Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2010

I'm really honored that YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) named Katman as one of the great teen graphic novels for 2010. As if I didn't already love librarians enough. Check out all the great company I'm with (here)

Katman flagged for TMGNRL

The Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List (TMGNRL) is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART). The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current books. To see the whole list click here.

The Digital Empire of Russell Christian

Artist and friend Russell Christian has been fervently wrestling with the economic crisis from all angles and mediums on a series of nested blogs that sprout new tangents daily. For that and so much more start at his Bruxist Manifesto, then follow the Bouncy Banker and end in The World of Disarray.

School Library Journal Review

Here some highlights:

"Pyle's Katman succeeds because of its honesty. He doesn't try to make it an afterschool special kind of story, where the choices are easy and right and wrong are clear."

and

"Katman is a strong story, but a hard read. It's not for readers unfamiliar with the comic medium, but it is also not for readers looking for something quick and easy to breeze through. Pyle requires his readers to think and to do that, they have to pay attention to details in the text and panels. But for readers wanting a realistic story where a teen himself is the superhero simply by doing what he is able to do, they will find in Katman a character to admire."

READ MORE

Nominations!

I'm honored to join the long list of nominees for two YA lists:

The Cybils (Children and Young Adult Blogger's Literacy Awards): (LINK)

AND the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Great Graphic Novels for Teens (LINK)

A great side effect of this honor is that librarians all over the country are reading it and starting to post reviews:

Here's one from Canada: This was a great story. I don't usually go in for teen reality fiction but this story grabbed me right away. Kit is a character that one feels for right away and teens will identify with. The book has a great plot (which I won't give away) that makes the book hard to put down until you've finished. The book is peopled with eccentric characters such as Vinod who belongs to the religion of Jainism, an autistic teen nicknamed Bleep, and the local crazy cat lady. Ultimately, the underlying theme of the book is caring. It sounds kind of corny written down like that but trust me, it's not. The book asks how many people really care these days? Care about something, about someone, about doing something or believing in something? A very powerful story.

Upcoming Katman Events

Oct. 22nd, 4:00 pm
New York Public Library
Countee Cullen Branch
104 West 136th Street [near Lenox Ave.], New York, NY 10030-2695.
Call us at (212) 491-2070

Oct. 27th, 7:00 pm
Watchung Booksellers
54 Fairfield St
Montclair, NJ 07042
973 744-7177

Nov. 3rd, 4:00 pm
Queens Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11432
(718) 990-0700

Opener sketch

I'm starting to draw the next book (still untitled) for Henry Holt for Young Readers. Here's an almost final sketch of the opening page.