Last week, I zipped through a middle grade graphic novel. It took me about 40 minutes.

It made me think about the difference in time spent reading and the number of words I was reading compared to a prose novel.

Compared to most prose novels, graphic novels have fewer words and they're quicker in terms of sustained reading time.

Both matter for growing readers.

Ultimately, the more words a child reads, the better their vocabulary and reading comprehension will be.

Don't misunderstand. I will forever recommend graphic novels.

I wholeheartedly believe (and know from the research) that they count as real reading. I've written about this for fifteen years.

But many of us know readers who ONLY read graphic novels.

So what if we thoughtfully consider a few new strategies for these readers?

What if we encourage our graphic novel readers to:

1. Read the same book multiple times?
2. Read a larger quantity of books?
3. And maybe, just maybe, consider adding illustrated prose books into their reading diet?
   (Here's a list of illustrated middle grade books.)
   ​

What do you think?

How do you support your graphic novel readers in their reading growth?

7 Middle Grade Graphic Novels with Female Protagonists That Boys Will Love, Too (Ages 9 - 12)

Cartoonist and graphic novel expert Joshua Smeaton knows that a good book is a good book. Period. It doesn't matter whether or not the protagonist is male or female. With this in mind, he shares seven graphic novels with girl heroes that boys will love, too.​

​

More Graphic Novels That Kids Will Love (Ages 6 - 12)

​Graphic Novels in a SERIES (Ages 6 - 12)​

​FUNNY Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers (Ages 6 - 9)​

​FUNNY Middle Grade Graphic Novels (Ages 9 - 12)​

​

New Picture Books, June 2025 (Ages 4 - 8)

​This fresh crop of picture books is funny, imaginative, heartwarming, and playful. (July picture books will be in the next email!)

​

New Middle Grade, July 2025 (Ages 9 - 12)

I highly recommend these seven new middle grade books! Check them out.​

​

Wishing you a July filled with good books!

Love,

Melissa
melissa@imaginationsoup.net
​Imagination Soup​

​Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | LinkedIn | Amazon | ​Blue Sky​

–> If you know someone who would like this newsletter, they can subscribe here.​​

P.S. If you're a kidlit writer or illustrator who wants to know how to pitch a book reviewer like me, I have a checklist & examples here.​