Robin Ha – The Hub

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

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2021) Nominees Round Up, June 9 Edition

Click here to see all of the current Quick Picks nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Harper Teen / HarperCollins
Publication Date: January 28, 2020
ISBN: 978-0062685100

In 1995, Robin and her mother move from South Korea to Alabama, U.S.A. Forced from the known into the unknown, Robin is forced to learn a new language, navigate the ins and outs of American high school and share a home with family she has never met before. When things don’t turn out quite the way Robin’s mother had expected, Robin encounters another drastic change in an unexpected second move. Will this one be better than the last?

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2021) Nominees Round Up, April 16 Edition

Click here to see all of the current Great Graphic Novels nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Balzer + Bray / HarperCollins
Publication Date: January 28, 2020
ISBN: 9780062685100

Chuna Ha is a South Korean girl who finds herself abruptly moved from her comfortable life in Seoul to Alabama once her vacation abroad turns into a new marriage for her mother. When her Mom marries Mr. Kim, Chuna finds herself surrounded by her new Korean American family. At first, Chuna struggles to find common ground with her classmates and has a difficult time learning English. To fit in more, she chooses an American name: Robin. After enrolling in a drawing class, Robin befriends Jessica, another comic book artist. When her mother’s marriage to Mr. Kim is on the rocks, her mother decides to move the two of them to Virginia. This move is close to D.C. and Robin is happy to see lots of international students, including fellow Korean students. As an adult, Robin returns to Seoul to visit with her old school friends and finds that she no longer completely fits in with Korean culture. When she returns to the U.S., she begins to think of her identity as Korean American, as she identifies with both cultures.

Women in Comics: Cooking Comics (with Recipes Included!)

Since I first read Relish by Lucy Knisley, I have been fascinated by comics that integrate cooking and recipes with an engaging story. Though the books on this list are very different from one another, they all share a focus on the joy that can come from food and cooking. Whether you hope to one day be a professional chef or simply enjoy a good meal, these books are sure to nourish the mind as well as the body.

Kitchen Princess, Omnibus Volume 1 cover Space Battle Lunchtime cover Cook Korean cover

Kitchen Princess by Natsumi Ando and Miyuki Kobayashi – As a child, Najika met a boy who comforted her at her time of need. Now that she is older – and an expert with food – she is on a quest to find him, a quest which takes her all the way to the fancy Seika Academy. Once there, she must use her cooking talents to win over skeptical classmates and find the boy from her childhood. Along the way, she wins a prestigious cooking competition, helps to revitalize a café, tackles difficult topics like eating disorders and learns a lot about her special skills. This manga will appeal to shōjo fans and includes recipes and extras with each volume. Continue reading Women in Comics: Cooking Comics (with Recipes Included!)