The Readers' Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels

by Francisca Goldsmith

Graphic novels have found a place on library shelves but many librarians struggle to move this expanding body of intellectual, aesthetic, and entertaining literature into the mainstream of library materials. This guide a short course in graphic novels, along with reading lists and professional tools; tips on advising graphic novel readers on what to read next; suggestions for introducing graphic novels to those patrons unacquainted with them; and, advice on promoting your graphic novels collection. With energy and commitment born of professional experience and a deep love for graphic novels, Goldsmith provides the first guide to the genre aimed specifically at readers' advisors, while presenting an abundance of resources useful to every librarian.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Books About Books, Librarianship, Library Science, Professional Development, Graphic Novels Comics

124 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

added six to my TBR after reading this

[Kristin Fletcher-spear · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[library fairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kieraanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I had time to take the "Short Course" in the appendix!

[Sarah Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to graphic novels and excellent guide to being a readers' advisor. Highly recommended for all librarians.

[bibliotexmex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great primer for reccommending graphic novels.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Molly (Conan the Librarian) Crumbley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ilib4kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

(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.

[Sonja Isaacson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.