The Panel Pack

A Monthly Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids in Grades 3-5

Graphic novels can be the gateway to enthusiastic readers. Read the book on your own, then join us monthly for discussion, games, and activities based on our book of the month.

December's book is Mr. Muffins Defender of the Stars by Ben Kahn . Register in person at the library. Registration opens  November 24th. If your student has dietary restrictions that we need to accommodate, please let us know when you register.

About Mr Muffins:

Eleven-year-old Reuben Mahmud just wants a break. When he takes his pet corgi, Mr. Muffins, to the park, he expects to get just that—a break. But what he gets instead is an alien invasion right smack dab in the middle of his neighborhood! Oh! And apparently, Mr. Muffins is the chosen one destined to save the galaxy? This should be interesting . . .

Dragged into the middle of an epic space war, Reuben learns that the fate of the entire galaxy rests in Mr. Muffins’s adorable corgi paws. It’s going to take a lot more than tail wagging and butt waddling to end this war. To turn the tide of the conflict, intergalactic soldier Cassara must show Mr. Muffins how to tap into his cosmic power and be the hero the galaxy needs him to be. But when Mr. Muffins is separated from Reuben and a formidable giant mech-corgi arrives to conquer the world, Mr. Muffins’s powers are put to the test. Will Reuben be able to rise to the occasion to help his fluffy best friend? Do Cassara, Reuben, and Mr. Muffins have what it takes to end this war once and for all?

Benefits of Reading Graphic Novels for Kids
1. Builds Strong Reading Skills

• Encourages visual literacy
• Helps with sequencing, cause and effect, and plot development
• Offers context clues through illustrations

2. Supports Struggling and Reluctant Readers

• Less text per page feels less intimidating
• Pictures help decode meaning
• Great for kids with dyslexia, ADHD, or language-based learning challenges

3. Expands Vocabulary

• Exposes kids to rich language in a digestible format
• Supports understanding of idioms, slang, and expressive dialogue

4. Develops Critical Thinking

• Requires readers to infer emotions, motivations, and tone
• Encourages comparing text and image for full meaning

5. Boosts Comprehension and Retention

• Engaging visuals support memory
• Helps kids recall and retell stories more easily

6. Encourages a Love of Reading

• Fast-paced, fun, and often humorous
• Builds confidence as kids finish books more quickly

7. Broadens Access to Diverse Stories

• Graphic novels often explore unique cultures, identities, and perspectives
• Gives kids windows into other worlds and mirrors of their own

8. Inspires Creativity and Artistic Expression

• Kids often start drawing or making their own comics
• Introduces storytelling elements like panel layout and dialogue pacing

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