Manga High

Manga High explores the convergence of literacy, creativity, social development, and personal identity in an after-school comics club at one of New York City's largest high schools. The book highlights the lives and creations of students involved in the club and explores their passion for this highly stylized and wildly popular Japanese form of comic art. "Manga High describes one of the most powerful literacy-based student-engagement projects I have encountered. It captures what many educators strive to accomplish--the use of a compelling medium to promote literacy and motivation. Teachers around the country will find this an invaluable resource, particularly those searching for literacy-based, hands-on projects." -- Michael Nakkula, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania "As the manga phenomenon goes global, most American kids are content merely to draw manga-like characters. In Manga High, Michael Bitz follows kids as they grapple with the complex and demanding tasks of plotting, writing, editing, designing, drawing, and producing comics--and consequently shaping their own lives. Manga High reveals that the most engaging learning occurs when pedagogy is directed by kids themselves." -- Brent Wilson, Professor Emeritus, School of Visual Arts, Penn State "Why does Japanese manga continue to fascinate youth all over the world? This book uses students' words and artwork to explore what manga means to them. I was impressed with the stories of the students' personal lives and the way they used their artwork to find their voices to express their identities, deal with their problems, and find hope for the future. Manga High is an important and valuable tool for today's classroom, relevant and engaging for any reader." -- Masami Toku, Director, Shojo Manga Project Michael Bitz is the founder of the Comic Book Project and cofounder of the Youth Music Exchange. The first recipient of the Educational Entrepreneurship Fellowship at the Mind Trust in Indianapolis, he also received the Distinguished Alumni Early Career Award from Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Bitz has served on the faculty at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Ramapo College.