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Ashley Hawkins

@mangalibrarian.bsky.social
3.1K followers 1.8K following 899 posts

School Librarian, PhD Student & Manga Reviewer Co-author of Manga Goes to School: Cultivating Engagement and Inclusion in K–12 Settings. Talk to me about manga, neurodivergence, and student-centered libraries! Married to @fortninety.bsky.social.

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Reposted by Ashley Hawkins
Kevin @transl8rkevin.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
@yattatachi.com has done an incisive write-up of the AMAs that foregrounds both the achievements they celebrate and Jan's call for better working conditions. Well worth a read, especially if you couldn't be there on the night. yattatachi.com/american-man...
yattatachi.com
American Manga Awards 2026: A Call for Change | Yatta-Tachi
Adam reports on the American Manga Awards 2026, which reveals a growing industry in a period of transition.
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MegaApple @megaapple18.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
This one reply really struck me
Yoshiyuki Tomino, the anime director famous for Gundam, also emphasized the importance of studying stage plays, literature, and literary arts to cultivate a nuanced understanding of expression and reading comprehension.

That's why it's not uncommon to hear that works created by otaku with narrow knowledge, raised solely on comics, anime, and games, end up lacking any depth.
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Square Enix Manga & Books @square-enix-books.com · 08/07/2026
Meowza! 😻 We’ve collected some of the best purr quotes about A Cat Is a Cat in Any Life from our favorite feline friends who are pawsitively thrilled it’s nominated for the @mangaawardsusa.bsky.social for Best Publication Design. Register to vote for this purrfect title today – 🔗 below!
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Sara Campbell @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
SQUARE ENIX industry panel!! Let’s go! #AnimeExpo #AX
Square Enix industry panel picture
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Kodama @kodamatales.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
We’re honored to announce MAGICA has been nominated in the American Manga Awards for Best Translation and Best Publication Design! You can cast your vote by registering here: animenyc.com/american-man... Translation: Jan Mitsuko Cash Publication Design: Chichols © Yuzuko Hoshimi / Daiwashobo
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Giant Robot FM @giantrobotfm.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Fun fact: Takayuki Yoshii, former Sunrise president, approached Yasuhiko midway through Origin’s serialization about an anime adaptation. Predictably, YAS wasn't initially keen on it. He remembers, “I thought people might take me as a fool if I made it as an animation again.”
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
I don’t know if anyone has talked about this, but it’s a thing I’m experiencing. I shared when I came back a few weeks ago that I’ve been deep in autistic burnout for a year. I also have a litany of other health issues and for preventative and treatment measures, I started taking a GLP1.
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Beau Oddball @beauoddball.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
@mangalibrarian.bsky.social while you were gone I ended up going down a research whole about anime manga and Leftist politics running on 5-6 months.
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Heather Turner @techielibgrl.com · 21/05/2026
Loved last night’s #TLSkyChat on manga & comics! Big thanks to @mangalibrarian.bsky.social & @smwordsmith.bsky.social for the expert tips. 🚀 I’ve rounded up all the strategies, shelving hacks, & book lists from the chat into one post. 📖 💗Remember #slowchat is engaged! Check out the article HERE
techielibgrl.substack.com
Between the Panels: Highlights from #TLSkyChat
Students are driving the demand, and librarians are answering the call. ⚡️ Explore our latest recap of #TLSkyChat: "Panels & Pages," featuring expert advice from the authors of Manga Goes to School an...
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Yatta-Tachi @yattatachi.com · 21/05/2026
We have a newsletter and a Discord channel that let's folks know when our articles are live Newsletter Signup: eepurl.com/dyupWb Discord Invite: discord.gg/cHBHHbuzSW
discord.gg
Join the Yatta-Tachi Community Discord Server!
Check out the Yatta-Tachi Community community on Discord - hang out with 246 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
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Rain @simplyrain.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Must read #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
How I stay ahead of Western manga releases is, frankly, staying on top of Japanese manga releases. I have a JP Bookwalker account, I visit Japan annually and spend a solid chunk of my time in bookstores and libraries, and I have multiple publications about the industry.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
I've gotta crash into my bed, but it was so fun to chat with y'all! I'll read over the slow chat tomorrow and try to give meaningful responses when I'm not fighting the eepies.
static.klipy.com
Adorable Sleepy Kitten
Alt: Adorable Sleepy Kitten
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Sara Campbell @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A4: OMG where do I start BIGGEST game changer: sign up for NetGalley & Edelweiss and get your own review copies to flip thru. Reviews are great but they’re few and far between. We are HUMAN & can only review so much. Go check out the books if you can so you know what you’re buying #TLSkyChat
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Rain @simplyrain.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A6: I am prepped to meet ALL challenges to ALL materials....well...because... The few I have had were around the dress/drawings of young ladies & the nose wrinkle of "not real reading." That was only a handful of people/staff. GN/comics/Manga is part of our reading culture. 1/ #TLSkyChat
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Alexa Dumas @alexadoom.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A7: Literally where do I even START. My favorite aspects have to be depiction of foreign language (dif. color font, scribbles, etc). My go-to recs: Brownstone, Lunar New Year Love Story, Dream On, Almost Sunset, How to Draw a Secret, Fresh Start, Visitations, & the Stepping Stones series #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A9. Oshi-katsu activities! They're creating arts and crafts around your favorite character or K-Pop idol, and my kids are obsessed. I have to keep a steady stream of idol cards coming in!
