow so often that I barely ever see them on the shelves in the library. I’ve thought about books I’d recommend to them in case they need to move to novels, early chapter books, and meet different genre reading expectations…
Here are the books/authors that instantly popped into my mind: I thought about authors to lead these readers towards…a mixed selection of: adventure, fantasy, suspense, humor…
The Land of Elyon Series by Patrick Carman
Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look
Captain Fact series by Knife & Packer
Captain Underpants Series by Dav Pilkey
Zac Power by H.I. Larry
Jack Stalwart series by Elizabeth Singer Hunt
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The 39 Clues Series by multiple authors, published by Scholastic.
There are many more books, but these are some that rose to the top. Here is a link with other book recommendations:
http://thestylinglibrarian.com/reading-recommendation-book-lists-and-resources/
Want more book ideas and reviews? – Yes, I’m quite brief, but a prolific reader! Please visit me at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1941055-the-styling-librarian Also, please follow this blog through email updates – (do so to the right of this blog post), my Facebook page, comment, or meet up with me on Twitter. I appreciate all of the support, makes my day! Honored by all the wonderful followers.
Filed under: Blog, Book Recommendations, Book Review, Books, Genre Focus, Graphic Novels, School Librarian Resources
