Recommended reading for teachers, librarians and bibliotherapy enthusiasts!
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Try some of these books when using bibliotherapy techniques with teens and adults. This month the featured books are all graphic novels.
Pekar, H. , Brabner, J. & Stack, F. (1994). ​
Our Cancer Year.
Philadelphia: Running Press.
Our Cancer Year focuses on the events of the year that Harry Pekar was diagnosed with cancer. As he and his family deal with his new diagnosis, they must also deal with the start of Operation Desert Storm and the ups and downs of everyday life.
B., D. (2005). Epileptic. New York: Pantheon Books.
This graphic novel follows the journey of a family to deal with the epilepsy that one of their children has developed. As the child gets worse and has more attacks, his parents try desperately to find a cure, seeking help from acupuncturists, magnetic therapist, and even macrobiotic communes. When nothing works, Pierre-Francois must deal with everyday life living with his parents, sister, and sick brother.
Emily's Book Shelf
Sickness
Terrorism & War
Spiegelman, A. (1997).
Maus: A Survivor’s Tale.
New York: Pantheon Books.
Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish Holocaust
survivor, tells his story of surviving the holocaust to his son, who chronicles
his tale in comic format.
The Nazis, portrayed as cats,
walk the street of Poland as the Jews,
portrayed as mice, are thrown in
ghettos and taken to concentration camps. Vladek deals with his past and with the horrible things he has seen
in the world, while his son must
tries to understand his role as
the son of a Holocaust survivor.
Novgorodoff, D., Percy, B., & Ponsoldt, J. (2009). Refresh, Refresh.
New York: First Second.
Josh, Cody, and Gordon have started their very own fight club in their backyards. But, this fight club is not to deal with the monotony of everyday life, but to practice their defenses in case they are tested. These three teens are taking care of their families while their fathers are off fighting in Iraq. The title of this graphic novel comes from the obsessive clicking of the refresh button waiting for their fathers to write back to them. This novel portrays the harsh realities of having a parent fighting overseas while trying to maintain your day to day life.
Jacobson, S., & Colon, E. (2006).
The 9/‌11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation.
New York: Hill and Wang.
According to the forward of this graphic novel, the Jacobson and Colon believe that the original 9/11 Report was not easily accessible to the average American. They feel strongly that the events of the day, the history leading up to the devastating event, and the political dealings needed to be presented in an easy to follow format. Their creation is an accurate re-telling of the original report including much of the same text and the final report card rating the actions of the president and congress in response to the commission’s findings. This graphic novel can be used with students and adults to discuss terrorism and why events like 9/11 take place. The foundation of new terrorism, the development of counterterrorism, Al Qaed and global strategies are all included in this work. Students with no knowledge of the 9/11 event and adults with no understanding of why terrorist attack certain places could benefit from reading this novel.
Sacco, J. & Said, E. (2001).
Palestine.
Seattle, WA: Fantagraphic Books.
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This graphic novel is based on research, interviews, and the personal experiences of Sacco, who acted as a photojournalist documenting life on the West Bank and Gaza Strip of Israel in the early 1990s. This graphic novel/investigative report follows the lives of the Palestinian people as they suffer through oppression, war, violence and everyday struggles.
Satrapi, M. (2003).
Persepolis.
New York: Pantheon Books.
Marjane Satrapi’s was only nine when fundamentalist rebels overthrew the Shah and her life changed. Through the eyes of a nine year old, Satrapi explains the history behind the overthrow and how it affected their daily lives and the devastating effects of war. The funny illustrations and text make this topic accessible to high school students without losing any of the compelling content.