Defining Our Favorites: Graphic Novels and Young Adult Novels
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Welcome to our blog, young readers, parents and future book lovers! We are so pumped to talk more about Graphic Novels and Young Adult (YA) Novel selections. Today we are going to take a look at the nuances of these two genres and how they differ from other types of books like Romance Books, Anime (Japanese animation), comics book including DC Comics and Marvel etc., Manga & adult rated novels. Let’s get started!
What Are Graphic Novels?
Graphic Novels are big comic books with more story! They tell a whole story using pictures and words, so they can really represent anything; adventure, fantasy, mystery – you name it! These are movies on paper. Popular graphic novels can be easily recognized such as Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi and Bone by Jeff Smith.
Key Features:
- Visual Storytelling: Pictures and words work together to tell the story.
- Variety of Genres: From superheroes to the ordinary – you can find nearly anything of your interest.
- Longer Format: Graphic novels are typically more pages than regular comic books.
What Are Young Adult Novels?
Young Adult (YA) Novels refers to books written from the perspective of young readers 12 -18 years of age. These stories generally focus on teenage characters and their life challenges and growth. There are YA novels that can be set in a grounded real world or they could contain immense fantasy like “Harry Potter” and ”The Hunger Games.”
Key Features:
- Teen Protagonists: Characters are usually teenagers.
- Universal Themes: They cover subject matter and life experiences that appeal to teens.
- Wide Range of Genres: Romance, fantasy, science fiction and many more.
How Are Graphic Novels and YA Novels Different from Other Categories?
Romance Novels: These books are written for adults and deal with emotionally rich topics and conflict. While YA novels can have romance, it’s often part of a bigger picture about challenges, life and growth.
Anime and Manga:
- Anime is a Japanese art style of animation. It’s like watching a cartoon, but with better plots and detailed characters.
- Manga are Japanese comic books or graphic novels. Unlike Western graphic novels, they are read from right to left.
Comics (DC, Marvel, etc.): The tales of superheroes are generally shorter and come in single series issues. And though graphic novels can also be superhero tales as well, they tend to get much longer and richer.
Adult-Oriented Books: As is pretty self-explanatory, these are books written with more mature themes intended for grown-ups who already entered the real world. Our blog features books that are perfect for kids and teens!
Why We Love Graphic Novels and YA Novels
Graphic Novels and Young Adult novels in general are cool just because they fuse good storytelling with great art (for graphic novels) or relatable characters (in the case of YA). Young readers can explore different worlds and unfamiliar cultures, and follow exciting tales – while imagining themselves in the characters are worlds within the stories.
Top 3 Best-Selling Graphic Novels (or Series) for Middle Readers
1. “Amulet” by Kazu Kibuishi
- Join Emily and her brother, Navin, in their new adventure as they discover a mysterious amulet that has the power to save their mothers life – but only if they can travel into dreamland.
2. “Bone” by Jeff Smith
- Follow the adventures of Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone in this classic epic tale with humor, mystery & adventure.
3. “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier
- A fast and charming graphic novel based on Raina’s personal experiences with braces, friendships, and finding her own path.
Top 3 Best-Selling Young Adult Novels (or Series) Worldwide
- “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling
- Follow Harry Potter from being a young boy living under the stairs to a powerful wizard confronting dark forces at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
- “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
- In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games, a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts fight to death on live television.
- “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer
- The series that follows a teenage girl, Bella Swan, who falls in love with vampire Edward Cullen, that has taken readers from all over the world by storm as it incorporates both romance and supernatural features.
Whether you are a fan of the illustrated graphic novels or the emotional journeys in a YA storylines, stay tuned to our blog for more recommendations, reviews, and fun bookish discussions!
Books Mentioned
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