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A8. Illustration. The truth is that I love illustration so much, and that's what drives my obsession with manga in particular. I'm always recommending Witch Hat Atelier, Tamon's B-Side, and Spacewalking with You. #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A7. I'm a little suspicious if I should weed the graphics that are in pristine condition, because that speaks volumes in our school. It's also way more intense repair on these sections than on any other! most fiction books in the condition of our copy of Smile would have been recycled. #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
#TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A6. This is the first year I've had struggles with the kiddos straight up BOOK-NAPPING, especially the graphics. This is more an issue of us being in a new building and the school went without a librarian for a solid year before I came in, but I'm now having to bribe children with candy.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A5. @smwordsmith.bsky.social, @bespokelib.bsky.social, @libraryladynyc.bsky.social. The NFNT team is fabulous. And there are many non-librarian reviewers who are particularly great!
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A4. For graphics and comics, I 100% am dependent on reviewers like @smwordsmith.bsky.social or Esther Keller. For manga, what I'd recommend that's outside the norm is following the folks at @yattatachi.com. They have a roundup of every manga being published each month! #TLSkyChat
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Rain @simplyrain.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A4: First, follow the experts like @smwordsmith.bsky.social @mangalibrarian.bsky.social @bespokelib.bsky.social... Next, use the CD tools that analyze your collection and tell you what is missing or what is coming to be published. Keep your inventory current! #TLSkyChat 1/
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Alexa Dumas @alexadoom.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A4: I guess I am unique because I am always looking for new and upcoming GNs to read for myself, but I know that what I love to read, my students will also love to read. Here is my cheat sheet I share in PD for librarians (shout out @mangalibrarian.bsky.social & @smwordsmith.bsky.social!) #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A3. Shameless plug: a group of us wrote a little book of lesson plans called Manga Goes to School... Really though, I'm using graphics all the time. I use constructivist media decoding, and we're looking at various graphic formats for intent and context, as well as personal connections. #TLSkyChat
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Matt @mattlibrarian.eurosky.social · 21/05/2026
One library lesson I ran was about classic lit and I provided the original texts, abridged versions, graphic novels with original language, simpler text for reluctant readers & modern english + manga versions got kids to read sections to see which appealed to them & did a reading too #TLSkyChat
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Alexa Dumas @alexadoom.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A3: I utilize @melissacorey.bsky.social’s visual book lists for RA in my library, and I always include graphics in those lists. I am always book talking graphic novels to my middle schoolers because I happen to love middle grade graphic novels, and they seem to really enjoy my passion! #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Oops! #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A2. @smwordsmith.bsky.social has a god-tier post about shelving for all the graphics and I just do what she says.
graphiclibrary.org
How to shelve graphic novels?
This section is where I will post general information about graphic novels, lists, news, or other things I feel are relevant to the development of graphic novel sections in libraries.
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Heather Turner @techielibgrl.com · 21/05/2026
A1: For some of my staunchest critics and there have been many on GNs that they are not real reading etc. I have a folder will soooo many studies and articles of the benefits of reading graphic. To be fair the reading level on some are sooo much higher then one would think. #TLSkyChat
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Rain @simplyrain.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A1: Well... For the most part, I do not have to sell it (I know I am lucky). My school has taught a GN English elective for neay 20 years and MOST of my staff is VERY young & grew up on them. I just have to support their use & aid instruction. Plus resistance is futile. #TLSkyChat
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Matt @mattlibrarian.eurosky.social · 21/05/2026
For those who have time I give a small lecture on how reading comics requires visual and text decoding and comics are often more linguistically complex than many books and improves vocabulary #TLSkyChat
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
I'm Ashley Hawkins. Middle school librarian in Brooklyn, specializing in manga in school libraries. I do a lot of things.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A1. I go hard on the research. In fact, I go so hard on the research, I’m going back to school to do research. I want to get data on the benefits of manga (and other graphics) for ND readers, and the necessity for school librarians in supporting those readers. #TLSkyChat
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Heather Turner @techielibgrl.com · 21/05/2026
🌸 T-30 minutes until #TLSkyChat! Bring your best graphic novels, manga, and comics to share with @mangalibrarian.bsky.social ! 🌷📚 Questions at tlskychat.com #librarians #skybrarians #tlsky #edusky #manga #booktok #booksky #booktok
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Heather Turner @techielibgrl.com · 19/05/2026
Join us for #TLSkyChat as we explore the power of manga, comics, and graphic novels in the library! 📚🎨 How are you building your collection, supporting readers, and promoting visual storytelling? Share your favorite titles, ideas, and successes with us! 🗓 This Wednesday ⏰ 8PM ET / 5PM PT
A colorful promotional graphic advertises a #TLSkyChat event about manga in school libraries. The top section has a purple background with cartoon clouds and a bunny peeking in from the left. Text reads, “Join Wednesdays! 8PM ET / 5PM PT.” A speech bubble logo says “#TLSkyChat Teacher Librarian Chat” beside an open book and coffee mug illustration.

