This unit uses graphic novels as a method for combining art with literature to assist the poor high school reader to become a better reader. The graphic novels selected are multicultural in that they cover the Holocaust, Iranian culture and Japanese culture. Maus I and Maus II are two parts of one man’s story of surviving the Holocaust. The author, Art Spiegleman, is the son of this man so as he tells his father’s story he also tells his own. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood and Persepolis: The Story of a Return are two parts of an autobiography of Marjane Satrapi as she grows up in a conflict filled Iran, spends her teenage years in Europe and then returns to Iran. Mars by Fuyumi Soryo is a teenage love story where a shy girl meets a reckless boy. There are 15 volumes in all but this unit only includes volume one. Students will use a variety a strategies to read actively thereby improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary. These strategies will include annotation, role play and think aloud to improve comprehension. Students will also examine and consider several art works as a springboard to study the concept of perception. This unit will leave students with a broader perspective to perceive more critically what they see and hear.