QUESTION: Graphic Novel suggestions for 6th grade humanities classes?

[William Bangs]

Hello, 

I teach 6th grade social studies, reading and language arts. I have used excerpts from the graphic adaptation of Howard Zinn's "People's History..." and IIlan Stavans "Latino America..." in my social studies classes. Students love reading and talking about these pieces. I would love folks suggestions for any graphic novels appropriate for 6th graders. Any titles are fine for reading and language arts. However, if folks know of any good historical non-fiction that would be great too. 6th grade social studies focuses on early humans & civilizations, elements of geography, what culture is, and a study of africa and latin america. I know this may be a long-shot for social studies related graphic novels. But, anything can work for reading and language arts as long as it is age-appropriate. Thanks! -Will

[Ryan Goble]

Welcome William,

If you go through the GN & Comics discussion forum you'll find a lot of great blogs/reviews of GNs that might give you some great ideas.

Also check out these posts -

COMICS: American & World History Ink
1.27.09 ILLUSTRATING WORLD HISTORY?
RESOURCES: American History Graphic Novels
and
NEW COMIC: Gonick's History of the World Series

[Jessica Abel]

Try out the Turning Points series from Alladin: Sons of Liberty (American Revolution), Little Rock 9, and House Divided (civil war). These are YA historical fiction (all edited by Matt Madden, on this group).

Also T-Minus (moon race) and Laika (Russian space program).

There are more, not jumping to mind at the moment. I'll post them if I think of them.

[Ryan Goble]

Nice add ons Jessica! On the space tip there is also First In Space.

[Kelly Farrow]

I just checked an excellent book out of the library, Adventures in Graphica by Terry Thompson. This will not only provide some suggestions but will also help you conceptualize some awesome lessons and literacy tie-ins as the kids begin incorporating graphica into their "usual" reading in these subject areas.

[Jessica Abel]

Oh, here's another I just read: Forget Sorrow by Belle Yang. It's a history of her family's experiences in China in the first half (or so) of the 20th century, mixed with memoir. I guess this isn't in the subject areas of 6th grade, but is at a good reading level for kids.

Persepolis or Chicken with Plums (also Satrapi) might also be good for that age.

The Cartoon History of the Universe, just reviewed here, is great, and has a nice section on early humans,etc.

[joyce lee]

I am not familiar with social studies curriculum but I have enjoyed reading Shaun Tan's "The Arrival" which deals with issues of alienation and migration. It is technically not a comic book but a wordless picture book. I especially find that the surrealistic images ideal for teaching inference skills. Here's a link to Shaun Tan's website: http://www.shauntan.net/books.html