The center black banner reads “Manga in the Library” in glowing white text. The bottom section features a chibi-style anime character making peace signs beside text announcing guest moderator Ashley Hawkins.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Can't wait to talk manga (and other graphic formats, too!) with all of y'all after so much time!
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
BTW, what I learned today was that Bluesky has 2FA. I turned it on.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
I just had to remove multiple replies from a spicy robot sharing naughty videos on my account so that was a super fun side quest in reactivation.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Oh god, my account was taken over by porn bots and now I have to delete all of their work jesus
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Here's the rundown of what happened. I'll keep the other account as a backup in case of another breakdown in communication.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Soooo, I created a WHOLE NEW ACCOUNT this morning because this one was seemingly gone for good after weeks of trying to get back in, only to get an email granting me access... like ten minutes ago.
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Robert Gibson @robertgibson.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Book banning extremist group “Moms For Liberty” LOST ALL 31 of their races. Moms for Liberty is now 0-59 in contested school board races since 2023.
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
This manga is very popular in Japan- I resisted buying it because I figured it was only a matter of time.
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That Librarian: Amanda Jones @librarianjones.com · 02/11/2025
Ryan Thames has issued a formal apology to me. This was never about $—it was about integrity. I’m grateful that the false statements have been publicly corrected and that the truth is now clear. I hope this outcome serves as a reminder that words carry weight and accountability matters. @la-cac.org
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Rain @simplyrain.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Another collage! Everyone is so incredible. I am starstruck. @mangalibrarian.bsky.social @dapherneener.bsky.social @mobleyinthemix.bsky.social
A collage of Rain and incredible school librarians.
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Sara Campbell @smwordsmith.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
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
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Ashley Hawkins @mangalibrarian.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
If you’re wondering where I’ve been for a month, it was the start of the school year… then Silent Hill f came out so…
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