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Being a late bloomer is not a sign of failure, but a testament to the unique growth that is allowed when we give ourselves the grace to bloom in our own time.
My hope is that my book adds to the canon of mythological stories so that more kids can find themselves reflected in the story, especially kids that might have grown used to feeling “othered.”
Truthfully, although I write about destroying giant, horrible monsters, I’ve never quite been able to vanquish the imposter beast. But I’ve learned how to work around it.
These books on topics ranging from using AI successfully to navigating book challenges are a good place for librarians to start as they look toward another year of positively influencing young readers.
On the last day of 2024, Colby Sharp and I got on a call to look back at the year in children’s literature. This episode of The Yarn podcast is always one of my favorites (and not just because I get a chance to talk about things like The Great British Baking Show). We talk […]
Once upon a time, a reader asked me that age old question: "Where do your ideas come from?" I leaned into the mic and with complete sincerity gave them the best answer I could: "Keanu Reeves."
2024 came to a close with these outstanding selections, which include several from our new Fiction Series Made Simple supplement.
Humans haven’t stepped onto the Moon since 1972. Now, more than 50 years later, American astronauts are planning to head back, this time to stay.
Are your young readers sad that the holiday season is over? Point them to these titles, featuring holidays celebrated throughout the year around the world.
An excellent purchase recommended to any library seeking to embolden readers of a new kind of revolutionary leader.
Providing an important transition point from early readers to chapter books, this is recommended for purchase where many readers are making this leap.
This is good at rehabilitating sharks’ negative public image, but a little light on overall content. Easily digestible for lower elementary students.
PREMIUM
Are You a Friend of Dorothy?: The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped
This nonfiction picture book is a positive addition to library collections with its inclusion of information about LGBTQIA+ history for young readers.
Aspiring archeologists and adventurers alike in all libraries will benefit from the inspiration Maria Reiche offers in being dedicated to new discoveries.
An excellent starting place for educators and young environmentalists alike, this is highly recommended for classrooms and libraries.
With an unending stream of puns, rhymes, and corny dad jokes with some interesting science mixed in, this is sure to appeal to reluctant readers or kids who are attracted to the grosser aspects of life.
This collection will fill a gap in helping all teens navigate their futures in an ableist world.
Hand this book to budding environmentalists or anyone interested in learning more about the plastic problem. A recommended purchase for updating nonfiction collections.
A good choice to middle and high school biography shelves.
PREMIUM
Fighter in the Woods: The True Story of a Jewish Girl who Joined the Partisans in World War II
An important addition to any collection, perfect for fans of Tarshis’s “I Survived” series who are ready to move on to more complex books.
This title does a splendid job of opening ancient worlds to younger readers; it’s a useful addition to nonfiction collections in schools and public libraries.
An interesting story, but also one that leaves readers with an unanswered question.
Within the confines of a regular day, the author-illustrator brilliantly conveys the joy and beauty found in an autumn morning, making every small moment relatable and wonderful. A solid purchase for libraries.
PREMIUM
The Paper Bridge
A very different kind of fairy tale that revolves around a paper craft and with salient lessons on cooperation and community.
Best for cozy story hours, small classroom settings, or home reading, this unique picture book celebrates the power that friendship has to open up the world in more ways than one.
A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others.
PREMIUM
My Dear Sea
Truly, the sea is dear in this immensely gorgeous tale of oceanic depth, perfect for reading aloud to preschoolers and early elementary children.
PREMIUM
The Greatest River
This piece of literature beautifully represents the Ganga river and serves to educate readers on the Hindu beliefs and practices surrounding the river.
This wolf tale presents a diversity of ideologies and perspectives, all of which are sure to help readers reflect on where and how they fit into the world. Highly recommended.
To remember is to honor the past, and Currie’s Gothic problem-solving horror combines the best of local history with community action. Highly recommended for middle grade shelves.
PREMIUM
Wind Watchers
A fresh and poetic offering for wind and weather-themed story times. Recommended for all picture book collections.
PREMIUM
The Night Before Earth Day
This fits the bill for an earth-themed chapter in this series. Purchase where circulation warrants and paperback formats are appropriate.
