Special thanks to member Laura M. Jim茅nez for her time and expertise in reviewing and adding additional resources for this blog post.
This summer members highlighted the need for more diversity in graphic novels. We鈥檝e looked around the internet and compiled a list of suggested resources to check out. You will find some overlap between the titles suggested within these resources, but we鈥檝e tried to find various lists that offer characters, authors, and illustrators from many places, with varied backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
At the end of this post, you will also find some research and additional reading on diversity and representation in graphic novels.
Book Lists
Teaching for Change carefully selects the best multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators as part of their Social Justice Books project. This is just one example of the lists available.
Each year, the Young Adult Library Services Association branch of the American Library Association announces their top graphic novels list. Check out the . You can find and
From Electric Literature鈥檚 list of : 鈥淔rom an Iranian girl rebelling against the oppression of post-revolution Iran to a 鈥榯omboy鈥� refusing to conform to gender norms, these 14 graphic bildungsromans blend gorgeous artwork with the written word to create a diverse multiplicity of narratives telling of the confusion, joy, and hardship of growing up.鈥�
On her website American Indians in Children’s Literature, 楼凤天堂 member Debbie Reese compiles a list of which includes reviews that she’s published, articles about graphic novels, and links to聽author sites and Native bookstores.
楼凤天堂 member and graphic novel scholar Laura M. Jim茅nez uses critical race theory in reading and evaluating graphic novels. She shares a .
In honor of Will Eisner Week (March 1-7), which is held to 鈥渃elebrate graphic novels, sequential art, free speech, and the amazing legacy of Will Eisner, one of the most innovative figures in the history of comics and graphic novels,鈥� the Teen Library Toolbox from School Library Journal put together a featuring characters, authors, and illustrators from many places, with varied backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
Diversity in YA was founded in 2011 by authors Cindy Pon and Malinda Lo and celebrates young adult books about all kinds of diversity, from race to sexual orientation to gender identity and disability. These feature diverse graphic novels, including posts by the novel authors themselves.
While a bit older, this is still relevant and offers an introduction to graphic novels and some suggested titles to check out.
In this post, blogger Meet the World compiles a list of that prioritize #ownvoices.
In from School Library Journal鈥檚 Good Comics 4 Kids, the compilers share comics and graphic novels that reflect America鈥檚 cultural diversity. Some titles address issues such as race, religion, and discrimination, while others present 鈥渄iversity as a simple fact of American life.鈥�
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has to bring racial diversity to classrooms and libraries. Many recommendations also include suggestions on how to use the graphic novel in the classroom.
This list from the Virginia Library Association includes for their 2017 Graphic Novel Diversity Award.
This shares recommendations for bringing Native cultures, stories, and perspectives out of the margins of your curriculum with comics by and about Native people.
Although not restricted to graphic novels, features graphic novels by #ownvoices authors that span ages and reading levels.
Research and Additional Reading
In light of the recent focus on diversity in books for youth as exemplified by movements such as 鈥淲e Need Diverse Books鈥� and 鈥淩eading Without Walls,鈥� in from School Library Research, the authors sought to understand how race is depicted in graphic novels for teens.
In , Kate E. Kedley and Jenna Spiering argue that the format and content of LGBTQ graphic novels make them effective pedagogical tools for engaging students in critical discussions about gender and sexuality. By using two exemplar texts, the authors offer teachers a vocabulary and method for engaging in these conversations
In Tony Medina shares a personal narrative detailing his construction of a protagonist for a graphic novel that encapsulates the quest for justice at the heart of the Black Lives Matter movement.
To better understand the creation and philosophy behind the #ownvoices movement in children鈥檚 and young adult literature, you should read about how and why she proposed the hashtag.
Ellen Oh, one of the founders of We Need Diverse Books, has an on the creation and ongoing work of the organization. They are truly trying to change the face of publishing.
Research by Laura M. Jim茅nez found that comprehending graphic novels requires some unique reading skills. Just as with other forms and genres, graphic novel reading comprehension should be taught in order for students to have access to all that this complex form has to offer. shows teaching and learning with graphic novels in a classroom.