Panel Pack (grades 3-5)

The Last Kids On Earth

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.

December's book is The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier. Register in person at the library. Registration opens November 16th. If your student has dietary restrictions that we need to accommodate, please let us know when you register.

About The Last Kids on Earth:

Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen-year-old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he's armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hordes of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack's loyal pet monster, Rover; and the fiercest girl Jack knows, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer! Can he do it?
 
 

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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