Graphic Novels - ALSC Core Collection for Grades 6-8

Let's give the Association for Library Service to Children three claps and a whoosh for creating the Children's Graphic Novel Core Collection. According to the press release:

“This core list will guide librarians in selecting the best graphic novels to meet children’s needs,” said Mary Fellows, board president. “Graphic novels are wildly popular with kids, positively impact children’s visual literacy skill development and are an essential part of 21st century library collections.

I compiled book trailers, videos, and resources for the books recommended for grades 6-8. Happy watching and downloading!

Grades 6-8

9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón. Farrar/Hill and Wang, 2006.

Download a reading group guide.

Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón. Farrar/Hill and Wang, 2010. I in the annex, and her arrest and tragic death in Bergen-Belsen.

Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón talk about creating the graphic novel version of Anne Frank.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine, 2007.

Question: What is the Arrival like?

Question: What was the inspiration for The Arrival?

Question: How long did it take you to make The Arrival?

Question: What are the challenges for the writer of a wordless book?

Coraline by Neil Gaiman. illus. by P. Craig Russel. HarperCollins, 2008.

The Demon of River Heights by Stefan Petrucha. illus. by Sho Murase. Papercutz, 2005.

Foiled by Jane Yolen. illus. by Mike Cavallaro. Roaring Brook/First Second, 2010.

"I have over 250 books out. I know that sounds like a lot of books, but I remember writing them, each one at a time. There are picture books, and there are rhymed books, and there are alphabet books, and there are counting rhymes, and there are board books, and there is middle-grade fiction, and there's nonfiction, and there's young adult fiction. There are music books, and there are adult books, and there are pedagogical books. And there are books of essays, and there are books on how to write. And the only books that interest me right now are the books I'm working on." - Jane Yolen

Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel. Scholastic/Graphix, 2010.

Take a peek inside Ghostopolis.

Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi. Hyperion, 2008.

Download a Houdini discussion guide.

Kampung Boy by Lat. Roaring Brook/First Second, 2006.

Feature Kampung Boy on your desktop.

Read an excerpt from Kampung Boy.

Lewis & Clark by Nick Bertozzi. Roaring Brook/First Second, 2011.

Meanwhile by Jason Shiga. Abrams/Amulet, 2010.

Prime Baby by Gene Luen Yang. Roaring Brook/First Second, 2010.

Download a Prime Baby discussion guide.

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. illus. by Nathan Hale. Bloomsbury, 2008.

Yes, that's a Rapunzel paper doll.

"Teaching Guide to Rapunzel's Revenge"

Shannon Hale created a readers theater script for Rapunzel's Revenge.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Scholastic/Graphix, 2010.

The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan. Candlewick, 2009.

Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection edited by Matt Dembicki. Fulcrum, 2010.

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Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri. illus. by Randy DuBurke. Lee & Low, 2010

Zebrafish by Sharon Emerson. illus. by Renée Kurilla. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2010.

Graphic novels for grades K-2

Graphic novels for grades 3-5