If Wednesday Addams were to write her own memoir, it’d probably look a lot like Wednesday: A Novelisation of Season One. This isn’t just a book—it’s a moody, macabre mirror held up to the Netflix series, with all the gothic charm and deadpan sass you’d expect. Written by Tehlor Kay Mejia, the novel dives headfirst into Wednesday’s psyche, offering a peek behind the curtain of her stoic facade. Think of it as the show’s inner monologue, scribbled in black ink and sealed with disdain.
Published in 2024, the plot follows Wednesday’s arrival at Nevermore Academy, a school for supernatural misfits where murder mysteries are part of the curriculum and socialising is a punishable offence. While the series gave us brooding cello solos and a wardrobe that screams “funeral chic,” the book lets us crawl inside Wednesday’s mind—where sarcasm is a survival skill and feelings are best left buried. Mejia nails the tone, balancing Wednesday’s razor-sharp wit with moments of reluctant vulnerability that feel oddly touching (but SHUSHH don’t tell her that).
One of the novel’s most delicious contrasts—and let’s be honest, Wednesday thrives on contrast—is the infamous dorm room split between her and Enid Sinclair. On one side: a monochrome mausoleum of black, grey, and gloom, where even the shadows look depressed. On the other: a rainbow explosion that looks like a unicorn sneezed on a Lisa Frank catalogue. It’s less “cohabiting” and more “cold war with glitter.” The book leans into this absurdity with Wednesday’s internal commentary, which is equal parts horror and reluctant fascination. Sharing a room with Enid is like bunking with a disco ball that talks. Their room becomes a battleground of personality—and somehow, a crucible for growth. It’s eerily reminiscent of Elphaba and Galinda’s dorm at Shiz University in Wicked: one half brooding misfit, the other half pastel chaos, and somehow, against all odds (and taste), it works.
Now, let’s be honest: like most movie tie-ins, this novelisation is fairly true to the source material but ultimately feels like a watered-down echo of the show. It’s a weak parody in places—more shadow than substance. An OK read, sure, but clearly aimed at teens and readers who don’t mind their books light on literary weight. Basically, it’s all frosting and no cake: sweet, stylish, and fun to look at, but don’t expect it to nourish your soul or challenge your brain.
In short, if you loved the series but wished Wednesday would open up just a smidge (begrudgingly, of course), this book is your poison. It’s witty, weird, and wonderfully introspective—like a love letter written in invisible ink and sealed with a spider. Just don’t expect hugs. She’s still Wednesday, after all.
Kenneth Oppel’s Best of All Worlds is a young adult speculative fiction novel centred on Xavier Oak, a Canadian teenager trapped beneath an invisible dome with his father and stepmother. What begins as a short family retreat becomes years of unexplained isolation. The arrival of a second family three years later introduces ideological tension and a mild romantic subplot, consistent with genre expectations.
The narrative is straightforward, with hints of extraterrestrial involvement and surveillance. The prose is accessible, the pacing steady, and the themes—xenophobia, resilience, distrust—are presented in simplified form. The book is fairly true to the tone and structure of the Netflix adaptation it complements, though like most tie-ins, it reads as a diluted version of the original. It is an adequate read, but lacks literary substance.
Unlike Oppel’s other works, such as the Silverwing series, this novel lacks scope and is largely devoid of the symbolism that traditionally enriches his fiction. It trades allegorical depth for surface-level tension and interpersonal drama.
For readers who find classic dystopian texts too demanding, this may serve as a more approachable alternative. However, for those who do not generally enjoy young adult fiction, this novel is unlikely to change that view. It is readable, but ultimately all frosting and no cake—conceptually interesting, but light on depth.
There’s something quietly radical about a group of students gathering to talk about books; in a world of endless scrolls and fleeting attention, the act of sitting together, face to face, page to page, is an act of resistance; it’s also an act of connection. Book clubs are often seen as quaint or optional, but research increasingly shows they are anything but; they are lifelines, especially for boys.
“A space for boys and books is a space for possibility.” — Nichols-Besel et al., 2018
Reading is, by nature, a solitary pursuit; but when we read together, when we discuss, debate, and share, we transform that solitude into community. The National Library of New Zealand (n.d.) emphasizes that social reading increases understanding, introduces diverse perspectives, and fosters authentic engagement; it’s not just about comprehension, it’s about connection. This matters deeply for boys, who often disengage from reading during adolescence. Nichols-Besel, Scharber, O’Brien, and Dillon (2018) found that boys respond positively to book clubs when given access to interest-based reading materials and male role models; their study showed that boys’ engagement and reading outcomes improved significantly in these settings. Similarly, a recent UK study trialed social book clubs across 17 school libraries and found that boys’ reading ages increased by an average of 1 year and 3 months or more than double the expected growth when reading was framed as a social, low-pressure activity (School Library Association, 2025).
