Amulet: Gateway Books

This graphic novel series by Kazu Kibuishi is one of my favorite classroom resources. It was recommended to me by a student several years ago and I've probably purchased five copies of the 7-book series since then. I simply cannot keep the books on the shelves - they are so popular that they grow tiny legs and walk right out of my classroom. Sneaky little books.

While many sites rate the book as appropriate for 4-6th grade, I've known 17-year olds who fell in love with the series.

The story is engaging; the art is captivating. And, because the graphic novels are such page turners, reluctant readers are encouraged by the fact that they can finish a book quickly. I once had a 16-year old student who wasn't exactly jumping for joy when I introduced him to our independent reading time. Our conversation went like this:

"Can I help you find a book?"

"No. Reading is boring. I don't read."

"Yeah?"

"I mean, I'll sit here, but I won't read. I'll just stare at the pages. I hate reading."

"Okay. I do have this one book I think you should try. Will you just read the first five pages and tell me what you think?"

"I guess."

He was the quintessential reluctant reader. I handed him The Stonekeeper. He didn't look up after page five. He finished the first two books in a single day. He finished all of them within four days and he hasn't stopped reading since. Later, he confided that he'd never read a book before in his life. In 16 years, the kid had NEVER read a book. The accomplishment of finishing multiple books and actually liking what he read was what he needed to get hooked and become a reader.

I like to think of this series as a gate-way drug to reading. Kibuishi has created an imaginative and beautiful universe for all ages. Your students will love it and might steal it.

Author, Kazu Kibuishi's Website

Book Information

Cut an paste the information below into a purchase order for your school or use the links to go directly to Amazon.

Series: Amulet (7 Books)

The Stonekeeper Amulet Book 1 by Kazu Kibuishi

ISBN-13: 978-0439846813 | Lexile 310

The Stonekeeper's Curse Amulet Book 2 by Kazu Kibuishi

ISBN-13: 978-0439846813 | Lexile 340

The Cloud Serarchers Amulet Book 3 by Kazu Kibuishi

ISBN-13: 978-0439846813 | Lexile 380

The Last Council Amulet Book 4 by Kazu Kibuishi

ISBN-13: 978-0439846813 | Lexile 400

Prince of the Elves Amulet Book 5 by Kazu Kibuishi

ISBN-13: 978-0439846813 | Lexile 310

Escape From Lucien Amulet Book 6 by Kazu Kibuishi

ISBN-13: 978-0439846813 | Lexile 390

Firelight Amulet Book 7 by Kazu Kibuishi

ISBN-13: 978-0439846813 | Lexile 410