Graphic+Novel+Resources

=**GRAPHIC NOVEL RESOURCES**= =**WEBSITES**= Comic Books for Young Adults http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/lml/comics/pages Michael Lavin has put together a site which is very helpful for librarians who want help in justifying a comic or graphic novel collection, and help in putting together a collection. He includes guidelines for selection. Although he hasn’t updated the site in a long time, the information there is still useful. http://www.rationalmagic.com/Comics/Comics.html Diamond Comics Bookshelf http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com Here you will find a detailed, annotated catalog of graphic novels aimed at librarians and educators, a glossary of terms, reviews by Kat Kan, cataloging information, and lesson plans for using graphic novels in classrooms. Diamond revamped the website in 2006, and it now includes a monthly news magazine for public and school librarians. No Flying, No Tights - Graphic Novel Reviews for Teens www.noflyingnotights.com Robin Brenner began writing about graphic novels on a website she created for a library school class. Now teens and librarians can go to her colorful and fun site to get her reviews and opinions. Robin features a section for younger readers, which is a great source of titles suitable for elementary and younger middle school students. Recommended Graphic Novels for Public Libraries [|http://my.voyager.net/~sraiteri/graphicnovels.htm] Ohio librarian Steve Raiteri has an extensive list of titles on his site, which he hasn’t updated since he started writing his column for Library Journal. His list runs the gamut from superheroes to independently published works and serves as a great retrospective list. Brodart Graphic Novels http://www.graphicnovels.brodart.com Brodart has also created a useful website that includes articles about graphic novels for librarians, a graphic novel advice column (Ask Seeressa), lists of recommended titles, and more. You don’t have to purchase from Brodart to use the website. News and Reviews Sites http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com Here you’ll find opinion columns, gossip columns, and reviews of comics issues and trade paperbacks. http://www.comicbookresources.com This site also has regular columns, movie news, interviews, and comics news. http://www.icv2.com This website is aimed at retailers of comics, games, and toy specialty shops, but the industry news is often of interest to librarians as well. http://www.comicon.com/pulse This website includes news and interviews, plus Heidi MacDonald’s blog, The Beat. She’s a veteran of the comics industry, has worked as an editor for DC Comics, and currently helps to run Publishers Weekly’s online e-newsletter, Comics Week. Her links to other sites and blogs can keep one reading for hours. Most comics publishers also have websites, you can usually use their company names to search the Internet to find their sites. =**LISTSERV**= Graphic Novels for Libraries www.topica.com/lists/GNLIB-L Librarian Steve Miller started this listserv in 1999. It’s open to librarians and other professionals connected with graphic novels and libraries. Many of the well-known professionals who write for the library world - Stephen Weiner, Francesca Goldsmith, Steve Raiteri, D. Aviva Rothschild, Mike Pawuk, and others - are members. Many members are librarians who are just beginning to acquire graphic novels for their collections. If you go to the site, you can read previous posts, and you can also sign up and join in the discussion. Members consider all questions posted and give advice and opinions; it’s lots of fun. MAGAZINES Booklist Francesca Goldsmith occasionally writes an article or reviews graphic novels suitable for teens; other reviewers occasionally write reviews of graphic novels suitable for adults. In 2003, the journal started doing a “Spotlight on Graphic Novels,” it appears annually, in February or March. Since April 2006 the Books for Younger Readers section includes occasional reviews of graphic novels for elementary school and younger readers. KLIATT The magazine includes graphic novel reviews for middle and high school age readers. Library Journal Steve Raiteri began a bimonthly review column in the September 1, 2002 issue. Library Media Connection This journal for school library media specialists publishes occasional articles about graphic novels and includes reviews of graphic novels for elementary through high school students. Previews A monthly compilation of upcoming releases from many publishers, ranging from the big companies like DC and Marvel to small publishers such as Alternative Comics. It’s available at most comics shops for $4.50 per issue, or go online at www.diamondcomics.com School Library Journal Steve Weiner began his “Graphic Novel Roundup” in the February 2003 issue, it appears every other month. VOYA - Voice of Youth Advocates The “Graphically Speaking” column written by Kat Kan began publication in late 1994 and appeared in the February, June, and October issues. Beginning with the October 2002 issue, the column now appears in every bimonthly issue. Occasional reviews of individual titles also appear in the reviews section, written by Kan and other librarians. BOOKS Crawford, Philip Charles. Graphic Novels 101: Selecting and Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy for Children and Young Adults: A Resource Guide for School Librarians and Educators. Hi Willow Research and Publishing, 2003. $30. 0- 931510-91-0. Crawford addresses why school libraries should include the format, discusses titles to get (and titles to avoid), how to purchase and handle graphic novels. He includes selection criteria, sources for purchase, and other advice for elementary through high school. Goldsmith, Francisca. Graphic Novels Now: Building, Managing, and Marketing a Dynamic Collection. ALA Editions, 2005. 113pp $35.00. 0-8389-0904-3. While focusing only on actual monograph graphic novels, Goldsmith discusses practical matters such as cataloging and shelving them and dealing with intellectual freedom challenges. Gorman, Michele. Getting Graphic!: Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy with Preteens and Teens. Linworth Publishing, Inc., 2003. 184p. $36.95. 1-58683- 089-9. This book is useful for schools, with ideas for using graphic novels in the curriculum; it also includes information on collection development, promotion and programming, and lists of recommended titles for intermediate and high school collections. Lyga, Allyson A. W. and Barry Lyga. Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A Definitive Guide. Libraries Unlimited, 2004. 180pp. $35.00. 1-59158-142-7. This guide discusses how graphic novels can be important learning tools in the classroom and includes some lesson plans; it also includes lists of suggested titles for collection development, publisher information, and interviews with librarians who use graphic novels. Miller, Steve. Developing and Promoting Graphic Novel Collections. Neal- Schuman Publishers, 2005. 130pp. $49.95. 1-55570-461-1. Miller provides information on collection development and lots of program ideas to promote the use of graphic novels in the libraries. He also provides nitty-gritty details on how to maintain the library’s graphic novel collection. Rothschild, D. Aviva. Graphic Novels: A Bibliographic Guide to Book-Length Comics. Libraries Unlimited, 1995. 245 p. $30. 1-56308-086-9. The book includes detailed reviews of many titles. Some of them are now out of print, but Rothschild’s strong opinions are fun to read. Weiner, Stephen. 101 Best Graphic Novels. NBM, 2005. 60 p. $15.95. 1-56163- 443-3. This book includes an annotated list of titles that were available in print at the time of publication, and the annotations include codes for age appropriateness. A helpful Further Reading section lists books on the history of comics, manga, and on the men and women who created the comics. Weiner, Stephen. The Rise of the Graphic Novel: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet. NBM Publishing, 2003. 64p. $14.95. 1-56163-367-4. Weiner provides a brief history of the format, from the early commercial comic strips to the place of the graphic novel in bookstores and libraries. OTHER SOURCES The Public Librarian’s Guide to Graphic Novels This is a booklet provided free of charge by Book Wholesalers, Inc. It does promote their graphic novel services, but does provide useful information on justification, evaluation, and some selection lists. BWI gives this away at library conferences where they exhibit, and you can also call their toll-free number, 1-800-888-4478, or go to their website at www.bwibooks.com to order your copy. The Secret Origins of Good Readers: A Resource Book This is a source edited by Robyn A. Hill, who uses it at presentations she does at conferences and conventions, such as the Comic-Con International in San Diego. Go to www.night-flight.com/secretorigin/ to download a free pdf file (about 56 pages). It includes resources, lists of recommended titles, comic book activity ideas and sample lesson plans.