Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Annual literary award for graphic novels

The American Library Association's Great Graphic Novels for Teens, established in 2007, is an annual list presented by Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) division of graphic novels and illustrated nonfiction geared toward individuals ages 12–18.

Like YALSA's other lists, librarians, parents, and educators rely on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens list to help select suitable texts for their collections.[1][2][3][4][5] This is particularly important for graphic novels, which are popular among young adults and have rapidly gained popularity in the past thirty years.[2][6] Graphic novels are especially popular among "reluctant readers" and "visual learners", and they can "improve comprehension and interpretation of themes, literary devices, and social issues, among other topics."[7]

## Criteria

[edit]

To be included on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens list, books must have been published "during the sixteen months preceding the award", "appeal to ages twelve to eighteen", and be widely available in the United States.[2] Graphic novels of all types are considered with one limitation: "comic book compilations must contain an overarching story arc."[2]

In selecting texts for the list, YALSA librarians judge books based on "quality, appeal, and suitability for a teenage audience".[2]

## Representations of diversity

[edit]

Researchers have analyzed the Great Graphic Novels for Teens list for representations of diversity.

Irwin and Moeller analyzed the 2008 list for representations of individuals with disabilities.[6] Out of 30 graphics novels, 40% included a character with a disability and 13% included two characters with disability, including seven characters with health impairments, three characters with visual impairments, three characters with orthopedic impairments, two characters with emotional disturbances, and one character with a learning disability.[6] Irwin and Moeller found that, according to the Biklen and Bogdan stereotypes, characters were frequently represented as evil and/or "their own worst enemy" and "pitiable"; women with disabilities were more likely to be portrayed as pitiable, whereas only men with disabilities were portrayed as evil.[6] Importantly, 10% of the novels included characters that "were portrayed as inclusive members of their communities".[6]

Reviewing the 2015 list for representations of race, Moeller and Becnel found that 76% of books included characters of color. Further, 5% of the books "were almost entirely comprised oof Asian actors".[1]

Mumm's 2017 master's thesis analyzed female characters on the 2016 list and found that female characters were diverse in appearance, had "relatable conversations", and broke away from "stereotypical behaviors", though "some stereotypical conventions remain".[8]

## Recipients

[edit]

### 2000s

[edit]

Great Graphic Novels for Teens top ten (2007–2009)  Year  | Writer(s)  | Artist(s)  | Title

|
|
|

2007[9] | Warren Ellis | Stuart Immonen (penciler), Wade Von Grawbadger (inker), and Dave McCaig (colorist)  | NextWave: Agents of H.A.T.E., Vol. 1: This is What They Want
Gilbert Hernandez | Jared K. Fletcher (lettering)  | Sloth
Linda Medley |  | Castle Waiting
Brad Meltzer | Rags Morales | Identity Crisis
Tsugumi Ohba | Takeshi Obata | Death Note, V. 1–3
Brian K. Vaughan | Adrian Alphona | Runaways, V. 4–6
Brian K. Vaughan | Niko Henrichon | Pride of Baghdad
Gary Whitta | Ted Naifeh | Death, Jr.
Brian Wood | Becky Cloonan | Demo: The Collection
Gene Luen Yang | Lark Pien | American Born Chinese
2008[10][6] | Nick Abadzis |  | Laika
Mike Carey |  | Re-Gifters
Ann Marie Fleming |  | The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam
Keith Giffen |  | Blue Beetle: Shell-shocked
Yuji Iwahara |  | King of Thorn
Matthew Loux |  | Sidescrollers
Setona Mizushiro |  | After School Nightmare
Peter Sis |  | The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
Shaun Tan |  | The Arrival
2009[11] | Jessica Abel and Gabriel Soria  | Warren Pleece | Life Sucks
Hinako Ashihara |  | Sand Chronicles
Brian Clevinger | Steve Wegener | Atomic Robo: Atomic Robo and the Fightin' Scientists of Tesladyne
Takehiko Inoue |  | Real
Junji Ito |  | Uzumaki
Youme Landowne | Anthony Horton | Pitch Black
Aimee Major Steinberger |  | Japan Ai: A Tall Girl’s Adventures in Japan
Mariko Tamaki | Jilliam Tamaki | Skim
Gerard Way | Gabriel Bá | Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite
G. Willow Wilson | M. K. Perker | Cairo

### 2010s

[edit]

