CHICAGO— Many educators now agree that graphic novels inform as well as entertain, and to dismiss their educational potential is to throw away a golden opportunity to reach out to young readers. “Graphic Novels in Your School Library,” by Jesse Karp and illustrated by Rush Kress, is a one-stop resource with the school library at center stage. This dynamic book published by ALA Editions takes a look at the term “graphic novel,” how the format has become entwined in our culture and the ways in which graphic novels can be used in the library and in the classroom.  Graphic novel expert Karp:

• Introduces the history, the symbols and the conventions of the form;
• Provides annotated lists of core titles to help K–12 librarians build their collections;
• Offers lesson plans that use graphic novels to impart facts and enliven discussion on everything from life skills and dating to history.

Karp has been a school librarian at LREI (Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School), one of Manhattan’s oldest independent schools, for more than 10 years. He works with students across the curriculum, from beginning readers to high school students, with all kinds of material, including graphic novels. He regularly reviews graphic novels and picture books for Booklist and contributes to the magazine’s yearly graphic novel best list roundup. He has delivered seminars on the sequential art form at Pratt Institute and Queens College and teaches a graduate course about its history and analysis at Pratt. He has served as a graphic novel panelist at Book Expo America for two years and on YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens committee from 2009 to 2012. He co-created the education webcomic “Dr. Lollipop” and is the author of the young adult novel "Those That Wake." His website is Beyond Where You Stand.

Kress graduated from the illustrious Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Illustration in 1999. He has produced corporate comics for Derivatives Strategy magazine, co-created the education webcomic “Dr. Lollipop,” and produced assorted covers for Early Music America magazine.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.

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