The Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi
By Christine Cook
The Amulet is another great series for reluctant readers. One of my favorite parts is it's a series of books so students are given the chance to become attached to the characters and discover what it feels like to fall into another world with literature. Another thing is the wonderful graphics. I remember Maryanne said once that sometimes graphic novels bring up more emotion than most. The images the artist used to express emotion are very poignant. The art within the pages gave my students and I a lot to talk about. We could track different moods by the colors chosen and how Kibuishi decided to span in on one image or span out on another. The storyline might be a bit juvenile for some, but I value a positive female lead character that has relatable values and sense of self. So far the story fits most fantasy stories and exclude the typical love story. She's relatable to my male students and myself which makes her a great hero. I highly suggest this series for any readers, but especially reluctant ones.