ALSC lists: Graphic-format ‘core titles’

Image credit: Association for Library Service to Children

In anticipation of Banned Books Week’s special emphasis on graphic novels this year, here are lists of “core titles” updated each November by the Association for Library Service to Children.

How many titles on these lists did you recognize from your own library collections? Did any selections surprise you?

I was delighted to encounter many titles that I have read and enjoyed: Sidekicks by Dan Santat (third- to fifth-grade list), Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch, Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol and Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale (sixth- to eighth-grade list).

Other titles were honored as nominees for the Oregon Reader’s Choice Award.

On ALSC’s third- to fifth-grade list, Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke was a nominee this spring in the ORCA third- to fifth-grade division. And on ALSC’s sixth- to eighth-grade list, Cardboard by Doug TenNapel is a 2014-2015 nominee.

Reading lists are available for kindergarten to second-, third- to fifth- and sixth- to eighth-grade. They can be downloaded as PDF booklets in both color and black-and-white for printing and distribution.