Michael Bitz Manga High

Annotation

Based on a four-year study, Manga High explores the convergence of literacy, creativity, social development, and personal identity in one of New York City's largest high schools. Since 2004, students at Martin Luther King, Jr., High School in Manhattan have been creating mangaJapanese comic books. They write the stories, design the characters, and publish their works in print and on the Internet. These studentsAfrican-American and Latino teenagersare more than interested in the art and medium of manga. They have become completely engrossed in Japanese language, culture, and society.Manga High is highlighted by reproductions and content analysis of students' original art and writing. An appendix includes guidelines for educators on starting a comic book club.