Booklist’s Guide to Graphic Novels in Libraries, 2026

July is the Spotlight on Graphic Novels over on Booklist. They do more than the average spotlight's worth of work here. Every year it is a must read. And the content here is library workers serving all ages of readers, some of these articles even cross age ranges. I have the intros to each article and the links for you to read below. Please pass this on to your colleagues in your library who serve youth and teens as well.

Booklist’s Guide to Graphic Novels in Libraries, 2026

Why Are Comics Important? By AJ Dungo To All the Libraries I’ve Loved Before By Ashley Robin Franklin Bringing Graphic Novels and Manga to the Most Diverse County in Virginia: A Library System Educates with a Comics Convention By John Diaz and others Why graphic novels? To begin with, they are incredibly fun to read. They’re fast-paced. They’re colorful and dynamic, and they illustrate action for readers who struggle to visualize words. All these attributes feed into one of the most important aspects of graphic novels. Multiple studies have shown that the combination of artwork and text helps those with reading difficulties make better sense of words, context, and in the case of autism and dyslexia, sequencing. Discouraging children from reading graphic novels in favor of “real” books might be negatively impacting a struggling child’s ability to become a lifelong reader.‌ read more→ Everyday Queerness at the End of the World: Slice-of-Life Comics as Quiet Resistance By Kaci Wilson Long before Marvel’s Northstar famously came out quite literally swinging with the line “For while I am not inclined to discuss my sexuality with people for whom it is none of their business—I am gay!” becoming the first openly gay superhero in mainstream comics, queer stories permeated the underground comix scene that began in the 1960s. Comix of this era not only rebelled against the restrictive 41 provisions of the Comics Code Authority by making visible identities and topics left out of mainstream comics publishing, but also expanded the notion of what comics could be. No longer were comics restricted to heteronormative stories of superheroes, detectives, and cowboys. New genres and narrative techniques arrived on the scene and were here to stay.‌ read more→ Genrefication of Graphic Novels: Making Comics More Accessible to Middle Grade Readers By Alexa Dumas One of the roles of a librarian—regardless of type—is to ensure accessibility to materials in the library space. For my diverse array of over 400 middle school students at Ronald B. Stafford Middle School in Plattsburgh (NY), I strive to create a comics collection that is a place for all my readers. The current collection includes 12,076 holdings (with almost 2,400 titles across graphic formats). Accessibility and student agency are key to establishing a functional middle school library space. I used those two principles to justify taking on the tough task of genrefying my collection.‌ read more→ Graphic Novel Book Clubs for Elementary and Middle Schoolers: A Case Study in Successful System-wide Collaboration By Dan Johnson I am a youth librarian for Midland Library, part of Multnomah County Library (MCL), a system of 19 libraries in the Portland, Oregon metro area. This past year, I hosted a year-long graphic-novel book club for fourth- and fifth-graders at my library, my second year participating in these monthly book clubs. This is a systemwide effort, in which youth librarians at various branches work together to put on this program throughout the system.‌ read more→ Horror Manga By Jillian Rudes and Gigi Murakami Horror manga has a complicated place in libraries and classrooms, and people often react with shock when I say that I teach horror. But in my twelfth-grade course, the focus is not on horror itself but on the fear characters experience as a result of transformations—of their bodies, minds, and environments. Why do we find so much discomfort when the ordinary is transformed into something unknown?‌ read more→ Not Optional: Why Latine Graphic Novels Belong in Middle School Collections Even in Restrictive Policy Environments By Karina Quilantan-Garza If you were to step into a national library conference or a children’s book festival today, you would notice a clear uptick in graphic-novel authors and illustrators. Kids enjoy reading graphic novels. They want to read them. Yet misconceptions persist about their value as legitimate reading material and learning resources. Latine graphic novels are not simply diverse titles within a larger category; they offer culturally and linguistically specific experiences that many students do not encounter elsewhere in the curriculum.‌ read more→ Promises and Paradoxes: Using Graphic Novels to Explore the Declaration of Independence’s 250th Anniversary By Julie Rick As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, educators have an opportunity to move beyond celebration and into critical inquiry. For many students, the document’s language feels distant and difficult to access. Graphic novels, which integrate visual storytelling with historical and personal narrative, make the Declaration’s ideas more immediate and open to analysis.‌ read more→ Small Comics Press Round Up By Sarah Hunter The availability and quality of graphic novels in the past decade or so have exploded, with a thrillingly wide range of books for every kind of reader. As larger publishers expand their graphic-novel lines, smaller independent publishers can get a bit lost in the shuffle, but it’s worth it to seek out their books. While they might have smaller print runs or publish fewer titles in a year, small, independent comics publishers often take chances on interesting, daring projects or promising new talent making their first forays into publishing. Here are a sampling of independent publishers offering unique, compelling graphic novels and manga that are ideal for patrons looking for reads off the beaten path.‌ read more→ State of Comics Librarianship: Growth, Recognition, and the Work Ahead By Shauntee Burns-Simpson Comics librarianship continues to evolve in exciting and necessary ways, reflecting broader shifts in how libraries serve their communities, elevate diverse voices, and embrace multiple literacies. What was once considered a niche format has firmly established itself as an essential component of library collections, programming, and engagement strategies across the country.‌ read more→ Sustainability and Comics: Showcasing How the World Works and What Happens When Things Break By Matthew Noe Comics excel at presenting dense, complex information in ways that readers without specialized knowledge can appreciate and understand—and issues related to sustainability and climate change are nothing if not complex. Historically, there have been few comics that directly address these issues. Or, if they did, it was mostly by framing someone like Poison Ivy as a crazed villain for daring to suggest protecting plant life. That isn’t to say there were no good climate comics, as the suggested classics below attest, but there was nothing like what we are seeing today.‌ read more→

