A lack of vocabulary and experience of the wider world (prior knowledge) can become barriers to reading for some children.
Graphic novels can provide struggling readers with a way of strengthening their vocabularies, build their reading confidence, and foster their appreciation of story.
The brilliant thing about the graphic novel is the way they offer struggling readers several different cues to the story. If a reader gets snagged on the vocabulary or storyline of a graphic novel, illustrated pages offer contextual cues to help decipher meaning. Additionally, in class discussions, the graphic novel has an easy-to-read accessible format that allows struggling readers into the world of classic literary references that would otherwise be accessible only to stronger readers. Graphic novels can also help support a reader’s understanding of everything from Greek Mythology to Shakespeare.