Monday, June 19, 2023

Synergy: Celebrating Graphic Nonfiction




GRAPHIC NONFICTION are works of nonfiction expressed in a graphic-novel style. Sharing information and true stories, these books use sequential art and other highly visual approaches to communicate factual content.


To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:


DRAWN TO CHANGE THE WORLD written by Emma Reynolds and illustrated by Emma Reynolds and Ann Maulana is a middle grade graphic biography exploring the experiences of a diverse group of sixteen youth climate activists. The book begins with an overview of climate change. Then, sixteen different artists use a graphic novel style to exploring the experiences of a diverse group of sixteen youth climate activists. Each story includes updated information about each activist. The book concludes with ideas for making a difference along with additional factual information about climate change. ARC courtesy of HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins.


RUN AND HIDE: HOW JEWISH YOUTH ESCAPED THE HOLOCAUST by Don Brown is a compelling, graphic history exploring the harrowing stories of children surviving the horrors of World War II. Told through Brown’s deeply moving visuals, these stories bring the plight of these children to life. ARC courtesy of Clarion Book, an imprint of HarperCollins.


I ESCAPED A CHINESE INTERNMENT CAMP written by Anthony Del Col and illustrated by Fahmida Azim received the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for illustrated reporting. Although written for an adult audience, young adults will find this work of graphic journalism thought-provoking. Based on interviews and testimony, readers explore the life of a woman arrested for simply being a Muslim. Enduring horrific atrocities, she ultimately escaped to America. ARC courtesy of Lev Gleason, an imprint of Diamond Books.