I've been trying to wrap my head around how to measure literary quality in a graphic novel. There is an elegance in the way text can play off a drawing that in isn't used in straight prose. Some of the best artistry in storytelling is being done in the format but there is no way to discount the power of the pictures. I'm not sure the spirit of the Newbery criteria would want to over look these books.

To date, I haven't been able to figure a way to do it. Jonathan tried with the O'Connor gn last year or the year before, but I can't figure it out. I think Nina is going to try with El Deafo this year.

if you think in terms of structure, pace, point of view, and dialogue, graphic novels are judged the same way as prose novels. The pictures only fill in for description and action - well,that's a big "only," but still. It helps to get your hands on some g/n scripts - Gaiman sometimes posts excerpts from his - then you get a good sense of how an author breaks it down. It also helps to have read a whole ton of terrible graphic novels, like I have :) Then you know for sure who's doing what right!