5/12/2012 Great graphic novels has moved! We are now at graphic novels 4 girls. Check out our new updated website!
Abbreviations for readership
YA= Recommended for young adults
MG= Recommended for middle grade (readers approximately fifth to eighth grade)
E= Recommended for elementary grade (readers approximately second to fifth grade)
MG= Recommended for middle grade (readers approximately fifth to eighth grade)
E= Recommended for elementary grade (readers approximately second to fifth grade)
Criteria
_What makes a great graphic novel for girls?
Well, we can only say what we looked for. As librarians who work in the YA and children's field, we have used our experiences and expertise in distinguishing quality literature in YA to search and find excellent graphic novels with strong female protagonists. We used a variety of professional journals, such as VOYA and School Library Journal, already existing resource lists from YA organizations such as YALSA, visited blogs and web sites that focus on women in comics, combed libraries, book stores and comic shops and read, read, read. Our criteria are below.
What we look for:
Well, we can only say what we looked for. As librarians who work in the YA and children's field, we have used our experiences and expertise in distinguishing quality literature in YA to search and find excellent graphic novels with strong female protagonists. We used a variety of professional journals, such as VOYA and School Library Journal, already existing resource lists from YA organizations such as YALSA, visited blogs and web sites that focus on women in comics, combed libraries, book stores and comic shops and read, read, read. Our criteria are below.
What we look for:
- Strong female presence
- Female character is either main protagonist or active secondary character
- If secondary character or in an ensemble, female character takes an active role in the development of the story.
- Character
- Characters are well developed with a back story, personality, flaws, etc.
- Characters are representative of different personalities, ages, backgrounds, relationships, ethnicities, etc.
- Character is unique for the story - not a stock character, i.e. a ‘Mary-Sue.’
- Characters are not defined exclusively by their relationships.
- Story line
- The story lines can come from multiple genres that can reach different girls’ interests
- Plot is a continuous story, rather than episodic.
- Readers from different backgrounds can read the book and relate intellectually and emotionally to different aspects of the story.
- Sexual or physical violence against women is not used as a plot device, it must be taken seriously and dealt with thoughtfully.
- Art
- The art can be in any style or medium
- Images enhance the story, are not used for meaningless shock value.
- Despite style, women and girls should have proportional body image that fits in with the plot line. Conversely characters should not overly exaggerated sexualized assets.
_Some definitions (so we're all clear):
_Comics: Images in sequence that
tell a story. Comics make use of thought or speech bubbles, usually
with images arranged in panels. Comics are often short and episodic.
For example, Peanuts
by Charles
Schulz.
Graphic novels: A long form comic, that because of its length allows for more plot and character depth. A graphic novel isn’t necessarily a novel. The term “graphic novel” encompasses non-fiction and even biography. For example, Blankets by Craig Thompson.
Manga: Japanese comics. "Manga" doesn't refer to one particular style of art, but rather is a general term for any comics or graphic novels that come from Japan. For example, Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto.
Shojo manga: Manga marketed at tween and teen girls, often with a strong focus on romantic relationships. “Shojo” means “little female.” Like manga, shojo isn’t a style or genre, but rather suggests a particular demographic. For example, Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase.
Graphic novels: A long form comic, that because of its length allows for more plot and character depth. A graphic novel isn’t necessarily a novel. The term “graphic novel” encompasses non-fiction and even biography. For example, Blankets by Craig Thompson.
Manga: Japanese comics. "Manga" doesn't refer to one particular style of art, but rather is a general term for any comics or graphic novels that come from Japan. For example, Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto.
Shojo manga: Manga marketed at tween and teen girls, often with a strong focus on romantic relationships. “Shojo” means “little female.” Like manga, shojo isn’t a style or genre, but rather suggests a particular demographic. For example, Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase.