The World of Graphic Novels

Introducing our graphic novels reading challenge

Let's explore and celebrate the exciting and popular world of graphic novels with 7 to 14 year olds from across the UK.

This dynamic reading format encourages reluctant and confident readers alike, and this challenge will give your Autumn term an inclusive reading for pleasure focus.

Running this challenge at any time

Although the competition element of this challenge closed in Autumn 2024, the resources and activities can still be used at any time to engage your learners.

We'd love to hear from you if you continue to use these resources and have any feedback. Let us know at competitions@literacytrust.org.uk

About the challenge

The World of Graphic Novels reading challenge has a full set of resources to download. These include:

• Teacher Guidelines with detailed and supportive suggestions for both teachers and students to maximise delivery and understanding of the graphic novel form
• Age-appropriate booklists that suggest titles from the amazing array of content on offer
• Classroom-ready worksheets to help frame the challenge and support learning and outcomes
• A certificate to congratulate every student that takes part
• Outstanding prizes to be won for the school if you complete the challenge and enter the competition

Why get involved?

Taking part in this challenge will help develop:

• Inclusion: Recognition of the importance of visual literacy and the specific skills of interpreting images
• Oracy: Encouraging book talk and debate throughout activities
• Awareness: Understanding of the complex ways that comics build meaning through the combination of words and image as well as the immense variety of this genre
• Reading for Pleasure: Through exploration of the medium of comics and graphic novels, students are introduced to different types of books that may appeal to them

Challenge entries for 2024: competition closed

The last date to submit entries for this challenge was Friday 13 December, 2024.

Thank you very much to everyone who took part. We're thrilled to see the wonderful entries that have been submitted and to read your comments on the resources.

In partnership with Amazon

We were delighted to work with our partner Amazon for the second year running on the Reading Champions Challenges.

In 2023, we brought to life the incredible world of picturebooks for an older audience with the Picture This! reading challenge. Amazon provided 100 schools with book donations and £5,000 worth of prizes for winning schools to transform their libraries and book selections.

In 2025, Amazon supported The World of Graphic Novels challenge both through volunteer judging and fantastic prizes.

National Literacy Trust Reading Champions is supported by ALCS.

Explore useful teaching resources developed by ALCS to support understanding and communication about copyright with guides for children, young people and teachers. Watch this ALCS animation as a great starting point to helping your students understand copyright in a fun and interactive way.

Find out more about the National Reading Champions Quiz and Challenges.