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Comics & Graphic Novels for Kids!

An overview for of our juvenile graphics collection, featuring graphic novels and comic books for kids.

Excelsior Awards

Since it's inception in 2011, the Excelsior Award is the only nationwide book award for graphic novels and manga - where kids aged 11-18 decide the winner by rating each book as they read it!

2023 Shortlist

The books on the Excelsior Award White shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 9+ 

The books on the Excelsior Award Blue shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 11+ 

The books on the Excelsior Award Red shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 14+ 

The books on the Excelsior Award Black shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 16+ 

2022 Shortlist

The books on the Excelsior Award White shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 9+ 

The books on the Excelsior Award Red shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 14+ 

The books on the Excelsior Award Black shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 16+ 

2021 Shortlist

The books on the Excelsior Award White shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 9+ 

The books on the Excelsior Award Blue shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 11+ 

2020 Shortlist

The books on the Excelsior Award Blue shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 11+ 

2019 Shortlist

The books on the Excelsior Award White shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 9+

The books on the Excelsior Award Blue shortlst have been designated as suitable for children aged 11+

2018 Shortlist

The following books formed the shortlist for the 2018 Excelsior Award Junior and were designated as suitable for children aged 9-11

2017 Shortlist

The following books formed the shortlist for the 2017 Excelsior Award Junior and were designated as suitable for children aged 9-11

2015 Shortlist

The following books formed the shortlist for the 2015 Excelsior Award Junior and were designated as suitable for children aged 9-11

Various Literary Award Winners

The Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth. It was established in 1996. It was given every other year since 1996 until 2009 when it was changed to be given annually. 

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books, sometimes referred to as the comics industry's equivalent of the Academy Awards.

The Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.

Named for Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King, Jr., this award recognizes outstanding African American authors and illustrators, and is awarded for books about the African-American experience that are written for a youth audience (high school or elementary).

The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal established by the Association for Library Service to Children in 2001 with support from Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc., is awarded annually to the writer and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year. 

The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature.

Polygon's 50 Best Comics for Kids!

View the full list here.