The high school I work at has a nice bookshelf of manga/graphic novels.

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions manga that would be good for high schoolers.  Have to limit the gore & nudity because it is a high school, but the kids are intellegent enough to handle complex stories.  Though non-complex can give their brains a break from calculus. :)

I would prefer things that are contained within 3 volumes.  I'm already working on building Kenshin for them, and I'd LOVE to build Usagi Yojimbo (but not enough to give up my copies).  I'd like to look for something that isn't 28 volumes long. :P

(Edited because I repeated myself.)

How about Suki by Clamp? (3 vols.)

Cafe Kichijouji De :: Yuki Miyamoto is only 3 vols. also. (Fun manga for guys or girls)

Inverloch :: Sarah Ellerton is 3 vols. not sure if she'll do any more (furry but not too cute animals along with magical-type humans in an adventure story)

Mars by Fuyumi Soryo is 15 vols. long. (rated for teens but has a more complex storyline)

Miki Falls by Mark Crilley is 4 vols. long.

Megatokyo is 5 vols. long. and is really funny. Good choice for guys.

that's all I can think of at the moment

I second 'Cafe Kichiouji de'  and 'Megatokyo'  (Rory, you have really good taste! I own all of both series, they're two of my favorites) Although, Cafe is a bit more expensive at 12.95 a volume, its a really pretty read, very light and fun.

Anything by CLAMP is win, especially for a big collection like a library.

"Me & My Brothers" is only two volumes long (hmm, so far..) Its shojo, and similar in storyline to "Ouran High School Host Club." However, Ouran is a bit longer.

"Dramacon" Its only 3 volumes, american drawn, and really really good. If you are into the "otaku" subculture you will enjoy this book.

"Le Portrait de Petite Cosette" Only 2 volumes and good for those people who may not enjoy anything already listed (Its in a different type of style than most shojo, and its supposed to be gothic/horror, I guess)

"Yotsuba&" The 6th volume of this came out this month. It is age appropriate for everyone, yet still has laugh out loud humor. Its by the creator of "Azumanga Daioh," so if you've read/watched that title, you know how great this one is.

All manga libraries deserve something by Osamu Tezuka, considering he is the "god of manga." How about "Phoenix."

I understand your reason, but keeping it to 3 volumes is very difficult. The most popular manga titles in america are ones like naruto or bleach. They are infinitely long! I tried hard with my recommendations so hopefully I helped.

good luck

Interesting.  Lots of things I've never heard of, and I'll have to poke about.  And see which ones become available. :)

I have a couple CLAMP books around here I need to read. But I have them on the wrong bookshelf and keep forgetting them.  Megatoyko might go over well.   However, I personally do not like it, and I'd rather give them things I like. :)

I'll float a few of these by the Manga Club president and see what he thinks. He's hard to get talking, so a list of books might help.   I think it's about time for the librarian to make her annual wish list for the local bookstore, and maybe I can drop a few hints--she's really good at selecting, but can probably be swayed between different manga sets if she thinks someone wants to buy them.  Since you get 20% off if you buy off the wish lists during the school-days sale at the bookstore. :)

And $12.95 may be more expensive than some of them...but still cheaper than Usagi Yojimbo, which I'd really like to see on their shelves because it's 1) a great story and 2) pulls in history in sneaky fashion.  Every now and then I'd pause and say "I think I just learned something!"   It includes notes in the back of at least the trade paperbacks of sources which is nifty. Hard to convince myself to spend that much, and the store that does the 20% off doesn't carry it--I may contact them when I know the dates and see if it applies to orders I put in ahead of time but pay for that weekend.