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2025 Virginia Library Association Graphic Novel Diversity Award
Youth Award Winners
The Graphic Novel Diversity Award (GNDA) celebrates diversity captured within the pages of graphic novels. In 2025, our ninth year offering the award, the Graphic Novel Diversity Award Committee selected one winner and five honor titles in the youth division.
The winning title's creator will receive a $500 award and will be recognized during the Opening Session at the 2025 VLA/VLACRL Annual Conference on Thursday, October 2, 2025. This year's conference is at the Richmond Marriott in Richmond, VA. More information about the conference, including registration, can be found here.
Click the buttons below for a downloadable PDF of the committee's complete youth selections for the 2025 Graphic Novel Diversity Awards, including the winners, honors, and overflow choices. Learn more about the Graphic Novel Diversity Award and committee information here.
2025 Youth Winner
The committee is pleased to announce Navigating with You by Jeremy Whitley, art by Cassio Ribero, published by Maverick as the 2025 Youth Graphic Novel Diversity Award Winner.
Jeremy Whitley’s heartfelt graphic novel follows Neesha Sparks, a Black high schooler with cerebral palsy and a passion for costume design and Gabby Graciana, a Puerto Rican surfer new to town. When the two girls discover they share a love for the same manga series they embark on a road trip across North Carolina to find the missing volumes. As they journey together, their friendship deepens into a romantic relationship.
The narrative intertwines their adventure with excerpts from the manga, exploring themes of identity, disability, grief, and self-discovery. Illustrated by Cassio Ribeiro and featuring dynamic lettering by Nikki Fox, the novel offers a nuanced portrayal of queer and disabled characters, with earnest storytelling and emotional depth.
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