When graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier discovered the comics page as a child (especially the realistic family strip “For Better or Worse” and the funny adventure philosophy strip “Calvin and Hobbes”), she felt like she’d found her happy place.
It took her many years of writing and drawing her own independent comics before landing the job of translating the popular Baby-Sitters Club books into graphic novels – which led to numerous autobiographical and then fictional graphic novels: Smile, Guts, Drama and Ghosts, all #1 New York Times bestsellers and winners of numerous awards.
She will be accepting the 2024 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature, given by the Tulsa City-County Library, in May.
Known for her sensitive portrayals of realistic family relationships, friendships and the everyday drama of being a young person, Telgemeier is beloved by readers of all ages around the world.
Let’s take a look at what makes Raina Telgemeier special, as well as some resources, read-alikes — and her connection to the library’s long-running Young People’s Creative Writing Contest.
Connecting to kids in powerful ways
At the Tulsa City-County Library in Children’s Services, we use our patented Kids Read reading identities to help young readers figure out what kinds of books they tend to like to read. We have six reading identities, everything from Adventure Time (plot is most important) to Magic, Dragons & Swords (exactly what it sounds like!).
Raina Telgemeier’s books are strongly in the Connector reading identity. Connectors are readers who enjoy books with realistic characters and settings, exploring everyday problems and triumphs, often related to friends, family and school.
To learn more about the Kids Read reading identities and even find great book lists for each one, check out tulsalibrary.org/kids-read-curious-world-kids-read-identity-book-lists
Raina Read-Alikes
If you are already in the know about Raina Telgemeier and want to find similar books for your child, here are a few that hit the Connector high points:
Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller
This character-driven graphic novel follows a 13-year-old girl as she tries to fit in at a new school.
Where’s Halmoni? by Julie Kim
A beautifully illustrated book that is not quite a graphic novel, not quite a picture book. The character-driven and thematic importance of family relationships seen in Raina Telgemeier books are central to this story, which follows two Korean children searching for their grandmother.
Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
Nearly a perfect read-alike for Raina’s works: character-driven, emotions, family issues, graphic novel.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Winner of the Newbery Award, so you know it’s good! Emotionally sensitive portrayal of a seventh-grade boy entering a new school and feeling caught between two worlds.
Raina Telgemeier resources
Check out Raina Telgemeier’s website, goraina.com, for a ridiculously rich trove of video links, short essays about her work, discussion questions and more.
Raina Telgemeier Presentation
- Friday, May 3, 2024, 6 p.m.
- Central Library, 400 Civic Center, downtown Tulsa
Raina Telgemeier will receive the 2024 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature as well as give a public talk about her creative process. She will present awards to the winners of the Young People’s Creative Writing Contest.
Learn more at tulsalibrary.org
