Scholastic UK has announced a new Graphic Novel Prize in response to the genre’s recent growth.
Data from Nielsen for the Children’s Graphic Novel and Comic Strip category shows 425% volume growth since 2019 and 391% value growth.
Scholastic said “graphic novels are always among the bestsellers” through its school channels where children self-select, appealing to both avid and reluctant readers thanks to their rich plots and visual elements.
Yvonne Murphy, scholastic product director, said: “Graphic novels are sometimes derided as not ‘real reading’ they are in fact full of text that children have to decode, analyse and comprehend as well as following plot and character development. The combination of text and pictures can also provide context for stories that children may struggle to make complete sense of.”
The Graphic Novel Prize joins Scholastic’s other competitions such as the Laugh Out Loud Awards and will be awarded in three categories: Graphic Novel for Younger Readers; Graphic Novel for Older Readers; and Graphic Novel for Teens.
Representatives from BookTrust will select the longlist and a judging panel will select the shortlist. For the inaugural awards the judges are: Sha Nazir, events producer at Comic Con; Michael Stirling, creative director at Beano; Jon Biddle, English lead at Moorlands School; Richard Ruddick, teacher and Comics in Class blogger; and Jo Cummins, teacher, blogger and podcast host.
The final winners will be chosen by children’s votes, using Scholastic’s school channels to promote the titles, create class resources, voting packs and a virtual shortlist showcase.
Nazir said: “I’m excited to be part of the Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize celebrating the artistry that transcends frames, turning pages into portals of visual storytelling excellence for teens and kids. It’s great to see graphic novels make a space for itself in the book industry and growing year on year.”
Stirling added: “The saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ has never been truer than when it comes to graphic novels; or ‘Epic Comics’ as I prefer to call them. They super-power a lifelong love of books, prove that reading is fun, and every kid deserves the opportunity to read them.”
Submissions will be open between Wednesday 10th January and Friday 2nd February 2024 with the shortlists selected at the end of March. Publishers can find the submission criteria and entry form at www.scholastic.co.uk/graphicprize
