Today's summer list from Penguin Young Readers centers LGBTQIA+ stories/characters and race/racism
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Botticelli's Apprentice from Quill Tree Books and Max Meow 6 When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad) from Random House Graphic.
If you work with young people and books, you already know that graphic novels are insanely popular. In response, there has been a huge publishing boom resulting in graphic novels that are not just entertaining, but that also address serious social issues in a way that make readers sit up and take notice. Last summer, […]
Rounding up 2025 books from past Caldecott Medal and Honor winners!
Smart as a whip, funny, and clever, this little visual metaphor of a picture book is the best possible way to make it crystal clear the responsibilities some kids shoulder.
Books featuring grief, a magic school, a treasure hunt, a robot, and a young adventurer!
Author Trang Thanh Tran joins us to talk about their new book THEY BLOOM AT NIGHT.
An amazing amalgamation of thoughts, themes, and ideas that could have ended up an unholy mess and, instead, work. Today, I talk with Kyle Lukoff about his Jewish/trans/epic fantasy latest.
In this much acclaimed manga, a fighter must battle fierce opponents and a life-threatening illness in his quest for revenge.
In The Peach Thief, my 13-year-old protagonist—a starving workhouse girl—poses as a boy in order to get a tenuous job scrubbing pots in the all-male world of an earl’s walled kitchen garden.
The Kids Discover Online database invites students to an educational environment where they can read, play, and follow their natural curiosity. Here's our review.
Protecting younger siblings everywhere? This super spy graphic novel aims to do just that. A talk with the creators of this newest comic creation.
In cartoonist Cindy Chang's fictionalized childhood memoir, the young Cindy learns a secret that will transform her conception of her own family on a trip to Taiwan.
Even as we need to keep telling the painful truth of book bans, we also need to take extra care to celebrate and elevate the unique gifts that each book offers.
This month's starred selections include nonfiction and reference books, along with the latest Legend of Zelda video game.
Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu festival celebrating spring. Young readers will enjoy these colorful picture books about the holiday.
Two exemplary titles explore activism from distinct perspectives for young readers.
"I hope this book will illuminate the tragic consequences of xenophobia and racism. I’m really hoping that the massacre is a piece of history we learn from, and not one that we relive."
Science fiction is fun, curious, and adventurous. It bends the reality of our world and stretches our imaginations to explore all the “what ifs” floating within our universe.
This nuanced look at life with a mentally ill parent shows that change and hope are possible, but that one kid can't achieve those things on his own, nor should he have to.
The new Caldecott Medalist on The Yarn podcast!
"...size is one of the first mysteries to confront us when we’re children. It’s still a mystery." Laura Amy Schlitz joins us in conversation as we reveal the cover of her latest book, The Winter of the Dollhouse.
These collections gather poems about nature, imagination, and creativity. Share them with young readers to open up a world of possibilities.
Black history centers the Black experience, highlighting the contributions of Black Americans which are either provoked by, aligned with or supported by members of other racial and ethnic groups.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under featuring Hikaru In the Light Volume 1 from Graphix and Speak Up Santiago from Random House Graphic.
Author Jenna Voris joins us to talk about her new book, Say a Little Prayer.
Women’s History Month reminds us that, although they are sometimes overlooked in history classes, women are very much a part of American history. They’ve been key players both out front and behind the scenes. During our recent work creating the new database, Women’s History in the United States, we discovered many inspirational stories of such women from various time periods and walks of life.
The night before Christmas should have been a time of celebration and joy for Matt Davis, the Library Media Specialist at Seckman High School in Imperial, Missouri. Instead, it turned into a nightmare when a water line burst in the school library he had managed for the past three years. The call he received that night was devastating, as it meant the loss of thousands of books and significant damage to the library space.
We're 10 months away from the 2026 Newbery Medal announcement, but it's never too early to start reading. If you've read any early 2025 publications that might have a chance at the Medal, add your suggestions to our monthly list between now and March 8.
Many more engaging books deserve space on the library shelf.
Full of interesting information about scat but would likely appeal to a limited audience. An additional purchase.
Gripping and wrenching. A must for all libraries.
A great choice for most nonfiction and reference shelves.
An essential resource for high school libraries with a focus on gender studies or STEM.
Recommended as a useful addition to school and public libraries serving teens, parents, and educators.
A strong addition for high school and university collections, especially in research and law contexts.
Densely written text distracts from a comprehensive and interesting overview of the science of healthy skin.
With many insects that even well-informed entomology enthusiasts may not know, this book provides solid information without overwhelming readers.
With its emphasis on honesty and practical guidance, this book may empower young readers to navigate their choices with confidence.
