When I looked at my library's Young Adult and Adult graphic novel collections, I found that nonfiction graphic novels represented small parts of the Adult and Young Adult graphic novel collections. Nonfiction graphics accounted for approximately 6% of the adult graphics collection, and 9% of the young adult graphics collection. A surprising finding was that biographies, and autobiographies/ memoirs accounted for about 69% of the adult nonfiction graphics collection and about 33% of the young adult nonfiction graphics. After visiting the ALA, and NoveList websites, I learned that these types of graphic novels have received critical acclaim. Some notable titles are:
1) The March trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell. The series is John Lewis’ memoir of the civil rights movement in the United States. March 3, the third book in the trilogy, won several awards, including the 2016 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the 2017 Printz Award, and the 2017 Sibert Medal.
2) Maus (1980) by Art Spiegelman. The two volume memoir is about the authors’ parents and their experiences as Holocaust survivors in WWII. The book is drawn from conversations Spiegelman had with his father in the 1970’s. Maus won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize after the second volume was published.
This paper began with my curiosity about nonfiction graphic novels for adults and young adults. My research into the topic led me in an unexpected direction. I gained a greater insight into the value of diverse media choices. The graphic format covers the range of genres and is particularly suited to personal stories such as memoirs. Librarians are in a position to keep up with emerging media and their potential for effective fiction and nonfiction narratives.
References
ALA (American Library Association) (February 11, 2018). ALA member news: 2018 Notable books list: Year’s best in fiction, nonfiction and poetry announced. ALA. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/02/2018-notable-books-list-year-s-best-fiction-nonfiction-and-poetry-announced
Krosoczka, J. (2018). Hey Kiddo. New York, NY: Graphix.
Lewis, J. & Aydin, A. (2016). March 3. St.Louis, MO: Turtleback.
Spiegelman, A. (1986). Maus I: A survivor’s tale: My father bleeds history. St. Louis, MO: Turtleback.
NoveList. (2019). Graphic novel genre: Adult and teen, nonfiction. NoveList Plus.
Retrieved from https://www.carmel.lib.in.us/
YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association). (February 16, 2015). Genre guide: Graphic memoirs. The Hub. Retrieved from
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2015/02/16/genre-guide-graphic-memoirs/
I have not really thought about having non-fiction graphic novels in the collection. We have enough now in my library where they are split between young adult and older and middle school on down. For the demographic that seems to enjoy graphic novels more than traditional novels, having more on hand might be a way to fuel their interest in non-fiction topics. This might be an area our library could contact the middle and high school and see what kind of reports the students must do. It would be great if we could have some graphic novels in our collection to meet those needs as an alternative option to traditional for reports. You have my brain clicking along with ideas! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteIt does have a snowball effect. About a year ago a boy asked me for "hazardous tales." I didn't know what he meant, so I asked if he meant the I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis. When he said he wanted the hazardous tales series, I looked it up to find Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, a nonfiction series by a man actually named Nathan Hale (after the Revolutionary War hero).Each book covers an historical event, such as the Donner party. That series has been regularly requested since then. Word of mouth advertising!
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI wrote about graphic novels myself, because I know nothing about the genre. I focused more on the history, since it is new to me. I was suprised how much information is out there on this subject. It gave me an appreciation for this type of book. Also, the trouble graphic novels have gone through to be validated as suitable materials and not just seen as a poor subsittute for novels. They are just another medium to promote the love of reading for the public. From one of my sources, it mentioned, that "graphic novels have meaningful themes that allow the readers of all aged to develop critical thinking, learn visual literacy and improve comprehenson and literacy interpretation skills." Is that what we are striving for, no matter what the medium?
Hi,
DeleteI think there has long been a great appreciation for illustrations in picture books (Caldecott Awards) and their ability to visually tell a story. It seems that acceptance of the graphic format as a powerful tool for storytelling and literacy has been hindered by the view that because they look like cartoons and comic books, they can't be taken seriously as literature.It also seems that the public may be more prepared to accept the value of other media and literacies now that the virtues of graphic novels have been recognized and awarded. It will be interesting to see!
I also wrote about graphic novels. I found it interesting how graphic novels are more of a medium now rather than a genre. I found it interesting how many nonfiction ones there were at my library and how you can find them about most topics with them.
ReplyDeleteI remember introducing students to them a decade ago in the school library. It seems strange today, but then it was a fairly radical idea to use the graphic novel format to encourage reluctant readers. The kids were not even sure what to make of them!
DeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteI am interested in the educative appeal of these non-fiction graphic novels for classroom use. I think that public libraries would be wise to work with schools/school librarians to see what titles might complement their curricula. Another hurdle might be finding teachers who find the value in these graphic novels that they deserve. My public library had only a handful of non-fiction graphic novels for different ages, but the Action Bible by Mauss and Cariello was a big hit with middle grade readers and parents alike.
Hi,
DeleteTo your point about public library and school partnerships, I agree that progress depends so much on the relationship between media specialists and their local public library. I have seen some media specialists block librarians from visiting their schools. I have also worked in public libraries whose librarians have been not only welcomed but invited to talk about what's new at the library. The second group has been much more open to our nonfiction graphic novel suggestions for their students. The students usually prefer the format and view learning as less of a chore.
I had no idea that graphic novels were getting such acclaim/awards! I knew about the March series and it has been pretty popular in my library. I'm interested to see the direction nonfiction graphic novels go and if more will come out about different topics rather than being dominated by autobiographies/biographies
ReplyDelete