Sara Smith
LightNews LightNews
banner
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Sara Smith
@smwordsmith.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1K following 830 posts
District Librarian in CA, Graphic Novel reviewer & owner of The Graphic Library. Co-author of Manga Goes to School. Reviewer @ Booklist & School Library Journal. Esports coach. #GraphicLibrary, #EduSky #LibrarySky, #TLSky She/her. www.graphiclibrary.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
smwordsmith.bsky.social
I reviewed 31 books this month between @ala-booklist.bsky.social, @slj.com, and posts on my own site, including lots of vols past #1! Tons of manga content coming at you! There's even a graphic novel or two in there. Check out the monthly newsletter:
share.sender.net/campaigns/dw...
A graphic for The Graphic library that reads "The Graphic Library October 2025 reviews" and features 31 covers of graphic novels that had reviews this month.
November 2, 2025 at 6:08 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
I’m sitting on my porch, dressed as something I slapped together from the myriad of costume pieces I own, finishing ANGELICA AND THE BEAR PRINCE by Trung Le Nguyen… 1/5
Cover of Angelica and the Bear Prince
November 1, 2025 at 1:50 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
With the success of the DEMON SLAYER: INFINITY CASTLE movie, thought it might be nice to dust this one off — “Manga Essentials: Demon Slayer,” where I reviewed every volume of the manga by arc to make buying in chunks easier
#manga

@ala-booklist.bsky.social
www.booklistonline.com/products/978...
Header that says “Manga Essentials”
October 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Me #AALS25 didn’t end how I wanted and I didn’t get to say goodbye to everyone, but I had a whirlwind of a time presenting FIVE TIMES with most of my #MangaGTS crew, meeting virtual friends IRL, and learning about valuable nonfiction & elem resources.
A collage of pictures from AASL 2025. A woman in front of the Gateway Arch; a man and a woman sit in fireside chat style with microphones; a woman holds up a book and a small sign that says “published!” And looks excited; four women stand in front of a presentation screen and smile after they’ve finished presenting; the same four women crowed around a different presentation screen after a different presentation; a woman holds up checkered flags and smiles; a woman holds up a book next to the author who just signed her book; another author and the same woman stands and smiles holding the book he just signed for her.
October 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Baki the Grappler was a super fun read with plenty of over-the-top fight scenes and amazing illustrations. I had a lot of fun reading this manga, and your readers probably will too!
#GraphicLibrary
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of Baki the Grappler
October 14, 2025 at 11:53 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
I’m gonna be a busy lady this #AASL2025! Along with my co-presenters @mangalibrarian.bsky.social, @bespokelib.bsky.social and Emily Ratica, were presenting on 3 of the conference days! Come say hi and learn about some fabulous manga in your libraries. #MangaGTS
A graphic announcing sessions got AASL 2025: Carnegie: Great Immigrants - Great Americans; Manga Goes to School: Cultivating Engagement and inclusion in k-12 settings; Manga Goes to School authors recommend: grades 3-8; Manga Goes to School authors recommend: grades 9-12; myth-hating manga misconceptions
October 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
I’m well on my way to my goal of 250 for the year. Thanks to @thestorygraph.com, I also have some really cool data to look at for my reading habits so far as I’m 80% of the way to my goal. How’s everyone else looking for their reading goals? (No shame, all reading is good reading!)
Graphic from The StoryGraph which says “you have read 200 books this year; 200/250 books, 80% on a blue progress bar, you are ahead by 4 books! Below that, 41,656/50,000 pages and 83% on a pink progress bar, You are ahead by 2,478 pages!” A graph representing the Number of books and pages per month. The blue line shows number of books while the red line shows the number of pages throughout the year. A pie graph showing the moods I’ve read this year. The largest piece of the pie is “adventurous” with 1/4 of the pie, followed by “emotional”, then “lighthearted” “dark,” “funny,” and “mysterious.” After that, small slices are divided between “tense,” “informative,” “reflective,” “hopeful,” “inspiring,” “sad,” “challenging,” and “relaxing.”
October 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
I’ve just finished my 200th book of the year! I might have done something more consequential if I had realized I was at a milestone, but I suppose it’s fitting that #200 is one of the most checked out books in our elementary libraries.
Graphic of Kirby Manga Mania with at 200 next to it. The logo for The Graphic Library is behind it.
October 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
42% of people are apparently stupid as hell. Or they surveyed literal children.

