Graphic novels – The Hub

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2024) Featured Review: Blue Box, Vol. 1, by Kouji Miura

Blue Box, vol. 1
by Kouji Miura
VIZ Media
Publication Date: November 1, 2022
ISBN-13: 9781974734627

Blue Box, vol. 1 is the first volume in a new series written and drawn by Kouji Miura. Taiki is on the school badminton team, and practices in the school gym at the same time as Chinatsu, an upperclassman. Chinatsu is a star on the girls’ basketball team and very popular. When Taiki first sees her, he instantly falls in love. During their days in the gym, the two get to know each other. Unaware of Taiki’s feelings, Chinatsu offers to help him improve at badminton and qualify for nationals. To complicate matters more, Chinatsu’s parents move away, and Taiki’s mother offers to let her stay at their house for the remainder of the school year. Now Taiki has to face his embarrassment and agony of having his sempai and crush living with him!

Blue Box combines the themes of sports, humor, friendship and romance in a new manga series with big teen appeal. The art fits the mold of realistic high school manga, and readers will jump right into the familiar feel. Supporting characters have their own storylines and are used for more than just comic relief. The anxiety and doubts that both Chinatsu and Taiki face about their sports careers mirror what real life teen athletes often go through. Miura manages to balance both Taiki’s crush on Chinatsu and the importance of their respective disciplines. Much of the story focuses on the bond the two main characters create through their love of sports, and how their friendship helps each other become better at them.

Recommend Blue Box to teens who enjoy sports manga such as Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Haikyu! by Haruichi Furudate. Teen readers who like sports combined with romance should also read the Wandance series by Coffee and Cheeky Brat by Miyuki Mitsubachi.

–Jacqueline Bush

Other Nominated Titles

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2024) Featured Review: Firebird by Sunmi

Firebird
by Sunmi
Publisher: HarperAlley / HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: July 18, 2023
ISBN-13: 9780062981516

Caroline Kim is just trying to survive sophomore year; the “whatever” year of high school. But when she signs up for a peer tutoring program and meets beautiful, charismatic senior Kimberly Park-Ocampo, sophomore year becomes a little more exciting. As the relationship between Caroline and Kim deepens, Caroline finds herself questioning her sexuality, gender identity, relationship with her parents, and what exactly she wants from her future in this sensitive slice-of-life tale.

Firebird presents a sapphic twist on high school romance tropes as the shy and studious Caroline falls for the popular Kim, in a story that evokes both classic American rom-coms and shojo manga. Unlike traditional romances, however, the story feels open-ended and allows Caroline’s gender identity and sexuality to remain realistically uncertain avenues for future exploration. The art is mostly black and white with occasional dramatic splashes of red, and the loose and expressive linework gives a sense of intimacy that suits the introspective themes of the book.

As a complex coming-of-age story with a sketchy, black and white art style, Firebird feels like a descendant of Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki’s Skim. Hand Firebird to readers who love slice-of-life manga with LGBTQ+ themes and traditional shōjo artistic devices like Yuhki Kamatani’s Our Dreams at Dusk. Readers who appreciated the diversity of Asian experiences and inclusion of Korean language dialog in Harmony Becker’s Himawari House will also find similar themes here. Pair Firebird with Deb JJ Lee’s In Limbo for teens interested in explorations of the Korean-American experience and complicated parent-child relationships.

-Meg Bowie

Other Nominated Titles

Graphic Novels Overview, Part One: Format Guide

What is a Graphic Novel

The graphic novel is a distinct literary format that employs sequential art in the form of comic-strip-style illustrations throughout a book-length work to tell a complete narrative. Unlike traditional written books, graphic novels use shorter sentences and rely heavily on images to communicate the story. The sequential art in graphic novels is not just a complement to the written text; it is the driving force behind the story. The artwork is essential to the graphic novel format, much like the importance of visuals in a children’s picture book. The artwork in graphic novels collaborates with the text to create a cohesive storytelling experience. Unlike illustrated children’s picture books that often embellish the written text, the artwork in graphic novels collaborates with the text to create a cohesive storytelling experience. Graphic novels are longer than comic books and provide a cohesive storyline within a single volume.

Graphic novels, like comics and manga, use panels to organize the narratives. These panels are often presented as boxed segments that contain scenes or parts of scenes in the story and are divided by blank space known as the “gutter.” Graphic novels also use speech and thought bubbles, emanata, and captions to tell a story to readers. Unlike most comic books and manga series, graphic novels are usually published as regular bound books. They are more likely to be standalone works, but like other novels, they can be turned into a series.

Definitions by The Graphic Library

Comic books: are serialized stories featuring comic drawings, generally following the adventures of superheroes, villains, etc. These are usually presented in a single-issue, paperback format.

Graphic Novel: A story told with sequential, illustrated panels.

Original Graphic Novel (OGN): a story published in a full-length graphic novel without being published as single-issue floppies first.

