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The Readers' Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels
The first edition of this readers' advisory represented a pioneering effort to provide help and encouragement to librarians diving into this exciting format, and since then the popularity of graphic novels has continued apace. Goldsmith has updated her guide to encompass a bounty of new titles, authors, and styles, ensuring its continued usefulness as a tool for both RA and collection development. Suitable for newbies and hardcore fans alike, this book:
*sketches in the history of graphic novels, tracing their evolution and showing what makes them unique;
*explores traditional and cutting edge titles most friendly to children, teens, and adults, reflecting the burgeoning and maturing publishing efforts made for each of these audiences;
*discusses common themes, topics, and the place of diversity in graphic novels;
*gives in-depth guidance on ways to connect readers to titles they'll be sure to love;
*offers ideas for media tie-ins, displays, programming, book clubs, and more;
*includes annotated bibliographies, with appeal characteristics noted, and multiple *indexes to ensure that locating the right graphic novel is a snap;
*provides detailed tips for keeping current and aware of new titles and trends.
Spotlighting this expanding body of intellectual, aesthetic, and engaging literature, Goldsmith's guide will entertain as well as inform.
*sketches in the history of graphic novels, tracing their evolution and showing what makes them unique;
*explores traditional and cutting edge titles most friendly to children, teens, and adults, reflecting the burgeoning and maturing publishing efforts made for each of these audiences;
*discusses common themes, topics, and the place of diversity in graphic novels;
*gives in-depth guidance on ways to connect readers to titles they'll be sure to love;
*offers ideas for media tie-ins, displays, programming, book clubs, and more;
*includes annotated bibliographies, with appeal characteristics noted, and multiple *indexes to ensure that locating the right graphic novel is a snap;
*provides detailed tips for keeping current and aware of new titles and trends.
Spotlighting this expanding body of intellectual, aesthetic, and engaging literature, Goldsmith's guide will entertain as well as inform.
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 1, 2019
I read the second edition of this book. I order all of the graphic novels, juvenile through adult, for my entire public library system. I have, by default, become an expert. This book is excellent. It not only provides excellent graphic novel recommendations, it also explains the why and how of graphic novels for librarians who are less familiar with the genre. It is an excellent basic overview with practical advice that can be applied beyond this.
March 11, 2021
added six to my TBR after reading this
March 29, 2010
This short book had some good points to it. I appreciated Goldsmith writing a book about RA with graphic novels. It is different than booktalking genre titles to a reader and she illustrated that well. I just wish she would have actually talked about the popular graphic novels --superheros and manga instead of just stand alone graphic novels that had never been compiled into a book form. I think it would have been a more useful book with those editions. But I'm guessing that may be out of the author's comfort zone and would have required way too much research to do as well as she does the rest of the graphic novels.
All that being said, I did gain some insights from the book and a few more GNs that I would like to pick up either for the first time or again for a re-read.
All that being said, I did gain some insights from the book and a few more GNs that I would like to pick up either for the first time or again for a re-read.
October 10, 2016
I thought this was great little introduction to graphic novels and what they can do for you as a librarian. I cannot wait to read the second edition. Very thorough!
August 2, 2021
Really useful RA guide for librarians who want to speak about graphic novels with more authority. My biggest gripe is that it’s ONLY available in paperback and ONLY at a high price bc it’s published by ALA. This really isn’t an accessible resource and I’m mad it was so expensive for such a slim text.
October 14, 2025
I read this book for a Graphic Novels grad school class for Library Science. It was very approachable and informative in the way it opened up the world of Graphic Novel reader's advisory. As any book with a plethora of real-world examples, it is almost immediately dated, but it did give me several books to add to my TBR shelf.
March 9, 2020
Wish I had time to take the "Short Course" in the appendix!
June 14, 2020
Great introduction to graphic novels and excellent guide to being a readers' advisor. Highly recommended for all librarians.
December 31, 2020
Great primer for reccommending graphic novels.
June 4, 2010
I appreciated this short guide to Readers' Advisory using graphic novels. While I've been trying, over the last several years, to read widely in this format, and have come to really enjoy it, I've never really thought about how to talk about them in a readers' advisory capacity. The author talks about various appeal factors, how to present them to readers already familiar with the format as well as those not, and gives professional tools, among other things. There is also a "short course" in one of the appendices for those unfamiliar with the format, asking questions to think about as one goes through suggested titles. Even though I've read a lot, I think going through that will help me think more constructively about the format in general and the process of reading graphic novels.
I was interested, though, in the fact that I've read almost nothing she lists in any of her annotations or the short course suggestions, despite the fact that I've read mostly from the awards lists and other recommended lists. I'm not sure if that was deliberate on her part, trying to present suggestions other than the obvious, or if it was some other reason. I wondered the same about the almost complete lack of addressing superhero graphic novels or other popular series (Buffy, Sandman, etc.).
But it is a great overview and introduction to the graphic novel format with interesting things to think about relating to using them in a readers' advisory capacity.
I was interested, though, in the fact that I've read almost nothing she lists in any of her annotations or the short course suggestions, despite the fact that I've read mostly from the awards lists and other recommended lists. I'm not sure if that was deliberate on her part, trying to present suggestions other than the obvious, or if it was some other reason. I wondered the same about the almost complete lack of addressing superhero graphic novels or other popular series (Buffy, Sandman, etc.).
But it is a great overview and introduction to the graphic novel format with interesting things to think about relating to using them in a readers' advisory capacity.
October 12, 2014
Francisca Goldsmith (Graphic Novels Now) has created an essential tool for librarians and readers who wish to learn more about the increasingly popular world of graphic novels. Her guide is highly readable and highly informative—boasting pages upon pages of annotated suggested reading lists, outlining strategies for successful reader’s advisory sessions, and explaining the differences between different artwork and formats within the graphic novel universe.
Though marketed specifically as a resource for librarians, anyone with an interest in the sequential art field would certainly find something to appreciate. Goldsmith shies away from typical library jargon and takes the time to explain the components that make graphic novels appealing to different readers. In particular, I was interested in the suggestions that she had for promoting graphic novels to reluctant readers (I found a few titles that I’m itching to try myself!). The book is also brief enough that it can be quickly read and absorbed, and each chapter ends with a list of references and recommended reads.
Recently published, the information provided is dynamic, thoughtful, and up to date. I guarantee that I will be keeping a copy with me at work at the library from now on.
Though marketed specifically as a resource for librarians, anyone with an interest in the sequential art field would certainly find something to appreciate. Goldsmith shies away from typical library jargon and takes the time to explain the components that make graphic novels appealing to different readers. In particular, I was interested in the suggestions that she had for promoting graphic novels to reluctant readers (I found a few titles that I’m itching to try myself!). The book is also brief enough that it can be quickly read and absorbed, and each chapter ends with a list of references and recommended reads.
Recently published, the information provided is dynamic, thoughtful, and up to date. I guarantee that I will be keeping a copy with me at work at the library from now on.
September 7, 2015
025.277415 GOL
only 124 pages, very terse. Extremely good introduction to adult who want to understand graphic novel: which generally means sequential art either fiction or nonfiction. When I read this book, I have read about around 50 books of graphic novels, and have read a lot of booklists kind of books. This book by far is best of them, recommend books mentioned in this book is worth reading. I really feel that author select the best representative books for each genre, and his lists is thorough, even surprise me the most is chapter 8: professional tools for self-improvement for the advisor, which usually miss in every booklists I read so far.
only 124 pages, very terse. Extremely good introduction to adult who want to understand graphic novel: which generally means sequential art either fiction or nonfiction. When I read this book, I have read about around 50 books of graphic novels, and have read a lot of booklists kind of books. This book by far is best of them, recommend books mentioned in this book is worth reading. I really feel that author select the best representative books for each genre, and his lists is thorough, even surprise me the most is chapter 8: professional tools for self-improvement for the advisor, which usually miss in every booklists I read so far.
September 26, 2011
(Non-Fiction - Library Science) This book was very informative. I used the list of books to upgrade my library's graphic novel collection. Highly recommended for librarians who work in collection development or work with teens and adults in readers' advisory.
May 1, 2013
Really, I think I only read the first chapter. But I didn't find it particularly insightful. I did however comb through the genre suggestions at the back and add SO MANY of them to my reading list at the public library.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews