Graphic Novels: The Good, The Bad, and The Unexpected

As I prepare for the back-to-school rush, reorganizing and weeding my libraries, I found my subject for the week: graphic novels. Love them or hate them, they are taking over the reading field and have changed the way children consume literature. From Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Dog Man, from A Wrinkle in Time to I Survived, children can’t seem to get enough of the graphic novel phenomenon. The real question is… can graphic novels do more than just engage students? Can they build real reading proficiency and support standardized testing performance?
One of the most important contributions graphic novels make addresses the first hurdle many librarians and parents face: motivation and engagement. In a 2023 survey by the National Literacy Trust, children who read graphic novels were twice as likely to say they enjoyed reading. These readers also reported feeling more confident than peers who didn’t read them. This matters because, in a world full of reluctant readers, getting a child to not only want to read but also feel confident while doing so builds fluency… which can lead to stronger reading proficiency down the road.
Graphic novels can also support vocabulary growth and comprehension. While this can’t be said of every graphic novel, many introduce complex words that are anchored by visuals to aid understanding. Because of this combination of rich vocabulary and supportive imagery, studies have shown that students who read graphic novels performed better on reading comprehension tests than peers who only read traditional texts.
The visuals themselves also play a key role. They require readers to interpret narrative across both text and images, building skills in prediction, sequencing, inference, and critical thinking. All of these skills contribute to stronger performance on state assessments.
Throughout my years in public education, I’ve had many parents voice concerns about their children reading graphic novels, especially during Book Fair season, when they make up a large portion of the merchandise sent to us. These concerns are valid. Some worry the books aren’t complex enough and will discourage deeper reading habits, or that they might limit the more in-depth reading experiences parents hope for in school. For a long time, my own hesitation was that graphic novels could hinder a child’s ability to immerse themselves in long, text-only novels rich in world-building. I worried their attention spans might adapt to shorter formats, making it harder to engage with more complex works.
That’s why I believe how graphic novels are used is important. Rather than becoming the default, they should serve as bridges. Introducing students to stories that spark their interest while encouraging them to explore longer, more challenging works. Over the years, I’ve seen reluctant readers engage deeply with graphic novels, and with the right guidance, they’ve built the confidence to move into prose. In this way, graphic novels can be powerful tools to help readers grow in multiple directions.
Years ago, I read an article about the potential drawbacks of certain series, specifically Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants. The author argued that if we meet kids where they are but fail to encourage growth, we aren’t truly serving them. I carry that perspective into every conversation I have about graphic novels with students, staff, and parents. When used thoughtfully, they can be much more than just “fun.” They can boost motivation, support vocabulary development, and strengthen the skills that lead to lasting reading proficiency.

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