Graphic Novels for YAs ---------------------- compiled by thelibrarian@lycosmail.com, November 1998 Beth Gallaway's grant proposal to buy graphic novels: http://www.netway.com/~egallaway/title.htm A Brief Listing of Graphic Novels for Libraries While researching graphic novels, I contacted the folks at Comics Journal via their online message board. Any title with a "Comics Journal Recommendation" is not necessarily recommended by that journal, per se, but was suggested as a good title for YAs by the participants of the journal^Òs message board. These participants were comprised of GN authors, illustraters, publishing house employees, etc, since Comics Journal is that markets equivalent of School Library Journal. The same goes for any title with ^ÓPUBYAC Recommendation.^Ô That title was suggested by a participant of this mailing list for public children^Òs and YA librarians. I searched Amazon.com, a wonderful online bookstore that posts reviews of books from Kirkus, Booklist, SLJ, Publisher^Òs Weekly and many other prominent reviewing agencies. If a title had an ^Ñauthoritative^Ò review (as opposed to a review submitted by a customer of Amazon), it is mentioned with that title. It is recommended that you ILL titles to review prior to purchase. At ACDL, we have weeded out several titles with promising reviews when we actually saw the material in question. Because of our patron requests, this list is, admittedly, a bit heavy on the superheroes. I tried to give a good blend of fantasy and sci-fi as well as historical, drama, and comedy. Don't forget the Manga (or Anime) if you kids like them! Steve Miller, Ashtabula County District Library, November 1998 The List: Adams, Neil - Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told 1997, DC Comics YALSA Recommended Graphic Novel Augustyn, Brian - Superman/Batman: Alternate Histories 1996, DC Comics YALSA Popular Paperbacks list Avi - City of light, City of Dark 1993, Orchard Books Booklist, Kirkus, Horn Book reviews in Amazon Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Barry, Lynda - The Good Times Are Killing Me 1998, Sasquatch Books PUBYAC Recommendation ^Ó500 Great Books by Women^Ô review in Amazon.com Busiek, Kurt - Marvels 1994, Marvel PUBYAC Recommendation, Patron recommendation ^ÑBest Graphic Album of Previously Released Material^Ò Eisner Award (1995) Busiek, Kurt - Astrocity series Out of print, 1996, Aegis Entertainment Inc Comics Journal Recommendation, PUBYAC Recommendation Batman: Collected Adventures, Vol. 1 & 2 1993, DC Comics SLJ Best Bet (Gr. 3+) Carlin, Michael - Star Trek: Next Generation : Beginnings 1995, Diamond Comic Dist. Star Sys (DC) YALSA Popular Paperbacks list Chadwick, Paul - Concrete series 1994, Dark Horse Comics. Recommended in ^ÓYA Talk^Ô article. Comics Journal Recommendation Chelsea, David - Welcome to the Zone 1995, Kitchen Sink Press YALSA Recommended Graphic Novel Comics (Recommended Titles) PUBYAC Recommendations: Batman, Spiderman, Uncanny X-Men, Wonder Woman, Impulse, Generation X. Eisner, Will - Life on Another Planet 1996, Kitchen Sink Press YALSA Recommended Graphic Novel ACDL Note - The award for best comics is called the Eisner after this author. Gaiman, Neil - Books of Magic series 1993, DC Comics Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô BOM: Bindings - YALSA Popular Paperback list Comics Journal Recommendation Gaiman, Neil - Sandman series 1990s, DC Comics Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes -- SLJ Best Bet (High School) Sandman: Dream Country -- YALSA Recommended Graphic Novel ^Ó^Ô YALSA Popular Paperbacks list Sandman: World^Òs End -- YALSA Popular Paperbacks Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô PUBYAC: Good, but warning on nudity, language & orientations. Comics Journal: Good, but has nudity, language, and various sexual orientations ACDL Note (Steve) - ^ÓSandman: Doll House^Ô contains a convention of serial killers that may not be appropriate in your YA section. Giffin, Keith - Justice League: A New Beginning 1989, DC Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Gold, Mike - Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told 1998, Warner Books Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Gold, M. - Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told 1987, Warner Books Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Hampton, Bo - Uther, the Half-Dead King 1995, NBM Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Herge - Tintin series 1980s, Little, Brown & Co (Juv Trd) The Adventures of Tintin: (Tintin Three-In-One, Vol 4): Hornbook review. ACDL Note: Many have recommended this, but upon reviewing Tintin in America, Steve found many frames in the story to be non-sequential and the plot to be filled with deus ex machina twists that might confuse younger readers. Titles did come heavily recommended as a classic in the field, although for younger readers. Comics Journal Recommendation Hernandez, Gilbert - Love & Rockets series Comedy/drama/soap opera about everything under the sun, set in L.A., South America, and various imaginary places. Contains sexual scenes. Definitely not a ^Ñkids^Ò comic. Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô - as adult literature. Comics Journal Recommendations Publisher and Amazon.com reviews at Amazon.com Kafka, Franz (Peter Kuper, Illus.) - Kafka: Give it up and other short stories 1995, NBM Publishing Short, semi-abstract adaptations of Kafka stories. Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Comics Journal Recommendation Comic Arts Editor, Booklist, Midwest Book Review reviews in Amazon.com Kubert, Joe - Fax from Sarajevo 1998, Dark Horse Comics Recommended in ^ÓYA Talk^Ô article. Publisher review on Amazon.com Lee, Stan - Uncanny X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga 1991, Marvel Comics SLJ Best Bet (Jr. High) Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Lee, Stan - Amazing Spiderman (Marvel Masterworks series) 1992, Marvel Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô ACDL Recommendation - We have several books in this series, each binding the original 10 issues of a Marvel comic in a hardcover. WORTHWHILE! Lutes, Jason - Jar of Fools 1994, Penny Dreadful Press Drama-mystery-romance about a young guy, his lost love, a con man, and a washed-up stage magician. (PG-13 for a little bit of realistic sexual dialogue between a couple) Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Comics Journal Recommendations Wired Magazine, Spin Magazine, Details Magazine Reviews in Amazon.com McCloud, Scott - Zot! 1990, Diamond Comic Dist. Star Sys. Well-written, character-driven. Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Comics Journal Recommendation Marz, Ron - Marvel vs. DC 1996, DC Comics ACDL Review (Steve): Classic comic superhero adventure! What happens when DC^Òs Superman has to fight Marvel^Òs Incredible Hulk? Who^Òs your money on? ... impressed with the style and design of the page layout and the artwork. Any kid would love this one! Michelinie, David - Spider-Man vs. Venom 1990, Marvel Comics SLJ Best Bet (Jr. High) Miller, Frank - Batman: Dark Knight Returns 1986, DC Comics SLJ Best Bet (High School) Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Miller, Frank - Batman: Year One 1988, Warner Books Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Comics Journal Recommendation, PUBYAC Recommendation Comic Editor^Òs Review at Amazon.com Moore, Alan - V for Vendetta 1995, Warner Books Comic Art Editor^Òs review in Amazon.com Comics Journal Recommendation Moore, Alan - Watchmen 1987, DC Comics Many awards, Some realistic violence Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô SLJ Best Best (High School) Comics Journal Recommendation Miyazaki, Hayao - Nausicaa of the Valley of Winds Comics Journal Recommendations Review by the translator (^Óone of the best^Ô) at Amazon.com Sci-fi Manga genre Recommended in "Manga Mania" article. Nocenti, Ann & Balton, John - Someplace Strange o.o.p., Marvel YALSA Popular Paperbacks list Ottaviani, James S. - Two-Fisted Science 1997, G.T. Labs PUBYAC Recommendation Publisher^Òs review in Amazon.com Pini, Wendy & Richard - ElfQuest series 1980s-1990s, Warp Graphics Pubns Fire & Flight (Bk. 1) -- SLJ Best Bet (Gr. 3+) Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Forbidden Grove (Bk. 2) -- Recommended in ^ÓYA Talk^Ô article. Comics Journal Recommendation See also www.elfquest.com Smith, Jeff - Bone series 1996, Cartoon Books Style is cross between Tolkein and the Smurfs SLJ Best Bet (Gr. 3+): Out from Boneville (Vol. 1) Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Comics Journal Recommendation, PUBYAC Recommendations 1998 Eisner for Best Material for Young Children Comic Art Editor^Òs and Booklist^Òs review in Amazon.com Spiegelman, Art - Maus I & Maus II 1986, Random House & Pantheon Essential to a GN collection Historical Holocaust Amazon and Kirkus reviews at Amazon.com YALSA Popular Paperbacks list Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Recommended in ^ÓYA Talk^Ô article. Comics Journal Recommendation, PUBYAC Recommendation Starlin, Jim - Batman: A Death in the Family 1988, DC Recommended in ^Ó100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries^Ô Takahaski, Rumiko - Ranma 1/2 1993, Viz Communications. Recommended in ^ÓYA Talk^Ô article. Comic Art Editor^Òs review at Amazon.com Recommended in "Manga Mania" article. Talbot, Bryan - Tale of One Bad Rat 1995, Dark Horse Comics Comic Art Editor and Booklist reviews at Amazon.com YALSA Popular Paperbacks list SLJ Best Bet (High School) Recommended in "YA Talk" article. Comics Journal Recommendation, PUBYAC Recommendation Won "Best Graphic Album: Reprint" Eisner Award in 1996 ACDL Comment (Steve): I run out of superlatives describing this one! One the list of 'must-haves,' get this before you get Maus. Veitch, Tom - Star Wars: Dark Empire 1993, Dark Horse Comics SLJ Best Bet (Jr. High) Amazon review at Amazon.com Patron Recommendation Waid, Mark - Impulse (Mark Waid) 1997, DC Comics PUBYAC Recommendation Comic Art Editor's review in Amazon.com (This is a son-of-a-superhero comic, Impusle is Flash's son.) Waid, Mark - Kingdom Come 1998, DC Comics Kirkus Reviewed in Amazon.com PUBYAC Recommendations "Collection Development Tips/Sources" Bruggeman, Lora. "Zap! Whoosh! Kerplow!" School Library Journal; Jan97, Vol. 43 Issue 1; p22, 6p. Goldsmith, Francesca. "YA Talk, Graphic Novels," Booklist, May 1, 1998, Vol. 94 Issue 17, p1510, 2p, 2bw Kan, Katherine. "Manga Mania," VOYA, June, 1996, Vol. 19, No. 2, p. 83+. Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults - Going Alternative: Graphic Novels & Picture Books From their website at: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/poppaper.html#alternative Weiner, Stephen, "Creating a Graphic Novel Collection for the Public LIbrary," VOYA, December 1992, p. 270-2. Weiner, Stephen, 100 Graphic Novels for Public Libraries, Northampton, MA: Kitchen Sink Press, 1996, 9.95 ** This title is out of print. Try ILL. ** Selections from this book appear on this list. Don't forget the online goldmine of Amazon.com. Search their book section for any genre with the world 'graphic' to pull in graphic novels. DC Comic Subscriptions - P.O. Box 0528, Baldwin NY 11510 or request an order form from them at 800-887-6789. Also look into "Serials Review" if you can get a hold of a copy.