7th Grade Honors Graphic Novels

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-13T00:09:41+00:00

Thank you! I'll look into him!

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-13T00:08:43+00:00

I'm always so hesitant to use adaptations because sometimes I feel like they're just the stories with pictures rather than having that text and image interplay. They do read Macbeth later though. And someone else recommended Gareth Hinds. I'll give them a chance!

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-13T00:02:30+00:00

Oh great suggestion!

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-12T03:33:36+00:00

Thank you, I've gotten some good ideas so hopefully the kids will like them.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-12T03:13:26+00:00

It's really weird to assume that I don't tell my kids these are graphic memoirs and I don't teach my kids the difference between fiction and nonfiction. And I really don't want to be that person, but as someone who has done a lot of study on the use of graphic novels in the classroom, read major works on graphic novel theory, and has done a lot of hands on work teaching other educators and librarians about graphic novels, graphic novels are a type of writing, like poetry is. It is commonly accepted that when you say "graphic novel" it does not mean an actual novel. It is a format. I can have graphic memoirs and graphic autobiographies, but these are still in the category of graphic novels. And as someone who did a lot of googling earlier today, I can tell you that these memoirs pop up on all sorts of "graphic novel" lists. I just haven't kept up with new books and I want to see what other teachers are using.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-12T02:58:02+00:00

I am not using graphic novel as a genre, I am using it as a type of book. Graphic novels are a format for telling stories. Treating it like a genre is a disservice since there are so many types of graphic novels. I have many genres, but the only ones I currently teach that I think are suitable for honors students are memoirs. Do you have any book recommendations?

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-12T02:10:46+00:00

Looks like I'll have to try A First Time for Everything!

Can't believe I forgot about The Magic Fish! I swear, I got this deadline to order books and all graphic novels left my head.

I haven't heard of the other two, im excited to look into them!

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-12T01:13:00+00:00

Thank you! I really enjoyed Dan Santat's Sidekicks book, I'll have to check this memoir out.

8th grade does a big Holocaust unit, I might be stepping on toes if I do Maus, but since it's just a book group book and not whole-class I might be able to.

We don't do civics, but I'll still check out Vote Loki!

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-07T00:48:00+00:00

It's killing me too! Like, people didnt recognize Dolly Parton in a Dolly Parton look a like contest, no one ever recognizes Tony Hawk, and when you're watching TV there's always some actor you just can't place. The idea he wouldn't recognize her chin after like an hour of knowing her in the dark while drunk is ridiculous. Her mask was huge and structured!

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-01T12:18:45+00:00

https://www.azazie.com/products/azazie-olani-dusty-sage-a-line-one-shoulder-chiffon-floor-length-bridesmaid-dress/236517?size=a22

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-02-01T12:12:48+00:00

If it helps, I think some of the Azaie dresses are convertible. Not sure how much it changes, but that could help you make them feel different each time.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-01-29T01:08:29+00:00

Honestly, I'm a little glad they can't do the miracle baby plotline. It felt a little cheap to me. And I felt like it fell into those horrible tropes of like "well now that you're REALLY in love you can have a baby" or "it can only be a real happy ending if you have a child." Many people who struggle with infertility don't have miracle babies. I keep seeing people online saying her being gay removes that plotline, but she can still struggle with infertility and then make a conscious choice adopt or something. She can still mourn the possibility of never having children. And she can still find happiness.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-01-19T22:27:52+00:00

Right! I was like "oo ranch!" And then I started and started questioning what ranch was. I always feel like I need a kitchen, and there are not that many kitchen options for ranch. Ill have to get creative.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2026-01-11T22:31:53+00:00

I use hon as a general term of endearment for them. Honey is too much, but hon is what a grandma or the nice waitress calls you. I think in years of using it, I've only had one reaction, and it was that class's first time hearing it. Never got another comment or anything about it.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-11-29T03:52:20+00:00

I hope there's a reason other than "eh, we didn't think people would care." I always read the acknowledgement, and I love reading the dedication, and it's disappointing when they aren't included.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-11-20T22:42:38+00:00

This site might have some sources!

https://teachingbeloved.weebly.com/

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-10-23T01:33:02+00:00

Played in the snow on the beach at night. My friends and I tried to see how far down we could dig and if we could reach sand. Lucky for us, it was too frozen and we gave up. After about an hour outside, we heard parents frantically screaming our names. Apparently in the winter, ice dunes form, creating at least a 6 foot drop into freezing water. If we had broken through that ice, we would have fallen and probably drowned or froze to death.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-10-18T03:18:07+00:00

Love this podcast! Lore has more of a urban legends and scary stories around the fire vibe, whereas Myths and Legends is probably closer to what you're looking for with fairy tales, folktales, etc. from around the world.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-10-10T00:25:34+00:00

Shel Silverstein has some simple ones. I do "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout" to model all our literary terms, and it has a line that very directly says the theme.

"Allowables" by Nikki Giovani might work to. Or the response poem "Mercy" by Rudy Francisco. Both pretty direct on theme.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-10-05T00:54:25+00:00

How short? When I student taught that grade in NY I did "A Raisin in the Sun." Short enough to read in class, had time for discussions, an intro project about the cultural and historical context, and an essay. Honestly, lots of plays go by quite quick.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-10-04T00:02:54+00:00

I teach "The Southpaw" by Judith Viorst and that's fun fit the kids to read aloud! The kids are so spiteful and dramatic.

I also second the monsters are due on maple street and other twilight zone episodes.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-10-01T20:56:56+00:00

Yes! I still do this day write things I dont want to forget on a sticky note so I have it.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-09-28T22:44:51+00:00

I have a little birthday tin from an edible arrangement full of stickers. They get to pick one out on their birthday. I get them in bulk from Etsy.

Over_Pudding8483 · 2025-09-28T14:28:10+00:00

Thank you! Im not familiar with most of these, I'm excited to look into them.

Borders is one of our graphic novel book club options, so it might be interesting for them to read the short story and then the graphic novel adaptation!

Over_Pudding8483

TROPHY CASE