For immediate release | February 11, 2025
2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List and Top Ten List announced by the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table
CHICAGO - The American Library Association's Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is thrilled to introduce the 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children (BGNC) Reading List and Top Ten List. This reading list highlights the best graphic novels for children aged 5 – 12 years old, published in late 2023 through 2024, 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 2024 BGNC Top Ten List features such titles as: "Wildful," "Poetry Comics," "Plain Jane," "The Girl Who Sang," and "The Circuit Graphic Novel."
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. Karlie Herndon and Natasha Carty, co-chairs of the BGNC selection committee said, “The 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Committee had their work cut out for them this year, with so many excellent titles to select from. Representing a wide array of topics, voices, art styles, and genres, this list has something for every young reader to engage with and enjoy. We hope these books will continue to inspire young readers to explore more graphic novels and even create some of their own.”
The complete 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List, including the Top Ten List, is available online on the GNCRT’s website.
GNCRT President Shira Pilarski said of the list, "I want to congratulate the committee on selecting this exceptional list of comics and graphic novels for young people. These titles don't just foster development of literacy skills, and they don't just provide countless hours of entertainment for fans of graphic nonfiction, memoir, poetry, and fiction. They are also beautifully-illustrated works of art."
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 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children selection committee members are Karlie Herndon (Co-Chair), Natasha Carty (Co-Chair), Andréa Fernandes, Althea Georges, Paige Harp, Bethni King, William Kist, Julie Novak, Emilio Romero, Scot Smith, Allison (Ally) Watkins, Michelle Young, Deborah Zeman, and Angie Rundle (Administrative Assistant).
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, and the committee would also like to recognize and thank LibraryPass and Comics Plus for access to their services during the committee term.
Nominations for the 2025 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. All nominations must be submitted by midnight CST on September 15, 2025.
Eligible graphic novels for the 2025 Best Graphic Novels for Children will include all fiction and non-fiction titles published between September 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025, 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. Find more information on how to submit review copies.
LINKS
- 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Top 10 Announcement video
- 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List
- Best Graphic Novels for Children information
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; X: @libcomix; Instagram: @libcomix; Bluesky: or the GNCRT ALA Connect page.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
Contact:
Tina Coleman
GNCRT Staff Liaison
American Library Association
Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table
ccoleman@ala.org
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