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Meg Cabot, Ridley Pearson On DC Comics' Superhero-Based Graphic Novels Aimed At Young Readers

From left, authors Meg Cabot and Ridley Pearson joined Monday's program.
Evie Hemphill | St. Louis Public Radio

Parents and educators often look for various ways to engage kids in reading. Traditional novels are seen as the ideal, but graphic novels can be just as effective. While similar to comic books, graphic novels tend to be in a longer format, and the narrative is largely self-contained. With the combination of text and pictures, graphic novels have complex plots, characters and conflicts. 

DC Comics recently introduced a line of superhero-based graphic novels aimed at middle-grade readers, between the ages of 8 and 12.

St. Louisans will get to learn more about some of them by visiting the St. Louis County Library this week. Authors Ridley Pearson and Meg Cabot are in town Monday and Tuesday to promote their separate DC Comics graphic novels aimed at middle-grade readers.

Pearson is the internationally bestselling author of the "Kingdom Keepers" series and "Peter and the Starcatchers." The former St. Louis resident’s new graphic novel “Super Sons” follows the crime-fighting adventures of Jon Kent and Damian Wayne — sons of Batman and Superman. 

Cabot is the bestselling author of “The Princess Diaries.” Her first-ever graphic novel “Black Canary: Ignite” follows the story of Gotham City teenager Dinah Lance and journeys the highs and lows of growing up.

Pearson and Cabot joined host Sarah Fenske on Monday’s St. Louis on the Air to talk about what led them to write graphic novels and how they’ve developed their DC Comics work.

Listen to the discussion:

Related Event
What: Upcoming Authors: Ridley Pearson and Meg Cabot
When: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 2019
Where: St. Louis County Library Headquarters (1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63131-3598)

St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is hosted by Sarah Fenske and produced by Alex Heuer, Emily Woodbury, Evie Hemphill, Lara Hamdan and Tonina Saputo. The engineer is Aaron Doerr, and production assistance is provided by Charlie McDonald.

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Lara is the Engagement Editor at St. Louis Public Radio.