by Jeannine Wiese, Collection Development, Graphic Novels Specialist

When asked for my pick of top graphic novels for 2008 my first thought was that of a kid in a candy store--oh, so many to choose from for every age and every collection--but after serious thought, I’m pleased to share the winners plus a few more.

Outstanding titles for ages 4-7
TOON Books scored a big hit with emergent readers and won outstanding praise from teachers, parents, and library journals.

Every little girl’s favorite mouse continues to win great reviews with Babymouse: Monster Mash, Volume 9 as does the latest from lovable Owly in Owly: Tiny Tales, Volume 5.

Primary grade boys find the Tiger Moth Insect Ninja series is just what they’re looking for. This series is also a favorite listed by Michele Gorman in her March 2008 School Library Journal article, “Graphic Novels Rule!”

Also winning multiple positive reviews are Johnny Boo: The Best Little Ghost in the World, who proves that he and his pet ghost Squiggle have the world’s greatest ghost adventures, and Yam: Bite-Size Chunks, which provides sheer fun for all who “read” this wordless tome.

Well-reviewed hits for intermediate grade readers
This age loves humor and the following come highly recommended: The Adventures of Daniel Boom AKA Loud Boy, Knights of the Lunch Table, the Magic Pickle series, and Amelia Rules!.

Fantasy favorites high on the list blend elements of other dimensions, strange new worlds, monsters, and talking cats and include titles such as Sardine in Outer Space, Volume 6, Jellaby, Warriors: Tigerstar and Sasha, Flight Explorer, and Amulet:The Stonekeeper.

Exciting adventure is not left out for this age group. Seaside exploits fill Salt Water Taffy, Volume 1 while Ramp Rats is loaded with mystery and thrilling, skateboard competition. 

Top picks for YA readers
Younger YA readers ages 12-14 will love the eerily dark Coraline: Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman, also named one of  School Library Journal’s Best Books for 2008. Adventure and excitement run high in the exotic setting of Into the Volcano, by Don Wood, and in the latest chilling Alex Rider graphic novel adaptation, Point Blank. Gunnerkrigg Court is the award-winning Web comic collected for the first time in print by Archaia Studios Press. It’s filled with mystery, robots, demons, mythical creatures, and a daring and clever female protagonist, Antimony Carver. 100 Girls features a super-smart, adopted, 13-year-old girl who has always felt alienated from those around here. Her life is packed with danger as she searches for her true self and family roots.

Favorites for older YA readers ages 14-18 include more than manga and superheroes. What It Is, by Lynda Barry, is an exercise in creativity as she encourages teens to explore their own imagination through writing. Two more highly acclaimed nonfiction titles suitable for teens and adults are The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, a wonderful introduction to U.S. legal history that compliments all courses of U.S. history, middle school through adult, and Jackie Ormes: The First African American Woman Cartoonist. It is entertaining as well as inspiring as it follows the pioneering path of the first African-American woman cartoonist.

Skim on the other hand explores the whole gamut of angst-filled teen life in this masterful, award-winning graphic novel set in contemporary Toronto, while Zot! 1987-1991: The Complete Black and White Collection is the new single volume of Scott McCloud’s science-fiction classic series published more than 20 years ago and long out of print. Teenage Zot from an alternative Earth meets up with Jenny, a bored teenage girl from Earth who just wants to escape the humdrum of high school life. Together they face off against a multitude of villains, crazy inventors, and robots gone amok.

On a much lighter note I must conclude with two superhero titles no collection should be without: Kingdom Come, by Mark Waid, which is one of the most acclaimed graphic novels, and Watchmen, one of the 101 Best Graphic Novels of all time, both available now in new 2008 editions.