Graphic Novels in Your School Library

May 1, 2012

What? Another book about graphic novels in the library media center? This title might not touch on a new topic for seasoned librarians, but the content is still relevant. Karp opens with an overview of graphic novels and their history, explains what they are and are not, how they work, and their value to students. He discusses understanding sequential art and story construction and art as a visual language, and suggests discussion and essay topics. He only touches on manga, focusing primarily on American or Western comics. The book is rounded out with an annotated list, divided by grade levels and lesson plans. This book updates some of the classic professional titles that are still useful but that don't include many of the newer titles. A worthwhile addition.-Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2012
Yet another guide to graphic novels? Absolutely! As patron interest in this ever-evolving medium continues to escalate, so does the need for authoritative and timely advice on how to appreciate, select, and effectively use this popular format. A graphic-novel expert and a librarian, Karp partners with illustrator Kress on this latest offering, intended for school librarians working in preschool through high-school settings. Introductory chapters cover social and artistic developments and provide basic conceptual and contextual background information. Subsequent chapters offer grade-specific lists of annotated recommendations. The last two chapters take another direction and outline practical lesson plans on how to create comics (story construction, sequencing, creative collaboration, time, perspective, etc.) and give ideas for discussion starters (e.g., gender portrayals, depictions of heroes, history connections, comparisons to Shakespeare). Suggestions for further reading and three indexes (subject, author/title, and topic: dating and relationships, prejudice, racial/ethnic identity, etc.) complete the volume. Most school libraries will benefit from this accessible and practical manual. Recommended.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)