About Me
My name is Sara Smith, and the District Librarian for a rural district in California. Previously, I was a Teacher Librarian at a high school for 9 years, and an English Teacher for 6.
My passion for manga began early in life. I was introduced to manga in junior high from a friend. My first series -- Sailor Moon. After that, I was hooked. Since then, I have jumped back and forth between popular shōjo and shōnen series, but I tend to prefer the fantasy worlds frequently the setting of shōnen. My introduction to comics came much later. For that, I am sort of a band-wagoner. I started reading comics in the late 2010s as the popularity of comicbook movies grew. Now, I primarily read Independent comics, but have been known to follow a superhero or two.
As a school librarian, I curated a graphic novel collection of over 3000 books -- comicbooks, manga, and graphic literature -- and the section enjoys wide circulation amongst the students at that school.
I currently review for Booklist, or School Library Journal magazines. Both publications have limited page counts, so I tend to post everything else that doesn't fit on this website. I have also previously reviewed for No Flying, No Tights.
My passion for manga began early in life. I was introduced to manga in junior high from a friend. My first series -- Sailor Moon. After that, I was hooked. Since then, I have jumped back and forth between popular shōjo and shōnen series, but I tend to prefer the fantasy worlds frequently the setting of shōnen. My introduction to comics came much later. For that, I am sort of a band-wagoner. I started reading comics in the late 2010s as the popularity of comicbook movies grew. Now, I primarily read Independent comics, but have been known to follow a superhero or two.
As a school librarian, I curated a graphic novel collection of over 3000 books -- comicbooks, manga, and graphic literature -- and the section enjoys wide circulation amongst the students at that school.
I currently review for Booklist, or School Library Journal magazines. Both publications have limited page counts, so I tend to post everything else that doesn't fit on this website. I have also previously reviewed for No Flying, No Tights.
publications
July 2022 Edition of Booklists's Guide to Graphic Novels in Libraries: "Tackling Readers' Advisory Within Your Manga Collection."
December 2020 Edition of Diamond Bookshelf LGBTQ+ Issue: "LGBTQ+ Comics: Why we can no longer afford to be scared." Issue 32.
July 2020 Edition of Booklist's Guide to Graphic Novels in Libraries: "Beginning Buyer's Guide: Tips and Tricks for Starting a Graphic Novel Collection."
Nov 2018 Edition of California English: "Graphic novels: A powerful tool for your classroom."
December 2020 Edition of Diamond Bookshelf LGBTQ+ Issue: "LGBTQ+ Comics: Why we can no longer afford to be scared." Issue 32.
July 2020 Edition of Booklist's Guide to Graphic Novels in Libraries: "Beginning Buyer's Guide: Tips and Tricks for Starting a Graphic Novel Collection."
Nov 2018 Edition of California English: "Graphic novels: A powerful tool for your classroom."
Presentations
Below is a list of presentations I've given on the topic of graphic novels, and links to resources if I am able to share.
- August 2023: #BossLibrarian and Friends: Back to School PD", "Super-Size your Graphic Novel Section"
- April 2023: New Jersey Association of School Librarians' Mini-Con, "Manga that Heals the Soul"
- March 2023: California School Library Association's Annual Conference, "Super-Size your Graphic Novel Section"
- November 2022: School Library Journal Summit, "Manga 101"
- August 2022: #BossLibrarian and Friends "Back to School Virtual PD", "Fall Must Buy GNs"
- June 2022: American Library Association's Annual Conference, "The Value of Manga in School Libraries", co-created and presented with Ashley Hawkins, Emily Ratica, Jillian Rudes, and Julie Stivers
- February 2022: California School Library Association's Annual Conference, "Super-Size your Graphic Novel Section"
- January 2022: Association of Illinois School Library Educators Webinar: "Manga & the School Library"
- November 2021: Edcamp Cardigan Camp Conference, "Manga Collection Development" co-created and presented with Ashley Hawkins, Emily Ratica, Jillian Rudes, and Julie Stivers
- October 2021: American Association of School Librarians Conference, "Manga in the School Library", co-created with Emily Ratica
- February 2021: California School Library Association's Annual Conference, "Super-Size your Graphic Novel Section"
- November 2020: California School Library Association Southern Region Conference, "Super-Size your Graphic Novel Section"
- February 2020: California School Library Association's Annual Conference, "Super-Size your Graphic Novel Section"
- February 2019: California School Library Association's Annual Conference, "Super-Size your Graphic Novel Section"
Podcast Episodes
I have had the fortune to be a guest on several podcasts discussing Graphic Novels. Check them out below:
Nov 4, 2022. School Librarians United, Episode 200. Hosted by Amy Hermon - "Got Graphic Novels? Now What?"
Nov 22, 2020. School Librarians United, Episode 100. Hosted by Amy Hermon - "Your Graphic Library."
Oct 30, 2020. The Literacy Advocate. Hosted by Timmy Bauer - "Graphic Novels are winning Newbery Awards and we should not be upset about that."
Nov 4, 2022. School Librarians United, Episode 200. Hosted by Amy Hermon - "Got Graphic Novels? Now What?"
Nov 22, 2020. School Librarians United, Episode 100. Hosted by Amy Hermon - "Your Graphic Library."
Oct 30, 2020. The Literacy Advocate. Hosted by Timmy Bauer - "Graphic Novels are winning Newbery Awards and we should not be upset about that."
Webinars
Throughout 2021, I participated in a series of webinars put together by Jillian Rudes, a school librarian from Brooklyn, NY, and sponsored by the New York City School Library Association and the Graphic Novel and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association. You can view the recordings and find our resources below.
|
Manga In Libraries: Why Manga?
May 19th, 2021 On the panel (aside from myself):
|
View the recording
Get the resources
|
|
Manga In Libraries: Representation of Girls and Women in Manga
June 17th, 2021 On the panel (aside from myself):
|
View the recording
Get the resources
|
|
Manga In Libraries: Spooky & Scary Manga
October 18th, 2021 On the panel (aside from myself):
|
View the recording
Get the resources
|
My Library's Graphic Novel Section - Updated Spring 2023
Reading Badges - Netgalley
|
|
|
|
|
|
