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

1978first “graphic novel” wasA Contract with God

- emergence of term From http://www.paulgravett.com

Formats and GenresGenres:

- Superhero: 85% sales (Lavin) - Licensed Properties - Non-fiction, educational - Everything you could imagine

Formats: Original Graphic Novels vs. Trade Editions

- limited series- chronological- story line- theme

From dccomics.com

From amazon.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

PublishersMajors:

DC: Vertigo (mature) and Wildstorm imprintsMarvel

Independents:

ArchieDark HorseImageTokyopopand 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

If

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 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 OppositionDealing with Challenges: - “Junk Literature” - Depiction of women - Age-appropriateness

Censorship - Modern comics become popular 1930scalls for censorship - 1948 Comics Magazine Association of

Americabeginning 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 EvaluationReviews - Trade publications, library publications, mainstream publications, blogs, awards.

- Evaluating Graphic Novels- Popularity- Quality- Appeal- Balance of Genres- Age Level

Cataloging OptionsFiction 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

A

PlacementEasy access is a plus

Keep a teen area away

from children’s area

BibliographyGoldstein, 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: Neal-Schuman 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

Serchay, David S. The Librarian's Guide to Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens. New York: Neal-Schuman 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