Don’t Trust FishBy Neil SharpsonIllustrated by Dan SantatDial Books for Young Readers$18.99ISBN: 9780593616673On shelves April 8th What makes a good unreliable narrator… in a picture book? One might argue that it’s very much the same qualities that make a good unreliable narrator in a work of fiction for older readers. There’s the choice the author […]
Can a horror novel for children contend for the Newbery Medal?. Anne Ursu's NOT QUITE A GHOST is a Heavy Medal Mock Newbery finalist
What's new in the world of READ posters?
A coming-of-age tale of a teen girl who discovers she's half-dragon.
5 new middle grade novels to add to your 2025 TBR!
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.”
Alicia D. Williams won a Newbery Honor in 2020 for her first novel. Her newest book, MID-AIR, is a Heavy Medal Mock Newbery finalist.
Can you guess the children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads?
As the wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles County, these organizations are collecting donations to help those impacted by the disaster.
Quotes from the creators! Interior spreads! And potatoes, potatoes, potatoes! What more could you want?
Transgender actor and activist Nicole Maines played the character of Nia Nal/Dreamer, a trans superhero, in the television show Supergirl, and when the show ended, she wanted Nia to keep on going. So she pitched a story to DC and they said “OK, write it!” DC published her YA graphic novel Bad Dream: A Dreamer […]
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.
Adam Gidtiz won a Newbery Honor in 2017 for THE INQUISITORS TALE. Does his latest title, MAX IN THE HOUSE OF SPIES have what it takes to win the medal?
I love being a librarian. I read books aloud, develop the collection, recommend books, and help students with digital citizenship skills. On the less fun side of being a librarian is reminding students about book care. I even made a drawing about all the approved (and unapproved) ways kids hold their books: On the EVEN […]
Seek-and-finds, stories about escape challenges, and other engaging titles.
Combat winter doldrums with group jigsaws, mindteasers, and more.
An author proposes a simple standard for representing climate reality in books for children and teens.
Today, we talk with Lauren and Susan on the book, where it came from, its design, and how you develop a book with this kicker of a combo of art and heart.
Cartoonist James Kochalka is next at bat in RH Graphic's line of Dr. Seuss graphic novels, taking on the most challenging Seuss extrapolation yet, that of Green Eggs and Ham.
This Is the Year engages with how people relate to ever-shifting environments and imagine futures in the wake of this human-caused ecological crisis.
Today's Mock Newbery discussion features a late publication standout: MALLORY IN FULL COLOR by Elisa Stone Leahy.
Travis Jonker makes the case for moving on from Randolph Caldecott and giving the Pinkney Medal to the illustrator of the most distinguished picture book of the year.
Oklahoma and New Hampshire legislators file bills to monitor library materials and promote parental rights, while a New Mexico lawmaker moves to protect librarians.
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.
Here are some of the BIPOC Pearls who have contributed to youth literature and have gone on to the ancestors.
From subverting the general expectations of what butterflies "should" look like to the delights of a true collaboration, join these three picture book creators as they explain how they work together.
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 […]
MAGNOLIA WU UNFOLDS IT ALL is a title set in New York City and an adventure of identity, friendship and lost items.
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."
Warm, charming, and utterly necessary, this beautiful work of historical fiction is a classic in the making. Young readers will certainly devour and adore it.
As librarians prepare to celebrate Black History Month this February, the events of the last few years underscore the significance of this occasion. Honoring the achievements of Black Americans bolsters the self-esteem of Black youth and can empower them to excel in school. Here are some notable books for teaching and celebrating Black culture and history.
2024 came to a close with these outstanding selections, which include several from our new Fiction Series Made Simple supplement.
From ready reference to encyclopedias, these titles will spark curiosity in baseball, ancient times, and dragons, while also providing research resources on Black women's history and space travel.
Today, I am pleased to present to you an excerpt from Remy Lai's latest. Warning: Things may get itchy.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Mack Moon and the P.E.T.S. Volume 1 from Andrews McMeel and Zootopia #1 from Dynamite Entertainment.
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.
Next up in our discussion of 2025 Newbery contenders: LOUDER THAN HUNGER by John Schu. Heavy Medal Award Committee member Meghan Baranski states that this book "gives a realistic glimpse into the mental battle it takes to confront a Voice that is relentless with its lies and harm." Is it a Newbery frontrunner?
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.
The 2021 School Librarian of the Year reflects on a busy year and promises to keep fighting censorship attempts and anti-library legislation in 2025.
I introduce Kate to the original metafictional picture book and the legacy it engendered. Today we discuss newspapers, abstract cows, how the book occasionally hurts Kate's brain, and why it reminds her of the testing she took for her own autism.
A novel in verse and the National Book Award for Young People's Literature is KAREEM BETWEEN a Heavy Medal Mock Newbery finalist.
Music is an especially emotive form of storytelling. It’s truly a universal language and I hope readers will take away an appreciation for spirituals as a valued basis for so much of the music produced in the USA.
Introduction by Heavy Medal Award Committee Member Kate Olson As an adult reader, it is always a bit of a shock to see books set during my adulthood considered historical, or in the case of THE FIRST STATE OF BEING by Erin Entrada Kelly, to have my freshman year of college be a time period […]
Usually on Fridays I do Take Five lists, recommending five books to read. But this first Friday of the new year is a Take 265 list. That's right, this past year I read 265 books.
Counting down the Top 10 posts of the year.
With the vow of mass deportations in the coming Trump administration, SLJ spoke with Nicholas Espiritu of the National Immigration Law Center about students' rights and how educators and administrators can support and protect children at their schools.
“The law deputizes librarians and booksellers as the agents of censorship," judge Timothy Brooks wrote in the ruling. Plus, more news about book removals and community pushback on censorship attempts around the country.
The recently revamped Diverse BookFinder is a beneficial collection development resource for librarians and educators who are dedicated to encouraging diversity and inclusivity in children’s literature.
Each year I track the children's book creators we lost during the year. In 2024 we saw some truly great friends go away. Here's my list.
The Prohibition Era extends beyond the obvious elements of the subject to look at events and people that changed American culture.
Of the 15 titles on the Heavy Medal Book List, Candace Fleming's THE ENGIMA GIRLS is the only nonfiction entry. Will this riveting historical story measure up to this year's other Newbery contenders?
Counting down the Top 10 posts of the year.
For this one time only, please enjoy this list of some of the 2025 Children's Books I Am Most Excited To See.
With the expected attempts to enact the plans defined in Project 2025, librarians must act strategically within their schools, communities, and local and state legislation to ensure the future of libraries. Experts share tactics and advice for the upcoming fight.
Teen librarian Cindy Shutts shares how to make mini book shelves
Counting down the Top 10 posts of the year.
Travis: Colby Sharp and I got on a video call to talk about children’s literature in 2024. A lot happened. In this special extended episode, we discuss our favorite books, memorable moments, the joys of pickleball, and many other topics. We hope you enjoy this episode: Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes […]
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen shares 5 of her favorite YA reads for 2024, and 2 Printz Award predictions
Today's Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist is THE COLOR OF SOUND by Emily Barth Isler, a title about a young neurodivergent musician, with a little bit of time-travel involved.
Counting down the Top 10 posts of the year.
Our final list! Enjoy what is inarguably a lovely list of books. And thank you for reading my lists this month!
The author of Witches of Brooklyn returns with another fantasy-tinged coming-of-age story.
We kick off our official Heavy Medal Mock Newbery discussion with a poetry collection- BLACK GIRL, YOU ARE ATLAS by Renee Watson.
articles