Drawing the Line: Visible and Invisible Disability, Identity, and Intersectionality in Award-Winning Graphic Novels for Teens

This study examines the complex social phenomenon of disability representation in teen literature, specifically the Great Graphic Novels for Teens list from the American Library Association. The tenets of critical disability theory guided a critical analysis of both text and imagery to explore how visible and invisible disabilities are portrayed in award-winning graphic novels from the past five years (2020-2024). This includes an examination of characters with multiple identities, such as the coexistence of visible disabilities with non-apparent conditions such as psychological disorders, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurodiversity. The study also investigates how these representations intersect with other social identities such as race, gender, and sexuality. The analysis of fiction and nonfiction works identifies recurring themes, stereotypes, narrative techniques, and visual strategies that either reinforce or challenge dominant discourses on disability in young adult literature. Findings indicate that recent graphic novels portray disability as a multidimensional aspect of identity, with character agency and complexity. While some stereotypical tropes persist, most works offer authentic narratives that reflect the evolving landscape of young adult literature. The study contributes to scholarship on the potential of graphic novels to serve as inclusive literary tools for teenage readers. It also offers practitioners and caregivers a practical resource for evaluating disability representation, as the coding sheet developed through this research can function as a checklist to assess authenticity, respectfulness, and intersectionality in graphic novels, supporting diverse and representative selections in libraries, classrooms, and homes.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Alabama Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Nixon, Gwendolyn C

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Naidoo, Jamie C

Contributors dc:contributor

• Caponegro, Ramona
• Moeller, Robin
• Sweeney, Miriam
• Yates, Steven

• Disability Representation
• Graphic Novels
• Intersectionality
• Invisible Disabilities
• Mental Health
• Young Adult Literature

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Dc Identifier Other

1177380

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ir.ua.edu:123456789/17078