GN Discussion Group
Dates: 1/13/04,4:03 PM through 1/13/04,4:15 PM (2 postings)
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FROM: "Steve Roman" <[removed]@NILS.LIB.IL.US>
REC'D: 1/13/04, 4:03 PM
So many people have been asking me about my graphic novel discussion group, I figured I'd simply post here.
Well, for my grant I focused on teens, so YAs ages 13-18, grades 7-12. We meet once per month for 90 minutes.
Just like in a regular book club, a graphic novel is selected prior to the next meeting. Usually, I have a title in mind for the next discussion, and will run it by the members, but I will also spend some time discussing with the members what's popular now, and get some titles and suggestions from them.
Having done this, I will then spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon camped out at Borders or B&N and select the teens' suggestions from the shelf. I'll read through them and see if any of them are "discussable"--if there is enough substance to sustain a 90 minute discussion. (I have an M.A. in Literature, which when coupled with a lifetime knowledge of comics and graphic novels helps me in my selection.)
I will then make a decision incorporating all of the above elements and order several copies of the graphic novel to be discussed. I try to order 4 for check out, and one copy to hold back in reserve. I will then see to the advertising, and email / call the teens when the graphic novels arrive.
The title of the program is "Heroes [removed]@ Your Library," and the theme of the discussion series is "What makes a Hero?"
We've only had 2 discussions so far. In the first, I used Kurt Busiek's GN _Astro City: Life in the Big City_. During this discussion, we discussed the behaviors and attitudes of heroes--who they are, how they act, what they do. We also discussed some of the history of superhero comics, and some conventions of that genre. It was very gratifying to hear the *teens* bringing up and discussing symbolism in the graphic novel we read.
In the second discussion, I decided to use _Trigun_ vol. 1, a very popular comic from Japan. Several of the teens were familiar with the animation series due to exposure on Cartoon Network. We discussed several of the conventions of Japanese comics, and how they differed from American comics. In addition, we also compared the attributes of a hero they'd brought up in discussion one and applied them to _Trigun_. They teens were both a bit surprised and intrigued that the aspects of a hero identified in discussion one turned out to be, in this case, cross-cultural--the heroes in the manga (Japanese comic) had the same characteristics as those in the American comics.
One big draw for the first discussion was the fact that I said "Food & refreshments provided." I ordered 2 large pizzas and several 2-liters of soda. (I'm not above using such means to get the teens to come in!)
So far, the teens themselves have been *incredibly* enthusiastic (and rowdy). They've been intellectually engaged, (usually) focused, and thrilled that the library is doing something for *them*. Note that "for *them*" carries the implications of "not indoctrinational" and "not what adults *think* teens ought to enjoy or do, but something of genuine interest to them." And yet, I am able to exercise their critical thinking skills through the use of graphic novels. Sneaky me. (Wow! Pop culture can actually be *GOOD* for you?! Kids will actually *learn* if you give them material that *interests* them?! What a concept! Who'da thunk it?)
In addition, I have received incredible praise from the teens' *moms*! When the mothers saw how much their children enjoyed the discussion, they couldn't thank me enough. In fact, *they* volunteered to bring snacks for the second discussion--we ended up with 3 large pizzas, about 3 dozen cans of sodas of various kinds, and about 20 lbs. of cookies! They've been unbelievably supportive.
In addition to the discussions, I've decided to set up two sessions about creating comics. Basically, one guest will discuss and teach script writing, and another will discuss, teach, and demonstrate drawing. I'm still looking for said professionals, so if anybody is "in the know" or has any suggestions, feel free to email me at: [removed]@nils.lib.il.us
Also feel free to call or email if you have any further questions, would like to see my discussion notes, want suggestions for graphic novel picks for children / YAs / adults, etc.
Thanks to all who have demonstrated their interest--you know who you are!
Steven A. Roman
DeKalb Public Library
309 Oak Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-756-9568
FROM: [removed]@bellevue.lib.oh.us
REC'D: 1/13/04, 4:15 PM
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Roman <[removed]@NILS.LIB.IL.US>
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 5:02 pm
Subject: RE: GN Discussion Group
> Good day, again.
