e-future Graded Comic Readers: Magic Adventures

I just received my order of a full set of e-future Graded Comic Readers (Magic Adventures) and am, so far, extremely impressed.

The series consists of 18 comic books over three levels (200, 400, and 600 headwords). The story starts off in our world, then goes into Magic Land, then comes back to the real world. The characters are children and it has a real Harry Potter kind of vibe to it. The artwork is very nice, and the production values are high. They also have exercises and a glossary in the back.

Each book has a CD (not mp3 thankfully) with various tracks: theme song, the story, listen and read, listen and repeat, key words and expressions, then a great one: read the story using prompts, making them ideal for homework or self-study.

The books are comics, so feel very fresh. The students I tried them with today (elementary and junior high school) really liked them and so did I.

This is my find of the week: great, fresh, reading material at a reasonable price (set of 18 is just over 13,000 yen before discounts).

8 Aug 2012, 9:26pm
by Jim George

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Ben,

Could you let us know where these books are available in Japan?

Keep up the reviews ; )

Jim

Hi Jim

I got mine from englishbooks.jp -just ordered two more sets, actually πŸ˜‰

8 Aug 2012, 10:50pm
by Marcos Benevides

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Got a set for my own kids, and they really like it. Definitely a thumbs up for the elementary school crowd.

Marcos

22 Oct 2012, 4:12am
by Jason Wilburn

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Thank you so much! They were definitely a work of love.
-Jason Wilburn

They really are excellent. More please!

(one of my teachers suggested a teen romance vampire comic series, a la Twilight)

28 Mar 2013, 11:49am
by David Halloran

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Dear Jason

Did you Edit the Smart Phonics series in Korea published by e future?

We like this book and would like to chat with you about it

Hi David
I passed your comment on to Jason so hopefully he’ll be in touch.
All the best

27 Apr 2013, 9:39am
by Michael Blodgett

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Hi Ben, I actually orderd a couple sets of this comic series for our school library/extensive reading program after reading this post last year. The kids (high school) are eating them up. I was wondering if you had compiled a word count list for these books. Can’t seem to find that info. on any of web lists. Thanks! Michael in Osaka (former Miyagi JET)

Hi Michael

Very glad to hear that! I think they are excellent (rumour has it the company that created them are doing a new series too πŸ™‚

I don’t have work counts for the books, but perhaps Jason Wilburn can help?

27 Apr 2013, 10:14am
by Jason Wilburn

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I’m so glad to hear that everyone is enjoying these books. The books are divided into three levels. For the first level, we wanted each story to have about 200 words, the second level 400, and the final 600. What they are exactly is close to that give or take a few. The target vocabulary words are much less, but the number still increases by level. I believe the goal was 120, 150 and 180 for the six books of each level.
And yes, there are more comics coming out. Jack and Bella will be spending the summer at camp where they learn fun, yet important life lessons. These comics are currently with our illustrator, but hopefully they’ll be at your bookstores soon.

Thanks Jason! Really looking forward to the new series πŸ™‚

Hi,

That word count you mentioned – is that headwords or actual number of words, please? Actual word count would be very useful.

Thanks!

28 Apr 2013, 11:04am
by Michael Blodgett

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Thanks for the quick responses Ben and Jason, Very helpful.

7 Oct 2013, 6:48pm
by collydolly123

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Hello from Spain! What would the best way for me to buy this series, I’m interested in all three levels!

Well, it’s published by a company based in Korea. The easiest thing would be to talk to them and then see if you could get them to send them internationally… I’ll get someone to comment here.

Here is their website -seems like they do work in Europe from the news post on being at the Frankfurt book fair.

http://www.efuture-elt.com/

Ben, did you also get the Teacher’s Guide with the word cards? I’m wondering what the word cards are like more than the Teacher’s Guide.

I wasn’t even aware of the teacher’s guide/word cards! Only ever used the books and the CDs that came with them…

Hmmm. Maybe I’ll ask on the ETJ list. Maybe someone there knows. Thanks anyway!

12 Sep 2014, 1:49pm
by Trevor Lawless

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I haven’t used it much yet, but the teacher’s guide looks quite useful. Word cards as you mentioned, teaching guide (lesson plans), and also a photocopiable appendix with dictation and writing activities. It’s well done.

Excellent. I’ll have to check it out.

Thanks! I have ordered these and am waiting to receive them with bated breath πŸ™‚

23 Mar 2015, 7:42pm
by Julie Waterman

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Are these graded comic readers written in American or British English?

American English πŸ™‚

They are published by a company in Korea.

 

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