Using Awards Lists As a RA Tool: Eisner Awards Edition

This is part of my ongoing series on using Awards Lists as a RA tool. Click here for all posts in the series in reverse chronological order. Click here for the first post which outlines the details how to use awards lists as a RA tool.   

Last week the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees were announced. From the Awards Landing Page:

Comic-Con is proud to announce the nominees for the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. The nominations are for works published between January 1 and December 31, 2025 and were chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges.

Once again, this year’s nominees in 32 categories reflect the wide range of material being published in the U.S. in comics and graphic novels, representing over 170 print and online titles from some 75 publishers, produced by creators from all over the world.

Among publishers, DC Comics has 16 nominations (plus 10 shared), led by Absolute Martian Manhunter with 6 (3 standalone and 3 shared) and Absolute Batman with 5 (2 standalone and 3 shared). Image Comics has 12 nominations plus 9 shared, including 5 for Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadski’s Assorted Crisis Events (3 standalone and 2 shared) and 4 for James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds’ Department of Truth.

Fantagraphics’ 14 nominations include 3 for graphic memoirs, 3 for U.S. editions of international material, and 3 for archival collections. Abrams imprints account for 9 nominations, spanning eight different categories, while Drawn & Quarterly has 6 nominees, followed by Random House with 5.

Other publishers with multiple nominations include Dark Horse (4 plus 4 shared), Henry Holt (4), First Second (4), VIZ Media (4), Marvel (3 plus 5 shared), and Top Shelf (3 plus 1 shared). Publishers with 3 nominations include Andrews McMeel, New York Review Comics, Pantheon, Peow2, Stacked Deck, and Yen Press. IDW has 2 plus 5 shared, while BOOM! and Oni both have 2 plus 1 shared. Nine companies have 2 nominations each, and another 41 companies or individuals have 1 nomination.

In addition to Absolute Martian Manhunter, Absolute Batman, Assorted Crisis Events, and Department of Truth, works with the most nominations include Jesse Lonergan’s Drome (Best Graphic Album–New, Best Writer/Artist, Best Coloring) and Linnea Sterte’s A Garden of Spheres (Best Graphic Album–New, Best Writer/Artist, Best Painter.

When it comes to creators, Deniz Camp leads the pack with 5 nominations: Best Limited Series (Absolute Martian Manhunter), Best New Series (Assorted Crisis Events), 2 for Best Single Issue, and Best Writer. James Tynion IV follows with 4 nominations, including Best Writer. Those with 3 nominations include Juni Ba, Javier Rodriguez, Jesse Lonergan, Linnea Sterte, Kelly Thompson, and Eric Zawadski. Another 17 creators have 2 nominations.

Named for acclaimed comics creator Will Eisner, the awards are celebrating their 38th year of bringing attention to and highlighting the best publications and creators in comics and graphic novels. The 2026 Eisner Awards judging panel consists of writer Regine Sawyer, librarian Jerry Dear, reviewer/journalist Tiffany Babb, comics retailer Katie Pryde, and comics scholar Randy Duncan.

Voting for the awards is being held online. All professionals in the comic book industry are eligible to vote. Those who voted in 2025 or who registered to vote by May 14 will automatically be invited to fill out the new ballot. The deadline for voting is June 5.

The Eisner Award trophies will be presented in a gala awards ceremony to be held at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during Comic-Con on the evening of July 24.

Click here to see the nominees for this year. That page also has the links for past nominees, winners,  judges, and the Hall of Fame. Everything for this, the biggest awards in comics and graphic novels, is all available with one click.

Yes you can use the current slate of nominees for your collection development, but also peruse the last few years of backlist nominees because those comics that were honored, they might be in bound volumes now, meaning you need to add them to your collections as well. 

Graphic novels and comics are great reads any time of year, but as we inch toward Comic Con, interest definitely pique's with those who aren't regular readers. Make it easier for all patrons to find them by pulling them out for display.

LJ/SLJ LibraryCon Live is Coming November 6th to A Computer Near Your and for FREE

LibraryCon Live is coming soon and I wanted to make sure you all knew to sign up! From the homepage:

Join Library Journal and School Library Journal on November 6 for our ninth annual LibraryCon Live! We're excited to present a day-long celebration of fandom, spotlighting genre fiction for adults and teens with panels devoted to comics and graphic novels, horror, sf/fantasy, and more. 

Plus, network online while exploring the virtual exhibit hall, where you can chat with publishing reps and download free resources.

Whether you're a public or school librarian, an educator, or a superfan, don't miss this chance to meet with some of your favorite creators.

Join us on socials! #LibraryConLive

 

EVENT HOURS: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

Below you can find the full schedule, or click here to get to the page. It includes a 30 minute conversation between me and Daniel Kraus in the middle of the day. And friends of RA for All, Lila Denning, Ashley Rayner, and James Gardner are all moderating! You don't want to miss this!

Can't make it live? Well honestly no one can make everything live because there are concurrent session all day. But that's fine because everything is recorded and available for three months after. All you have to do is register here.

Don't miss out. It just takes 1 click. 

Full list of all of the programs is here or below. See you there!

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10:00 – 10:30 AM ET | The Exhibit Hall Opens / Visit the Booths

10:30 – 11:00 AM ET | Opening Keynote
Start the day with science fiction/fantasy star Moniquill Blackgoose, who will discuss To Ride a Rising Storm (Penguin Random House), her follow-up to the award-winning To Shape a Dragon’s Breath.

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET | Studio Spotlights
Step inside artists’ studios as they discuss their work, from technique and medium to design and collaboration. Available on demand all day!

Pierre-Alexandre Comtois, Sunder — Tome One (Mad Cave Studios)
Scoot McMahon, Ninja Kaiju (Papercutz)
Adam Wallenta, Punk Taco Adventures! Vol. 1 (Papercutz)
Lisa Manuzak Wiley, Witches of Pepperwood Bay Vol. 1 (Papercutz)

THREE CONCURRENT PANELS

11:05 – 11:50 AM ET | Library Pass panel TBD

11:05 – 11:50 AM ET | Not for the Faint of Heart
These creepy books will scare up lots of frights for adventurous readers.

Alex Crespo, A Feast for the Eyes (Peachtree Teen)
Codie Crowley, Body Count (Disney Hyperion)
Rebecca Mahoney, Thrall (Hyperion Avenue)
Helen Mullane, Groupies (Mad Cave Studios)
Adrian Wassel & Nathan C. Gooden, Post Malone's BIG RIG Vol. 1 (Vault Comics)
Moderator: Lila Denning

11:05 – 11:50 AM ET | Screens & Pages
Video games, tabletop RPGs, and classic cartoons, all available in book form!

Amy Chu, Disney Pixar Classic Graphic Novel: Turning Red (Papercutz)
Jody Houser, Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: The Rise of Hellfire (Dark Horse Books)
Monica Sanz, Minecraft: Adventure School (Random House Worlds)
Gabriel Valentin, The Sword in the Stone Original Graphic Novel (Papercutz)
Moderator: Ashley Rayner, Librarian at NORC, University of Chicago (IL)

TWO CONCURRENT PANELS

11:55 AM – 12:45 PM ET | Small Heroes, Big Quests
Mice, monks, mushrooms, and more unlikely heroes on fantastical journeys.

Oliver Bly, The Mushroom Knight Vol. 3 (Mad Cave Studios)
Pierre-Alexandre Comtois, Sunder — Tome One (Mad Cave Studios)
Wendy Pini, ElfQuest: The Final Quest (Dark Horse Books)
Moderator: Linsey Milillo, Assistant Branch Manager and Librarian, Fairfield Lane Library (OH)

11:55 AM – 12:45 PM ET | Panels with Punch
From animal adventures to kaiju with attitude, these comics for kids pack some serious firepower.

Art Baltazar, Action Cat & Adventure Bug (Papercutz)
Alan Barillaro, Bunns Rabbit (Candlewick)
Franco & Scoot McMahon, Ninja Kaiju (Papercutz)
Mel Hilario & Lauren Davis, Agent Cupcake (Oni Press)
Amy Sparkes, The Unchosen One (Candlewick)
Moderator: Elizabeth Libberton, Library Media Specialist, St. Charles East High School (IL)

12:45 – 1:15 PM ET | Break / Visit the Exhibit Hall

1:15 – 1:45 PM ET | Afternoon Keynote
Bestselling author Daniel Kraus’s Athanasia (Vault Comics) explores the cost of power through this grimly disturbing supernatural tale.
Moderator: Becky Spratford, LJ Horror Review Columnist

THREE CONCURRENT PANELS

1:50 – 2:40 PM ET | Cozy Clues and Gumshoes
Discover mysteries full of charming small towns, unexpected amateur detectives, and a hint of magic.

