YALSA names 2009 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Contact: Stephanie Kuenn


YALSA Communications Specialist


(312) 280-2128

skuenn@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


January 28, 2009

DENVER —The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), today announced its 2009 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. The list of 53 titles, drawn from 154 official nominations, is presented annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting. The books, recommended for those ages 12-18, meet the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teens.

In addition, the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee created a Top Ten list of titles that exemplify the quality and range of graphic novels appropriate for teen audiences:

  • Abel, Jessica. Life Sucks. First Second. 2008. 978-1-59643-107-2. $19.95.
  • Ashihara, Hinako.
    • Sand Chronicles, v. 1. VIZ. 2008. 978-1-4215-1477-2. $8.99.
    • Sand Chronicles, v. 2. VIZ. 2008. 978-1-4215-1478-9. $8.99.
    • Sand Chronicles, v. 3. VIZ. 2008. 978-1-4215-1479-6. $8.99.
  • Clevinger, Brian. Atomic Robo: Atomic Robo and the Fightin' Scientists of Tesladyne. 2008. Red Five Comics. 978-0-9809302-0-7. $18.99.
  • Inoue, Takehiko.
    • Real, v. 1. VIZ. 2008. 978-4215-1989-0. $12.99.
    • Real, v. 2. VIZ. 2008. 978-1-4215-1990-6. $12.99.
  • Ito, Junki. Uzumaki, v.1. VIZ. 2007. 978-1-4215-1389-8. $9.99.
  • Landowne, Youme. Pitch Black. Cinco Puntos Press. 2008. 978-1-9336-9306-4. $14.00.
  • Steinberger, Aimee Major. Japan Ai: A Tall Girl’s Adventures in Japan. Go Comi. 2007. 978-1-933617-83-1. $16.99.
  • Tamaki, Mariko. Skim. Groundwood Books. 2008. 978-0-8889-9753-1. $18.95.
  • Way, Gerard. Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite. Dark Horse. 2008. 978-1-59307-978-9. $17.95.
  • Wilson, G. Willow. Cairo. Vertigo. 2007. 978-1-4012-1140-0. $24.99.

The complete list with annotations can be found at
www.ala.org/yalsa/ggnt.

“This year’s list is diverse and engaging for a wide variety of teen readers,” said Robin Brenner, committee chair. “Creating the list reinforced how many quality titles are available for teens.”

Members of the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee are Robin Brenner, chair, Brookline (Mass.) Public Library; Rachel Kay Aronowitz, San Francisco Public Library; Marea Black, Burton Barr Central Library, Phoenix, Ariz.; Sarah Couri, Donnell Library Center, New York Public Library; Christi Showman Farrar, Woburn (Mass.) Public Library; Lisa Goldstein, Stone Avenue Branch, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Michael Jara, South Pasadena (Calif.) Public Library; Sadie Maddox, Oklahoma Dept. of Libraries, Oklahoma City; Barbara Moon, Suffolk Coop Library System, Bellport, N.Y.; Michael Pawuk, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, Ohio; Eva Volin, Alameda (Calif.) Free Library; and Ian Chipman, consultant,
Booklist, Chicago.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to
www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail,
yalsa@ala.org.