Printed Graphic Novels

Appropriate Selections for All Ages

Brodart's Collection Development staff works hand-in-hand with libraries to curate content that is perfectly matched to the needs of your patron base.

Select and order with confidence, knowing that your graphic novels for children will be age-appropriate. Take advantage of our Standing Orders program to ensure you never miss the latest volume or series installment.

About Graphic Novels from Brodart

Selection Criteria

Quality, Popularity & Diversity

Brodart’s Collection Development specialists take the following factors into consideration when selecting items for graphic novels collections:

Overall quality
Clarity, readability, and ease of use
Reviews from library- and subject-specific journals and other popular publications
Current and projected demand
Availability and suitability of physical format for library purposes
Accuracy and authenticity
Literary merit and inclusion in standard bibliographies and indices
Current and historical significance
Authority and reputation of the author, illustrator, and/or publisher

Shown below are summaries of our guidelines for selecting graphic novels by age range. Our proprietary KidSafe™ designation adds an extra measure of confidence for selectors choosing graphic titles for children.

Learn More About KidSafe

Age Ratings

Ages 3-6 and 5-8

Audience: Pre- and beginning readers in preschool, kindergarten, and primary grades

Panel Layout: Simple, with a single or a few panels per page

Format: Similar to Easy Readers

Art: Clear, simple lines, not too detailed, easy for young eyes to follow

Language: Simple, few words per word balloon; some are almost wordless

Characters: Main characters are children or child-like creatures

Content: Often reflects what younger children experience (e.g., sibling rivalry, intricacies of dressing oneself, and dealing with playmates)

Ages 7-10 and 8-12

Audience: Elementary to younger middle school age

Panel Layout: Panel Layout Simplified panel layouts

Format: Range from picture books to regular comic books

Art: Black and white or full color

Language: Simplified word balloons, not too difficult

Characters: Many use licensed characters from television or motion pictures, especially cartoon characters

Content: (7-10) Story intensity and action or violence should not be too scary, the level of a G-rated movie (8-12) Stories may be very action-oriented or include emotionally intense moments; violence is still fairly minimal with no on-panel gore

Ages 10-14

Audience: Audience Older elementary school and middle school age readers

Panel Layout: More sophisticated panel arrangements

Format: Can be comic book, manga, or hybrid prose/comics

Art: More sophisticated

Language: Some include a few “bad” words and situations some libraries and schools might find problematic in a children’s department or elementary school

Characters: Main characters tend to be older, usually teenagers

Content: May include more action and violence, level similar to a Star Wars movie; scare factor similar to a Harry Potter movie Humor Some, particularly the manga titles, may be on the slightly naughty and gross side, with mild potty humor

Ages 12-19 and 14-19

Audience: Audience Older middle school and high school age readers

Panel Layout: Some panel layouts may include double-page spreads and other more sophisticated arrangements.

Format: Mostly comic book and manga formats, with occasional picture book style formats, hardcover and paperback

Art: Ranges from black and white to color, more highly detailed

Language: Minimal questionable language

Characters: Superhero comics

Content: Kidsafe™ selections for these age ranges contain minimal language/violence/sexual content; action/violence level similar to a PG-13 movie Humor Some humor may depend on sexual innuendo Nudity Some, particularly the manga titles, might have some nonsexual, partial nudity, or sexual content; nothing portrayed graphically Violence Minimal, some blood, but not excessive gore

Ages 16-19 and Adult

Audience: Older teens and adult readers

Panel Layout: Arrangements could change from page to page, from vertical layouts to full- or double-page spreads, splash pages, etc.

Format: Comic book and manga formats, paperback and hardcover

Art: May be highly detailed or very idiosyncratic, black and white or color

Language: Stronger questionable language similar to R-rated movies

Characters: Superhero titles with more violent action

Content: Some deal with topics of greater interest for adult readers, family difficulties, or the daily minutiae of life Humor Ranges from silly to darker, sarcastic, and satirical Nudity More nudity and sexual content Violence Stronger violence, including gory violence and intense horror similar to R-rated movies

Cataloging

Our specialty cataloging data for graphic novels is designed to improve access and discoverability, helping connect your patrons with the titles they want.

The Dewey number for fiction graphic novels reflects country of origin
We identify all of the following contributors:
- Authors
- Illustrators
- Background illustrators
- Cover artists
Records for manga clarify that the book reads right to left
We include adult and juvenile headings for all juvenile graphic novel titles

Physical Processing

We offer two options for reinforcement:

Our rebinding services convert trade paperbacks into sturdy, hardbound copies that will last through many circulations and rough treatment. Rebinding adds cost to the book up front, but extends its circulation life and protects your investment over the long term.
Brodart also offers paperback reinforcement with a 10-mil cover or paperback conversion to hardcover.

Shelving and Display

There are two basic alternatives, according to your preferences:

Display with other nonfiction books in the appropriate Dewey or LC classification. This allows for browsing in the broader nonfiction areas.
Pull them from general nonfiction and put them on their own shelf or display space. The more visible the books are, the more people will find and borrow them.

About Jack Phoenix — Brodart's Graphic Novel Selector

Jack’s love affair with comics stretches back to his childhood in the early 90s. By 2008, he was working at London Public Library (London, Ohio), where he assumed responsibility for the graphic novel collection. After earning an MLIS degree from Kent State University in 2015, he launched an independent research project (which continues to this day) into in-house classification systems for graphic novels and how standard library practices affect graphic novel circulation and discovery in public libraries.

Jack has held a variety of positions with Ohio public libraries and is currently the Manager of Collection Development and Technical Services at Cuyahoga Falls Library. He also worked as a Content Specialist for OverDrive, creating selection lists for graphic novels for libraries across the Midwest.

His first book, “Maximizing the Impact of Comics in Your Library: Graphic Novels, Manga, and More,” was published in March, 2020. It has received positive reviews from Booklist, ACRL’S Choice, Tech Services Quarterly, and a starred review from School Library Journal.

Jack says, “More than just gateway reading, comics is a medium — not just deserving inclusion in our libraries, but worthy of our utmost respect and care. There is no subject that cannot be found in the form of a comic, and readers of comics and graphic novels deserve to see the medium they love elevated through library service.”

Jack is a sought-after panelist for webinars and conferences, speaking about comics programming and classification.

View Our Graphic Novels Brochure

More About Graphic Novels

Helpful ResourcesThis section contains links to websites, podcasts, and books to aid in general research and collection development.Learn More