Online Resources

Books to Learn More

Awards

-Stephanie Mahar

Stephanie’s Favorites

Huda F Are You?
by Huda Fahmy
Publisher: Dial Books
Release Date: November 23, 2021
Reading Level: Gr. 7-9
ISBN: 9780593324318

The Legend of Auntie Po
by Shing Yin Khor
Publisher: Kokila
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Reading Level: Gr. 5-9
ISBN: 978-0525554899

Squad
By Maggie Tokuda-Hall & Lisa Sterle
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: October 5, 2021
Reading Level: Gr. 9-12
ISBN: 978-0062943149

Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales
by Melanie Gillman
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Release Date: September 20, 2022
Reading Level: Gr. 7-9
ISBN: 978-0593303184

Almost American Girl
By Robin Ha
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: January 28, 2020
Reading Level: Gr. 8-12
ISBN: 978-0062685094

The Magic Fish
By Trung Le Nguyen
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Reading Level: Gr. 7-12
ISBN: 978-1984851598

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me
By Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O’Connell
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Reading Level: Gr. 8-12
ISBN: 978-1626722590

Mooncakes
By Suzanne Walker & Wendy Xu
Publisher: Oni Press
Release Date: October 15, 2019
Reading Level: Gr. 8-12
ISBN: 978-1549303043

Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey
By Ngozi Ukazu
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: September 18, 2018
Reading Level: Gr. 8-12
ISBN: 978-1250177964

The Prince and the Dressmaker
By Jen Wang
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Reading Level: Gr. 7-12
ISBN: 978-1626723634

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story
By Debbie Tung
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Release Date: November 7, 2017
Reading Level: Gr. 7-12
ISBN: 978-1449486068

Nimona
By N.D. Stevenson
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Reading Level: Gr. 7-12
ISBN: 978-0062278227

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2024) Featured Review: Space Trash by Jenn Woodall

Space Trash, vol. 1
by Jenn Woodall
Publisher: Oni Press
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
ISBN-13: 9781637150405

Circa 2115: Earth has been forcibly evacuated, and a reform school for wayward female-assigned humans is isolated on the moon. Students are educated and monitored by corporate robots with support from the stoolies of the student council, and they’re expected to dedicate their lives to Planet X. Co. Enter protagonists Stab, Yuki, and Una—friends who’ll tough it out through any amount of struggle even if they can’t agree on a good gang name. When that struggle takes the shape of a rival gang raiding their lockers (snack-theft! Precious Yuri manga-napping!), the ensuing confrontation leaves them with more questions than answers about what they have to accept and what they might be able to change.

Volume one of Space Trash offers a large amount of humor for such a vividly-depicted grim reality. The graffiti on every wall tells a story about the students’ discontent with a world that has clearly thrown them away, while the Earth memorabilia on the dorm walls anchors the friends in affinity with rebellions of eras past, and the Planet X Co. propaganda in the midst of it all gives things an especially creepy kick. Woodall’s use of saturated color schemes brings the feelings of these teens to the forefront, making it easy to stay with and root for these friends as they push all the limits.

Please hand this book to fans of dystopia, rock music, and general rebellion. It reads like Bitch Planet for a younger audience, and will appeal to readers who enjoyed the School for Extraterrestrial Girls, The Memory Librarian, and Paper Girls. Fans of sweet, queer-centered ruckus are also sure to enjoy it!

-M’issa Fleming

Other Nominated Titles

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2024) Featured Review: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

A First Time for Everything
by Dan Santat
Publisher: First Second/Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: February 28, 2023
ISBN-13: 9781626724150

A First Time for Everything is the laugh-out-loud funny memoir about the middle school field trip to Europe that changed author Dan Santat’s life. Dan was an awkward kid throughout middle school; he was picked on, he didn’t have many friends, and he was not looking forward to the school trip that his parents insisted he embark on. Once he got there, though, he experienced a series of firsts that taught him that maybe he didn’t need to change who he was – maybe he just needed to let go and live a little.

A First Time for Everything has the engaging and emotive drawing style that is Dan Santat’s standard; the facial expressions alone are so relatable and familiar to anyone who is or has been a teenager. The scenery of Europe is evocative and helps to set the tone of a completely overwhelming and life-altering experience. This book is full of personal growth without being heavy-handed, the antics are genuinely hilarious, and the relationship-building is sweet without a drop of saccharine.

Hand this to any young teen who is looking for more stories about kids who feel invisible and unpopular, like fans of Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson. Readers who loved the independent and slightly reckless vibe of All Summer Long by Hope Larsen will also enjoy this book. Finally, this title will also be an easy what-to-read-next pick for fans of Jerry Craft’s School Trip (2023) who are looking for more stories about kids of color going abroad and learning to let go of their expectations.

—Lee Stokes

Other Nominated Titles

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2024) Featured Review: The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill

The Moth Keeper
by K. O’Neill
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN-13: 9780593182260

In The Moth Keeper Anya becomes an apprentice to the Moth Keeper for her nocturnal village. Generations ago, the Moon-Spirit gifted her village with the Moon-Moths that pollinate the Night-Flower which grants them blessings that allow the villagers to thrive. The Moth Keeper’s duty is to watch over the Moon-Moths each night in solitude and guide and protect them. As Anya struggles with the isolation during the cold nights and fulfilling her duty, she grows curious about the sun and what daytime is like. Will Anya be able to keep her vow to protect the Moon-Moths and her village?

