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Scholastic’s inaugural Graphic Novel Prize 2024 winners named
Scholastic UK has today (7th October) announced the winners of its inaugural Graphic Novel Prize. The awards ceremony, hosted by broadcaster and author Konnie Huq was held at The Cartoon Museum, London.
The ceremony attendees included industry professionals, authors and local schools who, as part of the proceedings, watched performances from graphic novelists and comic creators Jim Smith, Sophy Henn, Thiago de Moraes and, attending via video link, Sarah Bowie.
Rachel Partridge, group marketing and PR and schools commercial director, said: "We are so delighted to have seen the response to the inaugural Graphic Novel Prize, both from the industry and the schools and children who have voted for their winners. Graphic novels are often a vital route into reading for children who may not think of themselves as readers. We frequently hear from schools that are investing in graphic novels for their libraries and reading corners to tempt more children to pick up a book. They have an increasing role to play when we currently have the lowest levels of reading enjoyment for children aged five to 18 since 2005. I hope the shortlists for the prize act as a signpost for teachers, parents and children to discover more of these brilliant authors and illustrators in support of the work that already exists to showcase this fantastic genre."
The Graphic Novel Prize prize winners 2024
Graphic Novel for Younger Readers
Bumble and Snug and the Shy Ghost by Mark Bradley (Hachette Children’s Group)
Bradley said: “I am beyond thrilled to be one of the winners of the inaugural Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize. As a lifelong reader of comics, the renewed excitement for the medium over the last decade has been incredible to see, and the Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize is such a brilliant addition to this scene. To even be included on the shortlist alongside creators I admire so much is such a mind-blowing, wonderful thing, let alone to be winning a prize. I cannot wait to see the incredibly bright future for comics unfold, with the Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize spotlighting brilliant comics for children and young people along the way. Go, comics!”
Graphic Novel for Older Readers
InvestiGators: All Tide Up by John Patrick Green (Macmillan Children’s Books)
Green said: “’I am so very excited to have won my category with All Tide Up! Thank you so much to those all of those readers who chose to vote for me, Mango and Brash, and to the kids, teachers and librarians, as well as my editors and the Macmillan teams who have shown such love and support for my zany characters. Making comics was all I ever really wanted to do since I was a kid, and without such fans I wouldn’t be able to. I’m truly honoured to be celebrating and have my book up here amongst the other awesome comic creators.”
Graphic Novel for Teens
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman (Hachette Children’s Group)
The judging panel was made up of Jon Biddle, English lead at Moorlands School; Jo Cummins, teacher, blogger and podcast host; Sha Nazir event producer at ACME Comic Con; Richard Ruddick, teacher and Comics in Class blogger; and Michael Stirling creative director at The Beano. While the judges selected the shortlist, the winners of the awards are decided entirely by children’s votes submitted from schools across the UK and Ireland.
Biddle said: "I was overjoyed to be part of the judging team for the first Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize and felt privileged to work alongside people whose expertise and knowledge far outweighs my own. Graphic novels are booming in popularity right now, and it’s increasingly apparent how much impact they can have on the reading journey of children. Hopefully, these awards will help shine a spotlight on some of the best that are out there and encourage even more children (and adults) to pick them up and give them a try. I can’t wait to see how these exciting awards develop in the future as graphic novels will continue to gain momentum in the classroom and beyond.
Cummins said: “I am thrilled that Scholastic have launched this fantastic new prize to celebrate a medium which is enjoying a well-deserved explosion in popularity—the graphic novel. It was incredibly difficult to whittle down the submissions to the final shortlist of nominees but I hope that in doing so, we have managed to showcase the breadth of themes, genres and artistic styles readers can experience in graphic novel format. It is also my hope that this award will help raise the profile of graphic novels in schools and see them being meaningfully incorporated into the school curriculum and enjoyed by a whole new audience.”
