What is a graphic novel?  Graphic novels are full-length original stories written in comic book format but presented in book form.  They feature the sequential art that is highlighted in comics.  The format is totally visual, showing the story unfolding in panels of graphics and short text across the page.  Graphic novels cover all genres.  Graphic novels of today have sophisticated storylines and more advanced artwork than the comic books of days of old.  Although a graphic novel usually stands on its own as a complete story, it is possible to have an ongoing series or limited series of graphic novel s telling a single story or series of related stories.  A typical abbreviation in the industry for graphic novel is "GN", usually used as part of a title to indicate to a reader or browser that the title in question is not a periodical.

•      Trait One:  Students Incapable of Visualization -- Some students have difficulty visualizing pictures.  By their very nature, graphic novels help students who cannot visualize pictues in their heads during reading.  Due to the relationship of graphics and text, graphic novels support these readers by providing visual cueing systems that not only balance the text but also help the student interpret it.
•      Trait Two:  Reluctant Readers -- Some students are simply unmotivated or reluctant readers.  A reluctant reader lacks the reading skills necessary to construct meaning.  As with the students who cannot visualize pictures, the marriage of the pictures and text in graphic novels assists the reader during the reading process, making the prospect of reading less threatening.  Pictures are really the key for reading success in reluctant readers, and perhaps that is why boys prefer reading them. 
•      Trait Three:  Visually Dependent Students -- Students today could be know as "Generation Visual."  Children have become accustomed to immediate feedback from their environment and impossible to miss visual cues as to meaning and method.  Graphic novel readers have learned to understand not only print, but can also decode facial and body expressions, the symbolic meanings of certain images and postures, metaphors and similes, and other social and literary nuances teenagers are mastering as they move from childhood to maturity.

     Like video games, movies, and interactive computer programs, graphic novels stimulate interest--in this case, an interest in reading.  The graphic elements attract students, who then willingly read the text.