Graphic Novel Roundup
Well, if there was ever a doubt that graphic novels can have what it takes to get a shiny sticker, the last couple of years have proven that they can! It is easy to imagine the conversations that might happen around art and graphic novels at an award committee discussion, but it is harder, for me, to picture (pun intended) how the Newbery committee might talk about graphic novels. We know that illustration is only to be considered if it takes away from the overall work. Specifically, the Newbery Manual states:
Each book is to be considered as a contribution to American literature. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.
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Comparing the text of a graphic novel to other types of eligible books is complicated. Then again, we are also comparing picture book text to poetry to early readers to novels for 9 year olds to novels for 13 year olds. So. It is all a big ball of complicated. I think step one, for me, is to figure out what rises to the top in each of those categories before I start digging in and comparing to each other.
So, what are our top graphic novel contendors this year? Here’s what I’ve been looking at. Let me know what I’m missing.
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
I know people are talking about Ghosts, and I think we’d be remiss to not discuss the title here. There’s a lot to say on this one. My next post will cover my thoughts on this book, and I won’t be leaving out my feelings on Cultural Appropriation and what that means in terms of this particular title. So, if you haven’t read it yet, dig in now, and we’ll discuss soon!
March: Book Three by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin
March: Book Three has multiple starred reviews, tells a compelling story, is engrossing, engaging and relevant. Non-fiction memoir, it is aimed at more of a teen audience, but I would argue that it falls into the upper end of the Newbery age range easily. The book needs to rise, on its own, to the top without use of the first two books to prop it up, so this is a consideration.
Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan
Snow White is set in Jazz Age New York City in this stunning book. This is more solidly in the Newbery age range, but I think perhaps relies too heavily on illustration to be a real possibility.
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About Sharon McKellar
Sharon McKellar is the Supervising Librarian for Teen Services at the Oakland Public Library in California. She has served on the Rainbow List Committee, the Notable Children’s Recordings Committee, The Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Committee, and the 2015 Caldecott Committee. You can reach her at sharon@mckellar.org.
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I adore Snow White (reviewed it for Horn Book), but I can’t see how to make a Newbery case for it —- much of its power is in the wordless panels. But Caldecott is another story:)
I’d agree with Monica – while Snow White book is absolutely lovely, I think the illustrations carry the weight of the story. Looking just at the text it does not stand out. If anything, I think the book could have used more text. I’m not convinced that if a reader were completely unfamiliar with the Snow White story that the book would make much sense. It relies on the reader’s general understanding of the story’s outline for comprehension of a lot of characters motivations or even what’s going on, particularly with the Huntsman parts.
I agree — I wanted a little more text to really be clear on what was happening. This may be laziness on my part — not scrutinizing the illustrations carefully enough.
But I do hope the Caldecott committee takes a hard look at it.
To my mind, SNOW WHITE does not have enough text to warrant serious consideration in the Newbery field. Definitely more viable as a Caldecott contender. In either case, readers with more complete knowledge of both the Roaring Twenties and Snow White will likely reap greater rewards from their readings. I’m not sure it’s dependent on this knowledge, but it would make for an interesting conversation.
Similarly, MARCH, BOOK THREE might be easier to build consensus around as a Printz candidate, although I do think it’s a book for 13- and 14-year-old readers. MARCH, BOOK ONE had a tighter narrative arc and featured Lewis’s childhood and adolescence, not to mention it was the first book in the trilogy instead of the third. I always thought that first one was the most Newberyish in terms of audience, and would have been the easiest to build consensus around.
When I read GHOSTS quickly in late spring I liked it quite a bit. I wasn’t reading it with my Newbery glasses on, but I thought that it was definitely in the same league as EL DEAFO and ROLLER GIRL so I expected we’d be discussing this one pretty thoroughly. I’ve read most of the online dialogue that raises questions and concerns about GHOSTS, and I look forward to discussing it here.
I also really liked COMPASS SOUTH, THE NAMELESS CITY, and DELILAH DIRK AND THE KING’S SCHILLING, but I notice those last two are by Canadians.
I’m going to be pedantic here (and I know Jonathan will be able to tolerate me doing this;), but can we try to be sure to keep the S on the Telgemeier, e.g. GHOSTS — just because there is another contender titled GHOST:) They are so totally different and I do fear that some who don’t know the singular one may get it confused with the plural one.
Duly noted!
Part of the Newbery criteria is “Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization.” I am wondering if GHOSTS would be taken out of the consideration pool because of this due to both its portrayal of Spanish missions and Día de los Muertos. There is both lack of accuracy and clarity in my opinion.
I thought that the storytelling in SNOW WHITE was breathtaking, but I agree with others that it is through the magic of the illustrations not the text.
I am anxiously awaiting getting my hands on MARCH: BOOK 3.
MARCH BOOK 3 wins the NBA!