Getting Graphic: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga
Great Reads for All Ages
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Manga (Younger Readers)
Manga (Teen Readers)
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Fantasy/Science Fiction
Non-Fiction/Historical Fiction
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Realistic
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Superheroes
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all
Realistic (Teen Readers)
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American Born Chinese Alternates three interrelated stories about the problems of young Chinese Americans trying to participate in the popular culture. awards: National Book Award Finalist-2006, Printz Award Winner-2007, Eisner Award 2007, Great Graphic Novels for Teens-Top 10-2007 subjects: Chinese Americans, Identity, Schools, Graphic Novels |
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Blankets Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, Blankets explores the sibling rivalry of two brothers growing up in the isolated country, and the budding romance of two coming-of-age lovers. A tale of security and discovery, of playfulness and tragedy, of a fall from grace and the origins of faith. awards: ALA Popular Paperbacks-2005, ALA Best Books for Young Adults-2004, Will Eisner Best Graphic Album: New-2004 subjects: Family, First Loves, Graphic Novels |
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Blue Monday, Vol. 1: The Kids Are Alright Adolescence is painful, as is evident in this comic tale of Bleu Finnigan,
the lovable yet angst-ridden teen whose soap-opera like life is filled
with the trials and tribulations that can only take place during those
dreaded teenage years. Sequels: Inbetween
Days, Painted
Moon. subjects: Teenagers, Comic Books-Strips-Etc., Graphic Novels |
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The Complete Geisha Geisha is the futuristic tale of Jomi Sohoda, an android with a knack for painting. Adopted early in her development by the Kami family, Jomi has been assimilated into regular human life - except society sees her as an outcast, something less than human. This makes it rather difficult for her to sell her paintings, so to make money, she joins the family bodyguard business, launching herself into a world of action and intrigue, complete with supermodels, jealous ex-husbands, maniacal moguls, robotic armor, and the twisted double-cross of art fakery. subjects: Bodyguards, Androids, Artists, Graphic Novels |
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Ghost World This graphic novel is filled with the angst that only two recent high school graduates can exhibit while attempting to hang on to their friendship while rushing headfirst into adulthood. Some of you may be familiar with the movie of the same name that was made long after this comic book was published. subjects: Teenage Girls-United States, Graphic Novels |
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Hopeless Savages Family ties are the earliest ties that bind, setting the tone for the paths we will take in our future. So what if your father is Dirk Hopeless and your mother Nikki Savage, a superstar couple from the days of punk rock? When you're born a rebel, what can you possibly do to make yourself stand apart? Sequels: Ground Zero, Too Much Hopeless Savages subjects: Family, Graphic Novels |
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My Faith in Frankie MY FAITH IN FRANKIE tells the story of a girl who discovers that having your own personal deity isn't all it's cracked up to be - particularly when you're trying to get a boyfriend and your god turns out to be jealous! But as Frankie moves precariously into adulthood and her god Jeriven tries to win her back, sinister forces are at work that could spell disaster far beyond a broken heart, and Frankie and Jeriven will both have to do some fast growing-up if they're going to survive. subjects: Man-woman relationships, Graphic Novels |
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Night Fisher Loren Foster was handed an island paradise when he moved to Hawaii with his father six years ago. But, with the end of high school just around the corner, his best friend Shane has grown distant. Their friendship is put to the test when they get mixed up in a frivolous crime that leads to an arrest. award: Great Graphic Novels for Teens-2007 subjects: Youth, Hawaii, Graphic Novels |
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The P.L.A.I.N. Janes When a transfer student named Jane is forced to move from the cool confines of Metro City to Suburbia, she thinks her life is over. But there in the lunch room at the reject table she finds her tribe: three other girls named Jane. Main Jane encourages them to form a secret art gang and paint the town P.L.A.I.N. --People Loving Art In Neighborhoods. subjects: Street Art, Graphic Novels |
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Sloth Troubled teenager Miguel Serra becomes a walking urban legend after he wills himself into a coma and wakes up one year later virtually unchanged --except for his sloth-like pace. --Discover how a haunted lemon orchard, a mysterious goatman and murder collide as Miguel, his girlfriend Lita and their friend Romeo take on the teenage wasteland of suburbia. Will it be love or rock-and-roll suicide? award: Great Graphic Novels for Teens-Top 10-2007 subjects: Love stories, Graphic Novels |
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Strangers in Paradise Katchoo is a beautiful young woman living a quiet life with everything going for her. She's smart, independent and very much in love with her best friend, Francine. Then Katchoo meets David, a gentle but persistent young man who is determined to win Katchoo's heart. The resulting love triangle is a touching comedy of romantic errors until Katchoo's former employer comes looking for her and $850,000 in missing mob money. subjects: Man-Woman Relationships, Lesbians, Graphic Novels |
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Summer Blond: Four Stories Adrian Tomine’s cult comix series Optic Nerve is finally collected into one sharp-looking hardcover volume. Described as the Raymond Carver of comix, Tomine constructs tales of emotional disconnection with an ear for painfully real dialogue. Combined with his deft black and white depictions of urbane lifestyles, Tomine’s fans have often accused him of eavesdropping in on their most intimate moments and, with forensic skill, laying their lives bare. subjects: City and Town Life, Graphic Novels |
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Steady Beat "Love Jessica"--That's what Leah finds on the back of a love letter to her sister--but who is this Jessica? When more letters, flowers and gifts start popping up, Leah goes undercover to discover her sister's secret. What she doesn't expect is to find is love of her own, and in some very unexpected places! Sequel: Volume 2 subjects: Lesbians, Sisters, Graphic Novels |
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The Tale of One Bad Rat This sadly realistic tale about sexual abuse is a beautifully drawn story that takes readers along on one girl's healing journey. subjects: Sexually Abused Teenagers, Child Sexual Abuse, Runaway Teenagers, Graphic Novels |
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Section updated August 2007— Joanna Nigrelli & Michele Gorman |
