Secrets of Jarrow

In this grim take on a speculative future, Slavin touches on many contemporary issues, such as resource inequality, group identity, and justice. The way the narrative frames how the archivists in this tale look at past events could make for an interesting in-class activity: students could imagine their hypothetical future, taking a current problem and following it to an extreme conclusion. Secrets of Jarrow could also spark discussions on how major cultural shifts would change what society views as valuable and how that might affect the structures currently in place. The eye-catching artwork in this graphic novel helps contextualize the narrative, so even learners who struggle with English or reading full novels can feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to the discussions.