Summer Reading Does Not Have to Suck

Anime and Graphic Novels

My kids are binge watching Anime. My summer consists of the battle cry. “It’s my turn to watch..” The only time 4 out 5 kids are happy is when they are watching Anime. It is completely out of my league.

Becoming a Reading Consultant has taught me that I am a good decoder (I can physical read). I have great difficulty envisioning what happens in the text. Making a mental picture and reading fantasy like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter was out of my wheel house

.As a teacher I have had to stretch the idea of what is reading. I have created an environment rich with magazines, graphic novels, podcasts and everything. At home I still have difficulty accepting my children’s interest in Anime.

I am working on it. I found the aisle in Barnes and Nobles, purchased t-shirts, posters, and now books. Anime and graphic novels bridge the distance between all the skills it takes to enjoy reading.

-Picture me, the kind of reader who couldn’t stretch the words on a page to a vision. The graphics in the novels would help me with this skill.

-Picture the kid, who may struggle decoding, then the visuals paired with the printed word help.

-Picture the kid who has trouble picking out the most important events in written text. A graphic novel draws the reader’s attention to these important parts through illustrations.

-Picture the kid who is bored with reading suggestions and reading within his level.

Finally picture yourself, the parent sharing some of your favorite comic books as a kid. Watching your kid develop a new interest. And if your experience is like mine having the world of Anime erupt in your household.

Let’s redefine the concept of what makes up reading.