Six graphic novels are among the finalists for the Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards, a record showing for the medium (the previous high was three).  Winners will be selected by votes from kids and teens, and announced during Children’s Book Week, which ties into Free Comic Book Day this year (see "Children’s Book Week Tied to Free Comic Book Day").  There were 1.2 million votes cast last year.

The graphic novels nominated were:

Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year
--The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza (First Second), by James Kochalka
--Happy Birthday, Babymouse (Random House), by Jennifer L. Holm, Ill. By Matt Holm
--Sisters (Graphix), by Raina Telgemeier

Fifth to Sixth Grade Book of the Year
--The Dumbest Idea Ever (Graphix), by Jimmy Gownley
--The Return of Zita the Spacegirl (First Second), by Ben Hatke

Children’s Choice Debut Author
--Cece Bell, for El Deafo (Amulet)

It’s been a big awards year for kids graphic novels, which received Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz Honors earlier this month (see "Graphic Novels Get Newbery, Caldecott, Printz 'Honors'”).

The Children’s Choice Book Awards are organized by Every Child a Reader and Children’s Book Council, and are the only national book awards chosen by kids and teens.