2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List announced by the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table

ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is thrilled to introduce the 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children (BGNC) Reading List. This reading list highlights the best graphic novels for children aged 5–12 years old, published in late 2022 through 2023, and it aims to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections. The 2023 BGNC Top Ten List features such titles as: "Buzzing, A First Time for Everything," "Gnome and Rat," "Mexikid," "Scurry" and "Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments."

The Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List Selection Committee is made up of GNCRT members with a background in graphic novel selection and their use for children and children’s services. Kerrie Mierop, chair of the BGNC Selection Committee, said, “The members of the 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children Committee have compiled a varied list of graphic titles that will appeal to both young beginning readers, as well as our established readers who are always waiting for that next great graphic novel. The array of titles bring out authors’ experiences, fantastical journeys, engaging adventures, whimsical reads, and issues that affect young people today. The list also highlights illustrators, artists, and creators and shows the talent and engaging artistry of graphic titles being published for our young readers. The committee hopes readers will experience new worlds and perspectives through the 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List.”

The complete 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List, including a Top Ten, is available online on the GNCRT’s website.

GNCRT President Robin Brenner said of the list, "Serving on a selection list committee is one of the highlights of a library worker’s career, and I congratulate the entire committee on what I know involved hundreds of hours of reading, considering, debating, and thoughtful deliberation. The resulting list offers young readers just getting started up to those who consider themselves comics experts a delightful array of stories, art styles, and characters to relish. I especially appreciate how this year’s list encompasses the range of comics available, from easy readers to middle-grade memoirs to nonfiction explorations enticing to so many kids."

In creating and publishing these lists, the GNCRT has followed its resolution to honor the entire creative team (including writers, artists, letterers, colorists, and translators) involved in the books listed.  

The 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children Selection Committee members are Kerrie Mierop (Chair), Mariizhe Bonier, Eric Carpenter, Natasha Carty, Anna Chou, Tessa Gunnell, Karlie Erin Herndon, Julie Novak, Sarah Okner, Megan Rasmussen, and Heather Rowan.

The Best Graphic Novels for Children Committee would like to recognize and thank Midwest Tape for allowing all committee members free access to Hoopla® during this term of service.

Nominations for the 2024 Best Graphic Novel for Children Reading List are now open! Nominations can be made by all members of the public, including committee members and ALA members and must be submitted by midnight CT on September 15, 2024.

Eligible graphic novels for the 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children will include all fiction and non-fiction titles published between September 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024, that appeal to children ages 5 - 12. Nominations can be made by all members of the public including committee members, library workers, educators, and comics fans through the online form.

Publishers and creators are welcome to submit copies of titles to the committee for review, though they are not eligible to nominate their own titles for consideration. For more information on how to submit review copies please contact GNCRT staff liaison, Tina Coleman at ccoleman@ala.org .

About the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table

The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association is dedicated to supporting library staff in all aspects of engaging with graphic novels and comics, including collection development, programming, and advocacy. For more information connect with GNCRT on Discord; Twitter: @libcomix; Instagram: @libcomix; or the GNCRT ALA Connect page.

About ALA

Established in 1876, the American Library Association (ALA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.