Although this thorough and well-researched book successfully asks and answers almost every question about diets, healthy eating, and the science that ties it all together, it’s written primarily for a sophisticated adult audience with formatting issues that make the book less accessible to young readers.
Recommended as a solid supplementary resource for middle school and high school libraries.
A charming introduction, but the pop-up element might make it a challenge for public libraries.
An adequate overview for children familiar with climbing but confusing for those who are not. Additional purchase.
This work is most useful for refreshing collections, reader advisories, and book displays.
An excellent choice for research reports.
Recommended as a strong acquisition for school libraries and environmental organizations.
A solid addition to library collections, perfect for encouraging observation skills.
A supplemental purchase for libraries.
A solid purchase for most library collections.
A solid addition for collections catering to vehicle-loving readers.
A must-have for libraries needing to expand their LGBTQIA+ collections.
A first purchase for most everyone.
A must-have for all libraries; this introduces one of the most fascinating aspects of the language to a group who just loves learning.
A valuable addition for libraries seeking more inclusive and relatable titles about sibling connections.
A popular choice for libraries and a great tool for encouraging relaxation and mindfulness.
A great resource for supporting emotional literacy in early learners and their families.
With cheerful digital illustrations and opportunities for learning, this title is a supplemental purchase for most shelves.
A great purchase for shelves everywhere.
A stellar choice for libraries, classrooms, and space lovers everywhere.
Perfect for inspiring families to explore nature together, this title is a wonderful addition to collections where camping is valued in the community.
A first purchase for libraries and schools alike.
This title is a lovely blend of education and storytelling, perfect for shared family reading or classroom use.
This title is best as a supplemental addition to collections.
A delightful educational addition to any library collection.
This title fills a vital gap in the board book collection and is a must-have for all shelves.
A delightful choice for toddlers gaining confidence as they develop new skills.
A supplemental purchase for most library collections.
A solid purchase for any library collection.
An excellent addition for all early reader collections.
Fantasy writing for new-ish readers is growing increasingly robust, and this exciting series starter is proof.
This wonderful story about friendship and solving a mystery is sure to be a great addition to any elementary library section.
A light science fiction/fantasy story about getting along through cooperation. A good choice where stories about siblings are needed.
A must-have for preschool classrooms and to have on hand for families with young children.
A cut above the usual chapter book fare, this series is for clever kids who want a little substance and magic to their laughs.
Ariana is the kind, thoughtful friend every child would love to have. This delightful series is perfect for kids transitioning out of beginning readers.
The relatable story and structured repetition of both vocabulary and plot elements makes this a solid choice for emerging readers.
This engaging and educational title helps to fill an existing gap in children’s literature and will be a welcome addition to any picture book or holiday collection.
A rare representation of the Brazilian celebration Festa Junina, this tender story of identity and belonging will linger in the hearts of readers.
A comprehensive overview of this celebration in language that is easy for emerging readers. Highly recommended for all collections.
This book will serve as a basic but informative text for elementary students to gain exposure not only to Juneteenth but also to equality, diversity, and acceptance.
A fun addition to the poetry section of early elementary libraries.
An excellent addition to diversify literature collections, highly recommended for libraries with high Indian student populations.
A supplementary purchase for collections needing more books about Juneteenth.
Spooky meets sandy in this unique counting board book, sure to enchant Halloween lovers during the summer months.
Combining birthdays and dinosaurs is a perfect match. This book is guaranteed to have high circulation
While not an essential purchase, this book is a valuable addition to Eid collections or for families experiencing big life changes.
. Highly recommended for purchase for any picture book or holiday collection.
A lovely picture book that shares a fun tradition many families enjoy during Easter, this bilingual picture book is perfect for children’s collections and a great holiday choice.
A significant and very sweet collection. Recommended where folklore and short stories are popular.
This beautifully crafted, culturally rich story celebrates diversity and will resonate with middle grade readers. Pavi’s journey encourages empathy and curiosity, making this an excellent addition to classroom and library collections.
As powerful and triumphant as the first book, this eye-opening read belongs on all shelves.
A well-developed adventure with wide appeal for those looking for longer realistic stories. Strongly recommended for graphic novel collections.
This mecha book is a good choice for those seeking action-based stories or anyone looking for an entry to manga.
Brimming with luminous artwork, this coming-of-age graphic novel is a perfect pick for fans of Ghostbusters, Stranger Things, and other paranormal stories that feature unlikely heroes.
This is an uplifting addition to library collections for newly confident middle grade readers.
Recommended for its realistic depictions of mental illness, family struggles, and emotional growth, especially where writers like Jasmine Warga and others are popular.
This is an important purchase for all children’s and teens’ library shelves.
For fans of Percy Jackson folklore, magic, secrets, and strong, underestimated heroines.
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