An essential purchase for most libraries that celebrates global diversity and the joy of dance.
PREMIUM
Safe Crossing
Young eco-activists looking for an ambitious but doable local project will find both useful informational guidelines and inspiration here, despite the fictional wrappings.
PREMIUM
I Love You, Mama
A delightful gift book and thoughtful addition to Mother’s Day collections, and a treasure for sharing with little ones.
The art seems to be a tip of the hat to Jon Klassen’s enigmatic work in the humor, the controlled palette, and the incredible story line. Teachers and kids will love this whole package.
PREMIUM
Call Me Gebyanesh
What an unusual, subtle addition to a familiar conflict; this will be a good fit for collections that support social-emotional learning in early elementary students.
PREMIUM
Made for More
A thoughtfully crafted story and unique depiction of a biracial child; the details of one child’s developing self-image and self-concept will resonate for readers.
PREMIUM
Moonlight, Goodnight
A serviceable bedtime story with outstanding illustrations, perhaps for post-story-hour naps.
PREMIUM
The Big Tournament
A colorful and engaging graphic novel about a young girl who uncovers a nefarious plot and finds the courage to fight.
A compelling blend of folklore and adventure that will appeal to fans of B. B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers and Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor, this is a beautiful, inclusive work that’s also a terrific story; highly recommended for middle grade collections.
PREMIUM
The City of Lost Cats
This ambitious multigenre novel provides enough twists to keep readers engaged and wondering how all the distinct elements will come together in resolution.
Perfect for readers who love trains and adventure. A valuable addition with an entertaining story line and enjoyable artwork.
PREMIUM
Drive
Blending fiction with racing history, this satisfying story is a sound addition to any middle grade graphic novel collection.
A must-purchase for exploration of advocacy for kiddos with sensitive souls, and a great choice for group reading. Pair this with The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan.
PREMIUM
13 Ways to Say Goodbye
Recommended for middle grade collections where verse novels are popular.
PREMIUM
Space Chasers
A story of personal growth and teamwork; hand this to middle school kids who are looking for a STEM adventure.
PREMIUM
On Thin Ice
A resonant novel about sports and sibling relationships in the face of grief; recommended for realistic fiction collections.
PREMIUM
Danilo Was Here
An excellent purchase for middle grade collections looking for unique historical fiction perspectives and sports fiction.
PREMIUM
Ice Apprentices
This first book in a new series is distinct and enjoyable for its worldbuilding, and is for fans of magic academy tales and mystery.
A fun, refreshing, and occasionally dark story recommended for fans of Harry Potter.
With captivating characters and a thoughtful exploration of dyscalculia, this book is a wonderful addition to any library and perfect for fans of Shannon Hale’s and LeUyen Pham’s Real Friends and Raina Telgemeier’s Smile.
This captivating story about stormy friendships and life at sea is a must-have for middle grade graphic novel collections.
PREMIUM
The Doomsday Vault
Without more emphasis on the characters’ personal struggles and less on fantastical elements, this title does not fully deliver a rich emotional experience. Still, fans of cerebral adventures and time-traveling twists will find much to enjoy.
PREMIUM
The Secrets of Underhill
This socially conscious fantasy should appeal to fans of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Christina Soontornvat’s A Wish in the Dark.
This engaging history relates the story of the first significant battle in America’s ongoing “culture wars” and is highly recommended for junior high and high school collections.
An additional purchase for library collections, particularly where demand for literary adaptations for children is high.
PREMIUM
Biology Lessons
An essential and poignant novel that will resonate deeply with older teens navigating the complex world of relationships, identity, and social justice.
PREMIUM
These Vengeful Wishes
Recommended purchase; hand this to fans of Trang Thanh Tran’s She Is a Haunting and Krystal Sutherland’s House of Hollow.
PREMIUM
The Rival
Recommended for school and public libraries; shelve with books aimed at readers leaving the nest and flying on their own for the first time.
PREMIUM
Mystery Royale
This novel takes the successful inheritance-mystery formula and infuses it with dark, illusory magic. Hand this to fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games or Joelle Wellington’s Their Vicious Games.