“Book clubs create a space where stories become shared experiences, and readers become friends.” — J.N. Polleck (2022)
One of the primary roles of the teacher librarian is to foster a love of reading; this goes beyond managing resources and catalogues, it’s about cultivating curiosity, joy, and lifelong habits. Polleck (2022) argues that youth-led book clubs, especially those facilitated by librarians, are transformative spaces that prioritize student voice, identity, and emotional safety. Book clubs provide opportunities for students to review books, select new titles for the library collection, participate in reading competitions, and model positive reading behaviour for peers; these activities not only build literacy skills but also empower students to take ownership of their reading journey (Cutrer-Párraga & Hall-Kenyon, 2024).
Facilitating book clubs and fostering a love of reading aligns directly with the Australian School Library Association’s (ASLA) Standards of Professional Excellence for Teacher Librarians. Specifically, it reflects the standard that teacher librarians “develop and promote literacy and literature programs that encourage and engage learners” (ASLA, 2004). By creating inclusive, student-led book clubs, supporting reading for pleasure, and modelling positive reading behaviours, teacher librarians demonstrate excellence in both pedagogy and leadership. These practices not only build literacy but also nurture lifelong learning and a strong reading culture within the school community.
For boys, reading can feel like a chore; a subject; a test. But in a book club, it becomes a conversation; a safe space; a place to laugh, question, and be heard. Literacy circles and book clubs allow boys to explore texts in small, student-led groups, which fosters deeper understanding and emotional connection (The Weary Educator, 2024). And yes, food helps; at our school, we’ve learned that no boy can resist a food bribe. Biscuits, humble, crumbly, and beloved, have become our secret weapon; they lure students in, but it’s the stories and the friendships that keep them coming back.
In 2024, our school launched a student book club called Books & Bites for Years 7–9; just six students came. It was small, but it was something. I bribed them with food and with this lure, they came. Now, in 2025, our Years 7–10 club has grown to 28 students; that’s 28 young minds choosing to read, choosing to talk, choosing to belong. Whilst they still come for the biscuits, they stay for the books. Therefore, I felt emboldened with such a strong uptake, and decided to start one for our younger readers. So, this August, we started a primary book club called Lauries Literature Legends. On day one, 15 students turned up. Some came for the biscuits; all stayed for the books. Even more came to the second session… apparently the lure of sitting in the library reading and eating was stronger than playing out in the quad.
Book clubs are not just about literacy; they’re about identity, empathy, and agency. They teach students to listen and to lead; they offer a space where boys can express emotions, challenge ideas, and discover who they are—not just as readers, but as people. In a time when reading is increasingly seen as a subject to learn rather than a joy to experience, book clubs remind us that stories are meant to be shared. So, we’ll keep offering biscuits; we’ll keep making space; because every book club meeting is a quiet revolution, and every student who shows up is part of it.
Normally, my annual fundraiser is Frocktober, where for the month of October, I celebrate the gloriousness of frocks whilst fundraising for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. But this year, I’m mixing it up with something equally delightful and just a bit more bookish: a readathon! And not just any readathon—The World’s Coolest Readathon, hosted by the Australian Book Foundation. I saw that another wonderful Teacher Librarian Barbara from Bourke High School had signed up and then I thought… why not do it myself?
And what better way to kick things off than with a mystery? My first book for this readathon is Diabolical Bones by Sue Ellis—a Brontë Girls Mystery, borrowed from the ever-wonderful Brisbane City Council libraries. Gothic Yorkshire, clever heroines, and a touch of the macabre? Yes please.
A readathon, I’ve decided, is the perfect sequel to Book Month—like the epilogue where the characters (aka readers) get to celebrate their love of stories with wild abandon. It’s the encore performance, the bonus chapter, the literary afterparty.
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away (okay, it was my bedroom in Brisbane’s Southside), I embarked on a noble quest: the MS Readathon. Armed with a stack of books taller than my bedside lamp and a sponsorship sheet that made me feel like a literary philanthropist, I read my way through mysteries, adventures, and magical lands—all while raising money for a good cause. It was glorious.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself whispering reminders like a mantra: Read for fun. Read for joy. Read for pleasure. Because somewhere between grown-up responsibilities and inbox avalanches, the simple delight of reading can slip through the cracks.
Why Readathons Are Brilliant (and Backed by Science!)
Readathons aren’t just nostalgic—they’re powerful tools for literacy, wellbeing, and community. Here’s why they’re so magical:
They Spark a Love of Reading: Choosing your own books makes reading feel like breathing—natural and joyful.
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
–Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
They Boost Brains and Wellbeing: Reading for pleasure improves mental health and cognitive skills.
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” — Mason Cooley
They Create Lifelong Readers: Even reluctant readers get swept up in the fun.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” — George R.R. Martin
They Build Community: Fundraising through reading turns stories into shared kindness.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” — Aesop
A Readathon Renaissance
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, librarian, or just a book-loving human, readathons offer a delightful way to reconnect with the joy of reading. They’re flexible, inclusive, and can be tailored to any age or interest. Plus, they’re a fabulous excuse to wear pajamas all day and call it “literary immersion.”
So if you, like me, sometimes need a nudge to read for the sheer pleasure of it, consider joining or hosting a readathon. You’ll be part of a movement that’s not just fun—it’s transformative.
And if you’re ready to dive in, check out The World’s Coolest Readathon. It’s got all the charm of the MS Readathon days, with a modern twist and a mission to make reading joyful again.
References
Attiyat, N. M. A. (2019). The impact of pleasure reading on enhancing writing achievement and reading comprehension. Arab World English Journal, 10(1), 155–165. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no1.14
Dong, Y., Wu, S. X.-Y., Dong, W.-Y., & Tang, Y. (2020). The effects of home literacy environment on children’s reading comprehension development: A meta-analysis. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 20(2), 63–82. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1251494.pdf
The “Real Men Read” initiative, recently hosted at my school was intentionally held between Book Week and Father’s Day as a event to bring our Primary students and their male caregivers to reinforce the importance of positive male role models in improving literacy outcomes for boys. The event brought together fathers, grandfathers, and male mentors together for a pleasant evening celebrating the positive outcomes from reading. Two dads kindly volunteered to talk about how and why they read. They discussed their own role models and how they support their sons in their literacy journey. We also had a fabulous guest speaker from Brothers and Books – Dylan Conway to talk about the impact reading has on building resilience and reducing stress. The impact was immediate—students were more engaged, more curious, and more eager to pick up a book themselves. In fact, I received an email from a dad that next morning.
Thanks again for all of your efforts last night. We are lucky to have such wonderful teachers that genuinely care for our sons. Conor actually got up this morning and said he wants to read his new library book with me tonight. Success!
This event powerfully demonstrated that when boys see and hear about men they value and respect reading, they begin to associate literacy with strength, intelligence, and emotional depth. In a world increasingly shaped by digital distractions and narrow stereotypes, the presence of caring, literate male figures offers boys a broader vision of what it means to be a man.
The research backs this up! A study by Merga and Ledger (2019) found that boys are more likely to engage with reading when they see male role models actively participating. Furthermore, recent findings by Smith and Taylor (2023) suggest that boys who regularly read with male caregivers demonstrate improved vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, and a more positive attitude toward school. These outcomes are not only academic but also social, as reading together fosters empathy and communication.
The National Literacy Trust (2025) further supports this, stating: “Fathers today are more involved in their children’s lives than ever before, and their engagement in early learning activities like playing, reading, singing, drawing and visiting parks or libraries supports children’s emotional, cognitive and educational development, as well as their early language and literacy skills.”
As Dylan Conway pointed out from the not-for-profit organisation Brothers and Books, their campaigns have shown that when boys see men reading, they begin to associate reading with strength, curiosity, and emotional intelligence. Their organisation has championed the cause, encouraging men to read and donate books across Australia.
The Real Men Read event served as a powerful reminder that literacy is not just a school responsibility—it is a community effort. When fathers and male mentors take the time to read with boys, they are investing in a future where literacy is linked to confidence, connection, and lifelong learning.
References
Merga, M., & Ledger, S. (2019). Parents’ perceptions of the importance of reading and the efficacy of reading aloud: Implications for fostering reading engagement in the home. Australian Journal of Education, 63(2), 163–178. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004944119840077
Smith, J., & Taylor, R. (2023). Male role models and literacy development in boys: A longitudinal study. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 14(1), 45–59.
Timothy Shanahan’s blog offers teacher librarians a powerful lens through which to re-evaluate long-held assumptions about reading instruction. By challenging the instructional level theory and advocating for the use of complex, grade-level texts, Shanahan equips librarians with evidence-based insights that support the promotion of high-quality literature. His work reinforces the librarian’s role in curating rich collections, scaffolding student engagement, and collaborating with teachers to foster deeper, more meaningful reading experiences.
Timothy Shanahan’s critique of the instructional level theory—and the growing body of research supporting the use of challenging texts—has profound implications for teacher librarians. Far from being custodians of books, teacher librarians are literacy leaders, curriculum collaborators, and champions of equitable access to high-quality literature. Their work sits at the intersection of pedagogy, inquiry, and imagination.
For decades, the instructional level model influenced how books were selected for students. It suggested that matching texts to a student’s reading level would yield the best learning outcomes. However, recent research has challenged this assumption. Studies by Lupo, Strong, and Conradi Smith (2019) and Young, Lagrone, and McCauley (2020) show that students make significant gains when exposed to complex texts, especially when supported by skilled educators. This shift calls for a re-evaluation of how we curate and use literature in schools.
Teacher librarians are uniquely positioned to lead this change. Rather than relying solely on readability formulas or levelling systems, they can advocate for literature that offers rich vocabulary, nuanced themes, and diverse perspectives. Quality literature provides opportunities for deep discussion, critical thinking, and emotional engagement—elements that are often missing from simplified texts. This approach aligns with the Australian Curriculum’s emphasis on engaging students with increasingly sophisticated texts across year levels (ACARA, n.d.).
Beyond curation, teacher librarians play a vital role in scaffolding student engagement with challenging texts. By collaborating with classroom teachers, they help design literature experiences that support comprehension and inquiry. Whether through literature circles, guided reading sessions, or integrated inquiry units, teacher librarians ensure that students are not only exposed to complex texts but are also equipped to understand and enjoy them. Research by Pérez Buelvas (2024) highlights how scaffolding strategies—such as task-based activities and formative assessment—can significantly improve reading comprehension, especially among English language learners.
Moreover, teacher librarians contribute to equity in literacy education. Stocker et al. (2023) argue that integrating the science of reading with behavioural science can address systemic inequities in Australian schools. By ensuring all students have access to high-quality literature and the support to engage with it meaningfully, teacher librarians help close the literacy gap and foster lifelong learning.
Top 3 Ways Teacher Librarians Can Elevate Reading Through Quality Literature
1. Curate and Promote Rich, Diverse Texts Select literature that challenges students intellectually and emotionally—books with layered themes, sophisticated language, and diverse voices. Use displays, flipguids and reading lists to spotlight these titles and spark curiosity.
2. Scaffold Access to Complex Texts Support students as they engage with challenging material through guided reading, literature circles, and strategy instruction. Help them build confidence by modelling how to navigate difficult vocabulary and abstract ideas.
3. Collaborate with Teachers to Embed Literature into Learning Work alongside educators to integrate high-quality texts into curriculum units. Suggest titles that align with learning goals while encouraging deeper thinking and discussion across subjects.
Lupo, S. M., Strong, J. Z., & Conradi Smith, K. (2019). Text difficulty and adolescent literacy: A randomized study of challenging texts and instructional supports. Reading Research Quarterly, 54(3), 342–375. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.241
Pérez Buelvas, H. G. (2024). Enhancing reading skills through scaffolding strategies in eighth-grade EFL students. HOW Journal, 31(2), 70–88. https://doi.org/10.19183/how.31.2.754
Stocker, K. L., Fox, R. A., Swain, N. R., & Leif, E. S. (2023). Between the lines: Integrating the science of reading and the science of behavior to improve reading outcomes for Australian children. Behavior and Social Issues, 33, 504–531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-023-00149-y
Young, C., Lagrone, S., & McCauley, J. (2020). Read Like Me: An intervention for struggling readers. Education Sciences, 10(3), 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10030057
Disciplinary Literacy is rarely discussed in schools, and this can lead to a significant impact to learning outcomes. The skills required to read a text in Chemistry are very different than the ones required in Literature. However, most schools pigeonhole literacy into the purview of the English Department.
Shanahan & Shanahan (2012) advocate for the explicit instruction of disciplinary literacy across middle and high school classrooms. This approach clearly acknowledges the importance it is the have the ability to ‘create, communicate and use knowledge’ appropriately within each discipline.
Change is inevitable and society has seen great changes to the way it functions. The current technology revolution has changed the way people earn, communicate, work, live, study and recreate. According to Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory, reading and learning work symbiotically together with strong influences from language and technology (Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018). Therefore by this theory, changes in technology resonates how learning, language and literacy manifests in communities. This is evident in the way the definition of literacy has expanded. Previously the term ‘literate’ was used to describe individuals who were able to read and write. But the current definition includes the skills and knowledge required to access, use, understand and express ideas, thoughts and feelings, across multiple modalities, and in all contexts of life (ACARA, 2014). The broadening of the definition is directly related to the evolving nature of technology and its impact upon the way literature and books are read, comprehended and evaluated (Sargeant, 2015; Jabr, 2015).
The concept of the book changes with every technology revolution and corresponding societal change. From prehistoric stone tablets, to Ancient Egyptian papyrus and Roman vellum scrolls, to the innovative Gutenberg printing press, books have evolved with technology, and at each transformation, the reading paradigm changes (Mangen, Walgermo & Bronnick, 2013). The modern definition of a book can include the traditional paper form, as well as electronic versions that can be read on devices such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops along with audiobooks, online books, and other digital products such as applications and websites (Springen, 2010). This emergence of these new digital texts require additional skills and strategies in order for the reader to comprehend the narrative (Jabr, 2015; Mangen et al., 2013; Sekeres & Watson, 2011). As part of evidence based practice, secondary school teachers are encouraged to adapt their pedagogical practices to address these technological and societal changes to ensure that their students possess the relevant skills and strategies to become active participants in society.
Reading has often been characterised as the product of an individual’s ability to decode and comprehend the text and is viewed as a fundamental human skill (Moore & Cahill, 2016, p.4). Engagement in reading is linked to improved student learning and long term academic success (Moore & Cahill, 2016; Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018). Unfortunately many teenagers and young adults are reluctant to read and this reluctance can impact their education as well as their social capital and identity formation (Moore & Cahill, 2016). Many education departments across the world have increased funding for technology in schools to boost literacy and reading rates in an effort to halt declining literacy (Keen, 2016). In turn, educators seek to identify pedagogical practices that will increase student motivation for reading and in turn, improve overall literacy.
Technology has been often cited for its ability to improve educational outcomes due to its engaging format. Morris & Cahill (2016) has determined that technology has a stronger preference in secondary compared to primary aged students. Since motivation to read and cognitive experiences when reading works via a positive feedback mechanism, it makes sense that digital literature should lead to increased reading rates and improved literacy (Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018). Furthermore, Taylor (2018) suggests that the complex nature of digital storytelling is suitable for teenagers as they are familiar with using devices and are comfortable switching between screens and print.
Technology in literature, also known as digital literature, encompasses ebooks, audiobooks, interactive media and mobile applications. Each of these technologies, delivers narratives in their own individual way and requires a variety of skills and strategies for decoding and comprehension. Many teachers and teacher librarians are tasked with identifying technology based literature in an effort to increase engagement and improve educational outcomes.
Sargeant (2015) defines an ebook as the static digitised version of a print text with its familiar features of virtual pages, book gutters and page turning animation. Access to ebooks can occur both onsite and offsite as they can be retrieved and delivered digitally to mobile devices with embedded features (Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018). Examples include Kindle application, where ebooks purchased from Amazon can be accessed through, or BorrowBox and Wheelers, that allow for borrowing of titles and are often affiliated with public and school libraries. Some ebooks for older readers have various levels of interactivity, such as hyperlinks and in built media are commonly found in secondary expository or information texts such as text books (Sargeant, 2015). Their increased popularity with older readers is due to portability and ability to retain text anonymity (Dickenson, 2014). But ebooks that are designed for younger and less literate readers have lower levels of interactivity and contain more skeuomorphic features to reduce distraction from the main point (Sargeant, 2015) .
Jeon (2012) promotes the use of ebooks in schools as they support academic instruction, are time efficient as well as provide a dynamic and cost effective way of managing a collection. Ebooks can also be integrated into library management systems and thus are available for to be borrowed by students at any time, including in times of pandemics and forced isolation (Jeon, 2012). These apps are designed to assist readers in retaining anonymity in title choice, as well as allow access to a wide range of reading levels which encourages independent reading and promotes bibliotherapy (Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018).
Audiobooks are increasing in popularity with readers from all generations (Moore & Cahill, 2016). The most prevalent use of audiobooks in schools are, students with low literacy and learning difficulties as well as second language learners (Moore & Cahill, 2016, p.5). Hiebert, as cited in Moore & Cahill (2016) argued that language and the fundamentals of narratives can be conveyed through auditory processes, as language-comprehension system in the brain permits text engagement and comprehension (p.3-4). Other benefits to the implementation of audiobooks in teaching and learning processes include, improving vocabulary, promoting oral language, as well as strengthening links between oral and written literacies (Moore & Cahill, 2016, p.4). Audiobooks can be easily accessed on personal devices and offer the same level of anonymity as achieved by ebooks. Anonymity is very important in secondary schools, particularly for students with low literacy who need to access ‘different’ texts (Dickenson, 2014).
Whilst there are many different reasons why students struggle to read, the most common reasons in secondary schools include, insufficient vocabulary, incorrect decoding and a lack of fluency (Moore & Cahill, 2016, p.5). Access to audiobooks allows students who struggle with the aforementioned inadequacies to engage with the text and develop their reading accuracy as well as potentially improving any behavioural management that arises from disengagement and disenfranchisement (Moore & Cahill, 2016, p.6). Audiobooks address these needs and therefore it is possible to surmise that this technology is able to provide the reader the same rich experience that is afforded by print text.
Interactive media (IM) has exploded in recent years and this is impacting teaching and learning (Cullen, 2015). Some examples of interactive media include digital books, online books, book applications and websites. Lamb & Johnson (2010) argue that IM causes readers to shift from being passive receivers to active participants. This is because IM is able to engage students in the content via multiple entry points and therefore encourages learning through experience and experimentation (Lamb & Johnson, 2010; Cullen, 2015). IM narratives are able to tell dual stories, as well as bring the images to life whilst providing a brilliant way to connect emerging technologies to the curriculum (Cullen, 2015; Taylor, 2018).
One example of IM are book applications (apps). Book apps are software programs that are designed to engage students by delivering high levels of interactive media rich content (Sargeant, 2015). They integrate multiple modes of communication so that the text and visuals are fused to create a story that requires the reader to transform into a user by their interaction in the narrative with a touch screen (Sargeant, 2015). This process of action and outcome is based upon gamification principles already present in the rewards based system currently practiced across most school systems. Gamification uses extrinsic motivation in learning and teaching practice. But Briggs (2016) cautions the use of gamification in assessment. The reason for this caution is that the motivation to succeed arises from the low personal stakes the reader has with the text, as well as the elusive but reachable goals.
IM has the capacity to cater to the needs of a varied classroom because of a student’s ability to work at an individual pace and the multiple entry points allows for differentiation. There is also a possibility for educators to use IM to create scenarios, as a mechanism to introduce students to new units of work, or introduce assessment pieces in an engaging format (Lamb & Johnson, 2010). Cullen (2015) believes that application led learning bolsters motivation and engagement in students, which is essential for improved learning experiences and positive outcomes.
There are valid contraindications to the use of technology in educational settings. Studies have shown comprehension is lower in narratives and expository texts when a device is used (Jeon, 2012; Mangen et al., 2013). Jeon (2012) believes that within some forms of technology, the complex nature and formatting of the text causes too great a cognitive load on students and thus it negatively affects comprehension. Hashim & VongKulluksn (2018) concur and point out that students often become distracted in their attempt to multitask on devices, which leads to decreased metacognitive regulation and reduces text completion.
The format of text is also important for comprehension. Digital literature in all forms have lower comprehension rates in comparison to traditional texts (Jeon, 2012; Mangen et al., 2013). One of the other main reasons for this unfavourable comparison is visual ergonomics. Visual ergonomics, such as lowered spatial stability, leads to a negative mental representation of the text (Mangen et al., 2013, p.66). Good readers have a high mental recall of information positioning in text. Consequently, limited mental representation restricts recall and makes it harder for students to construct new banks of knowledge from individual pieces of information. One suggestion to combat this limitation and to promote a more equitable approach in classrooms is to limit digital reading to short extracts only, and it to be of low stakes value rather than summative assessment (Mangen et al., 2013, p.66).
I obviously have not taken my own advice and have written an epic instead of a synopsis!
Hashim & VongKulluksn (2018) suggests that whilst e-readers provide context and analysis, it lacks the social factor that discussion groups and literature circles provide. There is also an implication that educators fail to treat e-readers like they treat print texts, and therefore provide less scaffolding to students leading to lower comprehension rates. This failure could be due to a lack of personal knowledge to the functionality of e-readers, or simply that teachers are not physically able to see how much of the text the student has engaged with and thus forget to offer assistance (Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018). Therefore, in the interests of equity, it is important that ebooks are scaffolded in the same way as a print books because, as students gain mastery in their reading, scaffolding can be adjusted to help their progress from a low to a higher mental function (Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018).
There are other obstacles to using ebooks in educational settings. Primarily, students are not motivated to use e-readers for learning. This could be due to the fact that e-readers are no longer considered a novelty, that devices themselves are commonplace, and lastly, that traditional texts actually provide greater enjoyment than digital literature (Hashim & VongKulluksn, 2018). Ebooks have also been known to cause eye irritation which in turn reduces surface legibility, and increases eye strain and mental fatigue (Jeon, 2012). These physical demands lead to an increased error rate and reduces overall comprehension, which in turn leads to a lower perception of ereaders and ebooks (Jeon, 2012). Other than diminishing comprehension, ebooks can also be seen as tedious in comparison to other entertainment found on devices (Jeon, 2012). Though there is some suggestion that digital natives are resistant to these issues as they are more familiar with technology (Jeon, 2012).
Some educators are reluctant to provide audiobooks to their students in lieu of print texts as they can be viewed as ‘cheating’. But Dahl (2016) disagrees with and finds that audiobooks provide the same learning experience as reading after a certain level of literacy has been reached. This is based upon the theory that the decoding specific to reading becomes instinctive after a certain point in literacy is achieved (Dahl, 2016). The reasoning is that ‘reading comprehension’ is similar to ‘auditory comprehension’ and that echoic memory is comparable to the visual system of eye regression, though the concept of ‘flipping back’ is a bit more problematic in an audiobook (Dahl, 2016).
The current predominate argument surrounding school is that digital media will engage reluctant readers and therefore improve learning outcomes (Springen, 2010; Cullen, 2015). But some educators argue that these alternative texts lack equity as they are limited to students and schools with digital access and financial security (Sekeres & Watson, 2011). Sekeres & Watson (2011) even go further to suggest that educators need to be aware that children are often targeted as consumers in their own right and therefore teachers need to be circumspect when they select digital literature that it actually leads to learning and not just entertainment.
From a school collection perspective there are significant issues with ebooks and audiobooks, namely access and cost (O’Connell, Bates & Mitchell, 2015). This is due to the fact that both ebooks and audiobooks require a personal device such as a mobile phone or tablet and many younger students do not have that level of access. They also require a financial contribution and or a library membership, which again can be limiting for younger students to practice their digital literacy skills. One suggestion to address the rising cost of digital literature is to promote public library memberships in schools. Students who have library memberships at school, local and state libraries, have access to a wide range of texts in both print and digital formats. Some larger institutions also offer electronic access to databases and periodicals which is very useful for secondary students. This reduces the cost to the individual and school systems without limiting access to information.
Licencing and leasing are problematic when it comes to digital literature. Physical books are bought by the library, require no device to use, and are useful till the book gets lost, deselected or falls into disrepair. Ebooks in comparison, are either downloaded (purchased), or borrowed and both require a device and the internet to be used. These devices, such as iPods, ereaders, laptops and tablets can be quite expensive for school libraries and students to purchase and maintain (Gray, 2017). Additionally, if a school library chooses to use a platform such as Borrowbox or Wheelers as their access point for ebooks and audiobooks, they are limited by that publisher’s collection as to what titles meet the developmental needs of the students and curriculum requirements (Gray, 2017). Teacher librarians need to be cautious when selecting platforms for digital literature that they are not limiting their readers to resources based upon publishing contracts and nepotism. Furthermore, the school may not own ‘loaned titles’ and may have to pay a leasing or access fee on a yearly basis. So whilst there seems to be great flexibility, especially with regards to remote access, there can be some stringent financial restraints for schools when it comes to building a robust ebook and audiobook collection.
