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Sara Smith

@smwordsmith.bsky.social

2.1K followers 1K following 790 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

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · Dec 10

Our book is out and in the world!

I’m so proud of this project from @mangalibrarian.bsky.social, @bespokelib.bsky.social, @st741.bsky.social, Emily Ratica, and myself! Get yours today!

#TLSky #LibSky #SchoolLibraries #Manga #MangaGTS

www.ala.org/news/2024/12...

Press release for Manga Goes to School from ALA Editions, AASL Standards-Based Learning Series.

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Reposted by Sara Smith

SATURDAY AM @saturdayam.bsky.social · 1d

Saturday AM is proud to be featured on a MANGA ESSENTIALS list from BOOKLIST via the brilliant @smwordsmith.bsky.social .

To have our HOW TO DRAW DIVERSE MANGA and MAKING MANGA the Saturday AM Way featured among other great books is a blast!

Learn more here:
www.booklistonline.com/products/981...

Sara Smith writes for the BOOKLIST on Manga Essentials and named Saturday AM's HOW TO DRAW DIVERSE MANGA book and MAKING MANGA books as key titles to have for readers and stores interested in tapping into the growing interest in Japanese culture as well as diverse fans seeking to get closer to the material.

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Reposted by Sara Smith

Fanbase Press @fanbasepress.bsky.social · 1d

Fanbase Press' 10/09/25 newsletter: Interviews w/ @chrisryall.bsky.social (@abramscomicarts.bsky.social), Matt Wagner, & Kelley Jones, @thefanbaseweekly.bsky.social's Panel on ALIEN: EARTH, #GraphicLibrary's (@smwordsmith.bsky.social) Review of RIPPLE EFFECTS, & more!

mailchi.mp/fanbasepress...

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 1d

Read the full review here:

www.graphiclibrary.org/reviews/ripp...

Book review: Ripple Effects Deluxe Edition by Jordan Hurt

George is nearly impervious, but his Type 1 diabetes causes him to question whether he should be a superhero.

www.graphiclibrary.org

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 1d

This important story on invisible disabilities includes personal narratives, lesson plans, and more resources for use in your classrooms and libraries.

#GraphicLibrary

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 1d

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

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 2d

I’m glad there’s empirical evidence for this because most teachers can see this happening in real time. We’re losing even more of the human connectedness and empathy building that is an essential part of the educational experience for children.

Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 2d

“One of the negative consequences AI is having on students is that it is hurting their ability to develop meaningful relationships with teachers, the report finds. Half of the students agree that using AI in class makes them feel less connected to their teachers.”

Rising Use of AI in Schools Comes With Big Downsides for Students

A report by the Center for Democracy and Technology looks at teachers' and students' experiences with the technology.

www.edweek.org

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 2d

This is so sad. I met Matt at comic con last year and was looking forward to reviewing more Star Fruit books. He had such a passion for bringing unique stories to English-speaking audiences, and he was a genuinely kind person. RIP Matt.

Last Gasp of San Francisco @lastgaspbooks.bsky.social · 8d

REMEMBERING STAR FRUIT BOOKS PUBLISHER MATT HAASCH, 1990-2025
by Zach Davisson

www.tcj.com/remembering-...

Remembering Star Fruit Books publisher Matt Haasch, 1990-2025 - The Comics Journal

Zack Davisson pays homage to the late Haasch, who died of cancer on Sept. 6.

www.tcj.com

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Reposted by Sara Smith

Heidi MacDonald @comixace.bsky.social · 3d

If you are at #nycc and would like to meet up to discuss the position, I would also love that! DM me here and we'll find time. I'm most open Friday and Sunday.

Heidi MacDonald @comixace.bsky.social · 3d

THE BEAT AND K-COMICSBEAT ARE HIRING:

We are looking for a new person to fill the job of Managing Editor for KComicsbeat.com and manga/anime editor for The Beat. Knowledge of webtoon, manga and publishing business required. There is some pay as a PT position.

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Reposted by Sara Smith

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · 2d

It’s me. Your favorite #bannedbooksweek curmudgeon. Just popping in to rain all over your caution tape.

#tlsky #tlskychat #librarians #skybrarians #edusky

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 2d

I have heard almost all of these pro-AI arguments at one point or another. I love these well-reasoned, thoughtful possible responses to each and every one of them. A much more academic way of saying, Kindly, Fuck Off.

Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 6d

🌟 New preprint 🌟, by @olivia.science and me:

📝 Guest, O., & van Rooij, I. (2025). *Critical Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Psychologists*. doi.org/10.31234/osf...

🧪

Table 1

Core reasoning issues (first column), which we name after the relevant numbered section, are characterised using a plausible quote. In the second column are responses per row; also see the named section for further reading, context, and explanations.

See paper for full details: ** Guest, O., & van Rooij, I. (2025, October 4). Critical Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Psychologists. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/dkrgj_v1

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 2d

They had me going for a second. Well played, Merriam-Webster.

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 2d

Check out the full review here:

www.graphiclibrary.org/reviews/red-...

Book review: Red Flower vol 1 by Loui

Kelí is ready to face the trial and prove he is a man, but his impatience and stubbornness create problems.

www.graphiclibrary.org

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 2d

FairSquare is currently having to weather the Diamond bankruptcy storm. If they receive enough support, they might be able to print more vol 1s and start printing vol 2!

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 2d

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

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 3d

Awesome! Thank you!

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 3d

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”

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 3d

And no need to start from scratch - if you dm me your email I can send what I have and you can modify for your school or ditch it entirely if you don’t like it when you start to write yours

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 3d

Not a problem! I’ve also seen plenty of policies where reviews are the end all be all and, like you, I start defending those books that don’t get seen by traditional review mags.

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 4d

Having a review, an award, being included on a prestigious list, etc. means you don’t HAVE to review it yourself.

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 4d

But also, pro review isn’t REQUIRED. It’s one of the options. There’s a bunch of things in there that a book could get to qualify. At the end of the list, if it was reviewed by in house credentialed person and deemed worthy, it can still be purchased, so all this research your doing counts.

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 4d

It’s your policy — if you trust the source, trust it. I also wrote to be loose to future-proof it and didn’t list the sources specifically so that “professional” is up to interpretation.

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 4d

Agreed, but we have also a looser term for pro review than others. If the source is a verified credentialed librarian it counts. Amanda Hunt’s reviews, my website, etc. not just mags. I think including Reactor & Locus would also be fine if that’s their specialty.

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Reposted by Sara Smith

skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 4d

Has your library banned any displays, events, education, talks, or anything else related to Banned Books Week this year? I want to know about it . . . and emphasize you're not alone.

Please take and share this short, anonymous survey.

tinyurl.com/banning-bbw-25

Black text on a red and black background. It reads "Has your library banned events, displays, talks, or anything else related to banned books week this year? Share your story anonymously." It includes the survey link: https://tinyurl.com/banning-bbw-25

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Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 4d

My policy requires at least 1 pro review or to be rec’d by credentialed library staff; have award, recognition of some type, an accolade, etc. 1 of the above. Amazon /GR reviews don’t count, jlg/vendor recs alone don’t cut it. Unfortunately leaves out quality self pub unless someone wants to review

Sara Smith @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 4d

These books are great if you have readers who are themselves aspiring to draw their own stories in manga format. Both books go into detail about paneling, character creation, detailing, but MAKING MANGA also gives insights on the publishing industry.

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