Graphic Novels for Young
Adults
By Laurie O’Connor and Liz Ludemann
What are graphic novels anyway?
Difficult to define, sometimes to dissociate from comics.
Gail de Vos: “Bound books, fiction and non-fiction which are
created in the comic book format and are issued an ISBN”
(Serchay 12).
- Definition/identity very tied to comic books
It’s a format, not a genre!
Graphic Novels: A Brief History
Before “graphic novels” there were comic books
- 1842 The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck
- Platinum Age 1842-1933
- Golden Age 1933-1954
- Silver Age 1956-1969/1985
1978first “graphic novel” was
A Contract with God
- emergence of term
From http://www.paulgravett.com
Formats and Genres
Genres:
- Superhero: 85% sales (Lavin)
- Licensed Properties
- Non-fiction, educational
- Everything you could imagine
From amazon.com
Formats: Original Graphic Novels vs. Trade Editions
- limited series
- chronological
- story line
- theme
From dccomics.com
Manga
Hugely popular in Japan.
Comic pictures in Japan by 1800s.
Manga as we know it: 1940s.
Manhua, Manhwa, Manga
Manga in America
- Dubbed anime in 1960s
- Differences in style, format, content
- “Amerimanga”
- Adopting manga style into mainstream
- Main issue: popularity and VOLUME
Publishers
Majors:
DC: Vertigo (mature) and Wildstorm imprints
Marvel
Independents:
Archie
Dark Horse
Image
Tokyopop
and many more!
Self-publishers
Some Positives:
Why are GNs important in the library?
Gn’s reach a wide range of people including:
-Boys
-ESL/ELL
-Special education students
-Reluctant readers
-Struggling students
-Strong readers
A higher order of thinking emerges
-Imagination is developed.
-It is in the gutter of the panel where the imagination
is allowed to create what is not shown.
-In the panels it is the imagination
that puts the
If
characters in motion.
-Scott McCloud discusses “closure.” Closure is
when the mind pieces together cues or evidence
given to create a complete image or story.
-For many this image or cue can create closure
simply because they recognize the symbols.
English Language Learners
-The reader receives visual understanding
while reading the text.
- Frustration in reading is greatly reduced.
- More likely to tackle more complex reading.
- The reader will be exposed to new concepts.
When Struggling Readers and LD Students utilize GNs
- Reading Confidence is improved.
- Successes are achieved.
- By reading less text, one can more easily turn pages
and get a sense of accomplishment.
- Some LD readers have trouble picturing a scene from
a typical novel.
- Language and literacy skills are
improved.
Library Outreach
- Be a guest speaker for a Boy Scout / Girl Scout Troop
- Visit a teen center
- Form a graphic novel club in your school or public library
- Promote GNs on a web site
- Make announcements over a PA on the latest GN acquisitions
- Meet with classes and bring a selection of GNs, discuss titles
genres, and availability
- Promote GNs at parent conference and open house nights
- Meet with clubs introduce a selection of GNs
- Develop pathfinders
Critics and Opposition
Dealing with Challenges:
- “Junk Literature”
- Depiction of women
- Age-appropriateness
Censorship
- Modern comics become popular 1930scalls for
censorship
- 1948 Comics Magazine Association of
Americabeginning self-censorship
- 1954 Frederic Wertham
- 1954 US Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile
Delinquency
- 1954 Comics Code Authority
- Now: publishers own ratings systems
Collection Development of Graphic Novels
Get to know your local comic shop!
Distributors: Diamond Comics
- accommodations for libraries
Library Vendors
- have spotlighted GNs and make easy for libraries
Reviews and Evaluation
Reviews
- Trade publications, library publications,
mainstream publications, blogs,
awards.
- Evaluating Graphic Novels
- Popularity
- Quality
- Appeal
- Balance of Genres
- Age Level
Cataloging Options
Fiction and non fiction
741.5
The majority are placed here
741.59 Comic strips, books on comics, comic related topics
or books on drawing
741.5941 British
741.5952 Manga
741.5971 Canadian
741.5973 American books
It is beneficial to place GNs In the area of content
Placement
Easy access is a plus
A
Keep a teen area away
from children’s area
Bibliography
Goldstein, Lisa, and Molly Phelan. "Are You There God? It's Me, Manga: Manga as an Extension
of Young Adult Literature." Young Adult Library Services 7.4 (2009): 32-38. Library, Information
Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 14 Feb. 2010.
Laycock, Di. "Going graphic: Using graphic novels to engage boys in school reading." Access
(10300155) 21.1 (2007): 13-17. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text.
EBSCO. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.
Lamb, Annette, and Larry Johnson. “Graphic Novels, Digital Comics, and Technology-enhanced
Learning: Part 1." Teacher Librarian 36.5 (2009): 70-75. Library, Information Science & Technology
Abstracts with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.
Lavin, Michael R. Graphic Novels: Resources for Teachers and Librarians. 2008. University of
Buffalo Libraries. 20 Feb. 2010. <http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/graphicnovels/>.
McCloud, Scott. Reinventing Comics: [How Imagination and Technology Are Revolutionizing an Art
Form]. New York: Perennial, 2000.
Miller, Steve. Developing and Promoting Graphic Novel Collections. Teens @ the library series.
New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2005.
Raiteri, Steve. "graphic novels." Library Journal 131.1 (2006): 86. Library, Information Science &
Technology Abstracts with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 20 Feb. 2010.
Bibliography
Serchay, David S. The Librarian's Guide to Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens. New York: NealSchuman Publishers, 2008.
Schwartz, Larry. "Literacy Going Graphic: Using Comics & Graphic Novels to Boost the Literacy of
English Language Learners." Partnership for Professional Learning: Literacy. 2008. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.
Tychinski, Stan,. "A Brief History of the Graphic Novel." Diamond Bookshelf. Diamond Comic
Distributor Inc., 2010. Web. 5 Mar. 2010.
Snowball, Clare. "Teenage Reluctant Readers and Graphic Novels." Young Adult Library Services 3.4
(2005): 43-45. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 11
Feb. 2010.
Weiner, S. "The rise of the graphic novel: Faster than a speeding bullet." New York: Nantier Beall
Minoustchine Publishing. 7 Mar. 2010.
Wertham, Fredric. Seduction of the Innocent. [A Study of the Effects of Comic Books on the Minds
and Behaviour of Children. With Plates.]. New York: Rinehart, 1954.
For more resources, go to http://722graphicnovels.wordpress.com