Graphic Novels in the Classroom

Are there particular subjects that are better for using graphic novels?

I found this article to be extremely eye opening.  At first I was not sure what exactly graphic novels were.  I learned that graphic novels are pieces of work in which the story is conveyed through the use of comics.  Growing up, I never read comic books.  I had a hard time understanding the meaning behind them.  Gene Yang talks about the pros to graphic novels in the classroom.  She spoke about how graphic novels are visuals.  They are great for students who are visual learners and need to look at something in order to understand it.  They have also found great success with ELL students.  Graphic novels offer a new approach to learning.  

I thought it was very interesting when she said, "Graphic novels have a visual permanence to them.  Time progresses only as quickly as your eyes move across the page."  You are able to take your time when reading graphic novels and really analyze each particular comic.  They also keep students attention.  

I didn't realize until the end that what I was reading was actually a graphic novel! I really enjoyed reading it and seeing what was going to happen next.  I believe that these are a great way to teach a new topic in a classroom.  It keeps students intrigued and excited about the new topic.  It lets students see a whole different side to a topic.  I think that I will use graphic novels in my own classroom one day.  They are a great way to introduce a new topic.