부산대학교 도서관

In a changing publishing climate, with graphic novel adaptations of bestselling books becoming increasingly popular, we examined four Newbery Medal winning texts (Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, Lois Lowry’s The Giver, Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, and Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover) and their graphic novel adaptations. Graphic novels, including graphic adaptations of award-winning texts, have long been viewed as second tier literature, both by educators and literature scholars alike. However, in this study, we attempt to elevate and make space for the unique affordances of both text types. Rather than comparing source texts and their adaptations in order to determine which exhibited higher literary quality (a highly subjective and contentious space that typically privileges the originals), we approach our analysis by asking how reading the paired texts could expand and enhance readers’ transactions. The findings of our study suggest pairing award-winning texts and their graphic novel adaptations can allow readers’ transactions to blossom, as the complementary experiences can deepen their understanding of and engagement with storytelling that unfolds in unique and important ways.