PREMIUM
This Is the Year
A sad but hopeful look at our future if climate change continues to be ignored.
PREMIUM
Pantomime
A tense yet never grim story, this is an engaging and diverse YA recommendation, great for those seeking excitement and a few twists in their next read.
This straight shot of pure shonen manga energy is a priority purchase for libraries struggling to meet the needs of middle schoolers who are striving readers.
PREMIUM
The Forest King’s Daughter
A bread-and-butter fantasy romance to consider for secondary purchase.
This novel will resonate with voracious romance readers who look for that combination of heartbreak and joy in stories.
PREMIUM
Dreamover
This ephemeral tale of the ups and downs of first love is recommended for libraries where graphic novels about friendships, relationships, and school troubles are popular.
For readers who appreciate fantasy with philosophical depth, this novel is a must-read, offering both a gripping plot and a meditation on the importance of words and empathy in a fractured world.
PREMIUM
The History of Everything
Evoking parallels to Daniel Clowes’s Ghost World, but with far less discomfort and angst, this book is an ultimately feel-good examination of friendship.
Hand this to students who never feel like what they do is enough, who just want to feel seen, and who long for that moment of fame and feeling perfect. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Strange Bedfellows
This whimsical sci-fi fantasy may be a dream come true for some readers, but its crammed story elements might leave others wishing for a little more space.
Teens who love retellings of Emma will devour this story; it is full of smart banter and lovely romantic moments throughout.
PREMIUM
Eggs, Please!
Highly recommended for most library collections as a fun and educational pick for young food lovers.
A well-executed mystery with horror elements, this novel stands out for its social commentary and richly detailed Jamaican setting. A first purchase, hand to fans of Kit Frick’s I Killed Zoe Spanos or Ibi Zoboi’s American Street.
PREMIUM
Everything I Promised You
A story that will pull at the heartstrings of those longing for an epic romance.
Smartly told with fast-paced and suspenseful chapters, there is no question librarians would be pleased to add this novel to collections.
PREMIUM
The Scorpion Queen
Recommended for libraries where shorter-length stand-alone fantasy does well.
Borden’s persistently compelling story lends a perfect background for a graphic novel about sensationalism, murder, media, high-profile court cases, and the effect they can have on communities.
PREMIUM
All the Love Under the Vast Sky
Quick, big-hearted, and well-curated, this is an anthology of stories about love, but not love stories.
PREMIUM
Needy Little Things
Riveting and complex, this debut is a robust companion to Jade Adia’s There Goes the Neighborhood and Tiffany D. Jackson’s Monday’s Not Coming.
PREMIUM
Royal Heirs Academy
Add this to collections where patrons are constantly seeking new royal reads and hand to older readers looking for a more nuanced, less fantasy-driven battle for the throne.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen shares 5 of her favorite YA reads for 2024, and 2 Printz Award predictions
A handful of 2024 releases and a bunch of 2025 releases round out this final book mail post of the year.
Sometimes the simple act of adding some books to my own personal endless TBR stack or list is all it takes for me to want to do a Take Five list.
PREMIUM
How to Free a Leviathan
A touching tale, with shortcomings, about grief and friendship among humans and pets alike; this will circulate well in libraries where Cannistra’s books are popular.
PREMIUM
Golemcrafters
An important and timely book that will make anyone who has been “othered” feel seen. Recommended for most collections.
PREMIUM
Waffle Can’t Decide
Thoughtfully addressing decision-making anxiety with humor and warmth, this title is a solid purchase for large picture book collections.
Children will be empowered to declare their own special events each week, while educators and parents will see that even small moments are worthy of celebration.
PREMIUM
Grandmother Mouse
For the Indigenous shelves, for the SEL shelves, this is a book to charmingly inspire children to reflect on their day-to-day.
An appealing invitation to contemplate how our actions may impact the natural world, this title is a welcome addition to any picture book collection, especially where there is a demand for STEM content.
PREMIUM
Mad at Dad
The story is so basic but the treatment in words and art is not, and this will help children put into words the very noisy side of being mad.
Generous sentiments against tempered storytelling make for a tangible glimpse of amiable competition mixed with a powerful draw toward cooperation. A necessary volume.
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