The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), today announced its 2008 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. The list of 43 titles, drawn from 138 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.“The committee gathered in historic Philadelphia from all parts of the country to represent a great variety of teen readers and pull together a terrific list with wide ranging appeal,” said Jody Sharp, committee chair. “We read some fantastic titles and had great debates and are excited to share the final results with you all.”
Members of the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee are Jody Sharp, chair, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Md.; Marea Black, Phoenix (Ariz.) Public Library; Robin Brenner, Brookline (Mass.) Public Library; Sarah Couri, Donnell Library Center, New York Public Library; Jennifer Sweeney, Goshen (N.Y.) Public Library; Michael Jara, University of California Los Angeles; Melissa Jenvey, Donnell Library Center, New York Public Library; Esther Lewenstein, Marine Park Intermediate School, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Gail Tobin, Schaumburg Township District Library, Hanover Park, Ill.; Eva Volin, Margaret K. Troke Library, Stockton, Calif.; Jennifer Venker Weidenbenner, Bourbonnais (Ill.) Public Library; Gillian Engberg, consultant, Booklist, Chicago, Ill.; Elizabeth Rafferty, administrative assistant, Baltimore County Public Library, Baltimore, Md.
The List
Abadzis, Nick. Laika. 2007. First Second. $17.95 (ISBN13: 978-1596431010).. How a small dog became the first cosmonaut. Fiction.
Anderson, Eric, Manny Trembley. PX! Book One: A Girl and Her Panda. 2007. Image Comics $15.99 (ISBN13: 978-1582408200). "Every time you punch a ninja, an angel gets its wings". Fiction.
Azuma, Kiyohiko. Yotsuba&!, vol 4. 2007. ADV $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4139-0345-4). For Yotsuba, every moment is an adventure. Fiction.
Kapur, Shekhar, Siddarth Kotian. Namaha:Shekhar Kapur's Devi, vol. 1. 2007. Virgin Comics $14.99 (ISBN13: 978-1934413005 When an ancient evil returns, an ordinary woman is transformed into a Hindu warrior goddess. Fiction.
Brubaker, Ed, Pablo Raimondi and others. Fantastic Four: Books of Doom . 2007. Marvel Enterprises $14.99 (ISBN13: 9780785117049). Get to know the man behind the mask. Fiction.
Carey, Mike, Sonny Liew and others. Re-Gifters . 2007. DC / Minx $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4012-0371-9). Win the championship or get the guy? Fiction.
Carey, Mike, Jim Fern and others. Crossing Midnight, vol.1. Cut Here 2007. DC Comics / Vertigo $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1401213411). Twins born on both sides of midnight are caught in a promise made centuries ago. Fiction.
Castellucci, Cecil, Jim Rugg. The Plain Janes . 2007. DC Comics / Minx $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4012-1115-8). "Forced to move to the burbs, Jane starts a renegade art club. Fiction.
Crilley, Mark. Miki Falls – Autumn . 2007. HarperTempest $7.99 (ISBN13: 978-0060846183). How can falling for the wrong guy be so right? Fiction.
Crilley, Mark. Miki Falls – Spring. 2007. HarperTempest $7.99 (ISBN13: 978-0060846169). How can falling for the wrong guy be so right? Fiction.
Crilley, Mark. Miki Falls – Summer . 2007. HarperTempest $7.99 (ISBN13: 978-0060846176). How can falling for the wrong guy be so right? Fiction.
Fialkov, Joshua Hale, Noel Tuazon and others. Elk's Run . 2007. Random House / Villard Books $19.95 (ISBN13: 978-0345495112). Four teens are forced to break away when tragedy turns a paradise into a prison. Fiction.
Fleming, Ann Marie. The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam. Penguin Group, 2007. $14.00 ((ISBN13: 978-1594482649).. Ann Marie traces the path of her great-grandfather's life, uncovering her roots and the magic behind them. Nonfiction.
Geary, Rick. Saga of the Bloody Benders: The Infamous Homicidal Family of Labette County, Kansas. NMB , 2007. $15.95. ((ISBN13: 978-1-5616-3498-9).. The family that slays together, stays together. Nonfiction.
Giffen, Keith, Cully Hamner. Blue Beetle: Shell-shocked . 2007. DC Comics $12.99 (ISBN13: 978-1401209650). It's tough being a superhero when you have a curfew. Fiction.
Giffen, Keith, Cully Hamner. Blue Beetle: Road-Trip. 2007. DC Comics $12.99 (ISBN13: 978-1401213619). It's tough being a superhero when you have a curfew. Fiction.
Gipi. Notes for a War Story . 2007. First Second $16.95 (ISBN13: 978-1596432611). How do you build a future when the present is so uncertain? Fiction.
Helfer, Andrew, Randy DuBurke. Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography . Hill & Wang, 2007. $15.95 ((ISBN13: 978-0-8090-9504-9).. The life and times of Malcolm X. Nonfiction.
Hinds, Gareth. Beowulf . 2007. Candlewick $21.99 (ISBN13: 978-0763630225). Warrior vs. monster: kickin' it old school. Fiction.
Iwahara, Yuji. King of Thorn, vol. 1. 2007. Tokyopop $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-59816-235-6). Awaking to a dangerous new world, can seven strangers escape their doom when danger lurks around every corner? Fiction.
Iwahara, Yuji. King of Thorn, vol. 2. 2007. Tokyopop $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1598162363). Awaking to a dangerous new world, can seven strangers escape their doom when danger lurks around every corner? Fiction.
Iwanaga, Ryotaro. Pumpkin Scissors, vol. 1. 2007. Del Rey $10.95 (ISBN13: 978-0345501196). How do you mend what you were once expected to destroy? Fiction.
Kawashima, Tadashi, Adachitoka. Alive, vol. 1: the Final Evolution . 2007. Del Rey $10.95 (ISBN13: 978-0345497468). Driven to suicide or forced to evolve. Fiction.
Kawashima, Tadashi, Adachitoka. Alive, vol. 2: the Final Evolution . 2007. Del Rey $10.95 Driven to suicide or forced to evolve. Fiction.
Kieth, Sam, Bob Kane and others. Batman: Secrets . 2007. DC Comics $12.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4012-1212-4). Some secrets can change your life. Fiction.
Kouno, Fuyimo. Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms . 2007. Last Gasp $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-0867196658). Everyday life is haunted by the past. Fiction.
Kurata, Hideyuki. Train + Train, vol. 1. 2007. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-933617-18-3). Will Reiichi choose to be ordinary or extraordinary? Fiction.
Kurata, Hideyuki. Train + Train, vol. 2. 2007. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-933617-19-0). Will Reiichi choose to be ordinary or extraordinary? Fiction.
Kurata, Hideyuki. Train + Train, vol. 3 2007. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1933617374).. Will Reiichi choose to be ordinary or extraordinary? Fiction.
Loux, Matthew. Sidescrollers . 2007. Oni Pess $11.95 (ISBN13: 978-1-932664-50-8). Slacker vs. jock. Good cat vs. bad cat. And the love of a girl hangs in the balance. Fiction.
Lutes, Jason, Nick Bertozzi. Houdini: the Handcuff King . Hyperion Books for Children, 2007. $16.99 ((ISBN13: (ISBN13: 978-0786839025).. The man, the myth, the magic: a moment in the life of Harry Houdini. Nonfiction.
Mizushiro, Setona . After School Nightmare, vol. 1 2006. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1933617169). Ichijou's struggle through the dream world will help him determine his identity. Fiction.
Mizushiro, Setona. After School Nightmare, vol. 2. 2006. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1933617176). Ichijou's struggle through the dream world will help him determine his identity. Fiction.
Mizushiro, Setona. After School Nightmare, vol. 3. 2007. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1933617244). Ichijou's struggle through the dream world will help him determine his identity. Fiction.
Mizushiro, Setona. After School Nightmare, vol. 4. 2007. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-933617-33-6). Ichijou's struggle through the dream world will help him determine his identity. Fiction.
Mizushiro, Setona. After School Nightmare, vol. 5 2007. Go Comi! $10.99 (ISBN13: 978-1933617480).. Ichijou's struggle through the dream world will help him determine his identity. Fiction.
Mori, Kaoru. Emma, vol. 1. 2006. CMX $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4012-1132-5). In Victorian England, how long can the love of a lady's maid and a gentleman survive? Fiction.
Mori, Kaoru. Emma, vol. 2. 2006. CMX $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4012-1133-2). In Victorian England, how long can the love of a lady's maid and a gentleman survive? Fiction.
Mori, Kaoru. Emma, vol. 3. 2007. CMX $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1401211349).. In Victorian England, how long can the love of a lady's maid and a gentleman survive? Fiction.
Mori, Kaoru. Emma, vol. 4. 2007. CMX $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4012-1135-6). In Victorian England, how long can the love of a lady's maid and a gentleman survive? Fiction.
Mori, Kaoru. Emma, vol. 5. 2007. CMX $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4012-1136-3). In Victorian England, how long can the love of a lady's maid and a gentleman survive? Fiction.
Morrison, Grant, Frank Quitely. All Star Superman, vol. 1. 2007. DC Comics. $19.99 (ISBN13: 978-1401209148). Revisiting the Golden Age Superman. Fiction.
