Graphic Novels | Some Karen Some Don’t

Graphic Novels | Some Karen, Some Don’t (but maybe should)

Todays topic: GRAPHIC NOVELS — dun, dun, dun!

Don’t worry, I’m not talking about NC 17 rated books but rather books that are driven by graphic art like comic books. I suppose my first introduction to graphic novels was way back in high school when I began buying Calvin & Hobbes collections. I was/am in love with Calvin and his stuffed tiger and couldn’t get enough of their unique humor. When I went away to serve an LDS mission for 18 months my little brothers appropriated my extensive collection of books and destroyed them with constant readings. I was soooo mad back then but, now, as a librarian, I appreciate that voracious love of reading material that kept them reading during those teen years where so many male readers lose the love for books.

I didn’t do much with graphic novels for many years after returning home from my 18 months in North Carolina. I was an English major at USU and a new children’s librarian which kept me extremely busy in the reading department. The first couple of years working at my library I would take 10-15 picture books home each night to read so I could become familiar with the world of children’s lit and my collection at the library. Combine that with the reading required in my classes and I was on reading O.V.E.R.L.O.A.D. When those years finally passed I found myself seeking out new authors and books to love.

I’ve always been a bit of a subversive reader. I love dystopian lit like 1984, Brave New World and (more recently) Hunger Games. I’m a big fan of fantasy & my favorite book ever is the science fiction classic Ender’s Game (seriously, it rocks). So while exploring writers of these types of novels I discovered Neil Gaiman. He is a brilliant writer and as I was reading through his books I found his graphic novel series ‘Sandman’. I loved them!!!

–Disclaimer: They are pretty mature and probably not suitable for sensitive readers.

So with this discovery I found a whole new world of reading. For a very long time I was into Japanese manga but in recent years I’ve shifted to the brilliant new writers of graphic novels for tween/teen readers. These graphic novels can be amazing and award winning not only for their art but for their content. They are certainly seeing some love by librarians and in libraries so I’m going to list a few here that are very worthwhile.

• Roller Girl by Victoria Jamison — 2016 Newbery Honor Award winner. The story is about a girl, Astrid, signing up for roller derby camp the summer before Jr. High. The themes include courage, making and outgrowing friends, and perseverance. The author is a roller derby girl herself and has a very authentic voice. I loved it.
• El Deafo by Cece Bell – 2015 Newbery Honor Award Winner
  This is a memoir in graphic novel form of the author growing up deaf in the 50-60’s. Ms. Bell is a well-known children’s writer and has won awards for other books but this novel is really special. I have a deaf aunt who grew up around the same time and she found the novel to be very close to her own experience. However, don’t let the fact that she is deaf fool you. This novel is about so much more including fitting in and finding a true friend. I highly recommend it.
  
• Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke
  I was given this book as a birthday gift by a favorite library family who was moving away. We’d talked books so many times and shared an interest in graphic novels and they thought I would like Zita. Well, I do love her. When Zita’s best friend is kidnapped she sets out to rescue him and ends up on a strange planet. Zita finds herself taking on the role of galactic hero and dealing with humanoid chickens and neurotic robots, to name a few. Super fun series.
  
• Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo – 2014 Newbery Medal Winner
  While this is not strictly a graphic novel it contains a lot of graphic elements that help tell the story. Flora, who is a bit of a cynic, ends up witnessing a tragic accident involving a squirrel and a vacuum cleaner. However, as the best super-hero stories will tell you, the best adventures grow from tragedy. This little gem is not to be missed.
  

Have you read any graphic novels? Which ones did you love?

Other books the great and powerful Karen the Librarian recommends (don’t peek behind the curtain):

• Smile by Raina Telgemeier
• Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
• Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm
• Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier