Cher Ami Comes Through (Graphic Library Heroic Animals)

If you have a reluctant reader that struggles with reading books you assign for school and prefers comic books to library books, you might want to try out one of these visually-oriented topical history titles. Each 32-page book explores an event from American or world history in a format very similar to a comic book. Text is conveyed through boxes of narration and dialogue balloons, accompanied by full-page, dramatic full-color illustrations and scenes. Additional facts, a glossary, suggested internet sites, recommended reading, a bibliography, and an index are included as well. While the text is fairly minimal, the essence of each event comes across pretty well here, and each title is a fast read. Although a serious reader will not get much out of these, they offer a viable alternative to struggling or reluctant readers, filling their minds with something more educational - and real - than typical comic-book heroics. - Jess

Graphic readers have a way of pulling any type of reader in, especially reluctant readers. This series features different animals who performed heroic acts in history. Because they are true stories, it makes it that much more exciting. The 32-page graphic reader has five chapters and ends with a picture of the actual animal with a short biography, glossary of key words from the book, read more options, and internet sites to further investigate. ~Amber