Congratulations to the inaugral winners of The Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize.

The winners of Scholastic’s inaugural Graphic Novel Prize have just been announced. Held at The Cartoon Museum in London, the ceremony was a lively celebration of the joy of graphic novel storytelling, the fantastic depth and breadth of books within the genre, as well as the authors and artists that create them.

Host Konnie Huq was joined by a group of lucky pupils from four local primary schools to enjoy performances from a line up of graphic novelists. Sarah Bowie, creator of the hilariously funny Nina Peanut stories joined for a draw-a-long via video link, Sophy Henn's energetic set created a brand new resident of her Happy Hills stories, with the (slightly dubious) help from the young audience Thiago de Moraes drew a wildly imaginative but not very scary mythical monster, and Jim Smith's had the kids in hysterics with drawings from his Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary.

Scooping the prize for Graphic Novel for Younger Readers for Bumble and Snug and the Shy Ghost, Mark Bradley welcomed this as a Golden Age for comics, and was "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."

John Patrick Green joined by video link to accept his prize for Graphic Novel for Older Readers, for InvestiGators: All Tide Up, saying "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.”

And the prize for Graphic Novel for Teens went to Alice Oseman for Heartstopper Volume 5, collected on her behalf by her editor at Hachette Children's.

Rachel Partridge, Group Marketing & 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 investing in graphic novels for their libraries and reading corners tempts more children to pick up a book and they have an increasing role to play when we currently have the lowest levels of reading enjoyment for children aged 5-18 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.’

Graphic novels are a great way to engage all readers, and they play an important role in developing and building strong reading habits and positive associations with books. Packed with rich plots, often complex storylines and captivating visual elements, graphic novels have a unique appeal to both avid and reluctant readers. Graphic novels are also highly engaging to children with English as a second language (ESL), and for those with neurodiversities who might find dense prose challenging.

The judges for the Scholastic Graphic Novel Prize included Mike Stirling (Creative Director at Beano Studios), Sha Nazir (publishing consultant and comic artist), Jo Cummins (advisory teacher and children's book blogger), Jon Biddle (primary school teacher and advocate of Reading for Pleasure), and Richard Ruddick (primary school teacher specializing in using graphic novels to engage readers).

Congratulations to the three winners of The Graphic Novel Prize 2024 -

Winner of Best Graphic Novel for 6-8-year-olds

Bumble and Snug and the Shy Ghost by Mark Bradley

Winner of Best Graphic Novel for 9-12-year-olds

InvestiGators: All Tide Up by John Patrick Green

Winner of Best Graphic Novel for Teens

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

And here are the fantastic books that made the shortlists:

Shortlist for the Best Graphic Novel for 6-8-year-olds

A Super Scary Narwhalloween by Ben Clanton

Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island by Jamie Smart

Too Pig to Fail by Rob Harrell