Esme Addison, A Brew for Chaos (Severn House)
John Allison, The Great British Bump-Off: Kill or Be Quilt (Dark Horse Books)
Alexander Forbes, Hobtown Mystery Stories Vol. 3 (Oni Press)
Rachel Ekstrom Courage, Death on the Lanai (Hyperion Avenue)
Lisa Manuzak Wiley, Witches of Pepperwood Bay Vol. 1 (Papercutz)
Moderator: James Gardner

1:50 – 2:40 PM ET | Stories with Heart
These books and graphic novels for teens and adults offer a range of romance from contemporary to fantasy.

Amy Chase, Abuzz (Maverick)
Mari Costa, The Demon of Beausoleil (Oni Press)
Wendy Martin, Castle Swimmer: Volume 3 (Ten Speed Graphic)
Bethany Rutter, Slow Burn (Candlewick)
Samantha Sotto Yambao, The Elsewhere Express (Del Rey)
Moderator: TBD

1:50 – 2:35 PM ET | Imagination without Limits
Speculative fiction titles that feature dystopias, space animals, and digging deep into family secrets.

Davis Bunn, Treaty (Severn House)
Chris Condon, Far Down Below (Mad Cave Studios)
Marc J Gregson, Downfall (Peachtree Teen)
Moderator: Gregg Winsor, Regional Librarian, Johnson County Library (KS)

2:45 – 3:15 PM ET | Author Spotlight
Based on a true story, Jarrett Dapier’s new graphic novel Wake Now in the Fire (Ten Speed Graphic) follows a group of high schoolers in Chicago working to overturn the system-wide ban of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. Join Jarrett, illustrator AJ Dungo, and Ginee Seo, VP, Editorial Director at Ten Speed Press, as they talk about the importance of elevating the conversation around censorship. 
Moderator: Ashley Leffel, Public Services Librarian, Plano Public Library (TX)
 

3:15 – 3:50 PM ET | Break / Visit the Exhibit Hall

TWO CONCURRENT PANELS

3:55 – 4:25 PM ET | The Fandom Fest Experience: From Beginning to End
With the increased interest in Comic Con style events, many libraries are looking to host their own event. Join Molly Blitstein, Youth & Teen Services Assistant, Tinley Park Public Library (IL), to hear how her library has gone from a simple idea, to hosting three years of a successful fandom fest. Learn how to plan, promote, and engage the community in your own Comic Con.

3:55 – 4:25 PM ET | Square Enix & Viz panel TBD

4:30 – 5:00 PM ET | Closing Keynote
Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner Alex Segura discusses Enemy of My Enemy: A Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel (Disney), a grittier, street-level side of the Marvel Universe.
Moderator: Yesica Hurd, Librarian, Berkeley Public Library (CA)

Comic-Con San Diego 2025 Recap with Graphic Novel Resources for All Year Long

Comic-Con happened last weekend and the reports from the show coming out. You can use the links below to catch up on what happened:

• 10 Winners and 4 Losers at Comic-Con via io9
• The biggest News Out of Comic-Con via USA Today
• Romantasy was all over Comic-Con, a report from KPBS, San Diego State University 
• SDCC 2025: Comics Reclaim the Spotlight in Hollywood’s Absence via PW

Speaking of PW's coverage, they have comics coverage all year long including a comics specific newsletter and a podcast. You can find all things comics coverage via PW at this link. This resource one of the best ways to stay in the know about comics and graphic novels.

The Eisner Awards were also given out. I posted about those back in May when the nominees were  announced. You can go here to see that full post which links to the site with the winners. Remember, it is a resource to use all year long. The post explains how. And here is the PW recap of the awards.

Booklist fills their July issue with lots of awesome Graphic Novel content in anticipation of ComicCon. From my post about it earlier this month: 

Second, the July issue of Booklist is the annual Spotlight on Graphic Novels. This means two things. First there are these special articles:

Top 10 Manga for Adults and Older Teens
Essentials: Head over Heels for Heartstopper
Top 10 Manga for Children & Teens
Graphic Novels as Audio Adaptation

And second,  the issue includes Booklist's annual 2025 Guide to Graphic Novels in Libraries as a pull out in the print, and it is also free online here. 

So much great FREE content for you to help a wide range of your readers. Take advantage of all of it today.

July is when mainstream media covers comics and graphic novels the most, so take advantage and put up displays all over the library. Just don't forget that you need to pay attention to the format all year long. 

Click here for all of my posts that have the "graphic novels" tag as well.