2007 Nominations
Graphic Novels
In the foreword to his 1996 book, Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative, comics veteran Will Eisner said, "I hold that the story is the most critical component in a comic. Not only is it the intellectual frame on which all artwork rests, but it, more than anything else, helps the work endure."
In the Graphic Novels category of the Cybils, we're looking for those compelling stories that won't let you go; stories in which word and image are inseparable; stories that will endure in readers' minds long after they're put away. From ordinary kids to superheroes, from the everyday to the fantastical we want to read your nominations for the best graphic novels published this year for children and young adults.
--Sarah Stevenson, organizer
Please leave a nomination -- including author and title -- for this category in the comments below.
The Professor's Daughter by Joann Sfar and Emmanuel Guibert
Posted by: Liz B | October 01, 2007 at 05:38 AM
The Plain Janes, by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
Posted by: Sarah Miller | October 01, 2007 at 05:44 AM
Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | October 01, 2007 at 05:53 AM
The Arrival, Shaun Tan
Posted by: Liz Jones | October 01, 2007 at 06:44 AM
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Posted by: Heather Turner | October 01, 2007 at 07:58 AM
Captured by Pirates, written by Justine & Ron Fontes, with art by David Witt
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 01, 2007 at 08:43 AM
My Dead Girlfriend by Eric Wight
Posted by: Jennifer R | October 01, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Arevamirp, Esile with Elise Primavera, Escape from the Netherworld (Fred & Anthony), Hyperion Books for Children, 2007.
Posted by: Kirsten Cutler | October 01, 2007 at 11:16 AM
The Re-Gifters by Mike Carey
Posted by: Kathy | October 01, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Blindspot by Kevin Pyle
Kampung Boy by LAT
Malcolm X by Randy DuBurke
Klezmer by Joann Sfar
The Invention of Huge Cabret by Brian Selznick
Posted by: Marcus Newman | October 01, 2007 at 08:23 PM
Thanks, everyone, for all the nominations today! A few comments:
Heather: The Arrival by Shaun Tan was already nominated before your posting, so the duplicate nomination doesn't count. Would you like to nominate something else?
Duplicate nominations don't count as an additional "vote," so everyone please check the previous nominations before you nominate! Thank you.
Marcus: We can only take one nominated title per person, so please select one of your listed titles and let me know in the comments here which one you chose. (Hugo Cabret is being considered in a different category, so please leave that one out.)
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 01, 2007 at 11:43 PM
Sorry. Let's go with Blindspot by Kevin Pyle
Posted by: Marcus Newman | October 02, 2007 at 06:08 PM
Town Boy by LAT
Posted by: Greg | October 02, 2007 at 06:16 PM
To Terra...Keiko Takemiya.
Intelligent, thought provoking, emotional, beautiful. perfect.
Posted by: Ame | October 02, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Manga Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet
Posted by: Gina MarySol Ruiz | October 02, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Beowulf: Monster Slayer, written by Paul D. Storrie and illustrated by Ron Randall
Posted by: Lindsay | October 03, 2007 at 07:59 AM
Bookhunter by Jason Shiga
Posted by: Dave Carter | October 03, 2007 at 12:39 PM
For graphic novels, I'd like to nominate Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel by Ruth Barshaw.
At least, I think it fits in this category, correct?
Posted by: Kim Norman | October 03, 2007 at 01:01 PM
Thanks, Marcus! Looks great.
Ame: Could you please specify which volume of To Terra is being nominated? Thanks!!
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 03, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Flight Vol. 4 Edited by Kazu Kibuishi.
Posted by: Amrita | October 04, 2007 at 09:08 AM
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Posted by: Mallory Brightman | October 04, 2007 at 09:41 AM
To Kim Norman: Ellie McDoodle does look like it belongs here in Graphic Novels. Thanks for the alert, though--there are a few "hybrid" titles out there that are tough to categorize.
To Mallory: The Arrival has already been nominated. Would you like to nominate a different title?
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 04, 2007 at 06:35 PM
PLEASE READ: A few nominations from other categories have been moved here. I'm posting the titles so that nobody accidentally duplicates a nomination:
Gear School by Adam Gallardo
The Courageous Princess by Rod Espinosa
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 04, 2007 at 06:36 PM
Dead High Yearbook by Ivan Velez, et al.
Posted by: Brock Martin | October 05, 2007 at 07:46 AM
Kirsten: Just so you're aware, Fred & Anthony's Escape from the Netherworld has been moved to the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category. We felt it belonged there more appropriately, since it's a hybrid form and not strictly a graphic novel. Thanks for your nomination!
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 08, 2007 at 05:46 PM
Laika by Nick Abadzis
Posted by: Fuse #8 | October 08, 2007 at 05:49 PM
Houdini the Handcuff King by Jason Lutes, illustrated by Nick Bertozzi
Posted by: kristen McLean | October 08, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Does that belong here?-- Hope so.
Posted by: Megan Germano | October 09, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Beowolf by Gareth Hinds
Posted by: Katie | October 10, 2007 at 08:46 AM
More great nominees! Thanks!
Katie: Unfortunately, nominations are limited to one per person--could you please let me know which of the two titles you'd prefer to nominate?
To all: Kampung Boy by LAT, Malcolm X by Randy DuBurke, and Klezmer by Joann Sfar HAVE NOT YET been nominated. These were multiple nominations from one person who has since made their selection. So if anybody would like to nominate one of these, go right ahead!
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 10, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Yu the Great: Conquering the Flood by Paul D. Storrie, illus. Sandy Carruthers
My kids love this one!
Posted by: Lyn Larson | October 11, 2007 at 05:55 AM
Rocketo volume 2: Journey to the Hidden Sea by Frank Espinosa (because The Arrival already has so many nominations).
Posted by: Jesse Karp | October 11, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Hi Megan: We're putting Diary of a Wimpy Kid into Middle Grade--one big issue for a graphic novel is that if the text can stand alone in telling the story, then it's really more of an illustrated book. It's a great title, though! If you'd like to nominate something else instead, please do.
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 12, 2007 at 12:11 AM
Camp Babymouse, by Jennifer Holm and Matt Holm.
Posted by: Michael | October 12, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer
Posted by: Brandon | October 14, 2007 at 07:22 PM
Hi Katie: Since we haven't heard back from you on which title you'd prefer to nominate, we're picking the first one, Beowulf.
If anyone else who has NOT already nominated a title would like to nominate Sticky Burr, go right ahead!
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 16, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Gon vol. 1 by Masashi Tanaka
Posted by: Snow | October 17, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Bumperboy & The Loud, Loud Mountain by Debbie Huey
Posted by: Anastasia | October 23, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Bumperboy & The Loud, Loud Mountain by Debbie Huey came out Jul 26, 2006 so that makes it ineligible...sigh. It's so cute!
Posted by: Anastasia | October 23, 2007 at 04:27 PM
Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug by Mark Newgarden and Megan Montague Cash is a wordless picture book. It's the adventures of a dog and his flea! Harcourt Children's Books; (June 1, 2007) ISBN-10: 0152058133
Posted by: Anastasia | October 23, 2007 at 04:34 PM
The following came in from Corrine Kelly:
Henry V The Graphic Novel
Original Text
I have her email if you need it. She said she tried to post but had trouble.
Thanks!
Posted by: Anne | October 24, 2007 at 02:41 PM
Thanks, Anne and Corrine!
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 25, 2007 at 05:28 PM
Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
Posted by: Alia | October 28, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Klezmer by Joann Sfar
Posted by: Liz | October 28, 2007 at 11:12 AM
"First in Space" by James Vining from Oni Press. Awesome and then the last page breaks your heart. (Read this with Nick Abadzis's "Laika" and you will cry for hours!)
Posted by: Colleen | October 28, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Alia: Robot Dreams was already nominated--if you'd like, you may nominate a different title!
This is a good opportunity to remind everybody to please check over the already-nominated titles before you make your nomination! Thanks.
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 28, 2007 at 06:24 PM
Liz: Klezmer has a publication date of September 2006, so unfortunately it is not eligible. You are welcome to nominate a different title. Thanks!
Posted by: Sarah (a. fortis) | October 28, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow by James Strum & Rich Tommaso, Center For Cartoon Studies/Hyperion
Posted by: david e | November 03, 2007 at 07:34 AM
Hatter M: The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor; Liz Cavalier; Illustrator B
Published by Desperado Publishing
This got high recommendations from some of my friends
Posted by: Alyssa | November 04, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Isn't Hatter M a four-issue comic book, not a graphic novel, or has it been issued as a single-bound volume?
Posted by: david e | November 04, 2007 at 07:46 PM