For immediate release | January 14, 2011

YALSA names 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

SAN DIEGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced its 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. The list of 63 titles, drawn from 89 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. The complete list with annotations can be found at www.ala.org/yalsa/ggnt.

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:

  • Aristophane. “The Zabime Sisters.” Trans. by Matt Madden. First Second, 2010.
  • Dayton, Brandon. “Green Monk.” Self-published, 2009.
  • Iwaoka, Hisae. “Saturn Apartments, vol. 1.” VIZ Media, 2010.
  • Kim, Susan et al. "Brain Camp.” First Second, 2010.
  • Layman, John and Rob Guillory. “Chew V. 1: Taster’s Choice.” 2009. Image Comics.
  • Neri, G. and Randy Duburke. “Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty.” Lee & Low Books, 2010.
  • Shiga, Jason. “Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities.” Amulet Books, 2010.
  • Telgemeier, Raina. “Smile.” Graphix, 2010.
  • TenNapel, Doug. “Ghostopolis.” Graphix, 2010.
  • Weing, Drew. “Set to Sea.” Fantagraphics, 2010.
“There were many fantastic graphic novel titles this year,” said Candice Mack, committee chair. “This allowed the committee to create a diverse list featuring a variety of artistic styles, perspectives and settings. We hope librarians will find this to be a very useful list.”
Members of the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee are Candice Mack, chair, Los Angeles Public Library; Emily Brown, Harry Kizirian Elementary School, Providence, R.I.; Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Jesse Karp, Little Red School House/Elisabeth Irwin High School, New York, N.Y.; Joy Kim, Pierce County Library System, Tacoma, Wash.; Jessica Lorentz Smith, Bend (Ore.) Senior High School; Barbara Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, N.Y.; Kimberly Paone, Matawan-Aberdeen (N.J.) Public Library; Michael Pawuk, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, Ohio; Christian Zabriskie, Queens Public Library, Jamaica, N.Y., Dorcas Wong, San Francisco Public Library; Matthew Moffett, administrative assistant, Fairfax, Va.; and Ian Chipman, Booklist consultant, Chicago.
For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audiobooks 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.

Contact:

Jaclyn Finneke

Communications Manager

Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

jfinneke@ala.org

800-545-2433 ext.2128