Graphic Novels in the Library Media Center A Presentation by Esther Keller Oct. 2006 Queens College

Graphic Novel Basics Graphic Novels are a longer version of the comic book that tells a full story. I.E. Maus, Persopolis, American Born Chinese Manga – The Japanese word for comic book. In the U.S. we use it for Japanese style graphic novels or comics. Manga is often based on anime. Naruto. Trade – An edition that collects and reprints series. Such as Ultimate Spider Man, X-Men, Batman, Etc. Digest – A collected edition that is reprinted at smaller scale. For instance the Runaways and other Marvel Age titles.

Graphic Novels are a longer version of the comic book that tells a full story. I.E. Maus, Persopolis, American Born Chinese

Manga – The Japanese word for comic book. In the U.S. we use it for Japanese style graphic novels or comics. Manga is often based on anime. Naruto.

Trade – An edition that collects and reprints series. Such as Ultimate Spider Man, X-Men, Batman, Etc.

Digest – A collected edition that is reprinted at smaller scale. For instance the Runaways and other Marvel Age titles.

Age Appropriate GNs More and more GNs are being published for all age groups. Make sure that what you order for your library is suitable. If your library is part of a K-8 school or 6-12 School consider dividing your GN section into age appropriate collections as you might your fiction and nonfiction. Keep in mind, that at times publishers rate a series, before they know how it will turn out. So the first few volumes in a series might start out appropriate for your collection and later might turn too mature.

More and more GNs are being published for all age groups.

Make sure that what you order for your library is suitable.

If your library is part of a K-8 school or 6-12 School consider dividing your GN section into age appropriate collections as you might your fiction and nonfiction.

Keep in mind, that at times publishers rate a series, before they know how it will turn out. So the first few volumes in a series might start out appropriate for your collection and later might turn too mature.

What if the book has been challenged? Considering GNs for your collection should not differ from standard collection development policies. Read more about NYCSLS’s collection development policy here: http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/BD4FDF5F-F45F-43AE-90BB-410BDBC641AF/13899/HandbookInfoAccessandDelivery81508.pdf Above, you can read the challenged material policy. If someone should challenge a GN on your shelf, deal with it as you would any other book in your collection.

Considering GNs for your collection should not differ from standard collection development policies.

Read more about NYCSLS’s collection development policy here: http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/BD4FDF5F-F45F-43AE-90BB-410BDBC641AF/13899/HandbookInfoAccessandDelivery81508.pdf

Above, you can read the challenged material policy.

If someone should challenge a GN on your shelf, deal with it as you would any other book in your collection.

A Little More About Manga Most manga reads from right to left. Publishers, like Tokyopop are starting to publish “Western Mangas” which read from left to right. I.E. Sorcerers and Secretaries by Ganter. Manhua – Comics produced in China Manhwa – Korean comics. These are read from left to right.

Most manga reads from right to left. Publishers, like Tokyopop are starting to publish “Western Mangas” which read from left to right. I.E. Sorcerers and Secretaries by Ganter.

Manhua – Comics produced in China

Manhwa – Korean comics. These are read from left to right.

The risqué side of Manga. Is it for the school library? Yaoi – pronounced Ya-OYE. In America this is often known as ‘boys love.’ Stories with boy/boy romances. Often explicit. These books are published for women and intended for them. Not all the titles are sexually explicit . Other terms like Shonen-ai are no longer used in Japan. Even so, this genre is quite popular with young women. Some titles: Same Cell Organism , Only the Ring Finger Knows. All titles are rated for 16+

Yaoi – pronounced Ya-OYE.

In America this is often known as ‘boys love.’ Stories with boy/boy romances. Often explicit. These books are published for women and intended for them.

Not all the titles are sexually explicit .

Other terms like Shonen-ai are no longer used in Japan. Even so, this genre is quite popular with young women.

Some titles: Same Cell Organism , Only the Ring Finger Knows.

All titles are rated for 16+

Using Comics in the Classroom It will motivate students to read and participate. All the elements of storytelling exist, i.e. plot, theme, climax, denouement, etc. Many, if not all, the ELA Standards can be met if designing a unit around reading and writing comics. (The Standards: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/ela/elastandards/elamap.html ) But just as teachers have been resistant to using YA lit in the classroom – many will be resistant to using comics or GNs in their classroom. So….

It will motivate students to read and participate.

All the elements of storytelling exist, i.e. plot, theme, climax, denouement, etc.

Many, if not all, the ELA Standards can be met if designing a unit around reading and writing comics. (The Standards: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/ela/elastandards/elamap.html )

But just as teachers have been resistant to using YA lit in the classroom – many will be resistant to using comics or GNs in their classroom. So….

How do you propose we encourage teachers to do a small unit with GNs?

Some of my favorites! Trailers By Mark Kneese Runaways V. 1 Vaughan, Brian By: Chmakova, Svetlana Death Jr. by Gary Whitta