Get Current, Lady!

Green, John. Phineas and Ferb Nothing but Trouble. New York: Disney Press, 2010. N. pag. Print.

What's all this crap about comic-esque books, (properly known as graphic novles), getting as much credit as the classics when it comes to the activity known as reading? I don't know about you, but when I was a kid it was okay to peruse such things in your free time, but it certainly wasn't going to get recorded in my weekly reading log. 

I decided that I should get current, even if it kills me, (I don't like reading garbage). So, I went to one of my favorite bookstores, (Hastings - they give great teacher discounts, in case you weren't aware), and chose something off the shelf.

The selection I made for this graphic novel read isn't the most brain-enriching, thrilling book you'll ever find yourself exposed to. When I was searching for a graphic novel I "wanted" to read I was trying to think like my students, (Kindergartners). I knew I'd be adding this book to my classroom collection and I wanted it to be something that would grab their attention and make them want to pull it off the shelf. Often times, my kids come to school telling me about the latest episode of x, y, or z. Thus, I figured a book created around Phineas and Ferb might be a good choice for me.

This book was broken up into two parts, (probably each based around an episode). While it isn't too riveting it does provide for some expansion of vocabulary, especially related to science. Not only so, I could see myself using this book for reciprocal teaching in my classroom as there are plenty of opportunities to make predictions, ask questions, clarify, and of course, summarizing is a good activity to do with any book.

Phineas and Ferb get into plenty of trouble in this short read and their pet platypus, Perry, finds himself wrestling the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Their worlds collide and big sister is forever trying to catch all of them so she can report to Mom. 

So, I have to admit...my ploy worked. I took this book to work with me a day or two after I bought it and it was retrieved from the shelf about 10 minutes into the school day. Not only so, I have spent every day since breaking up fights over who gets to read this book.

I won't have a clear conscience unless I conclude this post by confessing that graphic novels, (in my humble opinion), should receive more credit than I've been willing to give them. If I'm refereeing in the book corner, I don't care what book it is, it's won me over!