I have to agree with the OP, if it is all they read it is a problem. I am frustrated that my 3rd grade reader is only expected to read them during class reading. I would say however that I have been able to engage him is high-end picture books that are based on science and biographies that have as complex or more complex vocabulary as any Junie B or other popular type books.

I think the key OP is that you really need to provide them interesting non-fiction alternatives. There are actually some great pieces being created. Politics and Prose has a great section, get the titles and pull them at the library.

OP if it helps, my DS7 reads comic books (a lot) and scored two years above grade level on an intensive reading comprehension assessment.

If it also makes you feel better, I read comic books and newspaper funnies for entertainment. I was/am a great reader and did very well in school and life.

I hear you- when I dream of all of the wonderful books my son will read, comic books don't make the list. A couple of strategies for boys and reading:

1. Select some graphic novels (more words on the page). My DS loves Wimpy Kid (of course), Odd Squad, Stick Dog, and Dragon Breath

2. Books high on plot or humor can be more engaging for young boy readers. My DS has read Roald Dahl, the Familiars series, and Percy Jackson. These are great books for kids who like wacky or action packed book.

3. My philosophy is that if you're going to do something do it well- I bought my DS Calvin and Hobbs, Bone, and Amulet. The art, plot, humor and/or vocabulary are stronger in the better comics. In C & H the concepts/humor can be sophisticated and sarcastic-- both a plus and minus depending on your tolerance.

4. Save the great books for read alouds, especially for your eight year old. Try to have some dialogue about the abstract aspects of the book. Your DS may glean a more sophisticated understanding of the book through conversation than independent reading.

Anonymous wrote:Interesting, my daughter's lit teacher disagrees heartily with the sentiment that what kids read doesn't matter as long as they are reading. Her classes are required to read independently from a list she provides and her list is solid quality literature. She also thinks that enjoyable reading has its place and advocates making room for it, but she really is vocal about ensuring kids read quality literature and not just anything they want.

Yes, I'm the English teacher who posted earlier, and I would agree with her. My concern is OP's approach to limit/ban one type of reading for another. That will create resentment toward what I would consider quality literature, rather than an appreciation for it, and that would be unfortunate.

Interesting, my daughter's lit teacher disagrees heartily with the sentiment that what kids read doesn't matter as long as they are reading. Her classes are required to read independently from a list she provides and her list is solid quality literature. She also thinks that enjoyable reading has its place and advocates making room for it, but she really is vocal about ensuring kids read quality literature and not just anything they want.

My husband has always read comic books -- and it hasn't stopped him from being a reader in general, he typically reads a couple dozen books a year, an even mix of fiction and non (mostly history).

What about introducing more complex comic books/graphic novels?

http://www.amazon.com/The-Adventures-Of-Luther-Arkwright/dp/1593077254

http://www.amazon.com/Wrinkle-Time-Graphic-Novel/dp/0374386153/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414677955&sr=1-2&keywords=graphic+novels

http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Dick-Graphic-Campfire-Novels/dp/9380028229/ref=pd_sim_b_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=07ECB6KZ6ZF65PK7CE32

You should be happy that they are at least reading.

However if the problem for you is that they are only reading dialog then there are plenty of other "real" (and I say that in italics since comic books are real books to with plot and diverse characters) books out there that have the same characters without the artwork . Get the novelizations of the recent movies.

Please let it go. My kids read manga in their teen years and are very successful academically and professionally. Be happy they're reading!

I'm an English teacher, and I think your approach is a mistake. While you can widen your child's experience with various forms of literature, discouraging and being narrow-minded about the one that they have shown passion toward will hurt their relationship with you and perhaps also their desire to read.

What is the point of "banning" or discouraging comicbooks?

Do you realize how many comic books are based on mythology from around the world? Do you know how many well known writers and artists contribute to graphic novels? Do you know how many of these explore deep philosophical questions about what it means to be human?

Talk to your kids about what they are reading, whatever it is. Don't go in with an agenda.

You have 10 year old and 8 year old boys that enjoy reading. This is a good thing! Don't ruin it by preventing them from reading something that they like. Maybe a system where if they read xyz of what you want them to read you will buy them an extra comic book. Also, try to find out what they like in the comic books and see if you can approximate it in other kinds of books - whether it be adventure or whatever it is.

My parents never restrcited anything I read and it very much encouraged me and my siblings to be great readers. Reading anything is beneficial.

Just have them zone out in front of an iPad. Much better.

Why do you want to restrict comic books? Do you think that if you don't let them read comic books, they will read something else? What if you let them read comic books and encouraged them to read other things as well?

Also, I don't agree with the idea of comic books vs. actual writings, and neither does the Pulitzer Prize committee that awarded a prize to the graphic novel Maus.

I loved comic books when I was a 10 year old boy. Graduated with a Master's Degree, have a great career and happy life.

Don't worry too much

my 10 and 8 year old boys have dedicate the majority of their leisure reading time on comic books since about a year ago. spoke with their teachers and they both said not to ban it altogether but limiting it. we all agree they need to read more actual writings to improve comprehension, because non-fiction is a weak area for both. what's a reasonable limitation or one that worked for you? also is it ok to ask the teachers to help enforce the limitation at school too? my sense is one of them is really on board with a limit, the other is kind of hard to read.