Either way I’m not fully surprised this number is so high, but I’m also surprised every time I learn people don’t know where their food comes from.

news.designrush.com/lays-biggest...
Graphic that states “what customers don’t know: Internal research revealed 42% of consumers did t know Lay’s chips come from real farm-grown potato’s. So the. Rand went back to the roots. Literally. Lesson? Brand clarity is the way to build authority”
October 12, 2025 at 1:09 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Ripple Effects from @fanbasepress.bsky.social is about George’s moral dilemma to use his near invulnerability to become a superhero or to remain in the shadows, managing his Type 1 Diabetes and budding writing career.
#GraphicLibrary
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of Ripple Effects deluxe edition
October 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Red Flower from FairSquare Graphics is beautifully illustrated and has a fascinating story about a young prince trying to prove himself and often failing miserably because of his impatience. This manga would be great for Elementary+ libraries.
#GraphicLibrary
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of Red Flower volume 1
October 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
We did a thing! @katiejmcnamara.bsky.social made a podcast! Welcome to Beyond Books & Bonbons, the show where we’re gonna talk about the ins and outs of being a teacher librarian, and we can’t promise to be proper about it. Join us!

rss.com/podcasts/bey...
Graphic for Beyond Books & Bonbons with Katie & Sara, including a picture of the two of us smiling in our sun glasses. Below, it says “teacher librarians unfiltered, real talk”
October 8, 2025 at 1:44 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
This month's @ala-booklist.bsky.social features my Crafts & Hobbies article with reviews of TWO @saturdayam.bsky.social manga drawing books - MAKING MANGA: THE SATURDAY AM WAY and SATURDAY AM PRESENTS: HOW TO DRAW DIVERSE MANGA.

www.booklistonline.com/products/981...
manga essentials graphic
October 7, 2025 at 5:18 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
The #MangaGTS team is headed to #AASL25 and presenting ALL OVER THE PLACE!! We’re bringing so much manga content to y’all, it’s gonna be EPIC!
Graphic for AASL 2025 conference session manga goes to school cultivating engagement and inclusion in k-12 settings Graphic for AASL 2025 conference session manga goes to school authors recommend grades 3-8 Graphic for AASL 2025 conference session manga goes to school authors recommend grades 9-12 Graphic for AASL 2025 conference session myth-busting manga misconceptions
October 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
My "monthly" newsletter is out! I say that because somehow August didn't get sent like I wanted, so this one's a double-dose. Sorry but congrats?
share.sender.net/campaigns/cP...
The Graphic Library September 2025 Reviews graphic. There are 17 covers of books on this graphic and a very opaque picture of a bookshelf behind them.
October 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
I stayed up waaaayyy too late reading Baki: the Grappler vol 1 from new-to-us publisher Nakama Press. It was super dope!! I’ll post more about it obvs but I wanted to shout it out because sleep deprivation deserves to be recognized.
Cover of Baki the grappler vol 1
October 3, 2025 at 3:35 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Today’s review is from @katiejmcnamara.bsky.social and highlights the newest offering from Check Please author Ngozi Ukazu. FLIP features a “Freaky Friday” situation but between a girl and her crush! 🫣
#GraphicLibrary #TLSky
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of Flip
September 18, 2025 at 2:01 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Lu and Ren’s guide to Geozoology by @hisiheyah.bsky.social has adorable magical animals but also has a beautiful, healthy friendship and a heartfelt adventure story. This is a great MG #GraphicNovel!
#GraphicLibrary
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of Lu and Ren’s guide to Geozoology
September 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
In Aw, Nuts, volume 1, Peanut aspires to become part of the top of the food pyramid, the Toppings, but he and his best food dude get into some trouble with a Crumb Feeder escape the crumb dump! This pun-tastic, colorful adventure is hilarious and fun for elementary & MG audiences
#GraphicLibrary
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of Aw Nuts volume 1
September 16, 2025 at 12:42 AM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
In the Bounce Back series by Misako Rocks!, Lilico and friends tackle tough topics of growing up, adjusting to a new country & new school, and fitting in, amongst others! Beautiful color illustrations as well!
#GraphicLibrary #Manga #SchoolLibrariess #TLSky
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of Bounce Back vol 1
September 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
The Otherside Picnic has a little bit of action, is definitely creepy, and a little suspenseful, and it has the building blocks of a yuri romance that sources say will develop in later volumes.
#GraphicLibrary #Manga #TLSky
Graphic of the graphic library with the cover of The Otherside Picnic
August 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Continuing reviews of American Manga Awards nominees: A Smart and Courageous Child. This book could spark some really thoughtful conversations about the impact of global events.
#GraphicLibrary #Manga #TLSky #AMAs2025
Graphic for The Graphic Library with the cover of A Smart and Courageous Child
August 18, 2025 at 4:43 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Ramping up coverage for the AMAs this weekend: Hikaru in the Light vol 1 - a cute full-color manga about best friends doing their best to become Japan's next hit idol sensation. This series is super cute & good for Elementary!
#GraphicLibrary #TLSky
August 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
Reprinting their out-of-print and before-their-time line of UDON Kids manga, like Majoko. YAY!
#SDCC #Manga
Cover of The Big Adventures of Majoko
July 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
smwordsmith.bsky.social
I was honored to be a guest on today’s panel, “Manga For Kids: Why is it So Hard to Find?” where I added some context for the school libraries. On the panel I learned about some of @udonentertainment.bsky.social’s plans for more kid books, including more MUFOSAND😍 in Let’s Go Kitty Bros…
#SDCC
A woman holds her comic con name plate reading “Sara Smith” while smiling and standing in front of a sign that reads “Comic Con International” A slide that says NEW! let’s Go Kitty Bros
July 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM