BEA Report: Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries
This past week, Book Expo America, the largest convention of booksellers and publishers in the United States, took place in New York City. On Thursday, it was my pleasure to moderate a panel on Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries, in which some of the best librarians I know took a look at what’s coming later this year that libraries will definitely want to look for. Each of these librarians is not only passionate about promoting graphic novels within their own libraries, but across the country as well. Jesse Karp is the early childhood and interdivisional librarian at Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School in New York City. Barbara Moon is a youth services consultant for the Suffolk Cooperative Library System. Eva Volin is now the supervising children’s librarian for the Alameda Free Library. Christian Zabriskie is the assistant coordinator of young adult services for Queens Library. In addition, all of them are serving on the AYA/YALSA 2010 Great Graphic Novels for Teens committee.
As usual with events such as this, there were more great titles than could be included in one presentation. So here, we’re giving you the full list of not only their top picks, but also the Honorable Mentions that deserve recognition. Here are the librarians’ choices for what you want to keep your eyes peeled for later in 2010.
Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries
Graphic Novels for Adults
House of Five Leaves, Vol. 1
Viz Media
$12.99
September
Inanna’s Tears
Archaia
$24.95
August
The Playwright
Top Shelf
$14.95
July
I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow, Vol. 1
Viz Media
$12.99
June
Honorable Mentions
AX: A Collection of Alternative Manga
Top Shelf
$29.95
July
Kizuna, Vol. 1
Digital Manga
$19.95
October
Octopus Pie: There Are No Stars in Brooklyn
Random House
$17.00
June
Graphic Novels for Teens
Brain Camp
First Second
$16.99
August
Ghostopolis
Scholastic
$24.99
July
Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 1
Viz Media
$12.99
June
Salem Brownstone
Candlewick
$18.99
July
Swordsmith Assassin
Boom!
$16.99
July
Twin Spica, Vol. 2
Vertical
$10.95
July
The Zabime Sisters
First Second
$16.99
October
Honorable Mentions
7 Billion Needles, Vol. 1
Vertical
$10.99
August
Street Fighter Legends: Ibuki
Udon
$14.99
November
Trickster: Native American Tales
Fulcrum
$22.95
June
Graphic Novels for Tweens
Amulet of Samarkand
Disney/Hyperion
$9.99
November
Archie Marries…
Abrams
$24.95
October
Joey Fly, Private Eye in Big Hairy Drama
Henry Holt
$16.99
November
Honorable Mentions
Chicagoland Detective Agency: The Drained Brains Caper
Graphic Universe
$6.95
August
The Unsinkable Walker Bean
Roaring Brook
$13.99
August
Graphic Novels for Kids
Adventures in Cartooning Activity Book
First Second
$7.99
August
Silly Lilly in What Will I Be Today?
Toon Books
$12.95
September
Honorable Mentions
Chi’s Sweet Home, Vol. 1
Vertical
$13.95
June
The Incredibles: Revenge from Below
Boom!
$9.99
June
At least the category list includes "Graphic novels for adults," though all the librarians on the panel appear to be youth focused. Maybe as these teen readers get older, the recognized readership for graphic novels in the US will broaden.