Fordham University Launches a Graphic Novel Symposium
Landing on the Moon...
Even though it has been some time since I last posted anything here on Buzz Balls and Hype, that doesn’t mean it’s been for a lack of things to do. The New Year brings a load of new opportunities and events across the country. The first event for the library world happened in Denver with the Mid-Winter meetings for the American Library Association. The guys at Udon Entertainment held a reception to launch their line of manga titles for early readers much like Francoise Mouly did for TOON Books last year when the show was in Philly. Publishers, you would be smart to follow in their steps. Show the librarians why your books are worth their time and you will definitely benefit. TOON Books picked up a Geisel Honor for Stinky by Eleanor Davis this year. It’s quite a coup and an honor for the first-time author and new publisher. It sure would be nice to see Udon follow the path set by TOON Books.
Fordham brings graphic novels out from under the desk
This past Saturday, Fordham University hosted a symposium on the use of graphic novels in literacy. The program was called Graphica in Education and to call it anything less than a watershed moment would be an injustice. The goal of the committee led by Dr. Marshall George was to provide the best possible programming that addresses this explosive category. The interest in the graphic novel format in education is something “that Fordham needs to be in front of.”
The first meeting we had with the committee was in mid-October and happened because Alan Brody, who published a graphic novel called White Shaka, made a call to the university to see if they would be interested in hosting an event focused on the use of graphic novels in literacy. When we met, Dr. George and the committee were determined to have this project scheduled within the next three months. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure of how it was going to come together. Normally an event such as this needs at least nine months or more to plan but the Fordham team really put it together.
As it so happened, January 31st was the best possible date to get all the classrooms and auditorium that were available. The next challenge would be getting authors and presenters lined up. With our small window, I had no idea to expect. I also forgot that Fordham has a bit of a reputation for doing incredible things. When the request for papers went out the response was amazing. The submissions had greater depth than I think many had anticipated-I know I was stunned.
See, as the educational industry has begun to react to the format, you normally see conference programs that ran from the genius level to the “Gee, kids really love graphic novels!” approach. It has improved considerably over the past couple of years but the Fordham event has redefined what an event like this can deliver. What these speakers brought to Fordham showed how incredibly intelligent educators have become about the impact graphic novels and comics will have on our system.
Professor James “Bucky” Carter and Jon Scieszka Own the Stage
The key note speaker was Professor James “Bucky” Carter who teaches in the English Department at University of Texas at El Paso. Bucky literally learned how to read using the comic books his high school drop-out mom would give him. In his first comic book from the X-Men series, he would learn about moral and religious dilemmas, codependent relationships and existentialism. He was only 8 years old. Bucky went on to college in spite of an environment that was determined prevent anyone from knowing success of any level.
Now, his ability to see how the use of comics and graphic novels can open the doors to literacy for so many students has led him to a pioneering role in the educational world. Fordham presented him with an honor for his ability to show the rest of the world why comics and graphic novels help readers discover a real passion for reading. Yes, there are other professors and teachers out there who are also doing this and soon enough the spot light will find them.
Ambassador Jon Scieszka
If you ever have the opportunity to hear Jon give a speech you need to make sure you don’t miss it. Here is a guy who knows comics and graphic novels work for improving literacy. He understands that kids and yes, that includes boys, will read when they are given the opportunity to read that which they really enjoy and not what you try to shove down their throats. With his mission to prove this point he was awarded the role of first Ambassador of Young Children’s Literature. In the tradition of Mark Twain and Dave Barry, Scieszka has fun in pointing out the obvious and proving, through his own books that kids will read when we make it fun for them. His books incorporate such a wide variety of graphic design, incorporating illustrations, cartoons and photos…he uses anything available to communicate with his readers-he makes his books fun to read and isn’t the joy of reading the point of all this?
Jimmy Gownley and Dr. Michael Bitz talk about the power of graphic novels
Before Jon Scieszka took to the podium I had the pleasure of moderating a panel with Dr. Michael Bitz and Jimmy Gownley of Amelia Rules! fame. In their own ways, these two have also made significant contributions to the graphic novel movement. Dr. Bitz founded The Comic Book Project and Jimmy has been writing his Amelia Rules! series for at least a decade. Jimmy, with the partnership of his wife has believed in the books he was writing. Michael Bitz developed a program while he was teaching at Columbia University that would begin to open so many doors to kids across the country. The topic of our panel was The Power of Graphic Novels. Why do kids like them? Why do kids have an easier time reading comics and graphic novels? Why do we, as adults try to differentiate the format from traditional prose?
It’s quite simple. The next generation readers are already tuned to the impact of a multi-media environment. They process images faster and they are more critical of the information and the ways it is delivered. While we call them graphic novels, the kids simply call them books. It’s no different than when our generation began to refer to rock and roll as simply ‘music’.
With the arrival of rock and roll a new phenomenon arrived. It was the birth of the garage band. Kids everywhere picked up guitars and drumsticks and made their own versions of the music they were hearing on the radio. Training in classical music would have been nice but they couldn’t wait for that. The need to create a new sound was undeniable.
At the end of our panel, Dr. Bitz showed us a story that was drawn by a tenth grade student that was considerably more articulate and intense than, I think, anyone in the audience had ever anticipated. Try to imagine what the mind of young Native American boy can create when he draws from the spiritual beliefs of his ancestors and combines them with a very strong touch of Christianity. The result was stunning.
Now, a new generation has arrived. They can create their own comics, graphic novels, animation and video games. The question for the academics who attended the Graphica in Education symposium at Fordham University is this: Can you meet the needs of kids who think faster than we did at that age?
I’d like to tell you that you have some time to think about it but that’s really not the case. This week we have New York Comic Con at the Javit’s Center. Mixed in with an incredible amount of programming for the fans and creators are workshops for librarians and teachers. If you want to see what tomorrow looks like you will find it at events like Comic Con and at Fordham University.
Dr. George Marshall and the rest of the folks on the committee at Fordham University did something amazing with thier symposium. There have been other workshops included in various conferences across the country but nothing of the depth and scale of what we saw during the Graphica in Education symposium.
When the dust finally settles they will realize they've put a foot print on the surface of the moon.
John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries. He's been a moderator and panelist at Book Expo, Comic Con International, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. He can be reached via email at [email protected]
Good to see you back on the web, John!
It really was a great day. I'm writing it about it, too, in my column for this Friday...
Posted by: klg19 | February 03, 2009 at 07:10 PM