>
> So many people have been asking me about my graphic novel
> discussion group, I figured I'd simply post here.
>
> Well, for my grant I focused on teens, so YAs ages 13-18, grades 7-
> 12. We meet once per month for 90 minutes.
>
> Just like in a regular book club, a graphic novel is selected
> prior to the next meeting. Usually, I have a title in mind for
> the next discussion, and will run it by the members, but I will
> also spend some time discussing with the members what's popular
> now, and get some titles and suggestions from them.
>
> Having done this, I will then spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon
> camped out at Borders or B&N and select the teens' suggestions
> from the shelf. I'll read through them and see if any of them are
> "discussable"--if there is enough substance to sustain a 90 minute
> discussion. (I have an M.A. in Literature, which when coupled
> with a lifetime knowledge of comics and graphic novels helps me in
> my selection.)
>
> I will then make a decision incorporating all of the above
> elements and order several copies of the graphic novel to be
> discussed. I try to order 4 for check out, and one copy to hold
> back in reserve. I will then see to the advertising, and email /
> call the teens when the graphic novels arrive.
>
> The title of the program is "Heroes [removed]@ Your Library," and the theme
> of the discussion series is "What makes a Hero?"
>
> We've only had 2 discussions so far. In the first, I used Kurt
> Busiek's GN _Astro City: Life in the Big City_. During this
> discussion, we discussed the behaviors and attitudes of heroes--
> who they are, how they act, what they do. We also discussed some
> of the history of superhero comics, and some conventions of that
> genre. It was very gratifying to hear the *teens* bringing up and
> discussing symbolism in the graphic novel we read.
>
> In the second discussion, I decided to use _Trigun_ vol. 1, a very
> popular comic from Japan. Several of the teens were familiar with
> the animation series due to exposure on Cartoon Network. We
> discussed several of the conventions of Japanese comics, and how
> they differed from American comics. In addition, we also compared
> the attributes of a hero they'd brought up in discussion one and
> applied them to _Trigun_. They teens were both a bit surprised
> and intrigued that the aspects of a hero identified in discussion
> one turned out to be, in this case, cross-cultural--the heroes in
> the manga (Japanese comic) had the same characteristics as those
> in the American comics.
>
> One big draw for the first discussion was the fact that I said
> "Food & refreshments provided." I ordered 2 large pizzas and
> several 2-liters of soda. (I'm not above using such means to get
> the teens to come in!)
>
> So far, the teens themselves have been *incredibly* enthusiastic
> (and rowdy). They've been intellectually engaged, (usually)
> focused, and thrilled that the library is doing something for
> *them*. Note that "for *them*" carries the implications of "not
> indoctrinational" and "not what adults *think* teens ought to
> enjoy or do, but something of genuine interest to them." And yet,
> I am able to exercise their critical thinking skills through the
> use of graphic novels. Sneaky me. (Wow! Pop culture can
> actually be *GOOD* for you?! Kids will actually *learn* if you
> give them material that *interests* them?! What a concept!
> Who'da thunk it?)
>
> In addition, I have received incredible praise from the teens'
> *moms*! When the mothers saw how much their children enjoyed the
> discussion, they couldn't thank me enough. In fact, *they*
> volunteered to bring snacks for the second discussion--we ended up
> with 3 large pizzas, about 3 dozen cans of sodas of various kinds,
> and about 20 lbs. of cookies! They've been unbelievably supportive.
>
> In addition to the discussions, I've decided to set up two
> sessions about creating comics. Basically, one guest will discuss
> and teach script writing, and another will discuss, teach, and
> demonstrate drawing. I'm still looking for said professionals, so
> if anybody is "in the know" or has any suggestions, feel free to
> email me at: [removed]@nils.lib.il.us
>
> Also feel free to call or email if you have any further questions,
> would like to see my discussion notes, want suggestions for
> graphic novel picks for children / YAs / adults, etc.
>
> Thanks to all who have demonstrated their interest--you know who
> you are!
>
> Steven A. Roman
> DeKalb Public Library
> 309 Oak Street
> DeKalb, IL 60115
> 815-756-9568
>
>
> ......................................................................
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