REFORMA and Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table and Announce Collaboration Core List Titles

CHICAGO - The American Library Association’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) and REFORMA, The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, are thrilled to announce their Collaboration Core List for 2024. The list highlights high-quality graphic novels that showcase Spanish-speaking and Latino stories and creators.

GNCRT and REFORMA hope that this core list will continue to grow and will serve as an important resource that advocates for the development of library comics collections that meet the needs of Spanish-speaking and Latino populations. The list will help librarians and library workers in the development and promotion of these graphic novels and serve as an aid for readers’ advisory.

The list features 85 titles and is divided into three sections: Juvenile Graphic Novels for Elementary and Middle School, Young Adult Graphic Novels for High School, and Adult Graphic Novels. It includes 2024 titles such as: “The Puerto Rican War: A Graphic History” by John Vasquez Mejias; “Brownstone” by Samuel Teer, Mar Julia, and Ashanti Fortson; and “Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account” by Ernesto Saade, as well as older titles such as volumes of “Love and Rockets” by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez and the “Lowriders in Space” series by Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third.

“REFORMA is delighted to be a part of this exemplary collaboration with the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table, which brings together the subject expertise of folks who are passionate about graphic novels,” said REFORMA President Alexandra Rivera. “I am excited and even impatient to delve into this inaugural resource that is a true labor of love meant to elevate the innovative ventures of Latino/x/é creators and our communities that they bring to life. If a picture paints a thousand words, these visually rich and culturally relevant novels represent a world within each page. I encourage everyone to use this list as inspiration to learn more about our beautiful Latino culture and about yourselves.”

“As a former Co-Chair of GNCRT’s inaugural collaborative committee with the Black Caucus of ALA, I am so pleased to see this important work continue,” said GNCRT President Shira Pilarski. “It is essential that comic readers see authentic Latine stories, and that the comics industry amplifies the perspectives of historically underrepresented comics creators. This list features some of my personal favorites, and I am so pleased with the breadth of intersectionally diverse Latine experiences the committee selected.”

Announced in October 2023 as a part of GNCRT’s ongoing Collaborative Core Comics Reading Lists project, GNCRT and REFORMA formed a joint committee with the goal of compiling a core collection list that increases awareness of the validity of the rich and diverse format of graphic novels and to specifically showcase Latino stories, characters, and creators. The committee completed their work from 2023-2024. GNCRT was represented by Co-Chair Christina Vortia and Committee members Molly Anderson, Fiorella Casella, Dot Castro (serving as Administrative Assistant), Teresa McGinley, Jo Nickerson-Harper, and Rosanne North-Jack. REFORMA was represented by Co-Chair Maria Vega and Committee members Jessica Agudelo, Rosa Diaz, Yesica Hurd, Dan Johnson, Tina Lerno, and Katherine Martinez-Santos.

“This list highlights the work of so many amazing Latinx writers and illustrators,” said REFORMA Co-Chair Maria Vega. “It was a joy to read these books that reflect the Latinx experience and I want to recognize our outstanding team from REFORMA and the GNCRT who worked to make sure our list was inclusive, authentic, and recognized the diverse aspects of the Latinx identity. It is our hope that librarians, creators, and publishers use this list as a tool to not only create more Latinx graphic novels, but also increase library collections that serve and inspire not only Latinx communities but all readers.”

"It has been an incredible honor to work with such a thoughtful team to put together this amazing list,” said GNCRT Co-Chair Christina Vortia. “We hope these books fill shelves and more importantly hearts. So many books couldn't be included because they're out of print. May this list be a resounding wake-up call to publish more voices and put books back in print that can reach new audiences."

Find more information about the GNCRT and REFORMA Collaboration online.

About REFORMA

REFORMA is committed to the improvement of the full spectrum of library and information services for the approximately 56.2* million Spanish-speaking and Latino people in the United States. Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), REFORMA has actively sought to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share our goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos.

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 Facebook: ALA Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table; Twitter: @libcomix; Instagram: @libcomix; or the GNCRT ALA Connect page.