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If there’s one takeaway I’d like all readers to get, it’s that they matter, just as they are, and they deserve to follow their dreams.
Now up for discussion in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery: QUAGMIRE TIARELLO COULDN'T BE BETTER by Mylisa Larsen. Heavy Medal Award Committee Member Janeé Jackson-Doering notes that "this book tackles themes of growing up, anger, first love, mental illness and anxiety through wry humor."
It's the rare anthology where every story feels strong, and this one certainly achieves that. A great read about love of all kinds around the world and throughout time. Definitely check it out!
Author Shelly Page shares her thoughts about representation and her newest release, BREWED WITH LOVE
I am absolutely in love with Mafalda and soon, my friends, you will be too. Translated into English for the first time, I talk with the people who have given her life here in the States.
Author Karen Valby discusses her book, THE SWANS OF HARLEM
Now up for discussion in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery: the only graphic novel title PLAIN JANE AND THE MERMAIDS by Vera Brosgol.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Chickenpox from Henry Holt and Paws Hazel Has Her Hands Full from Putnam.
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.
They may offer you lots of cheap thrills / fancy condos in Beverly Hills / but whatever they offer you don't trust the fish!
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
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?
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?
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.
Today's Mock Newbery discussion features a late publication standout: MALLORY IN FULL COLOR by Elisa Stone Leahy.
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.
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.
Here are some of the BIPOC Pearls who have contributed to youth literature and have gone on to the ancestors.
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.
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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.
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.
2024 came to a close with these outstanding selections, which include several from our new Fiction Series Made Simple supplement.
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.
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 […]
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.
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?
For this one time only, please enjoy this list of some of the 2025 Children's Books I Am Most Excited To See.
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.
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.
A handful of 2024 releases and a bunch of 2025 releases round out this final book mail post of the year.
Come and enjoy this eclectic collection of some of the most memorable fiction for older readers out in 2024.
By Guest Writer Kavita Mohan* for EveryLibrary As we previously discussed in Politics in Practice (May 2023), U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) entered into a Resolution Agreement with the Forsyth County School District in Georgia following its investigation into whether the District’s removal of certain books from schools created a hostile […]
As with any list of longer titles, I have to say right off the bat that what you'll find here is more of a representative sample of the great older fiction of 2024 than what was actually the "best".
COLBY: A couple of months ago Jerzy visited the elementary school that I teach in for an author visit. He was amazing! In this episode of The Yarn my co-host Travis Jonker chats with Jerzy about his new graphic novel The Inscrutable Doctor Baer and the Case of the Two-Faced Statue. I hope you enjoy […]
I consider these the best of the best. The ones you cannot miss. See if you can find one you missed before now.
Booklists are perennially popular content on SLJ. The most viewed ones, however, aren’t all from 2024 or featuring titles from current publishing seasons. See what topics drew reader interest this past year.
Inspired by Greek myth, Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky's thrilling adventure features a young girl taken to Hades as part of a greater plot to reignite an old war between rival nations.
Today we start with a practice discussion of OLIVETTI by Allie Millington, a title not on the Heavy Medal book list but one that still received 12 Mock Newbery nominations.
The Blueberry Awards are given to, "honor children’s literature that strengthens kids’ connections with nature and fosters action for the planet." Essentially these are nature and climate books with an eye to instilling a love of the natural world
This may look like an ample list, and it is, but all thirty of these individuals are just a small slice of the pie that was biography in 2024. Read them in good health.
Today, consider this post my present to all those nonfiction and informational book fans out there. It's just FULL of titles that won't really get their day in the sun unless we promote the bloody heck out them.
Two teens, one with diabetes and the other a newly turned vampire, help each other deal with their conditions in Sarah Winifred Searle's graphic novel.
Consider this one for the kiddos. If it's gross, it's gonna be here.
Author Alyson Gerber discusses the classic THE WESTING GAME and how it influenced her mystery series, THE LIARS SOCIETY
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under featuring Blake Laser Volume 1 from Harper Alley and Digital Lizards of Doom Volume 3: Level 3 Dana Deathly from Papercutz.
They can be some of the most creative books of the year (and are a nightmare to catalogers everywhere). Take a gander at books that meld fact and fiction with aplomb.
Here are some books with a distinctive fantasy feel that stood out to me in 2024. Read 'em! Enjoy 'em! Love 'em!
Today, I celebrate what little science fiction there is. And, interestingly enough, the bulk of it this year seemed to come in the form of picture books. What are we to make of that? Not sure, but it's kinda cool.
In this month's Newbery Author Spotlight, we look back at some memorable Newbery Medal acceptance speeches and invite readers to share their own experiences.
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.
On today's list you'll discover a wild mix of nonfiction, poetry, comics, novels, and more. Just sit back and enjoy the array!
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.
PREMIUM
Searching for Home
Bourgonje has a gift for watercolor-like scenes that keep action—a lot of action
PREMIUM
All the Things You Will Do!
Simple and empowering, this book may hit the mark for young children.
PREMIUM
Dinosaurs for Dylan
This book is highly recommended for libraries, as it offers an important message of inclusion, empathy, and the different ways friendship can flourish.
This thoughtfully crafted story could be helpful to a young reader who has a family member struggling with addiction. A solid purchase where picture books addressing serious topics are needed.
This educational read is certain to be valued and enjoyed by all who seek to learn more about the native red wolf. A fabulous addition to all nonfiction library shelves.
There is no question, this must be purchased, read, and shared.
PREMIUM
The Astronaut Diaries
Readers will be transported to the International Space Station on an educational and inspirational journey of discovery; this spirited relating of important STEM concepts is an essential purchase.
This work profiles women’s equality in sports like a book about women’s suffrage or education and provides a perspective on the historical and contemporary vantage point of those topics: important to know.
PREMIUM
All the Truth I Can Stand
A heartbreaking historical story about grief, legacy, and the complexities of being human. Recommended for general purchase.
PREMIUM
Re:Anima, Vol. 1
This first volume is a breath of fresh air to sci-fi manga with infinite potential in the story to come.
PREMIUM
Hereditary Triangle
This meditation on relationships and what it is to be human breathes new life and perspective into the classic love-triangle story.
PREMIUM
Stealing for Keeps
A solid first book for the series, especially for readers who might want some romance but nothing heavy handed.
Listeners who enjoy nonfiction, documentaries, and titles about World War II will want to pick up this audiobook. Recommended for all library collections.
Such smooth nonfiction, this book is the perfect bridge between softer fact-based information and some of the lengthier volumes on science for emerging readers.
Tongue-in-cheek a lot of the time, this book conveys facts with a spoonful of joking and children will eat it up.
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