Graphic Novels around the School (2): Macbeth the Comic in English
I popped into another S1 English
class today to find out how they were getting on. It was great to see the class
using the class set of Classical Comic Original
Macbeth Texts. I think reading fairly complicated literature in comic book
form definitely helps more reluctant readers.
All of the class seemed to
be really engaged in the text and the artwork. The children that I spoke to
also through that reading comics like this also helped them with their
learning.
Great stuff!
I grew up as a reluctant reader. And this was in the home where my father authored over 70 books. There may be a reluctant reader in your family or circle of friends.
At the end of 2001, I decided to do some research into why I hadn’t liked reading, and I found some startling patterns. So I began writing the kinds of books I WOULD have enjoyed as a child.
My books have larger print. I use shorter sentences, with lots of dialog, humor, and heart-pounding action and adventure. Readers won’t find big blocks of words, or endless descriptions.
Maybe these books will be the answer you’re looking for because I believe that a reluctant reader is simply a person who hasn’t found the right book yet.
If you try one or more of these books for Christmas this year, things might be different at your house with your reluctant reader.
My blog, Books for Boys, consistently ranks in the top 10 on Google. You will find it at http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
Available on Amazon
Max Elliot Anderson
Author
Posted by: Max Elliot Anderson | November 18, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Great Max - I look forward to you sending me some sample copies. Ollie
Posted by: OllieBray | November 18, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Interesting comments. I was a reluctant reader at school and home. Never got any school quals. but... many years later read, the now famous, Touching the Void. First book ever read cover to cover. Only because I was travelling abroad and had started climbing. Now I have been teaching, for ten years, after getting a BEd Degree. My only +ve English lessons were with one particular teacher who had that magic of being able to talk about one line of a poem for a whole period, but not bore us. Although I only had her for one year. Hopefully subject snobbery and preconceptions of children about comics being 'childish' will diminish with ACE.
Posted by: Nick | November 18, 2008 at 10:37 PM
This is very positive to read. Following on from your blog posts and articles that have been published in the TESS about the impact graphic novels have had in schools, my PT ensured that they became part of our Quality Improvement Plan. A job well done Ollie! So, I just ordered single copies of:
Watchmen
Maus
Dark Knight Returns
Perseopolis
V for Vendetta
Charley’s War 1 Aug-17 Oct 1916:
Macbeth (Plain text)
Romeo and Juliet (Plain text)
Frankenstein (Quick text)
Jane Eyre (Quick text)
Point Blanc
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Kidnapped
The Hobbit
Stormbreaker
That should keep a few pupils busy for a while!
Posted by: andy wallis | November 19, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Nick - strangely enough Touching the Void was the first book that I really read as well.
Andy - Great news! I am so pleased about this! OB
Posted by: OllieBray | November 19, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Hi all,
Just saw these comments about Macbeth - the graphic novel. I scripted this for Classical Comics and I've also done Henry V, Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, The Tempest, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar. It's great to see these graphic novels are appreciated.
PS : My own adult novel "Childeyes" is just out - sex, lies and American politics ... oh, and a black hole! What more could anyone want?
Regards,
John McDonald
Posted by: John McDonald | January 28, 2009 at 04:28 PM