March 30, 2026

We are happy to announce the graphic historical biography CHARITY & SYLVIA by award-winning cartoonist and CCS faculty member Tillie Walden ‘16 is Vermont Reads Choice for 2026.

Since 2003, Vermont Humanities has invited residents across the state to read the same book and join in community activities related to the book’s themes.

Out in June by Drawn & Quarterly, CHARITY & SYLVIA documents the true story of an openly lesbian couple who lived in 19th-century Vermont. Preorder your copy from your favorite bookstore or at: drawnandquarterly.com/books/charity-and-sylvia/

“A timeless story of marriage, well-grounded in queer history. An absolute triumph.” —Kirkus starred review

“In CHARITY & SYLVIA, thepreternaturally gifted Tillie Walden surpasses herself. She relates this true story of two women living as a couple in early 19th century Vermont with a pitch-perfect blend of modern sensibility and richly textured archival detail.” —Alison Bechdel, award-winning cartoonist and VT’s third cartoonist laureate

“CHARITY & SYLVIA is a staggering achievement: a lesbian love story that both moves and enlightens us.” —Michael Bronski, activist and author of A Queer History of the United States

Tillie Walden was also a contributor to the Vermont Reads Choice for 2022: THE MOST COSTLY JOURNEY. Several CCS faculty and alumni contributed comics to this very important project which showcases the real-life stories of migrant farmworkers in their own words who are living and working in Vermont, most of whom are from Central America. Artists include Iona Fox ‘15, Kane Lynch ‘16, Teppi Zuppo ‘15, John Carvajal ‘15, Angela Boyle ‘16, Glynnis Fawkes, Shashwat Mishra ‘16, Kevin Kite, Michael Tonn, Greg Giordano, Michelle Sayles, in addition to a foreword by Stephen R. Bissette.

The first graphic novel Vermont Reads Choice was the first volume of MARCH by the late congressperson and civil rights activist John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell in 2019. Over 200 different Vermont towns, cities, and villages have participated in Vermont Reads to date. Schools, libraries, service organizations, churches, businesses, or other community-based organizations can participate by filling out a brief application at VermontHumanities.org.

Tillie Walden was appointed Vermont’s fifth cartoonist laureate, its youngest. Tillie won the 2018 Eisner Award for “Best Reality-Based Work” for her graphic novel memoir SPINNING (First Second), which made her, at 22, one of the youngest Eisner Award winners ever. She won another Eisner in 2020 for ARE YOU LISTENING? (First Second/Macmillan), for the “Best Graphic Album—New Material” category. She recently published the conclusion of the Eisner-nominated CLEMENTINE graphic novel trilogy (Image Comics), and a duology of middle-grade graphic novels with indie-pop duo Tegan & Sara, JUNIOR HIGH in 2023 and CRUSH in 2024 (Farrar, Straus and Giroux).
You can learn more about Tillie’s work here: www.tilliewalden.com.

SAVE THE DATE: CCS and VT Humanities will be hosting an event with Tillie  Walden on May 30, 2–3pm in White River Junction. Stay tuned for more details!