Once dismissed as “kids’ picture books,” graphic novels have become one of today’s most creative and accessible forms of storytelling. This popular genre, which has been taught at universities and celebrated by critics, recently returned to Scituate High School with the reintroduction of the Graphic Novels class.
A “senior selective” English class, Graphic Novels invites students to explore how words and images work together to tell stories that are both visually engaging and emotionally complex. Previously taught by SHS English teacher Anne Blake, the class is now led by SHS English teacher Catherine Hall, who said she’s thrilled to bring this unique course back to SHS.
Hall admitted she was nervous about taking on the genre at first; however, when asked how the course is going, she responded, “Oh my gosh–it’s so much fun!” Noting she was originally “scared to death” to teach the class, Hall confessed she had only read two graphic novels in her life when she agreed to the assignment. What began as what she jokingly called “pulling the short straw” has since become one of her favorite teaching experiences.
Over the summer, Hall noticed her eight-year-old granddaughter was hooked on graphic novels, which helped her understand their wide appeal and inspired her to explore what makes them so captivating. That curiosity shaped her approach to the class, where students examine how storytelling, art, and emotion combine to create a unique reading experience.
Hall has worked to make the course hands-on and creative, adding projects like zines, comic panels, and storyboards to balance the writing and artistic sides of the genre. Collaborating closely with SHS librarian Tracey Newman, Hall said, “She is my self-proclaimed co-teacher.” Noting that Newman has been instrumental in helping her navigate the world of visual storytelling, Hall commented, “Ms. Newman is a wealth of knowledge.”
Newman grew up reading Spider-Man comics, which she says helped her build strong reading skills and a lifelong love of visual storytelling. Now, she curates the school’s expanding graphic novel collection — which includes everything from Japanese manga to illustrated versions of classics like George Orwell’s 1984.
Newman believes graphic novels make reading more approachable, especially for visual learners. The combination of text and imagery allows readers to see the story unfold, understand characters’ emotions, and process complex ideas in a new way. “The artwork isn’t just decoration,” she explained. “It’s another layer of storytelling.” She also noted that every layout, color choice, and pacing is intentional in each novel–a visual language authors use to guide readers through tone, pacing, and emotion.
Newman’s connection to comics runs deep: her husband, Tak Toyoshima, is a professional graphic novelist and creator of Secret Asian Man, one of the first comics to feature an Asian American main character.
At Cushing Elementary School, fourth-grade teacher Kate Martin has seen firsthand how graphic novels have inspired her students to love reading. Popular titles like Dog Man, Smile, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and the Baby-Sitters Club are the first books students grab from the shelves. She estimates that more than half of her class prefers graphic novels over traditional chapter books. While some adults still assume graphic novels are “too easy,” Martin said the vocabulary and themes are often just as advanced as those in traditional chapter books. Some of her students have even created their own comics to share with classmates, combining writing, art, and their imagination. It is evident that graphic novels have inspired the youth of Scituate Public Schools, at least in Ms. Martin’s class.
Still, not everyone is a fan. Martin admits that a few teachers and parents have told students to read something else, worrying that graphic novels might limit imagination or distract from traditional reading. But she disagrees because for some students, this is how they imagine. At Gates Middle School, librarian Colleen Simpson has noticed the same trend. Titles like Amulet and Wings of Fire are among the most checked-out books in the library.
The rise of graphic novels isn’t just a school trend; it’s part of a much larger cultural movement. The explosion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and adaptations of books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid have pushed visual storytelling into the mainstream. What began as comic books has evolved into a more respected literary and artistic medium that appeals to kids and adults. As Newman put it, “Our society is becoming more visual.”
Hall described graphic novels as a “multi-sensory experience” that combines text and imagery to ignite imagination and make reading accessible to everyone. She hopes the course, currently open to seniors, will eventually expand to include juniors as well. “Everyone benefits when students have an opportunity to exercise their imagination and try something different,” she said.
At Scituate High School, the Graphic Novels class captures that change perfectly — offering students a creative way to think about reading, art, and storytelling.