Panel Pack (going into grades 3-5)

Refugee

Graphic novels are often a 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.

August's book is Refugee by Alan Gratz. Register in person at the library. Registration opens July 13th. If your student has dietary restrictions that we need to accommodate, please let us know when you register.

About Refugee:

JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world...

ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America...

MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe...

All three kids must endure harrowing journeys. All face unimaginable dangers. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.

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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