The Moth Keeper is a magical coming of age story that beautifully illustrates the pressure of living up to expectations and struggling to carry a burden on your own as well as learning to rely on others. The themes of finding yourself and discovering a sense of belonging within a community is something that many can relate to. The art has an ethereal quality that matches the tone of the story and world building. The color palette includes a wide variety of purples and oranges that express the contrast of the desert setting during the night and daytime beautifully.

The Moth Keeper will appeal to fans of magic and fantasy as well as heartfelt coming-of-age stories. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki’s works such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro will appreciate the whimsical art style and world building of The Moth Keeper. Video game players who enjoy games such as Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Ori and the Blind Forest, and Celeste will enjoy Anya’s journey of self-discovery and growth as well as the beautiful illustrations of nature. Readers who enjoy witchy stories such as Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Tidesong by Wendy Xu will likely enjoy The Moth Keeper as well.

—Kaleigh Oldham

Other Nominated Titles

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2024) Featured Review: Embrace You Size: My Own Body Positvity by hara

Embrace Your Size: My Own Body Positivity
by hara
Publisher: Yen Press
Publication Date: November 22, 2022
ISBN-13: 9781975347307

Embrace Your Size follows author, hara’s, journey of self-acceptance as she learns more about the body positivity movement. These graphic essays cover a wide range of subjects, all linked to hara’s attempts to build a positive relationship with her body. Topics include: recovery from an eating disorder, a growing interest in fashion, movie reviews, and interviews with other members of the body positivity community.

The art style is charming, and Hara’s positive depiction of bodies of all sizes is a refreshing change of pace from the traditionally limited range of manga body types. Very little is prescriptive here, with the emphasis on the uniqueness of each person’s version of body positivity giving the book an inclusive and welcoming feel. Difficult topics such as hara’s eating disorder and body image issues are raised, but the tone remains lighthearted and upbeat throughout.

Readers who enjoy the fictional adventures of plus-sized characters in novels like Amy Spalding’s The Summer of Jordy Perez or Lyla Lee’s I’ll Be the One will find similar discussions of fashion and beauty standards here. Embrace Your Size will also appeal to readers looking for adorably illustrated fat characters, similar to Grace Ellis and Shae Beagle’s Moonstruck. Fans of other autobiographical manga like The Bride Was a Boy or My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness may also be interested in Hara’s emotional journey and commentary on social expectations.

—Meg Bowie

Other Nominated Titles

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2024) Featured Review: D&D Dungeon Club, Vol. 1: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma

D&D Dungeon Club, Vol. 1: Roll Call
Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma
Publication Date: November 29, 2022
ISBN-13: 9780063039247

Jess Descheene is good at one thing and one thing only: building a story with her best friend (and Dungeon Master) Olivia in Dungeon & Dragons. When Olivia wants to start a D&D club at their middle school, Jess goes behind her back to undermine her. Will their friendship–and their long-running D&D campaign–survive Jess’ actions?

Dungeon Club: Roll Call beautifully conveys the importance D&D can have in students’ lives, especially those who may not be connected to school in other ways, like through academics and athletics. The intertwining of the D&D campaign and the real-world story helps raise the stakes in both worlds. The coming-of-age theme will resonate with anyone who had trouble fitting in in middle school, regardless of whether they play tabletop roleplaying games. Xanthe Bouma’s art shines, and their use of color is especially adroit. Both Jess and Olivia are POC characters, which provides both an important representation and reflection of students who play TTRPGs.

Fans of tabletop role playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Magical Kitties Save the Day will find a lot to love in this graphic novel, as will fans of play streams like Critical Role and Dimension20. Video game players who enjoy fantasy RPGs like Horizon: Forbidden West, Ni no Kuni, and The Legend of Zelda games may also enjoy this story. Lastly, this series starter is a must-buy for collections where Molly Knox Ostertag’s other comics circulate well, and where coming-of-age graphic novels like those by Raina Telgemeier and Jade Armstrong are in high demand.

-Ness Shortley

Other Nominated Titles

Graphic Novels and Comics to Enjoy for Black History Month — or anytime!

Thanks to YALSA member Annierra Matthews, a Research Services Librarian at Mercer University, for compiling this collection of excellent graphic novels and comics featuring Black characters and/or produced by Black creators. Click here for the fiction collection she curated earlier this month.

Bingo Love by Tee Franklin, Jenn St.-Onge, Joy San, and Genevieve FT: Hazel and Mari fall in love with each other at church bingo in ’63. Torn apart by others around them, they can’t be together. Years later, they meet again at bingo and find the bravery to share their love with the world.

Graphic Adaptations

I read my first Jane Austen novel after watching the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. From there I read the other books – and watched various movie adaptations of each. Movie adaptations are often used in schools a culminating activity, with some sort of compare contrast note-taking work. The thing is, a good adaptation can help readers before they tackle the original, giving them the sense of the plot and characters, as well as the big ideas the work addresses.

Some recent graphic novels can serve the same purpose – giving readers access to a work of literature before they tackle the original – whether for school or for pleasure.

Continue reading Graphic Adaptations