CBC Graphic Novel Advocate Award

This annual award celebrates individuals who demonstrate a lifetime of exemplary commitment and advancement for children’s, middle-grade, and young adult graphic novels as a literary source over the span of their career.

The Graphic Novel Committee is excited to present their new award: the CBC Graphic Novel Advocate Award.

This newly created annual award honors a person who has been a strong and passionate advocate for children’s, middle-grade, and young adult graphic novels, displaying a lifetime of dedication to promoting this format and its presence in classrooms, public and school libraries, and bookstores nationwide. 

This award further recognizes defenders of graphic novels against book bans, particularly those by LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creators, who have been disproportionally targeted.

Each year, the CBC Graphic Novel Committee reviews nominations submitted by CBC member publishers and selects up to 3 honorees. The Committee then announces and promotes these honorees and invites them to speak about their accomplishments via a virtual call.

2025 Winners

Eva Volin — Supervising Children’s Librarian, Alameda Free Library, CA

“Eva’s been a rock-solid advocate for kids’ graphic novels since day one. She was the person everyone was looking to for strength and guidance in the fight to get kid’s graphic novels taken seriously, and she has only become a more passionate, knowledgeable, selfless, and ubiquitous figure in kids’ comics since then. Plus, she’s just the kindest, fiercest, most generous person.”

Meg Lemke — Comics and Graphic Novels Reviews Editor, Publishers Weekly, and Editor-in-Chief of MUTHA Magazine

“Meg has fully committed her career to amplifying comics and graphic novels for readers of all ages. She’s been a longtime chair of the Brooklyn Book Festival planning committee for comics and graphic novels. She actively participates in comics-related events and connects personally with creators, editors, publicists, journalists, etc. Meg is a tireless advocate for comics and graphic novels!”

Robin Brenner — Head of Reference and Programming, Woburn Public Library, MA, and Editor at No Flying No Tights

“Robin was a LJ ‘Mover and Shaker’ in 2007, and she is the outgoing president of the Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. Robin wrote the book Understanding Manga and Anime and has authored chapters in other books on comics and teen librarianship. She also consults, presents, participates in panels and hosts events focused on comics and graphic novels. Robin is a star!”

Whitney Leopard — Executive Editor, Random House Graphic / InkPop

“Whitney is a tireless and enthusiastic advocate for graphic novels in all forms and for all ages. She travels and attends so many conferences and portfolio reviews and is also a frequent speaker. She also gives back by mentoring and speaking to students at universities such as SCAD. She’s an all-around great person and an innovator!!”

Publishers: Nominations are currently CLOSED. Email cbc.info@cbcbooks.org with questions. Learn more about the CBC Graphic Novel Committee here.