G is for Graphic Novels #AtoZChallenge

by Donna Huber

For the A to Z Challenge, I'm discussing different book genres/categories. Each day, I will give a few details about the genre/category and an example or two. I would love to know your thoughts on the genre/category and if you have any reading suggestions. Be sure to check out all of my A to Z posts.

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When the term graphic novel first hit my radar, I was confused by the term. At first, I thought it was a novel with graphic material (like graphic violence or graphic sex). Then I saw a graphic novel and I was like how is that different than a comic book? This definition from Scholastic cleared things up,

The term “graphic novel” is generally used to describe any book in a comic format that resembles a novel in length and narrative development. (Scholastic)

Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes and fantasy. It can be in any genre and sometimes you will see novels adapted into graphic novels. I saw a copy of the graphic novel adaptation of Twilight. 

Graphic novels can be for children, young adults, and adults. Often graphic novels can be easier for people with reading difficulties. They can improve reading development and a variety of people with special needs can access stories that might not have been as accessible to them when written in prose only.

I don't read a lot of graphic novels as I struggle to interpret the visual cues. MK reviews most of the graphic novels for Girl Who Reads, but I reviewed a middle-grades graphic novel last summer and it was a cute read.

The Gullfather: Birdsy Seagull: Vol 1. A Seahawk Situation by Jeff Sikaitis and Jake Wheeler

The Gullfather himself, Birdsy Seagull, rules the roost with a fistful of feathers. And with a little help, but not much, from his ragtag crew: salty-mouthed Joey “One-Wing” Grella, handsome slacker Sammy “Vinny” Gullian, glamorous and dangerous Birdabella, and Birdsy’s well-fed enforcer, “Quack Quack.” They say they’ll stop at nothing to be the top crime birds on the boardwalk, but they pretty much stop at everything — snack time, nap time or any other reason — much to Birdsy’s ire.

In the first book in the series, “A Seahawk Situation,” Birdsy and his crew are at war with the owners of the boardwalk eatery, Zen and Out, after they erect a wooden security seahawk to scare the gulls of Shoretown. Things escalate quickly after One-Wing battles Seymour the Wooden Seahawk and Vinny starts an indoor fireworks display. In retaliation, One-Wing gets birdnapped, and Vinny is almost made into curry, but just when Birdsy has nowhere left to turn, enter Birdabella, the wild card. Will Birdsy remain "king of the boardwalk" or will the humans get the upper hand and start to encroach on the empire he and NonnaBird built?

Buy The Gullfather: Birdsy Seagull: Vol 1. A Seahawk Situation at Amazon

Do you read graphic novels? What are some of your favorites?

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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