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Yes, Graphic Novels Are Just Fine!

Anne Hauth • January 13, 2025

If there’s one book series my second grader is crazy about, it’s Dog Man. You might know a kid or two who shares this obsession. The books are graphic novels in which bathroom humor, slime fights, and a time-traveling hot dog stand feature prominently.


How do I feel about my son’s literature choices? Initially, I’ll admit, I struggled. There are plenty of books at his level that don’t dedicate multiple pages to the topic of dog poop. And my son has finally reached the point of being able to read chapter books. Wouldn’t it be more worthwhile for him to challenge himself with those?


Thankfully, I didn’t struggle with this for too long. When I started paying attention, I noticed a few things. First, the Dog Man books make my son laugh out loud. This is a clear sign that not only is he enjoying himself, but he’s comprehending the text. Second, he frequently brings me the books and asks what certain words mean. They’re usually sophisticated, difficult-to-decode words. For example, a robotic cat villain describes himself as “deplorable, contemptible, ignominious, despicable, loathsome, and detestable.” In just one sentence of text, my son attempted several new vocabulary words and deepened his understanding of synonyms. He was motivated to learn all those words because he wanted to fully understand the plot. Finally, and most importantly, the Dog Man books keep my son reading. He stays engaged for long stretches of time, building his reading stamina. Every time he picks up one of these books, he integrates the idea that reading is interesting and enjoyable, and he wants to keep doing it.


How do graphic novels full of weird pictures and potty talk manage to do all of those things? The Dog Man books themselves actually are entertaining, but the biggest contributor here is the fact that my son chooses to read them. Good readers read with the expectation that they will learn or enjoy something. When kids have opportunities to choose what they want to read (as opposed to being told what to read), they’re invested in the process from the beginning. They tend to use their time wisely, and they learn more quickly how rewarding reading can be. It doesn’t really matter which books help them learn this. The important thing is that they learn it.


Now, are graphic novels alone going to teach kids how to read? Probably not. High-quality reading instruction teaches kids how to read. Books like Dog Man—or whichever books they can’t get enough of—teach them why to read.


Reading enjoyment and effective instruction are not mutually exclusive, however. Ideally, a reading program will incorporate the power of self-selection and high-interest material to keep kids engaged and motivated. One Minute Reader is a program that uses research-based strategies to teach fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Kids develop these skills by reading interesting nonfiction stories at their level. The first step in the process is that they get to choose which story to read. Parents often report that even the most reluctant readers become captivated learners when using One Minute Reader. Self-selected, interesting stories are among the main reasons why.


So, if kids are getting high-quality reading instruction and want to read graphic novels on their own, that’s just fine. The important thing is that they’re reading, comprehending, and enjoying. Often, these books serve as a bridge to more advanced reading material anyway. After my son had read each of the Dog Man books cover to cover about 10 times, he picked up another book by the same author—this time, a chapter book. The book is Captain Underpants, and the plot is about evil talking toilets trying to take over the world. I wonder what’s next.

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By Anne Hauth September 23, 2025
Reading fluency is a crucial skill that bridges the gap between decoding words and understanding their meaning. One effective strategy to build fluency is repeated reading —a technique where a student reads the same text multiple times until they achieve a level of fluency that feels natural and confident. What Is Repeated Reading? Repeated reading involves selecting a short passage at an appropriate reading level--ideally at or slightly above the student's instructional level. The student reads this passage several times, focusing on improving speed, accuracy, and expression with each reading. This practice allows for mastery of the text, leading to fluent and confident reading. Fluent reading should sound like conversational speaking--natural and expressive. Why Does It Work? Research shows* that repeated reading can lead to significant improvements in reading performance. The benefits include: Improved Word Recognition : By encountering the same words repeatedly, students become more familiar with them, leading to quicker and more accurate recognition. When these words become automatic, the students no longer need to put effort into decoding them. Increased Reading Fluency : Reading the same passage multiple times allows students to build fluency--each time reading it more smoothly and with greater expression. Enhanced Comprehension : As fluency improves, students can focus more on understanding the text, leading to better comprehension. This improvement in comprehension extends to unpracticed passages as well. Increased Confidence : Repeated reading is a form of mastery learning. Many beginning or struggling readers don't often get the opportunity to hear themselves sounding like fluent readers. After reading a passage multiple times, they've mastered it--and they sound great! This is a huge confidence boost that motivates them to keep reading. Repeated Reading at Home Incorporating the repeated reading strategy into your child's home reading routine doesn't have to be complicated or boring. In fact, many kids already do it! You've probably noticed that they often want to read the same book over and over. Don't discourage this--as long as they haven't totally memorized the entire text, they're building skills each time they read it. To work on repeated reading with your child at home, here's a simple strategy: Use an Appropriate Passage : Have your child choose a new short text that is slightly challenging but still within their level. Listen to Your Child Read : Have your child read the passage aloud to you. Note any words that are difficult for them to decode. Read Aloud Together : Read the passage aloud with your child, modeling fluent reading. Do this one to three times. Identify the difficult words together, and provide definitions. Independent Practice : Encourage your child to read the passage independently a few more times, focusing on improving their expression with each reading. Celebrate Progress : Affirm how much your child improved from the first reading to the final reading. Acknowledge their hard work and progress to build confidence and motivation. Additional Tips Keep Sessions Short : Aim for 10- to 15-minute sessions at first, to maintain focus and prevent frustration. Consider Using a Timer : If your child is open to the idea, set a timer each time they read the passage. Note their improvement in time, and celebrate their fluency growth. Make the timing element a fun challenge, but emphasize that this exercise isn't about speed reading--it's about building fluency. Repeated reading is a powerful strategy that can significantly enhance your child's reading ability. If you're looking for an easy-to-use program that incorporates this research-proven strategy, check out One Minute Reader . This program uses repeated reading and gamified learning to help kids at various reading levels build fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence. * Dowhower, S. L. (1987). Effects of repeated reading on second-grade transitional readers’ fluency and comprehension. Reading Research Quarterly , 22(4), 389–405. Kuhn, M. R., & Stahl, S. A. (2003). Fluency: A review of developmental and remedial practices. Journal of Educational Psychology , 95(1), 3–21. LaBerge, D., & Samuels, S. J. (1974). Toward a theory of automatic information processing in reading. Cognitive Psychology , 6(2), 292–323.
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Simple back-to-school reading routines that help kids build strong literacy skills, improve homework success, and develop lifelong reading habits. Get practical tips for creating a daily reading schedule, cozy reading spaces, and fun ways to make reading stick at home.
A young girl is sitting at a desk holding a sign that says help.
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