Very few reliable resources exist that cover graphic novels other than scholarly guides and sociological or anthropological overviews of the genre. Goldsmith's volume is the first to deal with readers' advisory. The information is current, pertinent, and interesting. The author clearly enjoys all types of graphic novels, and her lively narrative encourages that appreciation in others. The chapters are in logical order for building understanding. Especially helpful are the sections of "Books to Know" and a glossary of manga terms. Besides being an outstanding primer for novices in graphic-novel readers' advisory, the book can also be used for collection development. It should be part of all professional collections.—Suanne Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL
The American Library Association (ALA) adds another excellent and, in this case, much-needed volume to its readers' advisory library with this succinct guide by transplanted (to Nova Scotia) California librarian and graphic novel expert Goldsmith. After dispelling the two main myths that ghettoize graphic novels—they are just for adolescents and they are far less complex than texts without pictures—Goldsmith emphasizes that Graphic Novels (GNs) are a format and not a genre. She suggests active and passive ways to offer readers' advisory (RA) from face-to-face encounters with patrons to book displays and book groups and offers guidance on helping established GN readers to find new titles they might enjoy. Goldsmith includes lists of "crossover" titles by genre to urge readers' advisors to include the format of GNs when offering RA; and since graphic novels share characteristics with visual media, she includes instruction on advising movie lovers or gamers on graphic format literature they might find to their tastes. There are two separate annotated lists of "books to know." The first is broken down into the usual-suspect genres plus some less expected: science, religion, and health and wellness. The second list includes categories such as adaptations, instruction, and even wordless narratives. For the experienced RA professional, there are lists of print and online resources to offer further assistance. Although for the completely uninitiated professional seeking a foot in the door, the after matter includes a ten-step "short course" with specific title suggestions and pointed questions followed by an abbreviated glossary of manga terms. All in all it is a valuable and quitereadable resource that belongs in every library's professional collection. Reviewer: Timothy Capehart
"Dedicated graphic novel readers on the whole still turn to the Web, to their local comics shops, and to friends who share their reading interests rather than the library staff as potential advisors," writes librarian Goldsmith (director of branch services, Halifax P.L.s, N.S.). Her aim with this guide is to get librarians onto the radars of fanboys and fangirls and train reader's advisory (RA) pros in which comics to offer to whom. She addresses how to advise comics-savvy readers of all ages as well as nudge "traditional" readers toward graphic-novel options and suggest interplays of graphic novels with films and gaming. As background, Goldsmith provides annotated lists of sample titles by genre and type (e.g., wordless, adaptations, anthologies) as well as a varied if brief list of professional resources and an excellent "Graphic Novels 101" appendix for advisors new to comics. VERDICT Goldsmith's distinctive approach addresses a gap in the literature and supplements more broadly based books like David S. Serchay's The Librarian's Guide to Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens (LJ 9/15/08), Robin E. Brenner's Understanding Manga and Anime (LJ 9/15/07), and Michael Pawuk's Graphic Novels: A Genre Guide to Comic Books, Manga, and More (LJ 7/1/07) that do not address the RA perspective. Recommended.—M.C.