O’Connell, Bates & Mitchell (2015) suggest that the goal of school libraries is to adapt to the digital needs of the student cohort, which means that the reading culture has to be addressed as well as ensuring a divergence of media is available. Therefore, teacher librarians and school library collections are tasked with ensuring students are given ample access to the different forms of media for teaching and learning across the curriculum as well as for recreational purposes. This means access to both traditional and digital forms of literature. But promotion of wide reading programs and access to emerging literature trends needs to be buttressed by pedagogical practices that support reading and comprehension across the various domains.
The question for teachers, teacher librarians and other educators is that will these new media forms benefit the teaching and learning practices in classrooms, and more specifically, secondary classrooms? It is clearly evident that the information revolution has changed the way society is functioning. Therefore it is important that students gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in this modern world. From the evidence provided, secondary students are more receptive to digital literature because of its engaging format, portability and text anonymity. But many lack the reading and comprehension skills to fully understand the nature of the text and therefore are at a literacy disadvantage. Educators need to recall the importance of culture and tools in Vygotsky’s theory of learning and provide access to a range of literature across the various forms of media. The reading paradigm has changed and teachers must change their teaching and learning to suit this new world.
Gray, M. (2017). Ebooks: To subscribe or not to subscribe? Connections, 101. Retrieved from scis.data.com/connections/issue-101/ebooks-to-subscribe-or-not-to-subscribe
Jeon, H. (2012). A comparison of the influence of electronic books and paper books on reading comprehension, eye fatigue, and perception. The Electronic Library, 30(3), 390-408. doi: 10.1108/02640471211241663
Moore, J., & Cahill, M. (2016). Audiobooks; Legitimate ‘reading’ material for adolescents? Research Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. Retrieved from www.ala.org/aasl/slr/volume19/moore-cah
O’Connell, J., Bales, J., Mitchell, P. (2015). [R]Evolution in reading cultures: 2020 vision for school libraries. The Australian Library Journal, 63(3), 194-208. DOI: 10.1080/00049670.2015.1048043
In days gone by, graphic novels were regarded little more than entertainment for children and young adults. They were regarded as shallow and of no value as literature. I have previously discussed the popularity of graphic novels in my school library, but I have not expounded upon their value to the collection as a source of literature.
A good graphic novel as described by Gonzales (2016) is a literary text in a comic strip format. It should have the same literary features of a prose novel, such as an overarching theme, depth of plot, character development, as well as the standard literary devices of any other piece of literature (Gonzales, 2016). But the added strength of graphic novels is the illustrations. These illustrations support the storyline and seek to enhance the plot for the reader by providing context and additional visual clues.
ACARA (n.d.a) defines a text as a conveyance of communication. It does not discriminate if the text is written, spoken or multi-modal in nature, but rather emphasises the importance in its ability to transmit information. Therefore, as per ACARA (n.d.a), it is perfectly reasonable for graphic novels to be used as part of curriculum literature as well as part of general wide reading. The multi-modal format of graphic novels is suitable for both fiction and non fiction subject matter, and engages students across year levels and contributes to the development of various literacies and higher order thinking skills.
The format of graphic novels strongly promotes literacy; which includes but is not limited to language and visual development as well as critical and cultural literacy (Laycock, 2019). As ACARA (n.d.b) illustrates, the literacy continuum allows for active teaching of graphic novels in the visual knowledge element as well as the comprehension of text elements. These elements clearly indicate that the focus of literature is no longer restricted to prose in print; but that the concept of text has greatly evolved.
Graphic novels have several features that lend itself to teaching and learning practice. Firstly, the transition that is needed between frames makes it necessary for the reader to predict the next action (Botzakis, 2018). This prediction requires the student to utilise higher order thinking skills before they can arrive at that point, using the contextual information present in the imagery. The context of a graphic novel has multiple uses in an educational setting. Besides assisting low literacy and ESL students improving their ability to decode; discordance between images and text can also be used to provoke spirited discussions and analysis (Botzakis, 2018). Lamentably, most students fail to understand such nuances intuitively, therefore explicit pedagogical practice is required to equip students with the necessary skills (Laycock, 2019). Lastly, graphic novels have visual permanence (Botzakis, 2018). This visual permanence means that the reader is able to set their own reading pace and allows for re-reading and further clarification.
In recent years, many classical texts have been reprinted as graphic novels due to their popularity. Complex texts such as Homer’s “Iliad” and Harper Lee’s “To kill a mockingbird” adaptations allow the reader to engage with class texts in a format that they can access more easily. Even popular titles such as “Anne Frank’s Diary” and “Wrinkle in Time”have proven more competitive in a graphic format than the traditional text version with high school students. Laycock (2019) points out that graphic novels increase the literacy alphabet in poor readers as well as offer an additional method in which content can be delivered. The evidence does indicate that as a format, graphic novels have great potential in a classroom setting.
