The good folks of the Young Adult Library Services Association (Yalsa), which itself is a division of the American Library Association (ALA), have released their list of 2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. Out of 170 nominations, they chose 112 total, and their top 10 is honestly a good primer for just about anyone.
What’s generally considered for this list, which is presented annually? It’s pretty simple, as the Yalsa notes that there’s really only two requirements they must meet: “good quality literature and appealing reading for teens.” They’re generally recommended by the association for those 12 to 18.
The full list of 112 graphic novels is organized alphabetically in a split between fiction and nonfiction, but several entries actually list several different collections. For example, the entry for the Assassination Classroom manga lists volumes 1, 2, 3 and 5. They’ve also chosen a general top 10, which includes the following:
- Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
- Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown
- Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters and Brooke Allen
- Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson, Jacob Wyatt and Adrian Alphona
- Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
- Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
- Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia
- A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Oima
- Trashed by Derf Backderf
- The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North and Erica Henderson
One interesting thing about the above selections? A major focus on ladies, despite the variety in publishers, authors and illustrators.
“I am especially excited to see the top ten populated with titles featuring female protagonists, reflecting a shift in the comics industry towards more equal representation of all its readers,” states Yalsa Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee Chair Jason M. Poole in the press release announcing the list.
Via: Anime News Network
