Graphic novels have a tendency to have very intricate pictures and small text, which can make them a challenge for struggling readers, who are often draw to this genre. The Graphix line does a much better job of utilizing simple, well colored illustrations combined with just enough text to augment the story and help us understand what the characters are thinking, and not just what they are doing.

I love the little details that fifth grade teacher and author Steinke throws in. Mr. Wolf's desk chairs have tennis balls stuck on the bottoms, the students have rulers in the library to use to keep the place of books they take off the shelves, and there are mugs of pencils on the students' tables. The students all have different issues in their lives that affect how they interact in school, much like books such as Buyea's Because of Mr. Terupt.

Interestingly, this struck me as a sort of B is for Betsy in graphic novel form! You have the variety of students (who are all different animals, ala Marc Brown's Arthur), supportive adults, and very pedestrian activities that are nonetheless pleasantly interesting. This will be an enormous hit in elementary schools everywhere, and my 6th graders will pick the book up as well.

Plus, what student doesn't day dream about taking a long nap somewhere during the school day?