Unfortunately many teachers falter when challenged to use graphic novels in their teaching practice. This is due to a lack of confidence with this format. Authority in explicitly teaching literacy using graphic novels requires the teacher to be familiar with a variety of graphic texts (Gonzales, 2016). Gonzales (2016) suggests that knowledge in film techniques would be useful in analysing the illustrations, as they use frames, colours, angles and word bubbles to convey the covert message; in comparison to the the text, which speaks the overt message. Comprehension is further enhanced by clear teaching of artistic elements such as line, shade, colour, form and depth. Some graphic novels aid comprehension further by the inclusion of character mapping which aids in memory recall (Botzakis, 2018).
The largest benefit to the inclusion of graphic novels in a high school library collection is that reading graphic novels tends to lead to an increased satisfaction with reading, which in turn leads to increased wide reading (Gonzales, 2016; Laycock, 2019). Graphic novels also give poor and reluctant readers a sense of accomplishment due to the increased decoding assistance from the visual clues (Botzakis, 2018).
Regrettably many parents and teachers still believe that graphic novels are unsuitable for classrooms and wide reading due to ingrained prejudices and their own distant memories (Gonzales, 2016; Laycock, 2019). There is an assumption that vintage comics are in the same league as a modern graphic novel. But this thesis would be incorrect. Comics are to graphic novels as Mills & Boon are to traditional literature (Botzakis, 2018). It would be a great miscalculation to designate all graphic novels as entertainment, when one can clearly see their practicality in the classroom and links to the curriculum. Another point to consider is that there is a disconnect between what students want to read and what the curriculum dictates they have to read. This dichotomy cripples literacy development. When school literacy programs prefer only monomodal texts, it creates pedagogical tension for teachers. Adding graphic novels to class literature shifts the voice in the classroom from teacher to the student which leads to higher student engagement.
Graphic novels sales are trending across the literary world. The first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize was “Maus” by Spiegelman in 1992, followed by Aydin’s “March” series that won the National Book Award in 2016. Traditionally favoured with the tween and teen males, graphic novels have become increasingly popular with teenage girls (Gonzales, 2016; Botzakis, 2018). This popularity has led to a sharp increase in the occurrence of female protagonists within this genre (Gonzales, 2016). One could argue that graphic novels are indeed texts of the 21st century as they engage the reader on multiple levels, promoting multiple literacies in a multi-modal world.
My school library has recently acquired a variety of graphic novels, ranging from classics such as Harper Lee’s, “To Kill a Mockingbird” to swashbuckling tales of pirates, and fantastical stories of superheroes from the Avengers franchise. There are multiple reasons behind the acquisition of these resources; tacking reluctant readers engagement with reading, boosting traditional and multimodal literacy and addressing the needs of the curriculum.
BAM! Literacy and fun- TOGETHER!
Graphic novels have widespread appeal across generations. From adolescent reluctant readers to highly literate adult geeks, graphic novels can inspire a cult following. I can only chuckle when I reminisce about Sheldon Cooper and his obsession with comics in the popular TV series “Big Bang Theory”. The popularity seems to stem from the presence of popular genres such as Manga, funny and superhero comics and their use of contemporary characters (Crowley, 2015; Hughes et al., 2011). The Marvel and DC comic series in particular, have reached new zeniths in popularity due to the recent plethora of movies being released this decade.
Literacy teachers common use graphic novels as a method of engaging students who are reluctant readers boosting literacy. As mentioned in earlier blog posts, reluctant readers often struggle to engage with traditional texts for a multitude of reasons, most commonly, low literacy. Aliteracy or illiteracy, can preclude students from comprehending large text paragraphs (Crowley, 2015). Graphic novels with their text juxtapositioned with pictures format allows students to use visual stimuli to assist with decoding text (Cook & Kirchoff, 2017). The drawings create a tangible image for the reader allowing them to be captivated more easily by the narrative within. This engagement can often influence students with low literacy to become more prolific with their reading, which has a direct correlation to increased literacy and overall academic achievement. Due to their popularity and narrative style, graphic novels epitomise the adage, ‘reading for pleasure’. For schools with wide reading programs, a strong graphic novel investment is highly advised.
There are other benefits to adding graphic novels to a collection. The advent of the information age has demanded a strong requirement for students to be literate across modalities. Graphic novels with their images and text colligated together, confer visual, gestural and spatial elements simultaneously, causing the reader to engage with the material on multiple levels. As mentioned previously, graphic adaptations of class texts and other classics are extremely beneficial in engaging students as it is unfortunate that prescribed texts often seem to lack appeal with the student cohort. A graphic adaptation has the duality of both ENGAGING disinterested students and ASSISTING students with DIVERSE learning needs. By adding graphic novel adaptations of class texts to the collection, a school library is acknowledging the diverse learning needs of their students whilst addressing curriculum requirements mandated by ACARA.
References
Cook, M., & Kirchoff, J. (2017). Teaching multimodal literacy through reading and writing graphic novels. Language and Literacy. Vol. 19 (4). Pp. 76-95
Crowley, J. (2015) Graphic novels in a the school library. The School Library. Vol 63 (3) Pp140-142
Hughes, J., King, A., Perkins, P. & Fuke, V. (2011) Adolescents and the Autographics; Reading and writing coming of age graphic novels. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. Vol. (54(8). DOI: doi:10.1598/JAAL.54.8.
Learning through the Library 