91´«Ã½

CHICAGO - 91´«Ã½’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is thrilled to introduce the 2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children (BGNC) Reading List. This reading list highlights the best graphic novels for children aged 5 – 12 years old, published in late 2020 and through 2021, and it aims to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections. The 2021 BGNC Top Ten list features such titles as: "Pawcasso" by Remy Lai, "The Magic Fish" by Trung Le Nguyen, and "Just Roll with It" by Lee Durfey-Lavoie and Veronica Agarwal.

The Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List Selection Committee is made up of GNCRT members with a background in graphic novel selection and their use for children and children’s services. Angela Frederick, chair of the BGNC selection committee said, “The titles and authors featured on this year’s list represent a multitude of experiences, story-telling techniques, and art styles. Parents and librarians using this list will find something that will appeal to the young people in their lives.”

The complete 2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List, including a Top Ten, is available online.

GNCRT President Matthew Noe said of the new list, "Launching a new, carefully curated list of the best comics for children would have been a daunting task even during the best of times - and we have certainly not been in those over the last two years. But thanks to the expertise, attention, and passion of this year's committee, we can now present to you GNCRT's addition to the recognition of children's comics: our inaugural Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List! There's a comic here for every reader, from PreK to Grade 6, and in the Top 10 alone we've got witchcraft, friendly animals, and a story of finding the courage to be one's true self that will leave even adult readers teary-eyed."

The 2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children selection committee members are Angela Frederick (Chair), Alessandra Affinito, Kristi Henry, Todd Krueger, Kerrie Mierop, Angela Ocana, Deeba Rehman, Heather Rowan, Nhora Lucia Serrano, Suzanne Temple, and Dawn Zimmerer.

The Best Graphic Novels for Children committee would like to recognize and thank Midwest Tape for allowing all committee members free access to Hoopla® during this term of service.

Nominations for the 2022 Best Graphic Novel for Children Reading List are now open!

Eligible graphic novels for the 2022 Best Graphic Novels for Children will include all fiction and non-fiction titles published between Sept. 1, 2021 - Dec. 31, 2022, that appeal to children ages 5 - 12. Nominations can be made by all members of the public including committee members, library workers, educators, and comics fans through the online form on the GNCRT website.

Publishers and creators are welcome to submit copies of titles to the committee for review, though they are not eligible to nominate their own titles for consideration. For more information on how to submit review copies please contact GNCRT staff liaison, Tina Coleman at ccoleman@ala.org .

About the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table

The of the 91´«Ã½ is dedicated to supporting library staff in all aspects of engaging with graphic novels and comics, including collection development, programming, and advocacy. For more information connect with GNCRT on Facebook: 91´«Ã½ Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table; Twitter: @libcomix; Instagram: @libcomix; or the GNCRT 91´«Ã½ Connect page.

About 91´«Ã½

Established in 1876, the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.