Great Graphic Novels for Teens top ten (2010–2019)  Year  | Writer(s)  | Artist(s)  | Title

|
|
|

2010[12] | Jim Hardison | Bart Sears | The Helm
Daisuke Igarashi |  | Children of the Sea, V. 1
Van Jensen | Dusty Higgins | Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer
Joe Kelly | J. M. Ken Nimura | I Kill Giants
Jonathan Lethem | Farel Dalrymple | Omega the Unknown
Jeremy Love |  | Bayou, V. 1
Josh Neufeld |  | A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge
Tom Siddell |  | Gunnerkrigg Court, V. 1
Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki | Naoki Urasawa | Pluto
Fumi Yoshinaga |  | Ooku: The Inner Chambers, V. 1
2011[13] | Aristophane with Matt Madden (trans.)  |  | The Zabime Sisters
Brandon Dayton |  | Green Monk
Hisae Iwaoka |  | Saturn Apartments, V. 1
Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan  | Faith Erin Hicks | Brain Camp
John Layman | Rob Guillory | Chew, V. 1
G. Neri | Randy Duburke | Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
Jason Shiga |  | Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities
Raina Telgemeier |  | Smile
Doug TenNapel |  | Ghostopolis
Drew Weing |  | Set to Sea
2012[14] | Brian Michael Bendis | Alex Maleev | Scarlet
Vera Brosgol |  | Anya’s Ghost
Brooke Gladstone | Josh Neufeld | The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media
Roger Langridge | Chris Samnee and Matt Wilson | Thor: The Mighty Avenger, V. 1–2
Kagan McLeod |  | Infinite Kung Fu
Kaoru Mori |  | A Bride's Story
Malachai Nicolle | Ethan Nicolle | Axe Cop
Brian Ralph |  | Daybreak
Takako Shimura |  | Wandering Son, V. 1
Amir Soltani | Khalil Bendib | Zahra’s Paradise
2013[15] | Derf Backderf |  | My Friend Dahmer
Jonathan Fetter-Vorm |  | Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb
Joseph Lambert |  | Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller
Brian Michael Bendis | Sara Pichelli | Ultimate Comics: Spider-man, V. 1
Faith Erin Hicks |  | Friends with Boys
Holly Black, Louise Hawes, Todd Mitchell, Alisa Kwitney, and Bill Willingham | Rebecca Guay | A Flight of Angels
Mark Long and Jim Demonakos | Nate Powell | The Silence of Our Friends
Takashi Murakami |  | Stargazing Dog
Raina Telgemeier |  | Drama
Mark Waid | Paolo Manuel Rivera and Marcos Martin  | Daredevil, V. 1
2014[16] | John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell |  | March: Book 1
Laura Lee Gulledge |  | Will & Whit
Faith Erin Hicks |  | The Adventures of Superhero Girl
Sheila Keenan | Nathan Fox | Dogs of War
Matt Kindt |  | MIND MGMT
Royden Lepp |  | Rust, V. 2
Sharon McKay | Daniel Lafrance | War Brothers: The Graphic Novel
Io Sakisaka |  | Strobe Edge, V. 1–6
Prudence Shen | Faith Erin Hicks | Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong
Gene Luen Yang |  | Boxers and Saints
2015[17][18] | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa | Francesco Francavilla | Afterlife with Archie: Escape from Riverdale
John Allison |  | Bad Machinery, V. 3
Mike Richardson | Stan Sakai | 47 Ronin
Cory Doctorow | Jen Wang | In Real Life
G. Willow Wilson | Adrian Alphona | Ms. Marvel, V. 1
Bryan Lee O’Malley |  | Seconds: a Graphic Novel
Gene Luen Yang | Sonny Liew  | The Shadow Hero
Emily Carroll |  | Through The Woods
Jeff Lemire |  | Trillium
Mamoru Hosoda | Yu  | Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki
2016[19] | Svetlana Chmakova |  | Awkward
Don Brown |  | Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans
ND Stevenson, Grace Ellis, and Shannon Watters  | Brooke Allen | Lumberjanes, V. 1–2
G. Willow Wilson | Jacob Wyatt and

Adrian Alphona

| Ms. Marvel, V. 3
G. Willow Wilson | Takeshi Miyazawaand Elmo Bondoc  | Ms. Marvel, V. 3
ND Stevenson |  | Nimona
Victoria Jamieson |  | Roller Girl
Liz Suburbia |  | Sacred Heart
Yoshitoki Ōima |  | A Silent Voice
Derf Backderf |  | Trashed
Ryan North | Erica Henderson | The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, V. 1–2
2017[20] | John Allison | Lissa Treiman | Giant Days, V. 1–2
Ta-Nehisi Coates | Brian Stelfreeze | Black Panther, Book One: A Nation Under Our Feet
Ben Hatke |  | Mighty Jack
Jeff Lemire | Emi Lennox | Plutona
John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell |  | March: Book 3
Edward Ross |  | Filmish: a Graphic Journey Through Film
Mark Russel | Ben Caldwell and Mark Morales  | Prez, V. 1
Ichigo Takano |  | orange: The Complete Collection 1
Brian K. Vaughan | Cliff Chiang | Paper Girls 1
Brian K. Vaughan | Steve Skroce and Matt Hollingsworth | We Stand On Guard
2018[21] | James Tynion IV | Rian Sygh | The Backstagers
Jeff Lemire | Dean Ormston | Black Hammer, V. 1
Svetlana Chmakova |  | Brave
Tony Medina | Stacey Robison and John Jennings  | I Am Alfonso Jones
Sam Humphries | Caitlin Rose Boyle | Jonesy, V. 1–3
Damian Duffy and Octavia E. Butler | John Jenning | Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation
Katie Green |  | Lighter than My Shadow
Gengoroh Tagame |  | My Brother’s Husband
Nidhi Chanani |  | Pashmina
Scott Westerfeld | Alex Puvilland | Spill Zone
2019[22] | Anne Frank and Ari Folman | David Polonsky | Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation
Svetlana Chmakova |  | Crush
Jarrett Krosoczka |  | Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt With Family Addiction
Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin  | Giovanni Rigano | Illegal
Gengoroh Tagame |  | My Brother’s Husband, V. 2
Tillie Walden |  | On a Sunbeam
Jeff Lemire |  | Royal City, V. 2–3
Hiromu Arakawa |  | Silver Spoon, V. 1–4
Laurie Halse Anderson | Emily Carroll | Speak: The Graphic Novel
Don Brown |  | The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees

### 2020s

[edit]

Great Graphic Novels for Teens top ten (2020–present)  Year  | Writer(s)  | Artist(s)  | Title

|
|
|

2020[23] | Kevin Panetta | Savanna Ganucheau | Bloom
Hannah Templer |  | Cosmoknights: Book One
Malaka Gharib |  | I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir
Colleen AF Venable | Ellen T. Crenshaw | Kiss Number 8
Mariko Tamaki |  | Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me
David F. Walker | Damon Smyth and Marissa Louise  | The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave's Journey from Bondage to Freedom.
Rainbow Rowell | Faith Erin Hicks | Pumpkinheads
Max de Radiguès |  | Simon & Louise
George Takei and Justin Eisinger  | Harmony Becker | They Called Us Enemy
Kamome Shirahama |  | Witch Hat Atelier, V. 1–3
2021[24][25] | Robin Ha |  | Almost American Girl
Kaito |  | Blue Flag, V. 1–5
Joel Christian Gill |  | Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence
Karen Schneemann | Lily Williams | Go With the Flow
Sarah Mirk | Gerardo Alba, Kasia Babis, Alex Beguez, Tracy Chahwan, Nomi Kane, Omar Khouri, and Kane Lynch  | Guantánamo Voices: True Accounts from the World’s Most Infamous Prison
Carmen Maria Machado | DaNi  | The Low, Low Woods
Trung Le Nguyen |  | The Magic Fish
Kat Leyh |  | Snapdragon
Gene Luen Yang | Gurihiru  | Superman Smashes the Klan, V. 1–2
2022[26][27] | Naoki Urasawa |  | Asadora! V. 1–4
David F. Walker | Marcus Kwame Anderson | The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History
Keito Gaku |  | Boys Run the Riot, V. 1–3
Molly Knox Ostertag |  | The Girl from the Sea
Stan Stanley |  | The Hazards of Love, V. 1
Harmony Becker |  | Himawari House
Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan  |  | Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human
L.L. McKinney | Robyn Smith | Nubia: Real One
John Lewis and Andrew Aydin | L. Fury and Nate Powell | Run: Book One
Chugong  | Dubu  | Solo Leveling
2023[28][29] | Ian Rosenberg | Mike Cavallaro | Free Speech Handbook: A Practical Framework for Understanding Our Free Speech Protections
Kanehito Yamada | Tsukasa Abe | Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, V. 1–6
Claribel A. Ortega | Rose Bousamra | Frizzy
Huda Fahmy |  | Huda F Are You?
Sas Milledge |  | Mamo, V. 1
Melanie Gillman |  | Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales
Gengoroh Tagame |  | Our Colors
Jade Armstrong |  | Scout Is Not a Band Kid
Tom Taylor | John Timms | Superman: Son of Kal-El, V. 1
Lewis Hancox |  | Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure
2024[30][31] | Mari Costa |  | Belle of the Ball
Jasmine Walls | Teo  | Brooms
Thien Pham |  | Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam
Makoto Ojiro |  | Insomniacs After School, V. 1-2
Pedro Martín |  | Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir.
Sarah Myer |  | Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story
Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus  | Julie Robine | Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria
Darrin Bell |  | The Talk
Petra Erika Nordlund |  | Tiger, Tiger, V. 1
Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes | Dawud Anyabwile | Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice

### Repeat recipients

[edit]

Multiple writers have been included on the list more than once. Jeff Lemire, Brian K. Vaughan, G. Willow Wilson, and Gene Luen Yang, have each been featured on the list four times. Together, John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell have been listed three times. Svetlana Chmakova has also appeared on the list three times. Lastly, the following writers have each been included on the lust twice: John Allison, Derf Backderf, Brian Michael Bendis, Don Brown, Faith Erin Hicks, ND Stevenson, Gengoroh Tagame, Raina Telgemeier, and David F. Walker.

Multiple artists have been included on the list more than once, not including writers who also illustrate their own texts. Adrian Alphona has illustrated three books on the list. Faith Erin Hicks and Francesco Francavilla have each illustrated two books on the list.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Moeller, Robin A.; Becnel, Kim (2018). "Drawing Diversity: Representations of Race in Graphic Novels for Young Adults". School Library Research. 21 - via ERIC.
2. ^ a b c d e Williams, Virginia Kay; Peterson, Damen V. (April 29, 2011). "Graphic Novels in Libraries Supporting Teacher Education and Librarianship Programs". Library Resources & Technical Services. 53 (3): 166–173\. doi:10.5860/lrts.53n3.166. hdl:10057/2352. ISSN 2159-9610.
3. ^ Downey, Elizabeth M. (2009). "Graphic Novels in Curriculum and Instruction Collections". Reference & User Services Quarterly. 49 (2): 181–188\. doi:10.5860/rusq.49n2.181. ISSN 1094-9054. JSTOR 20865219.
4. ^ Behler, Anne (2006). "Getting Started with Graphic Novels: A Guide for the Beginner". Reference & User Services Quarterly. 46 (2): 16–21\. doi:10.5860/rusq.46n2.16. ISSN 1094-9054. JSTOR 20864642.
5. ^ Haroldson, Rachelle (November–December 2021). "Picture This! The Versatility of Graphic Novels in Science Class". National Science Teaching Association. 89 (2).
6. ^ a b c d e f Irwin, Marilyn; Moeller, Robin (2010). "Seeing Different: Portrayals of Disability in Young Adult Graphic Novels". School Library Media Research. 13. ISSN 1523-4320.
7. ^ Downey, Elizabeth M. (2009). "Graphic Novels in Curriculum and Instruction Collections". Reference & User Services Quarterly. 49 (2): 181–188\. doi:10.5860/rusq.49n2.181. ISSN 1094-9054. JSTOR 20865219.
8. ^ Mumm, Tiffany (January 1, 2017). "Girls in Graphic Novels: A Content Analysis of Selected Texts from YALSA's 2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens List". Eastern Illinois University Masters Theses.
9. ^ "2007 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). July 30, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
10. ^ "2008 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 15, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
11. ^ "2009 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 22, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
12. ^ "2010 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 19, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
13. ^ "2011 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). December 21, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
14. ^ "Great Graphic Novels Top Ten 2012". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 24, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
15. ^ "Great Graphic Novels Top Ten 2013". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 30, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
16. ^ "2014 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). February 19, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
17. ^ "2015 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). February 6, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
18. ^ Moeller, Robin A.; Becnel, Kim (February 19, 2018). "Drawing Diversity: Representations of Race in Graphic Novels for Young Adults" (PDF). School Library Research. 21: 1–17.
19. ^ "2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 13, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
20. ^ "2017 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 23, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
21. ^ "2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). February 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
22. ^ "2019 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 17, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
23. ^ "2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 2, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
24. ^ "2021 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 5, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
25. ^ Adair, Torsten (January 25, 2021). "Young Adult Library Services Association announces the 2021 Great Graphic Novels for Teens". The Comics Beat. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
26. ^ "2022 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). February 4, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
27. ^ "Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens: 2022". Booklist. March 15, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
28. ^ "2023 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Retrieved July 31, 2025.
29. ^ "Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens: 2023". Booklist. March 15, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
30. ^ "2024 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 2, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
31. ^ "Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens: 2024". Booklist. March 15, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2025.

## See also

[edit]

* v
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