Graphic novels tell the stories, star the heroes (real and fictional) and address the issues relevant to youngsters and tweens in a style that holds their interest and keeps them coming back for more! More than merely comic books - and not always rated PG - they have an important educational component as well. In addition to being great for readers who are challenged by large chunks of text, graphic novels take advantage of the flexibility of nimble young minds that have grown up immersed in a multimedia world. Make no mistake, these works are not easy reads - they demand all the language and literacy skills educators strive to instill in their students, including: active decoding, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary building, sequencing and more.This must-have resource on developing your collection of this important genre will give you a wealth of tips and practical advice about buying, recommending, cataloging, and shelving. Youth services specialist David Serchay shares the insights of librarians, media specialists, and vendors around the country about how best to build and manage graphic novel collections. You'll find this guide's annotated list of highly recommended titles invaluable.