Nakahara, Aya. Love Com, vol. 1. 2007. Viz Media / Shojo Beat $8.99 (ISBN13: 978-1421513430).. How can you be perfect for each other if one of you has to stand on a box? Fiction.
Okamoto, Kazuhiro. Translucent, vol. 1. 2007. Dark Horse Comics $9.95 (ISBN13: 978-1593076474).. How do you shine when you're fading away? Fiction.
Park, SoHee. Goong, vol. 1. 2007. ICE Kunion $10.95 (ISBN13: 978-89-527-4487-6). Suddenly you're Cinderella and your worst nightmare comes true. Fiction.
Peterson, David. Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 . 2007. Archaia Studios $24.95 (ISBN13: 978-1-932386-57-8).. Betrayal from within threatens all mousekind. Fiction.
Pierce, Tamora, Timothy Liebe and others. White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion . 2007. Marvel Enterprises $14.99 (ISBN13: 978-0785122739). Does Angela have what it takes to become the new White Tiger? Fiction.
Sis, Peter. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain . Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 2007. $18.00 ((ISBN13: (ISBN13: 978-0-374-34701-7).. When your hairstyle, music and art are regulated, how do you find your voice? Nonfiction.
Smith, Jeff. SHAZAM! The Monster Society of Evil . 2007. DC Comics. $29.99 (ISBN13: 978-1401214461).. Holy Moly! With just the word SHAZAM!, Billy can summon the great Captain Marvel. Fiction.
Stuck in the Middle: 17 Comics from an Unpleasant Age . 2007. Penguin Viking $18.99 (ISBN13: 978-0-670-06221-8). Painfully true stories about middle school. Fiction.
Takemiya, Keiko. To Terra, vol. 1 2007. Vertical $13.95 (ISBN13: 978-1932234671). How can humans and mus coexist when they both claim the same home: Earth? Fiction.
Takemiya, Keiko. To Terra, vol. 2. 2007. Vertical $13.95 (ISBN13: 978-1932234701). How can humans and mus coexist when they both claim the same home:Earth? Fiction.
Takemiya, Keiko. To Terra, vol. 3. 2007. Vertical $13.95 (ISBN13: 978-1932234718). How can humans and mus coexist when they both claim the same home:Earth? Fiction.
Tan, Shaun. The Arrival. 2007. Arthur A. Levine $19.99 (ISBN13: 978-0439895293). How do you build a new life when everything around you is so strange? Fiction.
Tanabe, Yellow. Kekkaishi, vol. 7. 2007. Viz Media $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4215-0488-9). Rival demon hunters join forces to protect their territory. Fiction.
Tanabe, Yellow. Kekkaishi, vol. 8. 2007. Viz Media $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1-4215-0828-3).. Rival demon hunters join forces to protect their territory. Fiction.
Tanabe, Yellow. Kekkaishi, vol. 9. Viz Media $9.99 (ISBN13: 978-1421508290). Rival demon hunters join forces to protect their territory. Fiction.
Urushibara, Yuki. Mushishi, vol. 1. 2007. Del Rey $12.95 (ISBN13: 978-0345496218). As primordial mushi distort our reality, Ginko fights to stop the infestation. Fiction.
Urushibara, Yuki. Mushishi, vol. 2. 2007. Del Rey $12.95 (ISBN13: 978-0345496447). As primordial mushi distort our reality, Ginko fights to stop the infestation. Fiction.
Varon, Sara. Robot Dreams . 2007. First Second $16.95 (ISBN13: 978-1-59643-108-9). Making new friends isn't always easy. Fiction.
Velez, Ivan, Shawn Martinbrough and others. Dead High Yearbook . 2007. Penguin Dutton $18.99 (ISBN13: 978-0-525-47783-9).. The students at Dead High are literally dying to get into the yearbook. Fiction.
Whitta, Gary, Ted Naifeh. Death, Jr. 2007. Image Comics $14.99 (ISBN13: 978-1582406824). "Death isn't just about wearing cool black clothes and posing for Metallica album covers". Fiction.
Yoshinaga, Fumi. Flower of Life, vol. 1. 2007. Digital Manga Publishing $12.95 (ISBN13: 978-1569708743). Freaks and geeks: a year in the life of Japanese high school students. Fiction.
Yoshinaga, Fumi. Flower of Life, vol. 2. 2007. Digital Manga Publishing $12.95 (ISBN13: 978-1569708736).. Freaks and geeks: a year in the life of Japanese high school students. Fiction.
Yoshinaga, Fumi. Flower of Life, vol. 3. 2007. Digital Manga Publishing $12.95 (ISBN13: 978-1569708293). Freaks and geeks: a year in the life of Japanese high school students. Fiction.