Graphic Novels
Library Services to Teens
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Graphic Novels
Review Sites
No Flying! No Tights! A Website Reviewing Graphic Novels for Teens
This site is exactly what it says in its title: reviews of graphic novels for teens. Created and maintained by librarian Robin Brenner, this site provides brief, informative, and entertaining reviews of GNs that are classified by genre as well as age-appropriateness.
Sidekicks!
A sister site to No Flying! No Tights!, Sidekicks! contains reviews of graphic novels for younger readers. Also created and maintained by Robin Brenner, this site is a great resource for those of you who happen to be looking for recommended titles for young children and preteen readers.
The Librarian’s Guide to Anime and Manga
This site was created and is maintained by librarian Gilles Poitras, author of the books The Anime Companion, The Anime Companion 2, and Anime Essentials. Here you can find an introduction to anime and manga (Japanese animation and drawn sequential art), discussions of issues related to these topics, and lists of recommended titles, Internet sites, and books about anime and manga.
Diamond Bookshelf
This site has a little bit of everything for both school and public librarians, including information about starting a new collection, cataloging, lesson plans, reaching reluctant readers, reviews of hot new titles, and more. You can even download a free copy of the “Graphic Novels and Libraries” resource guide here.
Kid-Safe Graphic Novels for Your Readers
Developed by trusted GN reviewer Kat Kan, this site (sponsored by Brodart) includes core lists, selection criteria, new and notable titles, links to article about GNs in libraries, and more.
Informational Sites
Tokyopop’s New Manga Age Rating System
In February 2007 Tokyopop announced its new rating system, created by yours truly! To read more about the new system, check out this exclusive article in Publisher’s Weekly. To download a printable flyer that lists all the content indicators, click here.
The 2006 Secret Origin of Good Readers Resource Book
Now in its 5th edition, this 60+ page resource (free to download as a pdf file) includes lesson plans, core lists, and more. It’s worth the download time. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the link to the 2006 edition.
Kids Love Comics!
Founded by Jimmy Gownley (creator of Amelia Rules!) and Harold Buchholz (creator of Apathy Kat), Kids Love Comics is a non-profit organization made up of comic creators, publishers, fans, educators and journalists, as well as those involved in the marketing, promotion, distribution, and retail end of the comic book medium. The goal of this site is to provide readers with the latest news, links, and events related to kid-friendly comics!
Awards & Selection Lists
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry. The primary purpose of these annual awards is to call attention to and to celebrate the “best of the best” in the comics publishing industry each year.
YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Selected annually, this list of recommended graphic novels and illustrated nonfiction is selected by a committee of librarians for young people between the ages of 12 and 18.
Discussion List
Listserv Name: GNLIB-L Graphic Novels in Libraries Listserv
This is an electronic, unmoderated discussion list for librarians who want to ask questions of their peers as well as share reviews and resources for the development of a graphic novel or comic book collection in libraries. This site used to be hosted by Topica, but in late 2007 the moderator moved it to Yahoo Groups. To subscribe, send an e-mail to: GNLIB-L-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Bibliography of GN Resources
NextGenLib Graphic Novel Resources
Developed by Joshua L. Carlson, this excellent, exhaustive bibliography of articles and books about graphic novels is available on the Next Gen Wiki.
Library Services to Teens
Useful Websites and Wikis
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
For 50 years YALSA has been the world leader in recommending reading, listening and viewing for teens. The mission of YALSA is to advocate, promote and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to this population. On this site you’ll find information about YALSA’s goals, committees, awards & lists, ways to get involved, and much more.
YALSA Wiki
On this wiki sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association, you’ll find information about the professional organization, advocacy for teens, conferences and meetings, reports from past conferences, programming resources, technology-related information, teens & reading, and youth participation.
Virtual YA Index
Created by Patrick Jones and maintained by Tracey Firestone, this site includes a pretty exhaustive list of public libraries with young adult library web sites.
See YA Round: Library Programming for Teens
Created and maintained by teen library programming maven RoseMary Honnold, this site has dozens of ideas for teen programs, information about teen summer reading programs around the country, and useful forms and handouts you can duplicate for teen programming.
Teen Lib Wiki
Brought to you by the same helpful people who created and maintain the “Alternative Teen Services Blog” above, this wiki is all about information sharing between teen librarians. According to the wiki’s home page – “It was initiated as an information sharing tool to benefit librarians who work with teens.” On the same page they go on to answer the question “Why wiki?” with the following answer: “We all hold various talents and expertise about serving teens and can benefit from the experiences of other librarians. This wiki allows us to free our personal resources so that the all can benefit from our ideas. With each edit, additional resource, and effort of organization the hub of information improves for the better.” So I say take a look and add your two cents.
Blogs
YALSA Blog
On the YALSA Blog, maintained by technology guru Linda Braun, you’ll find excellent social commentary about working with and for teens, information and discussions about emerging technologies, messages and updates from the YALSA Executive Board and Committee Chairs, and more.
Alternative Teen Services Blog
This blog is maintained by teen librarians who share ideas, resources, and advocacy about serving teens.
Teen Librarian
Created by librarian Miranda Doyle, this blog is all about information for school and public librarians who work with teens.
Discussion Lists
PUBYAC
“PUBYAC is an Internet discussion list concerned with the practical aspects of Children and Young Adult Services in Public Libraries, focusing on programming ideas, outreach and literacy programs for children and caregivers, censorship and policy issues, collection development, administrative considerations, puppetry, job openings, professional development and other pertinent services and issues.”
TAGAD-L
An electronic discussion list for the leaders of Teen Advisory Groups.
YALSA-BK
This YALSA sanctioned discussion list if for subscribers to talk about specific young adult titles as well as other issues concerning young adult reading and young adult literature.
YAL-OUT
An open list for the purpose of sharing information about library service to young adults outside the library walls, including to incarcerated and homeless teens. To subscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala.org. Leave the subject line blank. For the message type ‘Subscribe YAL-OUT first name last name.’ “
YA-URBAN
“Staff members in large urban public library systems who serve young adults can use this list to network, exchange ideas, discuss common problems and seek solutions in an effort to improve service to young adults in urban library systems.”
YA-MUSIC
This list was started by YALSA’s Teen Music Interest Group to discuss and develop recommended practices in collections, programming, and related topics in the field of music and media including CDs, MP3s, and emerging technologies and services in music media for teens. This list is open to anyone interested in teen music and media.
